One parent shares how Tin Can helped them say “yes” to connection—and “not yet” to screens.
“Why My 9-Year-Old Doesn’t Have a Phone—And Doesn’t Feel Left Out”
“But everyone has one, Mom!”
It’s a sentence most parents dread. The moment your kid starts asking for a phone, and you feel that slow, creeping guilt: Am I holding them back? Am I being too controlling?
I’ve been there.
But here’s the truth: My 9-year-old doesn’t have a smartphone—and she’s not missing out. In fact, she’s more connected, grounded, and confident than I could have imagined.
The secret? We gave her Tin Can instead.
The “Yes” That Replaced the “No”
When she started asking for a phone, I didn’t want to say just “no.” I wanted to offer something better. Something aligned with our values as a family. Something that would allow her to:
✅ Call her cousins and friends
✅ Learn how to hold a real conversation
✅ Feel included, not excluded
✅ Be heard—literally and emotionally
Tin Can became the perfect in-between. It sits on our kitchen counter. It belongs to the whole family. And when she picks it up to call her best friend, I can hear her belly laughs from the next room.
What We’re Teaching Her (Without Saying a Word)
By using Tin Can, we’re building healthy habits early. She’s learning that:
Communication doesn’t have to come with a screen
Privacy doesn’t mean secrecy
Her voice matters—without needing an app to amplify it
We’re also teaching her that boundaries are part of love. She’s seen friends with smartphones spiral into social media drama. She’s not interested in that yet, and she trusts that when she is ready, we’ll figure it out together.
You Don’t Need to “Cave” to Connection
Tin Can is a reminder that kids don’t need to grow up faster—they just need to feel connected. You can say no to smartphones without saying no to their social lives.
If you’re a parent in this messy, in-between moment, take a breath. There is a middle ground.
And it might just live on your kitchen counter.
Try Tin Can—because saying “not yet” doesn’t mean saying “never.”
