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If You Give A Mom A Muffin …

Looking for VBS ideas? Add extra impact with a Moms & Muffins tent.

This simple fix turns a missed opportunity into a contagious connection!

No matter how small your church is, if you offer a Vacation Bible School, the energy is like no other time of the year.

Kids flood in the door for Vacation Bible School. Some happy. Excited. Others are anxious. Tentative. Some crying and hanging tightly to their moms!

By 9 am, everything is rolling. Name tags. Registration. Introductions. Finding a small group. Meeting leaders. Teachers buzzing. Music playing.

In the midst of the excitement, don’t miss this great opportunity.

Could we do more for the moms than just give them a break from their little balls of energy?

Moms of young children have needs.

And lots of them.

  • Some are anxious (like their kids). Some tentative.
  • Most are sleep deprived.
  • Some are crying inside. Feeling lost. Friendless. Unseen.
  • Many are looking for connections. Support. Encouragement.

Is there a great time amidst the busyness of Vacation Bible School to meet a new mom? Not just introduce and share a name. But truly meet her? Walk into her world. See her wounds. See her needs. Her joys. Her pain.

Use a Moms and Muffins tent to bridge a gap that needs bridging … not just for the kids, but also for the moms.

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Jesus And The VBS Mom

I see Jesus hanging by the side door talking to the mom.

VBS leaders call to Jesus:

  • “What are you doing!?! I have a crying kid here!”
  • “I need you in the opening room.“
  • “Can you help with registration?“
  • “The snack person is late!”
  • “I need you in the kitchen.“

But Jesus continues to hang by the mom.

  • She has a hint of postpartum depression.
  • Another mom’s husband was deployed for the first time.
  • Another mom struggles with a recent miscarriage.
  • Another mom feels desperately unseen in the busyness of raising 4 kids.

Are you getting the Mary-Martha illustration?

Jesus went to the unseen.

He saw.

He often let the disciples care for those who were shouting loudly for attention. But Jesus does something different.

  • Jesus saw Zaccheus.
  • Jesus saw the women with the issue of blood.
  • Jesus saw the value of the woman pouring out perfume during a men’s dinner meeting.

But, you say (and rightly so!), “Jesus wasn’t trying to run Vacation Bible School!”

What if there was a way to minister to moms without using your needed VBS volunteers? Without too much time. Without too much extra work.

Now that, I want!

A Moms & Muffins Tent Meets Real Needs

In our laser focus on the kiddos, we miss the moms!

The sad, stressed, busy, depressed, lost, and lonely moms.

The ones just looking for a friend. A listening ear.

Why Do They Need A Muffin?

  • It was hard to come. They don’t know you. Fear.
  • They left their child with people they don’t know. Anxiety.
  • They fought through finding shoes and sippy cups, and dealing with spills this morning. Overwhelm.
  • They simply survived another morning with toddlers. Stress.

Let’s change the typical “Drop & Go” and offer a beautiful transition for their mornings.

A little peace. A little encouragement. More nourishment.

You’ll see that it makes a difference.

Valuable Resources The Small Church Can Offer

I’m not really all about doing more things. I just think this is a great way to make an impact from the things we are already doing in small churches.

So, if your church already runs a VBS, why not make the most of the entire VBS week?

The moms are coming in anyway. They have entered your doors. So don’t waste the opportunity.

In addition to some great resources (listed below), the Moms & Muffins tent becomes a great place for personal connection and transition.

Answers To Your Objections

“I can’t lead it. I’m too busy already!“

Of course you can’t. And you shouldn’t!

Find another leader –– someone totally separate from your church’s VBS. Someone who has a heart for young moms. Preferably, someone a bit removed with kids a little older.

I was sharing the idea of Moms & Muffins with a friend. Not to recruit her at all. I was just excited about the idea.

After sharing, my 60-year-old friend turns to me and says, “You know, that’s something I might like to do. I have never wanted to help with VBS. I don’t want to do the kids. But what you are talking about, I think I might like to help.”

She has the job!

“My VBS staff is too busy. We are already short-handed!“

Yep, I get that.

Find another staff.

Hosting a Moms & Muffins tent is a totally separate gig, demanding a very different gift mix.

Ask hostesses, bakers, and women with grown kids or no kids. You want women who have been there and done that. Those with a heart to serve the moms.

“We have no space. VBS takes every inch of space!“

That’s perfect! Because I suggest the Moms & Muffins tent is outdoors anyway.

You want your moms to drop off and leave the kids. Outside under a pop-up tent is ideal.

“We have no more money. VBS took it all!“

Then don’t spend anything!

Start small and ask your church family to donate baked goods.

“It’s just too much. I’m overwhelmed already.”

Keep it simple. Keep it small. And give it away!

Find someone else to host a simple cookie and lemonade station.

Forget the resources, the gifts, and anything else.

Just offering a muffin is a worthwhile and beautiful thing!

Tips For Success: How To Do It Well

Find The Right Leaders

1. The Organizers

I set up teams whenever possible.

Find 2 people to take responsibility for the Moms & Muffins tent. This way, no one is alone, and there’s built-in accountability. When life happens (and it will), there is always someone to cover.

Your organizers should be:

  • Highly responsible
  • People who plan ahead
  • Willing to call and get help from others

Whoever takes this on will coordinate several elements. Food. Hostesses/greeters. Baby holders. Resources for moms. Gift baskets.

2. The Hostess(es)

This could be the organizer. Or this could be someone totally different!

Your hostesses should:

  • Care about the set-up – make it look pretty so it sparkles!
  • Be relational. Smiling. Not at all scary.
  • Wake happy in the morning! This setup must be ready at least 30 minutes before VBS starts.

Offer Resources Of Value

A free cup of coffee and a treat is a great start for your Moms & Muffins tent.

Other ideas you may want to consider:

  • Calendar – Summer activities in your community (movie events, kid-friendly festivals, library story time, MOPS group)
  • Discount coupons for kid stuff (Chick-Fil-A, mini-golf)
  • A print-out of Bible verses for moms
  • Summer kid craft ideas
  • Summer snack ideas
  • Staff the area with the friendliest people in your church
  • Babysitter reference cards
  • Take-home craft packs
  • Invitation to the VBS night
  • Invitation to church and information about your children’s ministry
  • Printed VBS schedule for the week
  • Women to hold the littlest ones while mom enjoys a muffin
  • A drawing for a prize (pamper basket, massage, free babysitting night, coffee gift card, lotion)
  • Support resources (recommended counselors, grief support group)
  • Free gift (a fresh flower to take home, a bookmark with a great quote)
  • A survey (learn their real needs)
  • A car seat check

Build A Lasting Connection This Year With Moms

You can do this thing. It’s not so hard.

A Moms & Muffins tent doesn’t have to be time-consuming, energy-consuming, or money-consuming.

It can be as simple as you choose to make it. Look at your resources and do something.

Whatever your VBS outreach looks like this year, take a minute to think about the moms.

  • Some are taking a big risk coming to your building.
  • Some are shy and have anxiety in new situations.
  • Some haven’t been to church in a decade.
  • Some haven’t had a good night’s sleep in months.
  • Some need a place to land –– to find some real community.

A simple strategy with a little intention can make the difference between “See you next year!” and “See you soon!“

If you give this a try, please shoot me an email and let me know your experience!

For the ultimate idea on how to appreciate your VBS volunteers, click here: The Best Thank You For VBS Volunteers!

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