Screen-Less Summer

I want you to take a moment to reflect on your childhood summers. There are some shared experiences many of us can relate to, ones we have forgotten as a grow and disconnect from our inner child. Being outdoors climbing trees, playing cops-and-robbers, riding bikes and scooters, attempting to make millions off a summer lemonade stand, going to the local library to enter those reading challenges to earn that personal pizza, drinking water from the hose, and much more.

Most of our summers were spent outdoors, with minimal screen time. When we did have screen time, we had to work for it; negotitate with parents, conflict resolution with siblings or friends, schedule our day or week ahead to make sure we didn't miss our screen time. We developed many social and useful skills and had to earn screen time. The delayed gratification was much sweeter. Now, kids have everything on demand, with their own personal screens, no need to work for it; instant gratification.

As adults now, we also have access to this instant gratification and limitless screen time. I am guilty of it too. The more we disconnect from the screen and connect with each other IRL (in real life) and "touch grass", the better we feel. These days are consumed by all the news, the notifications, the direct access to private lives; yet we are more disconnected from each other, ourselves, and nature.

Screens are going to stick around, but let's move towards less of it, use it when necessary. Even when it's necessary, look for those old school ways that are still around, like actual printed books, writing notes on paper, send a letter. Less is more when it comes to screens. Now go forth and bring back those old school summers. Adulting is overrated. Being a kid outdoors is the way to go.

To my older sister, Dani, the family manager since she can remember. May your inner child play and laugh, she doesn't have to parent anymore, only when she wants.