One of the most beautiful traits we can nurture in our children is initiative—the ability to notice a need, take action, and think for themselves without constant prompting. And I truly believe that a big piece of that puzzle comes from minimizing screens and encouraging imagination, reading, and meaningful engagement with the real world.
Lately, Lucy has been overflowing with initiative, and it’s been impossible to miss. Just this morning, while I was on the phone with a company, she didn’t sit idly by and wait for me to finish. Instead, she grabbed her iPad, opened her video math lesson, and got right to work—without a single word from me. She simply knew what was next and took the step on her own.
I also joke that she’s like a little MacGyver, only instead of duct tape, her tool of choice is her trusty step ladder. That ladder has become her solution to just about everything. The other night, while I was cooking dinner, she noticed her dad pull out some fruit he planned to chop for a salad. Without hesitation, Lucy went to the closet, grabbed her step ladder, and fetched the cutting board herself. She didn’t ask Richard or me—she just saw the need and took action.
Moments like these remind me how vital it is to keep kids’ brains engaged in the real world. A child engrossed in a screen all day is far less likely to notice opportunities to help or take initiative. Screens can dull those critical senses that fuel creativity, imagination, and problem-solving.
When we give our kids the space to be present, to read, to imagine, and to figure things out on their own, we create fertile soil for initiative to grow. And the harvest is sweet—children who are not only capable, but eager, to act with confidence, creativity, and care for others.
So let’s keep those screens off and keep their incredible minds switched on. Our kids’ futures—and their initiative—are worth it.
Raising Light 