Community Notes: Hollywood MOMS Club Welcomes, Supports

Editor's Note: Community Notes is a section where Hollywood Patch readers may sound off on local topics. Megan Katz writes to share about her experience as a member of the Hollywood MOMS Club. Have praise, concerns or views about a local topic you would like to share? Send a submission to lindsey.baguio@patch.com.

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Although it’s probably not hard to spot the moms in your neighborhood, it can sometimes be difficult to meet new people. Just like everyone else, moms often need help finding others to talk about the trials and tribulations of motherhood with, and for plain old companionship. Well, look no further than the MOMS Club of Hollywood for just that.

When I first heard of the MOMS Club, I assumed it would be a bunch of snooty women with a lot more money than me and my family and nothing better to do than sit around eating bonbons and complaining about their kids. How I concocted this fantasy, I can’t imagine, because I couldn’t have been more wrong!

The women of the Moms Club of Hollywood are welcoming and supportive. They enjoy seeing familiar and new faces alike, and they’re always warm and receptive, even though I don’t get to as many events as I’d like. This is also something that surprised me; the amazing number of functions offered by the group! From regular playdates to special outings, speakers, parties, meetings and gatherings led by other MOMS Club chapters, my calendar could practically be full every day of the week!

Although the club is theoretically for at-home mothers, I’ve never felt judged for working part-time and running a business. If anything, I’ve networked with MOMS Club moms and shared work advice and tips. As a matter of fact, the MOMS Club has been just that: a means of not only socializing with other mothers and their children, but also a fountain of wisdom from which each mother may contribute and take as much as she needs.

As for the financial side of things, well, let’s just say that many of us are in the same boat. Mothers who previously worked and choose to stay home are cutting their income in half, so, by necessity, they become very frugal with their bank accounts and budgeting. There’s nothing wrong with being financially secure, but those of us who are still working on it, especially in today’s economy, definitely benefit from connecting with others who are dealing with similar issues.

The members of the MOMS Club of Hollywood are loving and devoted parents without being overbearing. While I have found plenty of support for the parenting principles I follow, everyone is different, and it seems that different theories and methods are always respected.

If you’re interested in talking to other moms and introducing your child to other children, you couldn’t do better than the MOMS Club of Hollywood. Meetings are held the second Friday of every month from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Dragonfly DuLou, 2066 Hillhurst, and they are open to the public. There is always a speaker or presentation and snacks and juice afterward. You can come meet some of the moms, play a little, get some information, and see what you think. I’m sure you’ll find, like I did, that you didn’t know what you were missing.

(You must be in either the 90028, 90038, or 90068 area code to join the MOMS Club of Hollywood. For more information, email momsclubhollywood@yahoo.com. If you’re not in one of these zip codes, just go to www.momsclub.org to find a chapter in your area.)

— Megan Katz, a Hollywood MOMS Club member