Ministry helps stay-at-home moms

Posted: 10/28/055

Ministry helps stay-at-home moms

By Jocelyn Delgado

Communications Intern

HOUSTON–Desperate housewives these women are not. Right at Home ministry teaches women who transition from high-powered careers to feel right at home as stay-at-home moms.

Founder Kristen Taraszewski landed her first out-of-college job as a mission controller at NASA in Houston. Her career was cut short when, after a year of marriage, she was pregnant. After deciding to leave her job and stay at home, she had to transition from constant collaboration with coworkers to constant solitude.

“When a person is isolated, it's difficult to be strong,” Taraszewski said. Something clicked after she attended a seminar at University Baptist Church in Houston on discovering giftedness. She was pregnant with her second child and at six months, he was diagnosed with a condition linked with cancer. She realized time with her children was limited.

“I was kind of beating myself up,” she said. “It was like a light bulb went on, and I was just freed of all that.” There was a moment of feeling that it's OK to feel that way and that energy should go toward helping other people, Taraszewski said.

She got together with some friends in similar situations and formed the trial group for Right at Home ministry at the church.

“It's a really unique time in their world,” she said. “There are many opportunities for women in the workforce, but we're seeing a lot of women leave to be at-home mothers. Along with transition comes some hardship.”

The Right at Home ministry tries to equip women with tools based on Christian principles, Taraszewski said.

The program has two phases, transitioning out of work and when their children begin school. A high percentage of women want to go back to work in some capacity, so there will be a third phase to help with resume-writing, confidence-building and transition, Taraszewski said.

The church provides daycare once a week, while women interact with marriage and family therapists, study the Bible and participate in discussions with professionals about Christian parenting.

“Everybody looks forward to that day,” co-director Linda Gaither said. “It's kind of like your weekend afternoon tea.”

Lynna Dizon joined the group after leaving her career as a lawyer to stay home with her child. She wanted a connection.

“You're alone, and you have this infant,” Dizon said. “All of the connections you've made are gone, because you're at home now, and your friends are working.”

She wanted to make Christian friends in similar situations. “There's a whole other world of women that stay at home,” Dizon said. “It just gives you that sense of belonging and that sense that you've got the support that you need.”

Groups recently formed at surrounding churches in Houston and in Minneapolis, where Taraszewski heads the nonprofit corporation. Programs max out at about 50 participants, so women ask about starting more groups. Taraszewski is developing start-up packets with registration information and tools to determine whether it's right for them.

Each year, the group sponsors a consignment sale with baby clothes, and in November the group will sponsor a fun run to promote health. Money raised goes to churches helping with childcare.

“When my children are older, I'm not going to regret a moment during these years,” Dizon said.