No Phones Without Purpose
- Ralph Cochrane
- Aug 12
- 1 min read
Give your kids tools, not trophies.
My twin daughters are 9. Which means the “Can we get a phone?” campaign has officially begun.
Some of their classmates already have them. We’re... not there. In fact, we’re not even on that street yet.
In our house, phones are like power tools. You don’t hand someone a chainsaw because “everyone else has one.” You teach them how to use it first. Safely. Responsibly. Intentionally.
So, when they asked again last week, we sat down and made a list:
Why do you want one?
What would you use it for?
What would you need to show us — consistently — to prove you're ready?
Now they're tracking habits, helping more around the house, and learning how to earn trust.
Will they get a phone next week? Nope. Next year? Also no. We’re aiming for high school — with good habits and strong values already in place. Because phones — like leadership roles — aren’t just things you get. They’re responsibilities you earn. And earning takes time.
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