No Screen Time – a short story
One Saturday afternoon, I noticed that my daughter and her younger brother – in the same room – had been glued to their phones all day. With a slight huff, I untethered both from this screen-addiction. After their juvenile protest, I told them, “no more screen time for the rest of the weekend,” which drew overdramatized complaints, and with an increase in volume. I simply encouragement them to go out and play. This led to a look of betrayal followed by silence. But at least their faces were no longer trapped inside a flat rectangle.
Moments later, I spied the two sitting in lawn chairs at
the front entry. The front door was open, and they were intent on staring out
the screen door. I asked, “What are you doing?”
They ignored me, at first. The younger finally piped up,
“You said, ‘no screen time.’” And he rejoined his older sister at what I
perceived to be their way of rebellion.
But soon, I found myself staring. Staring at the cars
passing by, at the neighbor walking by with his dog and another riding her
bicycle.
Then I thought, at least they’re looking outside.
