The Dumbest Phone Is Parenting Genius

Landlines encourage connection—without the downsides of smartphones.

By Rheana Murray

Illustration by Jonelle Afurong / The Atlantic. Sources: Olegk1986 / Getty; Sally Anscombe / Getty.

When Caron Morse’s 9-year-old daughter asked for a smartphone last year, her reaction, she told me, was unambiguous: “A hard ‘Hell no.’” Morse is a mental-health provider in the Portland, Maine, public-school system, and she was firmly against smartphones, having seen how social media and abundant screen time could shorten students’ attention spans and give them new anxieties. But she wanted her children to have some independence—to be able to call friends, arrange playdates, and reach out to their grandparents on their own. She also needed a break. “I was so sick,” she said, “of being the middle person in any correspondence.”

So when her daughter turned 10, Morse did get her a phone: a landline.

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Gardner Caves-- 6th Grade Mineralogy Field Trip

Gardner Cave holds both breathtaking beauty and a sobering history. Alongside glittering formations are scars of human carelessness: graffiti and broken stalagmites, most of it left behind between the 1950s and 1970s, before guided tours and gates protected the cave. My sixth-grade Waldorf students were disheartened by the carved names, the missing formations, and the reminders of what had been lost.

But one inscription stopped us in our tracks: “Pearl Troyer, 1912.”

Reaching Gardner Cave in 1912 would not have been easy. From the nearest town, Metaline, the journey was nearly thirteen miles, a five-hour trek on foot or two hours on horseback, with no paved or gravel roads to ease the way. Pearl Troyer, a young schoolteacher, made that journey. By the dim light of a lantern, she ventured into the cave and left her name at the base of a towering column, neatly written in pencil. A column is formed when a stalactite and a stalagmite grow together into one. Unlike the gouged graffiti that scarred so much of the cave, Pearl’s name was left in a medium that could be erased, a fleeting mark of her presence rather than a wound on the stone. The careful handwriting revealed her profession and her humility.

Pearl Troyer, 1912

Our own tour was bright and safe, with sturdy stairs guiding us down. At the deepest landing, the guide turned out the lights. In that instant, I could not see my hand before my face. The guide explained that in this cave, our eyes would never adjust to the black. The darkness was complete, pressing in from every side, as if the cave itself had swallowed us.

The thought of Pearl, lantern in hand, pressing deeper into that same unrelenting darkness, struck us all. She must have been extraordinarily brave. Standing there, my students and I felt a quiet admiration. We would have loved to meet her.

Ms. St. Pierre’s 6th grade class, at Gardner Caves.

SWS students head off for culminating adventure

Ms. Stewarts 8th grade class, at the airport.

| May 13, 2025 1:00 AM

Today, May 13, 14 graduating eighth graders from the Sandpoint Waldorf School will trade their mountain views for ocean breezes as they embark on an unforgettable trip to the East Coast — marking the culmination and celebration of their Waldorf education.

Led by their teacher, Jenni Stewart, and accompanied by Angie Roberts, an owner of the local outfitter Breakwater Expeditions, the students will explore both history and adventure over the course of the week-long trip. Their itinerary includes a day immersed in living history at Colonial Williamsburg, where students will witness reenactments and step back in time to experience early American life, which they studied as part of American history lessons this year. From there, they’ll head to the beaches of North Carolina’s Outer Banks for four days of oceanfront fun and exploration, including a visit to the historic site at Kitty Hawk, where the Wright brothers achieved the first powered flight. A full day at Busch Gardens amusement park will round out the adventure before the teens head home. 

The students themselves played a key role in shaping the trip. 

“They were open to going just about anywhere for our 8th grade trip — as long as there was water,” said Stewart. “Since most of them had already been to the West Coast, the idea of exploring the East Coast started to take shape.” 

Stewart’s own North Carolina roots helped bring that vision to life. With the help of Breakwater Expeditions, whose owner is a Virginia native, the plan came together to give students both an experience into American history and the chance to relax and celebrate their accomplishments by the sea.

At Sandpoint Waldorf School, the eighth-grade trip is a long-standing tradition and an important rite of passage. It serves as a capstone experience — bringing together the class’s years of education, community-building, and personal growth before they head off to various high schools and new adventures next year. In Waldorf education, the teacher moves with the class, ideally from 1st through 8th grade, thus forming a strong bond with the students.  

The 8th grade class at Busch Gardens Amusement Park in Williamsburg, VA.

This year’s trip holds extra meaning, as beloved teacher Jenni Stewart will be shifting roles next year to take on the position of first-grade teacher at SWS, continuing her deep connection to the school community.

As they fly east for the trip and embark on new adventures in high school and beyond, Stewart said the 14 students will carry with them the spirit of Sandpoint and the Sandpoint Waldorf School — ready to explore new horizons while reflecting on the friendships and foundation built over their years at SWS.