Mr Two-year-old dragged the big box across the floor and positioned it carefully in the sunny lounge where I was working. For the next fifteen minutes the box was the centre of his attention. It was a ‘hidey hole’, a boat to row, a cat box (though Bob the Cat wasn’t too enthused), a place to ‘sleep’, and a huge hat to (try to) walk around in. He chattered to whoever, made the necessary noises, and sang as he progressed. Such imagination... and a picture of joy and contentment.

Children take pleasure in such things. Can life be like that for mothers? Sometimes we feel as though we’re in a box - like a prisoner. This to clean, that to pick up and put away. Never-ending, with little joy and often less contentment.

Maybe it’s time we saw our box, our home, our tasks associated with family life as more than an endless round of duties. How many ways can we envision our box?

See it as a place for cheerful interaction with family members. As a safe place to nurture growth and development in ourselves and our children. A nest for the family’s hope and purpose. A launching pad for our children’s dreams.

It’s time to think outside the box. Welcome opportunities to grow, to try out new things, and old things in new ways. You are going to spend a lot more time in your box of life, so “be as a child” and find joy and contentment.

Even if it’s only for fifteen minutes today.

Or maybe for a morning at a MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) group. For more information on (starting) MOPS groups, write to mopsnz@ihug.co.nz or check out www.mops.org

All the best,
Johanna

(c) 2002 Johanna Whittaker, Hn, NZ