Chico Mothers Club – Support And Lifelong Friendship

In 1995, a group of six mothers got together to create a supportive, safe space for themselves and other families experiencing the journey of motherhood and parenting. Their vision eventually became the Chico Mothers Club (CMC), a member-run organization that provides fruitful friendships, social connections and a variety of resources for families in Chico and the surrounding area.

Photos by Amber Thompson

Playgroups and other regular connections for 241 members

As members of the CMC, moms, kids and families connect on a regular basis as they build lifelong friendships. For families that have lived here for a while and are looking for extra socialization and for those that are new to the area, CNCe offers weekly, monthly and annual activities and events. The club’s steering committee, a group of 28 volunteer moms, organizes a variety of events and initiatives with something for each of its 241 members. Playgroups, a popular activity, are divided based on the child’s’ birth year, with a limit of eight moms in each playgroup. In consideration of the current life challenges with the pandemic, some groups are meeting in person, and some have decided to stay virtual for the time being.

CMC President Shae Lerner joined the club in 2016 when she first moved to Chico. “The club provides moms with a forum to discuss difficult parenting stages online as well as playgroups and support groups to meet in person with other moms experiencing similar stages of child rearing,” she says. “We are a safe place to discuss all mothering challenges and celebrations. I personally believe that any connection a mom has with other moms is beneficial in order to know you aren’t alone in your struggles and sacrifices. We also celebrate parenting victories together.”

Support groups, discounts, book clubs, bunco and meal trains

Joining the Chico Mothers Club is a wonderful opportunity for moms and dads to meet new people and take advantage of activities and socialization for their children. CMC members can enjoy weekly playgroup meetups and a private Facebook group for personal questions, advice and general support from fellow moms. The group also provides a private Buy/Sell/Trade Facebook page for members and alumni, monthly support circles for pregnant mothers, a momtrepreneurs group and membership discounts at more than 20 local businesses.

In addition, members can join in the many regular events and activities such as book clubs, bunco nights, craft and holiday parties. For many members, the opportunity to build lifelong friendships with other families, in addition to the tremendous support fellow moms show one another, is the most compelling membership perk: with meal trains and gifts for new mothers and extra support through challenging circumstances.

Support and reassurance take the stress off

Michaela Golightly, a mother of three, joined CMC more than six years ago and is now a Sunshine Coordinator, a member of the events team. “I love being a part of CMC and recommend it to everyone,” she says. “My favorite benefit is the opportunity to know and meet other like-minded moms and helping plan events and be in community together. I love being able to make other moms meals and take the stress off when they have a new baby or a hardship. I get to make all of the birthday cards for the moms and kiddos while serving on the steering committee, and I get to help plan field trips and events for both moms and kids. Every new mom needs a little support and reassurance and company and I think this club is all of those things.”

Layla Betar, also a mother of three, joined CMC in 2015 when her first child was two. She has helped as a playgroup organizer and says now that her children are in school, she enjoys the bunco nights and the book club. She says the meal trains were a huge help when her two youngest were born. “I wouldn’t have made it through the early years without CMC,” she says. “Everyone is genuine and wants to take care of one another.”

CMC membership

CMC membership dues go to keeping the club fun and functional. Since the board of CMC is also run by busy mamas, they encourage its members to actively participate in the club by helping plan and/or implement at least one project or activity per year. Members who participate in this way receive a 25% discount for their annual dues. For complete information about CMC, including membership applications and requirements, visit chicomothersclub.org. Enrollment starts on June 1.