The first thing that I noticed when I walked into the doors of the Athens Mother Center (AMC) for fall open house were all the babies and mommies sprawled on the floor. A bucket of toys spilled onto the carpet as little ones played with blocks and push trucks.

Conversations filled the air, a symphony of voices discussing motherhood floated over the group. A table full of homemade goodies sat in the corner of the room, which felt busy and alive as the meeting started.

Moments earlier, I had dropped off my two-year-old with the childcare staff. Even though he was just a room away from me, I felt a much needed taste of freedom knowing that he was in good hands.

Tiffanie Reid, the current co-coordinator for AMC, stood before the room full of babies and moms and talked about all the details of the non-profit organization. The group meets twice a week and provides a range of activities to enrich a tired mom's mind and body.

The new moms group is perfect for women who are seeking much needed support. Another class geared towards the more active mom is the walk/jogging group that meets twice weekly. Other group activities include craft time and a toddler playgroup, among others.

Children are welcome in all classes and childcare is available for a small fee. "I love the childcare that AMC offers because you don't feel like you are just putting your child up on a shelf." Reid shared. "The staff is so good at helping the mom and child separate."

They offer a space for Little Ones, who range from one year to two and half. The Big Kids room is reserved for older kids. In both rooms, the play is child-led and supervised by engaged adults. The children play outside, eat snacks, and even do crafts in the Big Kid room.

Scarlet Buckley, the Childcare Coordinator, loves the staff and enjoys working with children. "Our main goal is to provide a safe, happy nurturing place for the kids." she said.

Many Athens moms have found a strong network of friends at AMC because it is a place to find mothers sharing, listening, and learning from one another. Other activities include Mom's Night Out, Book Club, family oriented social events, community outreach, and even a Dad's night out.

The ladies are very warm to visitors. Kathy Placeck, who visited AMC for the first time during the fall open house, felt excited about getting her eight-month-old son around other babies.

"It seems really laid back here," she said. "I look forward to getting to know the other mommies."

Don't worry if you missed the fall registration because visitors are always welcome to drop in during meetings to learn more about AMC.

Here are some details-
The Athens Mother Center is located at St. Gregory's Episcopal Church at 3195 Barnett Shoals Rd. The group meets Tuesdays & Fridays from 9:30-11:30.am. For more information, visit the website.