Isn't the technology of today is amazing?! Between the speed of Instant Messengers~ or IM'ing, the convince of cell phones, parenting has come a long way from when parents had to make three or four phone calls to track down their TWeen for the simplest request "Bring home some milk?" to the infamous, "Your late, couldn't you have called?"
These scenario's from not so long ago have all but died out with today's many wireless communication devices. No sooner does a new device come out,our kids seem to have it down These mini-adults who can't seem to remember to take out the trash or keep their rooms clean, yet have the intelligence and focus to create secret languages and codes around these devices.
With their objective being privacy and the benefit, or fun part is we don't understand one bit of it.
I have discovered the secret to win this battle; or at the very least, how to make it work for you vs, fighting the tide of neverending electronic toys& gadgets.That seem to come out faster then we can keep up with what's new & hot that our tween is craving.
Whether its cell phones, pagers, or the latest craze~ called a Blackberry,They all want one ~ and who doesn't?
Of course not that you go out and get them each one however thru another parent or a well meaning grandparent for say, perhaps as a graduation present. Once they have one, you can count on them eating, sleeping with it, doing everything but bathe with it, it will be their lifeline, or so it will seem... The only natural question seemed to me~
How can we best use these devices to assist us in our parenting? To support us in communicating better with our teens
1. Get their screen names, learn their email address, phone numbers etc...
The first thing you need to know is when it comes to the internet, Kids can get free accounts anywhere, all they need is the address they use with you, they just have to click back once and they are all set~ from there they can use that address, to register for many other free address services. The key to this is to simply tell your child it will be for emergencies and you don't need the password. I can't promise you they will give them all up, but enough to give you the ability to connect with them. They often use provactive names or numbers, don't act shocked when they tell you or better yet just ask them to write it for you and don't even give it a second glance
~ till they leave of course.
2. Learn how to connect with each device from your devices, program quick call features, put their names in your IM, and then actually practice sending them text messages.
This may seem like silly advice, however when & if a true emergency arises, you and your child will become proficient not only in using the skills, and having worked out faster out but you will also create a language of your own, with your own words and expressions, inside jokes, and more importantly, your own codes for emergencies. --
3. Learn how to use one device to connect to another, I have used my cell to IM a child who was home, online, tying up the phone in a family emergency, I was able to connect with him to clear the phone line and get the number to the specialist whose number was only in 1 spot - 45 miles away at home on the refrigerator, 2 FEET from my son. Had I not known how to connect I would have had to drive all that way home to get the number.
Perhaps this isn't a life saving example but I'm sure you can use it to imagine a situation where your child need's you, and it could be life or death.
I hope these three keys helped, If we can do anything to keep them closer to us,the better we can communicate with them in their own comfort zone the closer we can get to understanding them and more of the challenges that our kids face with today's technology.
Isn't the piece of mind you will have, worth this small investment?
Connie Carpenter is a Life, Family Coach who specializes in supporting parents with tweens. Having 4 children of her own the trials & errors of partenting are all to familar. Through a through assesments ,conversation we can determine the perfect personalized plan for your family. Learn the tools to not only restore your family dynamic, promote an effective communication stratagy, you'll also create a bond that will last a lifetime. Don't wait! Life is too short to not use every available reasource - visit http://promptcarecoaching.com and see what she can do for you!
kitchen deep cleaning Deerfield ..The girl's jaw dropped in horror as the police officer... Read More
Bullies are an ugly but very real part of childhood.... Read More
Depending on where you live school will be starting this... Read More
Imagine you were the principal of the school that your... Read More
It's the third time this week that Sam has complained... Read More
Night Visits From Your ChildIn the middle of the night... Read More
MYTH: All teens have to rebel, and the teen years... Read More
John was a 43 year-old sales manager at a large... Read More
Travel is a common theme in my life -- probably... Read More
To have reasonable expectations of our children is an important... Read More
Let's be honest! When it comes to parenting, men expect... Read More
Just the other day my oldest son asked:"Daddy, am I... Read More
Unfortunately each year many young children drown in swimming pools,... Read More
Parental Alienation Syndrome was probably first identified and codified by... Read More
Although many parents become frustrated as they try to maintain... Read More
Having a baby is one of the most exciting times... Read More
As the father of a toddler, I am an expert... Read More
John Bishop's Goal Setting for Students.comParents ? Minimize Homework Hassles?It's... Read More
The brightly colored plastic mobile dangles lazily overhead in the... Read More
Valentine day has always been a special day in my... Read More
It is so important to create an environment that promotes... Read More
Dear Sir, It was with some interest that I read... Read More
Did you know that over 75% of teens aged 16-17... Read More
Many parents would like to homeschool their children but are... Read More
"Just turn the lights off and go to sleep"Do you... Read More
interior house cleaning Highland Park ..There is nothing pleasant about failure, at least not at... Read More
How do we deal with our seriously distressed children and... Read More
You have two kids who are 14 months apart. How... Read More
If you are a parent, then more than likely you... Read More
Imagine yourself lying flat on your back, totally strapped down... Read More
Sometimes a change of perspective can make a huge difference... Read More
The last decade has seen heightened interest in and awareness... Read More
OK, moms and dads out there, we hear you when... Read More
Having worked with parents for the last 35 years and... Read More
Most people with children want to be good parents. The... Read More
Memorabilia ? Children can create enough artwork for an entire... Read More
Does the homework battle so typical with your hyperactive or... Read More
It's no surprise that the self-image and self-esteem of overweight... Read More
There are several treatment options available to help improve the... Read More
We are all familiar with the stories that most students... Read More
The cruel callous remarks made by our offspring can sometimes... Read More
'I felt great until I walked into the classroom -... Read More
Many companies advertise their products as being educational. How much... Read More
I wanted to share with you one of the most... Read More
The girl's jaw dropped in horror as the police officer... Read More
If you're looking for toys that are both fun to... Read More
This may come as a surprise.But despite all the advances... Read More
21 Reasons I Love Being A DadWhat you will read... Read More
Are you glad for the chance to put your child... Read More
If You're Having Twins..is it double the headache, or double... Read More
Parenting |