I FAMILY LIFE Sherwood can make the difference... I Later, Mom ' Continued from preceding page with fine furniture and beautiful accessories from the finest makers. Let our professional staff of interior designers plan your rooms around you — with all the latest looks, lines and colors. Free in-store design service is available. Stop in and see why Sherwood can make the difference. Visit our new state-of-the-art design studio in West Bloomfieht Southfield Tel-Twelve Mall 12 Mile & Telegraph Daily 10-9 Sun. 12-5 354-9060 West Bloomfield 6644 Orchard Lake Road at Maple Mon-Th-Fri 10-9 Tue-Wed-Sat 10-6 Sun 12-5 855-1600 Fine furniture, accessories and gifts... always 20% off Debbie and David Metier read together. Just Marilyns Sportswear Boutique CLEARANCE 30 %-50 % OFF Fall & Winter Merchandise All Sales Final No charges or layaways All previous sales excluded Just Marilyns Sizes 4-18 "the specialist in party directing" CALL: JEFF 855-5571 GOLDENBERG OTOGRAPH Market Street 35k2:00 Mon.-Sat. 10-5 CLASSIFIEDS GET RESULTS! Call The Jewish News 356-0493 354-6060 20079 W. 12 Mile Rd., Country Village Mall 90 DOCTOR DISCO FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1989 had to volunteer their house," said one member. Several mothers have returned to full-time jobs, and some work on a part-time basis, while others have opted to stay home or change careers altogether. Debbie Metier, previously employed as a social worker, recently started her own business pro- ducing puppet shows for children's birthday parties. "Our families are also somewhat non-traditional," said Fagenson-Rubin. "We have women who are married for the first time, women who have been married before but had no children, and several stepfamilies with different age children and custodial ar- rangements." Perhaps the most unique situation is that of Brenda Saperstein. Her husband, Harvey, 56, who has adult children from a previous mar- riage, became a grandfather two months after Brenda gave birth to their daughter, Sari Marissa. "Harvey's become our legend," laughed one of the mothers. "We hold him up as an example to our husbands, who are always complaining that they're too old to be hav- ing babies!' Occasionally the group uses outside speakers, such as a consultant who spoke about "babyproofing" the home. One member's husband, a psychologist, was recruited to talk about handling temper tantrums when he happened to come home from work one Wednesday night and found the mothers discussing the subject. "Mainly, we feel that we're own best resources," said Bakalar. "We manage to raise issues that are bothering us, like feeding, or travelling with a baby, and we've been able to share ideas and get support!' "We recommend books, vacation spots, and problem- solving methods that have worked for us," said Fagenson-Rubin. "But most important is having someone to laugh with, to share the happy moments and the prob- lems that come with having kids at our age!' She remembers the time she was mistaken for her son's grandmother in a store. "I was so embarrassed;' she said, "and then I told the story in the group, and Har- riet said it happens to her all the time. We were able to laugh about it, and I felt much better." All of the mothers agree that the supportive at- mosphere of the group is the main reason for its success. "Whenever a group of mothers gets together, there's usually the potential for com- petition, with everyone com- paring their kids," said Fagenson-Rubin. "I haven't felt any of this in our group. Mainly there's a lot of en- couragement and support for each other!' El