“Dad, I can text and talk at the same time,” my oldest son, 15, said as we drove home one night recently. I asked him a question and heard no response. I assumed he was listening to his iPOD, but when I glanced over I noticed his thumbs pressing rapidly on his cell phone keyboard. Michael’s iPOD ear buds never seem to come out, but he is not the most prolific “texter” in the family. Danny, 13, is the undisputed champ. He can play basketball and send text messages. I don’t really care if he dribbles and texts, but find it rude when Michael or Danny text while I’m talking. They are so stealthy, I don’t notice right away and continue with my end of the conversation for several sentences before realizing no one is listening.
It would be rude to make or take a phone call in the midst of a conversation. I argue that texting is the same thing, they disagree. I’m wondering if anyone else is having the same problem and has developed some rules involving texting and family conversations.
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6 comments:
I believe it to be rude,disrespectful and down right annoying.When I pick up my gran-daughter from school or whatever,that damn I-POD starts.What gets me ,is all this hype about not talking to our kids,they don't even want to talk to us.Say something about it and you get the mouth.My friends this,my friends that.
Here's an idea: ask the texting or iPod listening teenager to stop with the electronics while you're talking. If he won't, just take the damn phone or iPod away. Who's in charge here, the kid or the parent/grandparent?
I must be getting old. Cell phones at age 15? I guess with cell phones, i-pods and other technology, you can't avoid it. I wish I could give you some advice, but I'm not at that stage yet since my boys are still little. I would agree with you, Ralph, that texting while having a conversation or doing something else is rude.
Thanks for the feedback. It hasn't been a problem over the past few days. The next time it comes up, I think I'm going to try explain to them how I feel. They are good kids and most of the time when I take the time to explain something they respond. They might not get it all the first time, but who does?
As far as kids listening to I-PODS, I've given up on that one. When they are in the car with me they have their iPODs on about half the time. This is going to sound terrible to some, but teen-agers are so moody that I find myself not wanting to talk to them many times.
Taking the phone away has its drawbacks. I think most parents of teens would agree that a cell phone benefits parents as much as children, especially when it comes to driving them around to their activities and keeping tabs when they are out with friends on Friday and Saturday nights.
Any more suggestions?
I have a 21 year old daughter, that constantly texts when I am talking to her. So as usually I reversed the role. Every time she talks to me I ignore her and she asks "Mom, didn't you hear me?" I then look at her blankly and say huh? She then starts the conversation again and again I look at her with a blank expression. This happens until she is saying "mom,mom,mom" I then say wait I'm texting!
Ralph - I agree with you , the texting has exploded int he past year. We just drove to Florida and I think Pat texted the whole way down. He was so frustrated when he lost reception! I will be interested to see how this translates to the baseball feild this spring.
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