MOMS of Southern Highlands helps build friendships for Las Vegas mothers

Moms have to stick together, if not to maintain sanity then for simple camaraderie and companionship.

" Being a mom, especially if you're a stay-at-home mom, can be a lonely thing," said Jessica Wright, vice president of MOMS of Southern Highlands . "That's why groups like ours are so important."

MOMS (Moms Offering Moms Support) is a local chapter of a national group designed to do just what the name suggests: offer support to moms who work and moms who don't.

"That's a common misconception among women who hear about groups like ours," Wright said. "Yes, we have many stay-at-home moms who participate. But we also have working and part-time moms who come to our events. We don't discriminate against anyone."

Wright became a member of the nonprofit club after meeting a woman walking in her neighborhood with a flier.

"I asked her immediately what it was about, and she invited me to the next meeting," she said. "I had lived here with my family for three years before I found MOMS. I was not able to make friends before that, and it was a very lonely existence. It's hard to not have other adults to talk to."

Group treasurer Julie Murray said that MOMS is as much about weekly play dates and monthly events for kids as it is socializing for moms.

"We have events like Moms Night Out, where we meet for appetizers or something," she said, "just to get away from the kids for a little while and talk, and hang out. Those are fairly popular."

Murray said the group has approximately 30 members, with at least 25 showing up regularly for monthly meetings (which are open to the public) and other events.

Murray said the group gives moms emotional support and a place to ask questions when they aren't sure if their children are normal.

"It can be a tricky thing, being a mom," she said, "e specially if you're a new mom. You know what the doctors tell you and what you own mother tells you, but it can be very scary. It's nice to have advice from other moms who can say, 'Yeah. That's totally normal.' Or, 'I had no idea what I was doing at first, either. It gets better.' That's a priceless feeling when you know you have somewhere to go with things."

Wright said moms of any age and background are welcome to join the group. Annual dues are $25, and the nonprofit's boundaries for membership are from Rainbow Boulevard to Interstate 15 and south of Tropicana Avenue.

"If you live within those boundaries, then you would be a part of our group," she said. "If not, you can go to the national website, which will direct you to the closest group in your area."

Murray said MOMS is always looking for new members.

"We welcome anyone who is interested in learning more to come out and see what we're about," she said.

For more information, visit momsclubofsh.com or momsclub.org.

Contact Southwest and Spring Valley View reporter Amanda Donnelly at adonnelly@viewnews.com or 380-4535.