Something about reading this made me well up in tears. You're preserving your kids innocence and you're allowing them to build community so thoughtfully. This feels like the way kids should grow up trying to figure out how to record a voicemail message and put names in an address book.
Such a good idea! I like it that the other parents were onboard with the idea. I think talking on the phone is a lost art. When I tell me college age kids to call someone (doctor, mechanic, Chinese food order..) they give me a strange look and then look for ways to text or email. But you know what sometimes you just gotta call in the #125 Chicken Chow Mein and ask for extra sauce. You can’t do that on an app.
What a wonderful article -thank you so much for sharing your children’s experiences. I’m now in my 70’s and your story brought back memories of the excitement I felt when I got my very first phone for my birthday! It was pink and in a new style called “the Princess phone”. It was so wonderful to have a phone in my bedroom so I could plan sleepovers with the other 6th grade girls in my class. Kudos to you & your husband for the intentional choices you are making to raise extraordinary, well mannered children!
As a Millennial, I'm the only person in my social circles who still has a landline. The idea of not having one seems like a downgrade to me. It's much easier to hold for a long conversation than a cell phone, especially if you want to hold it on your shoulder. Also, if someone calls when I'm out doing something, they leave a message on my answering machine and I get back to them later. Back when cell phones first came out, there used to be an etiquette that you only called someone on a cell phone if it was actually important enough to need to disturb them while they were out. That seems to have gone out the window now that most people don't have landlines anymore.
Also, as far as smartphones for kids go, I like the model that my parents used with cars: My sister and I were told that we were allowed to have any car that we could afford with our own money. I got my first car at the age of 30, after living for the first few years of my career in a location where I could get around on mass transit until I saved enough money to pay for a car without any loans.
Congratulations for doing this! It takes courage and strength to go against the stream and give your kids the chance to see independent thinking in action. I love that they are calling their grandmothers daily. I want to suggest this for my grandkids; now four and six-years old. They have also used the car movies for long trips. It sounds like you have found a healthy balance between dogmatic positioning and anything goes. Your kids are blessed.
I’ve known for a long time the Harvey’s were the coolest! My relationship with y’all began with “firm” handshakes with your three year old son at church. I think the special bond of just being intentional over handshakes has built a relationship with my favorite family that I cherish. Little did I know that I need a landline to make that bond even stronger with those kids. Y’all are the absolute best. Love to you all.
I’s so glad little three-year-old Gibbs brought you into our lives. We are so lucky and better for it. All you need to do is call our landlines and they’ll be thrilled. I’m sure the kids will give you their cards when they see you. 😉
A lovely positive article rather than the usual doom and gloom pieces of how community and family values have disappeared. It goes to show that with love, care, and thought, all those things we cherished when we were young have not vanished.
You sound like wonderful parents who are raising two marvellous kids.
Good article. Very impressive control over screens! We’ve got to get better at it. Need to get them a gizmo watch. You like those still? When do you plan on letting them have a real phone? After my oldest kid, I do t ever want to get them one!
Thank you, David! We don’t love the Gizmos but they do let me call them when they’re roaming the neighborhood. As for letting them have a smartphone, I told them we would discuss it when they’re entering high school, but there’s no guarantee.
Perhaps this could be the beginning of a new trend!
I sure hope so! I think it’s already starting.
Something about reading this made me well up in tears. You're preserving your kids innocence and you're allowing them to build community so thoughtfully. This feels like the way kids should grow up trying to figure out how to record a voicemail message and put names in an address book.
Thank you, Dominique. We sure are trying. ❤️
I heartily agree Dominique. I definitely had a damp eye moment reading this and thought back to my own childhood.
Community building at its best.
Such a good idea! I like it that the other parents were onboard with the idea. I think talking on the phone is a lost art. When I tell me college age kids to call someone (doctor, mechanic, Chinese food order..) they give me a strange look and then look for ways to text or email. But you know what sometimes you just gotta call in the #125 Chicken Chow Mein and ask for extra sauce. You can’t do that on an app.
😂
What a wonderful article -thank you so much for sharing your children’s experiences. I’m now in my 70’s and your story brought back memories of the excitement I felt when I got my very first phone for my birthday! It was pink and in a new style called “the Princess phone”. It was so wonderful to have a phone in my bedroom so I could plan sleepovers with the other 6th grade girls in my class. Kudos to you & your husband for the intentional choices you are making to raise extraordinary, well mannered children!
Thank you, Kathleen. ❤️
I’m going to do this with my kids! (when they’re a little bit older)
As a Millennial, I'm the only person in my social circles who still has a landline. The idea of not having one seems like a downgrade to me. It's much easier to hold for a long conversation than a cell phone, especially if you want to hold it on your shoulder. Also, if someone calls when I'm out doing something, they leave a message on my answering machine and I get back to them later. Back when cell phones first came out, there used to be an etiquette that you only called someone on a cell phone if it was actually important enough to need to disturb them while they were out. That seems to have gone out the window now that most people don't have landlines anymore.
Also, as far as smartphones for kids go, I like the model that my parents used with cars: My sister and I were told that we were allowed to have any car that we could afford with our own money. I got my first car at the age of 30, after living for the first few years of my career in a location where I could get around on mass transit until I saved enough money to pay for a car without any loans.
Congratulations for doing this! It takes courage and strength to go against the stream and give your kids the chance to see independent thinking in action. I love that they are calling their grandmothers daily. I want to suggest this for my grandkids; now four and six-years old. They have also used the car movies for long trips. It sounds like you have found a healthy balance between dogmatic positioning and anything goes. Your kids are blessed.
Thank you for your kind words, Judith. ❤️
I’ve known for a long time the Harvey’s were the coolest! My relationship with y’all began with “firm” handshakes with your three year old son at church. I think the special bond of just being intentional over handshakes has built a relationship with my favorite family that I cherish. Little did I know that I need a landline to make that bond even stronger with those kids. Y’all are the absolute best. Love to you all.
I’s so glad little three-year-old Gibbs brought you into our lives. We are so lucky and better for it. All you need to do is call our landlines and they’ll be thrilled. I’m sure the kids will give you their cards when they see you. 😉
This was refreshing and confirmation from the Lord of an ongoing conversation between my husband and I. Thank you for sharing!
Thank you, Amber for telling me this. I’m so happy to hear this helped you. ❤️
Love this. So wonderful !
Thank you, Betty! ❤️
I am so glad you expanded on your initial post!
Thank you, Carolyn! I hope it is helpful.
Such a truly heartwarming article.
A lovely positive article rather than the usual doom and gloom pieces of how community and family values have disappeared. It goes to show that with love, care, and thought, all those things we cherished when we were young have not vanished.
You sound like wonderful parents who are raising two marvellous kids.
I wish all of you the very best.
Thank you for your kind words. ❤️
This is amazing. I applaud your efforts. This is what care looks like.
This also reminded me of the Japanese and how it's common for 5 year olds to take mass transit to go to school and go to the store, etc.
Is your old-school phone connected to a landline, or is it a digital 4G phone desk handset?
It’s a regular phone that we plugged into our router using Ooma.
Thank you.
Sure!
Good article. Very impressive control over screens! We’ve got to get better at it. Need to get them a gizmo watch. You like those still? When do you plan on letting them have a real phone? After my oldest kid, I do t ever want to get them one!
Thank you, David! We don’t love the Gizmos but they do let me call them when they’re roaming the neighborhood. As for letting them have a smartphone, I told them we would discuss it when they’re entering high school, but there’s no guarantee.