Deb O'Bray, left, holding her 8-month-old daughter, Avery, visits Lisa Devena during a Mothers of Preschoolers, or MOPS, meeting at First Southern Baptist Church this month in Topeka. The group lets mothers meet other moms while their young children are entertained at church nurseries.

Topeka ? Sometimes, mothers with young children just want a short break from their adoring kids and a chance to visit with other moms in a relaxed atmosphere.

For moms like this, there is Mothers of Preschoolers, an interdenominational Christian-based group active in several Topeka-area churches.

At MOPS meetings, moms leave their children up to 5 years old at the church nursery for Mopettes programs designed especially for little ones. The liberated moms then head off to enjoy a couple of hours with other mothers in the church fellowship hall.

Cherie Durst, 35, coordinator of the MOPS group at First Southern Baptist Church, said each meeting includes brunch, crafts and a speaker who discusses a topic of interest to moms.

Perhaps most importantly, she said, the meetings offer mothers an opportunity to draw encouragement from others who are in the same boat and to get a much-needed break from their preschool children.

“The meetings are targeted to moms,” said Durst, a part-time lawyer. “It’s all geared to us and things we can relate to.”

Speakers at each meeting discuss a wide range of topics, from anger management to developing better communication skills to improving the husband-wife relationship.

Michelle Burdett, 43, another MOPS leader at First Southern Baptist, said the group is “Christ-focused” but isn’t a Bible study, so it doesn’t require any preparation of those who attend.

“This isn’t a kids’ group,” said Burdett, whose 3-year-old child goes to Mopettes. “It focuses on the mommies. It gives us a chance to come together and talk to other moms who have the same concerns. You get a group of moms together without the kids, and they can focus on themselves, which they may not get to do at home.”

Burdett said many mothers, particularly those with several preschool children, may find it difficult – if not impossible – to get a break when they are at home.

At MOPS meetings, mothers can take a deep breath and exhale without a little one tugging at their leg or nibbling from their plates of goodies: “We get to eat, and no little hands take food off our plates, which is a good thing,” Burdett said.

About 50 percent of attendees at the First Southern Baptist MOPS group aren’t members of the church, leaders said.

For the first meeting this year, 36 mothers registered for the group, which meets from 9:15 to 11:30 a.m. the second and fourth Thursday of each month.

Cora Spencer, 31, brings her two children, ages 1 and 3, to MOPS meetings. Her children look forward to coming every other week, she said.

“I get a chance to fellowship with other moms, and I don’t have to worry about my kids,” Spencer said. “They’re off in Mopettes having a good time.”