“Grandma, I’m giving up screen time for a week,” Elle informed me.  “Do you think I can do it?”

“Not sure,” I replied.  “That’s not an easy thing to do.”

“Well, I’m reading books instead of looking at a screen.  I’m on the fourth Magic Treehouse book.”

The child is wise beyond her years.  I have finally learned when I want to give something up, I can’t just quit.  There needs to be something put in its place.  

Later that evening I found myself calling Hadley to come look at a volleyball reel.  It showed an incredible volley series between a couple of college teams.  Had and I watched it a few times while Elle sat there and watched us.  

Finally, Elle says, “Can we play a game or something?”  Then it dawned on me why she hadn’t scuttled over to watch the reel with us.  She had given up screen time and she was serious about it.  

“Yes, we can,” I answered as we got Rummikub out and started setting it up.

After they left, I thought about her determination to follow through on her goal.  She had a plan, which included replacing the bad habit with something better.  She shared her goal with us so we would know.  She reminded us when we forgot.  

The week wore on and it looked like Elle was going to make it.  On Friday morning they entered the door after dropping Hadley off at dance.  The first thing Brett said when they came in was, “Elle, tell Gramma what you did this morning.”

“I watched a show!” was the reply.

“What?  I thought you were going a full week with no screen time.”

“I did. A full school week.  Weekends are free.”

Here’s to free weekends.  I think they help make the Good Life!