I know all the theories that say technology is ruining the family dynamic. Kids (and parents) are so busy with their smart phones, computers and readers that they don’t really pay attention or listen to each other. There is no interaction anymore between kids and their parents. My thoughts? It’s all crap.
Since we got our daughter a cell phone for her 12th birthday, we have been keeping in touch more than we ever have. When she is out of the house, she is constantly texting me to tell me what is going on with her. Just yesterday she sent me a text after school telling me she was running a few minutes late. Yes, a lot of this is due to the novelty a new phone brings, but still… she’s already developing the habit of letting me know where she is and when she’ll be home. I love that.
Last night we had one of those tween meltdowns when she decided she was the all-smart, all-knowing child who knew everything while her parents knew nothing. You know, an average day in my house. On the way out to dinner she got it into her head that talking back to us (in that not-so-nice way) was okay. It wasn’t. I took her phone away. She freaked out.
Needless to say, dinner was not the most pleasant experiences as my oldest sat in the restaurant, refused to eat and glared at us.
So we get home and everyone breaks for their respective rooms. Of course, I climb into bed and reach for my laptop. Suddenly, I see the tween’s name pop up in Skype. She’s online. Bingo. I hit “call”. Ring… ring… ring… ring. No answer. She’s ignoring me.
Until… I suddenly get a chat message. “What do you want?” Ah yes, the clever comeback.
I’ll spare you the entire conversation. And my tween’s embarrassment. The fact was, however, that what she felt she couldn’t say in person, she could express over the computer. We chatted. She told me her side. I told her my side. In the end, we resolved the issue of the talking-back and the taking-the-phone-away. The night ended with her sitting on my bed and saying good night.
I’m pretty sure if we both weren’t sitting in our rooms with our computers, we both would have gone to bed without anything being resolved and someone would have woken up in a bad mood this morning.
Tech ruining communication? Not in my house. We’re using to bring us closer together.
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
Well played.
Sidney recently posted..What Started it All…
Nice! I wish we had cell phones when I was a kid…my mom and I communicate much better via text or email than over the phone (and sometimes, even better than in person).
Chelsea @ Someday I’ll Learn recently posted..Moving Out and Cleaning Up
I think things would have been completely different if we had cell phones growing up. I’m trying to make all this technology stuff actually work in our favor, rather than having it hinder the communication.
Love the great use of Skype! I’ll have to try that (probably very soon) since my teenager and I have used the silent treatment on each other more than I’d like too — it’s the only way to avoid the talking back!
Suzette Valle recently posted..Teen Drivers – Parents Should Know Kids’ Risky Business Behind The Wheel
Oh yes, the silent treatment. Skype (or text) is great because you don’t have to look at each other. I think it has helped us get over the controversies much faster since we can actually “talk” about it rather than having my daughter just close herself up in her room. It’s definitely easier to type out your feelings than confront them face on.