Giving Mom a time out

It’s a bird! It’s a plane! No … it’s super mom! Meet Andrea Wagner, creator of the Super Moms Support Group, a new group that meets at the Church on The Esplanade once a month to give “super moms”—single moms who have taken on all the responsibilities of parenthood—a time out from motherhood. Wagner, a mother of two boys (ages 10 and 3), started the group after she noticed more and more single mothers coming to the church, where she works part-time.

What is a “super mom”?

A super mom is a mom that is raising kids on her own and doing everything a mom does without a lot of help.

Why did you start the group?

We actually started the group because people in our church have been praying for single moms for about six months. It was something that people had in their hearts.

What do you do during meetings?

Right now we’re doing a once-a-month event where we have dinner together with moms and kids as families. Then we break off and the kids have child care and we play board games like Pictionary or Yahtzee. We’re trying to establish connections and get to know each other and really build partnerships so we can call on each other when we need to and figure out what we need from each other.

What have you learned from others in the group?

I’ve learned that it’s amazing how, when a mom has just a few moments, just an hour here or there to talk to other people, how much stress that relieves. It gives them more energy to go back to their things. As a mom, you really don’t have time off. I’ve learned that the change in the women’s faces after they’ve just had some time to have fun.

What have you learned about yourself?

Through doing this, I’ve learned that all things are possible. And really, I’ve learned how God can move in my life as well as anyone else’s. I’m learning a lot about how to organize events, but that’s just coming alongside it. I’m really learning how to put into words what my experiences have been, so I can share them with other people.

What’s the best part about being a super mom?

Being a part of the group is really rewarding because we find ways to encourage each other and empower each other. A lot of times as a single mom you get isolated and it’s really nice to be around others who are going through the same the thing. [Being a single parent] is a lot of work, but it’s really rewarding to know that you’re doing all you can for your children.