The following organizations can help you locate an existing mother's support group in your area or can provide you with materials and organizational backing for starting one up yourself.

Family and Home Network (formerly Mothers At Home).  We are the original and largest national nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting at-home mothers and fathers.  The primary avenue for achieving its goals is through publication of Welcome Home, a monthly journal with a readership of about 26,000.  Although FAHN is not a membership organization, the participation of Welcome Home readers in developing and sustaining "their journal" has created a sense of membership for many women.  Subscribers enjoy making new friends and seeking the advice of other parents like them through the discussion board on this web site. For more information about the benefits of subscribing go to Our Journal. Subscribers also have access to our complete article on how to find or start a mothers' group or play group in the Subscribers Section. Non-subscribers may order this collection (reprint #100).

MOPS International.  MOPS (Mothers of PreSchoolers) provides fellowship for mothers with young children, offering a nurturing, caring environment with a spiritual focus.  Meetings follow the school calendar.  Moms share information, have group discussion time, and learn a craft, while children play nearby with supervision.  To find or start a group in your area, contact MOPS, P.O. Box 102200, Denver, CO 80250-2200, 800-929-1287, or www.mops.org.

MOMS Club.  Local support groups meet during the day, are non-sectarian and welcome all at-home mothers and their children.  Local chapters sponsor regular meetings with speakers and discussion topics, family parties, playgroups, baby-sitting co-ops, special activity groups, community service projects and more.  For information about MOMS Clubs in your area or for help in starting a group, send $2.00 to National MOMS Club, 25371 Rye Canyon Road, Valencia, CA 91355, or visit www.momsclub.org.

Attachment Parenting International.  API advocates attachment parenting methods to develop and fulfill a child's need for trust, empathy and affection to create secure relationships.  To find a support group serving your area, contact API at: 1508 Clairmont Place, Nashville, TN  37215, 615-298-4334, or www.attachmentparenting.org.

Mothers & More.  M&M is a national support and advocacy group for women who have altered their career paths in order to care for their children at home.  Local chapters sponsor regular meetings, playgroups, babysitting co-ops, and more.  Contact M&M at:  P.O. Box 31, Elmhurst, IL  60126, 630-941-3553, or www.mothersandmore.org.

National Association of Mother's Centers (NAMC).  NAMC is a non-profit umbrella organization which includes more than 50 Mother's Centers across the country.  Local centers sponsor workshops, seminars, groups and special events and serve as a place where mothers can come together with other mothers and members of the professional community to explore the experience of becoming and being mothers.  For information, write to National Association of Mother's Centers, 64 Division Avenue, Levittown, NY 11756, 800-645-3828 or 516-520-2929.  Visit the NAMC web site at www.motherscenter.org.

La Leche League, International.  La Leche League International provides support and encouragement to breastfeeding mothers, as well as a wealth of information on the subject.  Regular support meetings can lead to the development of friendships, as well as contacts for playgroups and baby-sitting co-ops.  To locate a local chapter, contact the organization at 1400 N. Meacham Road, Schaumburg, IL 60173-4840, or call 847-519-7730, or visit www.lalecheleague.org.