It was so easy to communicate with my kids when they were young enough that they were dependent on me to make their meals, bath them, read to them and take care of their basic needs. Once the teen years hit, the necessity to talk was still there, but sometimes the desire to talk was not. My kids were relatively deprived until recently in modern teen terms, They had cell phones for making necessary calls, but they were not allowed to text message. As a technology coordinator for a school, I experienced first hand how instant and text messaging seemed to consume some students and I was determined not to let that happen to my children. It was not until 2 months ago that I gave it a whirl and got txting for my teens. I did not tell them ahead of time that I was going to do it, and I then made sure that I was the first person to send each of my children a txt.
Much to my surprise, it has become a great way for me to communicate with them. My daughter now looks for my words of wisdom to arrive on her bus rides to her sporting events. So far my children appreciate the priviledge of texting and are clear that abuse of the priviledge means it will be taken away. Fortunately, that hasn't happened yet because I always enjoy writing "How R U?" and actually hearing back.
Do you ever text with your child?
JuneSlager is a discussion leader for arizonamoms.com, raising three children (ages 15, 14, & 11) in Northeast Phoenix.
Kudos to your for keeping up
Kudos to your for keeping up with technology and trying to stay in touch with your teens. I always loved the letters my mom would write to me, and in some strange way, text is like that now.
My hubby uses texts to remind the boys in his church youth group about activities and service opportunities. He gets a great response.
Brooke Romney is an unbalanced mom of three young boys who constantly has too much to do, and too little time. She writes the Mom Beat column for The Gilbert Republic.
My children say rhings to me
My children say rhings to me in text messages that they would never say if we were takjing together. Kind and loving things. In many ways it's brought us closer, not to mention I like being able to be in touch with them all the time. I wouldn't take it away for anything. It took me a long time too to finally say yes, and I'm sure glad I did!!!
Paz
Since I've been dating, my
Since I've been dating, my boyfriend and I text, my two sons (20 & 17) thought it was stupid, my 20 year old still refuses to text, but my 17 year old caved since his friends keep texting him so we got a plan for him and now, yes, we do text each other . . . it is a way to "keep up with the times" they tend to respond if it is in a modern way, but he also is real good about just picking up the phone and calling, which I think the verbal way is still more connecting than the written way!!
I text our oldest from time
I text our oldest from time to time and I have found it to be very effective. He will respond to messages on his phone faster than anything! I send both straight forward messages and some silly ones,too.
Mouse_tales is a discussion leader in the East Valley for arizonamoms.com. She is a business owner, community volunteer, and aspiring runner (whew!), who most enjoys her roles as wife & mom. Her children range in age from 4 to 13.
I think that it is great
I think that it is great that you are able to text your daughter and have a normal conversation with her. I would give anything to have a normal conversation with my almost 18 year old son. I went through a terrible divorce and my ex-husband totally alienated me from my son and daughter. This is a long story and I am sure no one really wants to read about it, I just want to say if you are having any kind of conversation with your child thank the lord that you are. I hope you continue to have wonderful moments with your child or children. They grow up so fast and before you know it they are gone. Cherish everyday that you have them.
Happy Mother's Day to all the mother's out there.
Thanks,
Nicole in Goodyear, Az
Nicole Jurewicz
I do so cherish every day
I do so cherish every day with my kids. I could not imagine not being able to talk openly with them. I keep hearing predictions that the day will come when this will not be the case, but so far that scary forecast has not become a reality.
I wish you the best with your son and daughter and will keep you in my thoughts. Hang in there and most of keep trying.
Thank you for your note.
JuneSlager is a discussion leader for arizonamoms.com, raising three children (ages 15, 14, & 11) in Northeast Phoenix.