When Anna McGoff’s first child was born three years ago, she had a lot of questions, especially when it came time for her to return to work. As she had many times before, the Broadlands mom turned to her sister, Chris Holmes, whose son was 3 at the time, for answers.
"We would talk about everything, how to find good day care and how to balance it all," McGoff said.
Now McGoff, a project manager, has another daughter and Holmes’ son will soon start first grade. They still turn to each other for support and wanted to include other women.
"There are many support groups for moms but they tend to meet during the day, which doesn’t work with our schedule," Holmes, a training manager, said. "We thought why not get other working moms together."
After years of talking about it and making plans, last spring the Working Mother’s Network was born. The bimonthly meetings attract about 25 working mothers. Most of the mothers have young children but some have school-age children and teenagers. "Our own mother comes to the meetings and her children are gown. It’s great to get perspective from someone who has already been through what we face now," McGoff said.
BRINGING WORKING MOTHERS together for support and information is just part of the Working Mothers Network vision. "We want to align ourselves with charities that have missions that align with our mission of promoting women and balance," McGoff said.
Last June, the group prepared more than 25 care packages for the 119th Transportation Company out of Fort Story, Va., which is deployed in Iraq.
"We wanted to do something for these ultimate working mothers serving in Iraq," Holmes said.
Network members were asked to bring items to include in the care packages. "They brought such thoughtful items. We had all kinds of things, including playing cards, snacks, toiletries and Virginia mementos," Holmes said.
They have received many thank you notes and e-mails from the recipients of their care packages. U.S. Army Nurse Lt. Meredith Overstreet, the mother of a 1-year-old, wrote "I love the socks! I came here with nothing but approved uniforms because we’re not supposed to go outside in anything else. But I have started collecting things that we wear in our living space and I love these socks!"
Sgt. Francine Matus sent another note of thanks on behalf of her fellow soldiers. "They were like kids in a candy store to receive the items you sent them. We are in a small camp called Cedar II, south of Baghdad. We are all doing well and of course are ready to return to our families. Thank you again for the efforts to provide for us."
WORKING MOTHER Karen Rice says the group has been a great experience for her.
"There’s good camaraderie. It’s nice to see other working women and learn how they balance work and family."
The Herndon mother of two describes the meetings as supportive and welcoming. Rice has also enjoyed the informative nature of the network.
"Last meeting they had a massage therapist speaking about relaxation techniques. The next [September] meeting will focus on home organization," Rice said.
Holmes and McGoff are also encouraging women to get together on their own and pursue similar interests.
"We’d like to produce offshoots of the group such as a book club or fitness group for those who are interested," McGoff said.
WOMEN ATTENDING the meetings are no strangers to the work or stay-at-home dilemma many mothers, especially those with young children, face. McGoff says their message is simple: "There is no right way to raise a child." Some women at the meetings have chosen to work and others, including single mothers, have no choice.
"We’re not proponents of a lifestyle. It’s a choice women have to make for themselves and their family. We want to offer resources and connections," Holmes said.
McGoff and Holmes are excited to watch the network grow and reflect the interests and needs of its members. Holmes says they will consider the venture a success if a woman leaves a meeting with connections and resources.
"We want them to leave energized and with a renewed spirit," Holmes said.