Our children are talking… are you on the right channel?

Social Networking is the most relevant channel among our children. If you are not a part of this world, then you might be less effective, as a parent, than you think. These behaviors are exploding, and directly affect our children’s self perception (as well as perception of others.)

My family is at minimum, a two screen family. Its pretty common for us all to be watching a family program on tv, while my husband checks emails on his mobile, I’ll be working on my laptop, and one of the kids will be playing Plants vs. Zombies on an iPad. Let’s face it, we are raising fast communicators, and they are setting the standards faster than my iPhone can auto correct my text.

As it is, I’m already struggling with keeping all the balls in the air – trying to keep everyone happy, get everyone to their destinations on time, and head off potential “tween drama.” However, becoming a social media mom has actually made things easier for me to not fall behind. If I can be part of the conversation, than I can help influence good choices and common sense. It seems obvious, but you would be surprised how fast it all moves behind the scenes.

My daughter lives on Instagram (the only  thing that slows her down is that she has to hop on my device, until a bite the bullet and get her a smart phone.) My son is on Facebook, and the whole family Facetimes. Kids covet “likes,” and use it as a measurement for success or failure. My rule is that they must accept me as a “follower,” so I can at least weigh in (sparingly,) and help with awkward things that are shared, or just plain bad judgment. For this privilege, I had to agree to NOT post any pictures of her on her wall. Totally a fair trade.

Oh, and here’s a clue: if your kids are on any photo filter apps, join immediately. Evidently, a picture still indeed tells a thousand words. The side conversations they have, are funny and we end up having more things to talk about, because of it.

In general, most of what’s most really important to our children is happening via social networking, and this will only become more true. They are talking, and willing to let us in. Its still connecting… its just a more modern and relevant way of saying: “how was your day?”

Tags | children, children and social networking, connecting, parenting, social media, social media mom, teens, tweens