How to Text Your Way into Your Kid's Life
Having a little trouble connecting with your text-addicted offspring? Grab your phone and get on their wavelength.
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You Will Need
- A cell phone
- A dictionary of text speak
Steps
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Step 1
Download a dictionary
Download a dictionary of text acronyms to help you decipher their abbreviated responses.
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Step 2
Know the popular acronyms
Memorize the acronyms you're likely to receive from your kids, so you can respond more quickly.
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Some favorite acronyms kids like to use include: "T-I-S-N-F""A-W-G-T-H-T-G-T-T-A" and "R-U-S"
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Step 3
Become all thumbs
Learn to text with your thumbs. Using your index fingers to type will slow you down... and is, um, kind of lame.
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Step 4
Create your own acronyms
Develop your own ways to shorten words, like dropping the vowels, or spelling a word the way it sounds.
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Step 5
Be brief
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.
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Step 6
Don’t shout
Always text in small letters. Only use all caps if you want to indicate that you're shouting.
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Useful acronyms for parents include:"A-S-A-Y-G-T" "D-N-B-L-8" "Q-Q" and "R-U-S-O-S"
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Step 7
Don't embarrass them
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."
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Step 8
Don't text and drive
Texting and driving don't mix. Make sure you -- and your children -- never text while behind the wheel.
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A study of the instant message communications between 72 people between the ages of 15 and 20 found that texting helped, not hindered, their language skills.
