How To Text Your Way Into Your Kid's Life

Memorize the acronyms you’re likely to receive from your kids, so you can respond more quickly.

Learn to text with your thumbs. Using your index fingers to type will slow you down… and is, um, kind of lame.

Develop your own ways to shorten words, like dropping the vowels, or spelling a word the way it sounds.

Be brief — don’t text in complete sentences or try to engage your kid in a long, drawn-out conversation. Texting is meant to go fast, not deep.

Always text in small letters. Only use all caps if you want to indicate that you’re shouting.

Try not to embarrass your kids. If they’re going through that stage where they don’t even want to be seen with you, refrain from closing your messages with “Love, Mom.”

Texting and driving don’t mix. Make sure you — and your children — never text while behind the wheel.