MOPS History

Eight women. The number was small, but the need was great. They called themselves MOPS – Mothers of Preschoolers. The first MOPS meeting took place in February 1973 in Wheat Ridge, Colorado. For two hours, while their children received care, these mothers talked, laughed, ate, passed a basket for childcare expenses, had a craft demonstration and ended with a short devotional. In this humble beginning, the seeds of the MOPS concept and format were planted. Through friendship, creative outlets, and instruction, the women began to understand that “mothering matters.”

Today, the same needs for significance are met in much the same way in MOPS groups across the United States and around the world.From the beginning, women in MOPS were not content to be spectators. Through MOPS, they found an opportunity to discover and cultivate their leadership gifts. As women moved around the country, they took the concept of MOPS with them, and new groups formed. – MOPS.

We are one of those groups. MOPS exists for every mom—urban, suburban and rural moms, stay-at-home and working moms, teen, older, single and married moms—moms with different lifestyles who all share a similar desire to be the very best moms they can be!