Why One Illinois Family Chose a Landline Phone as a Unique Holiday Gift

Today I came across a story out of Illinois that blew my mind for two reasons:

1. A group of kids were actually excited about getting a landline phone for Christmas.
2. 'Tin Can' phones are a real and genius thing.

When To Get a Child Their First Phone

Last year my oldest daughter began middle school, and the biggest change that came along with it was a cell phone.

For years our daughter had been begging my husband and I for her own phone, but when she started middle school and got involved in several school activities, we finally caved.

Buying our child her first cell phone at age 11 was never our plan. We wanted to wait until she was several years older and better equipped to deal with all the issues that come along with smartphone life, but the need to get a hold of her quickly outweighed our resistance.

So far our daughter has been very responsible when it comes to her phone, and we monitor her online activity like a hawk, but we still sometimes regret getting it. Primarily, because she is ALWAYS in her room talking to her friends.

If only I would have known Tin Can phones existed before we clicked "add a line" to our service.

Illinois Parents Go Viral For Gifting Kids Landline Phones

In Northbrook, Illinois a group of local families made a pact when their kids were in elementary school that they would not get their children smartphones until at least eighth grade. They signed something called the “Wait Until 8th” pledge, but that didn't stop the children from begging for a phone for Christmas.

Well, the kids did get a phone for Christmas, just not the kind they were envisioning.

According to People, parents Meg Kate and Kyle McAlarney, along with other parents from their daughter Maddie's third grade class, all gifted their kids Tin Can landline phones for Christmas...and the kids actually loved them!

Maddie's mom, Meg Kate, shared a video on TikTok that immediately gathered over 3 million views:

@megkatemcalarney Long Live Childhood #tincan #nostalgia #christmas #landline ♬ original sound - Meg Kate

When I hear someone say "Tin Can phones", I automatically think of two old soup cans connected by a long piece of string, but the phone in that video looks way cooler. Turns out, it totally is, and it might be the perfect "in between" reluctant parents have been looking for.

@caitybegg Love this!! I need to interview Chett on @progressiontoanalog @Tin Can #analog#landline#smartphone also tysm @Alexis Contreras ♬ 80s Nostalgia - Royaltyfreemusicforvideos