I’m just a mom, standing here with my trusty flip phone, asking for a little understanding.
I can almost hear your thoughts. Yes, I’m from the Lancaster, Pennsylvania area. No, I’m not Amish, even though I do know quite a few Anabaptists who might be cruising in their horse-drawn buggies, contemplating the latest gadget like the new Apple Watch. The Amish prefer to keep their phones in the barn rather than bringing electronics into their homes. (Honestly, it’s a solid argument for teaching teenagers about a higher power who isn’t glued to their Twitter feed.) But let’s be real: even the plain folks have some impressive devices.
Picture this: me, on my flip phone, trying to hire an Amish-owned construction company.
Me: Hi there, I need someone to build a shed in my backyard.
Mr. Miller: Sure, we’re a bit busy on a job right now. Can you text me the shed dimensions?
Me: Um, I’m not great at texting. Can I send you an email instead?
Mr. Miller: Email? Oh, my aunt in Ohio might use that, but we don’t.
Sure, my phone can text, but if you give me a few minutes and a good dose of patience, I might be able to send “Whem r u goimg tm be hme?” or “thnx fr te brTHDYm eSSAG!!!%%”. When I hear that delightful “ding!” of a new message, I start sweating and biting my lip. What if they ask me for an address? Typing out numbers? The horror! I might just as well be trying to send a carrier pigeon.
It’s entirely possible I’ll still be clutching my flip phone, grey-haired and bewildered, trying to figure out how to text “415 East 23rd Street” on my last birthday.
“So what’s your deal?” you might ask. “Are you some kind of tech-challenged individual?” You mean that in the nicest way, right?
Sure, I’m a bit of a doofus. No offense taken! My flip phone obsession started because, let’s face it, smartphones are pricey! Even if you get a phone for free, the service plan is a different story. With three kids who need phones (they’ll argue that a flip phone doesn’t count), I’d be making tough choices each month between paying for my smartphone bill or keeping the heat on and the water running.
You might have a plan that’s affordable, and I’m listening, but there are other reasons I’m still a tech novice.
For one, I can’t keep track of how people want to communicate with me. Some prefer texts, others leave voicemails, and a few friends only reach out on social media. And then there are those who catch me in the school lobby and deliver a 500-word monologue about upcoming events, complete with dates and how many cupcakes I need to bake. By the time they hit word 24, I’m mentally checked out, dreaming of a life free from volunteering commitments.
I’ve learned to be upfront about my struggles. “I’m a doofus,” I admit. “I forget things easily. Instead of texting, could you email me all that info? I promise to read it later—once my panic subsides.” Most people are kind enough to humor me and dust off their email accounts, with the exception of that one Amish construction worker.
Another reason I’ve held off on splurging for a smartphone? It’s practically a rite of passage for me to drop my phone in a creek while hiking or accidentally run it over with my car. Or worse, my phone might leap out of my purse and explode like confetti in a parking lot, celebrating my clumsiness. That’s much easier to handle when the phone only cost me $9!
Despite my outdated phone, I’m still a bit of a screen addict. Using a flip phone ensures that I spend part of my day looking up and engaging with the world around me. I’m less likely to walk into walls or trip over my own feet—trust me, I excel at both!
For more insights about technology and parenting, check out our other blog post on home insemination, where we dive into topics that resonate with parents today. And if you’re looking for more resources on this journey, don’t miss out on this excellent guide on pregnancy and home insemination.
In summary, I may be a mom without a smartphone, but I’m embracing my flip phone life and finding ways to navigate the chaos, one text (or email) at a time.