Technology & Communication

    Ok, I know that the usual line is that technology is killing communication. Emailing replacing phone calls makes us lack human contact and texting is making us all speak in short sentences. And, worse, twittering and the like is making us use fake words with made-up spellings.
    But at our house I think that it might be the opposite. I've often said that I get more information out of Tanner via text than I ever would verbally. He has grown out of the silent phase for the most part but he is still a very quiet guy. Having the kids with cell phones is the BEST thing ever. Well, second best actually. Having a kid that drives is the BEST thing ever. But the phone thing... There is almost never a school day when I don't hear from Chloe via text during the day. The boys are less likely to text me but the do if they need something. I can hear from them while at school, sports, friends houses, sleepovers, church activities. Usually if they are having a sleepover they text me goodnight. Isn't that cute? And useful - "I'm done" "Practice is over" "Practice is cancelled" and my personal favorite "I'm here, come out and get in the car." (that one is from me to them)
    The high school kids started a new term this week which means they started four new classes. Chloe decided-immediately-that she needed to change her PE class. So she started texting me. And continued throughout the day. Then she came home and got on facebook. Where she promptly wrote on my wall "Mom. PLEASE CALL THEM AND CHANGE MY CLASS. PLEASE, PLEEEEAAASEE." Really, our house isn't that big. And I guess that I could think that she didn't want to talk to me but that's not really the case.
     Tonight we went to a parent meeting for the girl's soccer at the high school. She was sitting behind me and I wanted to ask her something and talk to her about someone that she had previously played with. Didn't seem like the time for a chat so...I texted her. Patience has never been one of my virtues.
      Last time Chase stayed home sick from school, he relayed this. Keep in mind that Tanner and Chase have a door that goes between their rooms. Chase said to me "Tanner woke me up this morning, like he always does, by banging on the door between our rooms. I wasn't going to get up so I texted him and told him that I was sick." I'm sorry but that is HILARIOUS. His bed is maybe 3 feet from the door. Tanner bangs on the door to wake him up? And then instead of saying outloud "I'm sick" Chase texts him in the next room!
      Maybe we are all loosing out on some kinds of communication but I think we're going to be ok. Chloe said to me the other day "I hate it when people spell words wrong on facebook." Yep. We may spend a lot of time on electronics but - hey, electronically communicating with your teenagers is better than no communication at all, right?