When Megan Hendricks moved to Land O’ Lakes from Tampa, she was looking for a place to meet new friends and mingle with other mothers.
She decided to check out a meeting of Club Mom of Lutz/Land O’ Lakes. And now, just a few years later, she’s president of the group.
(Courtesy of Megan Hendricks)
“I didn’t know anybody,” Hendricks said. So, she went to a Club Mom meeting and immediately felt at home.
“Everybody was super nice and friendly. It’s casual. It’s laid back,” said Hendricks, 39, who has two daughters, Grace, 5, and Eden, 3.
There are lots of things to do, in lots of places, giving members plenty of options, she said.
Heather Hemberger, who moved to Land O’ Lakes from South Tampa, also was looking for a way to plug in with other new moms. She heard about the club and decided to check it out.
“I joined a year ago, when my son was five weeks old,” Hemberger said, noting she was attracted to the group’s laid-back nature. “I was looking for some friends for my little guy and it seemed like a really neat group of moms.”
Hemberger was a youth director and preschool teacher before she became a stay-at-home mom. And she’s glad she joined Club Mom.
“What’s different about our group is that we’re really flexible,” Hemberger said. “A lot of groups have lots of rules. We allow members to say, ‘Hey, I have an idea. Let’s do this.’”
There’s no pressure to be at gatherings, either.
“If you can come, come,” Hemberger said.
The group has 31 members, ranging in age from the 20s to 40s. Some are stay-at-home moms, some work part-time, and some are working moms, Hemberger said. Some moms have one child, and others have more.
The club meets frequently at the Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex, but also meets at other locations, such as Wiregrass Wednesdays and club members’ homes.
“A typical group is someone will bring snacks and we’ll meet at the playground,” Hemberger said. “Very low-key.”
The club gives members a chance to socialize and gives their kids a chance to have fun. It also provides a forum for moms to share information about doctors, low-cost entertainment, day care options, and parenting advice.
“I wouldn’t say we all have one parenting philosophy, which is also refreshing because everyone has a different approach to parenting,” Hemberger said.
Hemberger has made some good friends through the group.
“It’s definitely fun,” she said. “For me and for a lot of the women in leadership, it’s a way to still have an outlet.”
The club specifically targets members in Lutz and Land O’ Lakes, but does have some members from New Tampa and Carrollwood.
Most of its get-togethers are in the Lutz and Land O’ Lakes communities for the convenience of club members, Hemberger said. Most of the events are in the day, for moms and their children. But there are occasional family events, in the evening or on the weekend.
The group also likes to celebrate holidays with special events, and also likes to help out various charities.
The club will host an open house Sept. 19, so potential members can find out more. It will be at the Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex, and will feature crafts for the kids and some giveaways.
Hemberger encourages any mom who thinks she might want to join, to check it out.
“For me, I feel like it makes me a better mom to him, when I’m able to get out of the house, get a cup of coffee, meet up with friends,” she said.
If you go …
WHAT: Club Mom of Lutz/Land O’ Lakes is hosting an open house to introduce local moms to their group. The open house will feature crafts and giveaways.
WHERE: Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex, 3032 Collier Parkway
WHEN: Sept. 19 at 10 a.m.
COST: Event is free, but annual dues to join the group are $20
INFO: Meetup.com/momsclub or find ‘Club Mom of Lutz/Land O’ Lakes’ on Facebook
Published September 10, 2014
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