We’re doing a phone-free Christmas – and will pop in on pals unannounced
A COUPLE are to go 'phone-free' this Christmas in an attempt to reset their relationship with technology and instil better digital habits for their young children.
Next Friday, Gill Bearskine and Andrew Telfer, of Kingsbarns, Fife, will switch off their smartphones and start their digital device ban.
Lasting five days over the festive period, the parents of a four and a six-year-old, will host a completely 'analogue' Christmas with their mobiles switched off and locked away.
The 40-year-olds will use only their landline to contact family and will take their photographs using a film camera and Polaroids.
They even had to buy new batteries for their watches so they could tell the time.
The results of their digital-free Christmas will be pulled together in an holiday photo album and gifted to the children's grandparents afterwards.
The mum-of-two told the Scottish Sun Online about the revelation she had at her children's swimming lesson - which bans parents from using their phones during the thirty-minute swim practice.
Gill said: ";We thought about a digital free Xmas, our main vice as a family is the phone.
"I didn't bring anything else with me to do during the half-an-hour.
"Just a couple of years ago, this wouldn't have bothered me, but I was twitching and going to look for my phone every couple of minutes.
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"I was shocked and frustrated I couldn't sit without my phone in that short time."
Their "phone-free" project will see hopefully see the couple "reset" their relationship with their phones after setting up their outdoor exercise business Wildstrong several years ago.
After growing their business Instagram from zero to 6,000 followers in just under two years, Gill said she wishes to set good boundaries with social media so she have a healthier relationship with the platforms.
She continued: "Both me and Andrew didn't have any social media accounts before we launched the business, now it drives the majority of our business as we reach a lot of people in their 30s to 50s.
"It is a powerful tool but you can be accessible every hour of the day.
"We are looking to completely reset that relationship with the phone so we set a good example for the kids.
"They are young enough to be influenced by us, I want them to experience more quality time with us and more time outdoors.
"This will also be helpful for the future when they get their own devices."
But the couple are divided on one of the rules they have set themselves - 'popping in' on family unannounced without using Whatsapp or messages to warn ahead.
Gill added: "I grew up in Fife, and we have recently moved back from outside of London.
"I am used to just popping into people's houses unannounced - and I like people showing up here.
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"But Andrew, who is originally from the United States, has doubts about that one, he is a little more nervous about not giving people forewarning.
"Our friends and family are on board, it is quite common here to do that, but it will be a test to see how we get on without messages and setting better boundaries."