• I got my kids a landline, hoping it would spark independence. • During the first snow day of the school year, the phone rang nonstop all morning. • By the afternoon, they had invited friends and neighbors to play in our yard, without my involvement.

While my kids are still young and in elementary school, my husband and I have been talking about how we can foster more independence in all three.

We both long for the type of childhood we had, without cellphones, iPads, and social media.

Earlier this year, we decided to buy an old-school phone and set up a landline for our 7, 5, and 5-year-olds to be able to interact with their friends without needing our supervision.

Yesterday showed me what a great idea that was.

There was an initial lift from my end

After getting the phone and s

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