Text Messaging Mania!
Cell phones, the best and worst creation invented. For adults on the go they are great. We can stay connected, we feel safe, and we can call anyone from anywhere! We can even keep track of our children. Along comes text messaging. It is such a craze that cell phones are now made with built in keyboards!
The problem with cell phones is what I like to call T3M: Teenagers Texting Too Much.
I cannot tell you how many families come in and one of their their biggest complaints is that their child text messages CONSTANTLY; they text during dinner, family time, in the car... I think you get my point. They are texting any time that used to be time for family members to speak to one another. They don't pay attention to conversation and they want no part of it, they simply want to text their friends.
It takes away from family time because a cell phone can come anywhere; it can come on vacation, to restaurants, in the car, anywhere parents used to be able to talk with their kids free from distractions.
Another issue is that teens have stopped interacting socially through the use of their words. They find it easier to interact with someone when they don't have to actually speak to that person. The problem is that they are relying on words that pop up on their cell phone screen, words that can be interpreted in many different ways and often incorrectly. This leads to miscommunication and conflict.
So what can be done? Here are a few tips to increase family time and decrease texting a cell phone use:
1.Cell phones are off limits during dinner time. Designate a place to put cell phones during dinner, ringers off, so that no one can see them or use them.
2. If you are going out to dinner with your family, make it a rule that your child's cell phone must stay at home or in the car. That way you can enjoy some much needed family conversation.
3. Designate family time. At least 1-2 nights per week for at least an hour during which the family spends time together free from cell phones. You can talk, play a game, take a walk outside, anything that your family would enjoy doing together.
If you think that your teen is texting too much here are some tips:
1. Cell phone time out. Give the cell phone, rather than the child, a time out. Put it somewhere out of reach for certain amount of time.
2. If texting is excessive, have them do chores or take care of other responsibilities around the house to earn the money needed to pay for the cell phone bill.
These are just a few little tips to help you with your cell phone woes. If you have any stories or comments, I welcome you to share them. Have fun with your kids!
The problem with cell phones is what I like to call T3M: Teenagers Texting Too Much.
I cannot tell you how many families come in and one of their their biggest complaints is that their child text messages CONSTANTLY; they text during dinner, family time, in the car... I think you get my point. They are texting any time that used to be time for family members to speak to one another. They don't pay attention to conversation and they want no part of it, they simply want to text their friends.
It takes away from family time because a cell phone can come anywhere; it can come on vacation, to restaurants, in the car, anywhere parents used to be able to talk with their kids free from distractions.
Another issue is that teens have stopped interacting socially through the use of their words. They find it easier to interact with someone when they don't have to actually speak to that person. The problem is that they are relying on words that pop up on their cell phone screen, words that can be interpreted in many different ways and often incorrectly. This leads to miscommunication and conflict.
So what can be done? Here are a few tips to increase family time and decrease texting a cell phone use:
1.Cell phones are off limits during dinner time. Designate a place to put cell phones during dinner, ringers off, so that no one can see them or use them.
2. If you are going out to dinner with your family, make it a rule that your child's cell phone must stay at home or in the car. That way you can enjoy some much needed family conversation.
3. Designate family time. At least 1-2 nights per week for at least an hour during which the family spends time together free from cell phones. You can talk, play a game, take a walk outside, anything that your family would enjoy doing together.
If you think that your teen is texting too much here are some tips:
1. Cell phone time out. Give the cell phone, rather than the child, a time out. Put it somewhere out of reach for certain amount of time.
2. If texting is excessive, have them do chores or take care of other responsibilities around the house to earn the money needed to pay for the cell phone bill.
These are just a few little tips to help you with your cell phone woes. If you have any stories or comments, I welcome you to share them. Have fun with your kids!
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