“I like to live on the dangerous side of life,” Tina said, looking up at her mom.

“Really, is that why you didn’t clean your room after I told you too?”

“Yup, I’m a rebel.”

“Well, just remember that living dangerously has consequences.”

“I don’t care.”

“Okay rebel living dangerously. That is your choice. Just be aware that in thirty minutes I will start removing 1 hour of screen time for every item in your room that isn’t put away. If I recall correctly from last time I looked in there, you will not have any screen time for like a month.”

“I’m a rebel, not stupid,” Tina said as she sprung up from the couch and rushed off to her room. “Living dangerously is overrated anyways.”

Maria chuckled as she watched her nine-year-old run down the hall, “Sometimes I wonder about that girl.”

“Mom,” Tina asked fifteen minutes later, coming into the laundry room holding her doll. “Do I have to put Stacy away? She doesn’t want to take a nap in her crib.”

“Put her on the living room couch and you can play with her once your room is clean,” looking at her watch Maria smiled. “You have fifteen minutes left before I do a room inspection.”

Tina quickly put her doll on the living room couch and scurried back to her room.

Ten minutes later the little rebel screamed out, “I’m done!”

Maria peeked into the room, “Nice job, but I still see some things on the floor that shouldn’t be there. I recommend you finish cleaning your room before I start taking away screen time.”

“What,” Tina questioned turning around. “Oh, I see. Don’t come in yet. Not yet, not yet.”

“And I would look under your bed,” Maria said before heading down the hall. “I will be looking there.”

“Oh poop,” Maria heard Tina say. “Didn’t think you would be looking there. Fine, I’ll actually put stuff where they’re supposed to be.”

Quietly, so Tina wouldn’t hear, “I know you too well. You clean by stuffing stuff under the bed too often.”

Ten minutes later, Tina yelled out, “Done, Mommy.”

“Mommy?” Maria rolled her eyes as she headed toward her daughter’s bedroom. “Trying to tug at my heart strings. Sorry Tina, I see through that manipulation.”

Walking into Tina’s room Maria was impressed. Not perfect, but way better than usual. Taking a dress off Tina’s dresser she held it out, “Put this where it belongs, please.”

As the dress was put in the hamper, Maria looked under the bed, “Impressive job. See it actually can be cleaned up under there. You can go play with your doll now.”

As Tina scurried off, Maria looked around, “She is learning. I only have a few more things to put away.”