Yesterday, Miriam and Noah were at swimming lessons. Nick and I were entertaining Gus on the sidelines. Nick gave Gus his phone. Now, this might not be exactly what you're picturing. Nick didn't give Gus his phone to watch a video or scroll through pictures; he didn't let him have it to play an app or record his drooly grin. As a matter of fact, Nick gave Gus his phone so he could "talk" on it and throw it on the ground, repeatedly. The kind mother next to it kept picking up the phone and handing it back to Gus.
"Don't worry about it," Nick said politely, with a wave of his hand.
"That's a good idea," she remarked. "I should have saved my old phone for my kid to play with. Recycle."
My husband claims he has a flip phone because he can throw it on the ground without concern. (However, after demonstrating this sight-to-behold too many times, his flip phone did break, and he did have to replace it... with another flip phone). I, on the other hand, don't own a smart phone because the model I found at Target was only $15. Apparently, AT&T stores no longer carry phones that aren't smart.
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| Venice Beach, July 2015 |
A few months ago, Nick and I had a rare and welcomed opportunity for a date night. While at dinner, we both placed our phones on the table. Mine, because I anxiously check my phone lest there be a child-related emergency; his, essentially to mock mine. The waitress remarked, "Wow, I haven't seen anyone in a long time with phones like those! But I don't even own a cell phone." She smiled. She was proud. She's fighting the battle, too, and is kicking our butts.
One practical reason we've chosen to fight this battle is to reduce expenses. (I recently learned a iPhone costs several hundred dollars, not including the monthly bills)! However, this is our lesser motivation. I don't want an iPhone because I want to be an eye-witness to my own life. I'd rather not view it through a screen. More importantly, I don't want my husband to have a smart phone because I want him to pay attention to me! Don't get me wrong: both of use see the many, many perks of being smart phone users. For me, it would be a grand entrance into a new world of deals and coupons! For Nick? Probably a toss-up between playing games and watching movies. A smart phone offers us so, so much, and if I owned one, I know I wouldn't have the self-control to stay away... or keep my kids away. I already waste enough time as it is.
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| At Skirball, June 2015 |
We love the liberty our "old fashioned" phones give us. I've seen too many friends who have been distraught over losing or breaking an iPhone. As for us, we usually don't even know where our cell phones are. And please don't text us pictures; we can barely make them out amidst all the blur. Group texts? They'll freeze our phones.
On the Fourth of July, we were at a family barbeque. While we were watching fireworks, my lovely, little sister was preoccupied with her Snap Chatting. (I use this term the same way my grandma might use the term "Googling." I reckon I didn't even spell it correctly. It probably has a trendier misspelling, like "SnappChatt." Please inform.) I had a rare moment of sarcasm. "Ellie, are you going to watch or Snap Chat Nina's wedding in a few weeks?" We all laughed, and I got my point across: enjoy the first-person, in-the-moment experience. The constant video stream, photo-snapping, and selfie barrage must feed into the self-indulgence that already permeates our society. The Good Lord knows that my self-indulgence does not need to be indulged.
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| 4th of July, 2015 |
We don't condemn iPhones and certainly don't look down upon those who use them. Heck, sometimes we're jealous of all of you. It's just a battle we've chosen to fight in hopes of creating the best environment for our family. However, I fear my own teammate is turning against me: Nick announced the other night that he is almost ready to make The Switch. "For work." I call B.S.
The Switch will likely occur when we realize we don't have any pictures of Grandma and Dido's visit, Uncle Greg's stay, and, predictably, Noah's upcoming 3rd birthday. Thank you to all our iPhone friends and family who have captured our moments for us!
