Tech-Savvy Daddy: Connect with Your Teen via Text

If your kids are teenagers, they probably have a cell phone like 75% of 12- to 17-year-olds in the United States.  You probably got them a cell phone so that you can get in touch with them wherever they are and for safety purposes, but your teens enjoy the perks of being in constant communication with their friends.  Text messaging is the primary means of communication that teenagers use to connect with their friends.  (According to the Pew Research Center, 54% of teens texted their friends daily in 2010 [only 38% texted daily in 2008!] compared to 38% who called friends daily.)

You’ve probably used text messaging to find out when your teen is coming home or remind them to walk the dog after school.  But have you thought about using text messages to bond with your teenager?  If it’s their primary means of communication with friends, why not “speak their language” to connect with them.

Try sending one or two of the following text messages to your teen this week:

• Hey, just wanted to let you know I love you
• What are you up to this weekend?  I’d love to hang out with you – maybe we can shoot some hoops at the school on Saturday.
• Let’s grab some ice cream after dinner tonight – you game for that?
• I’m so proud that you’re my son/daughter.
• Good luck on your test today.  You’re doing a great job in school this year – I’m really proud of you.
• How’s your day going?  I love you!
• Hang in there, I know it’s been a busy week.  You’re doing great!
• You looked really nice this morning.  I’m a really lucky dad to have a beautiful daughter like you.
• Great job at your soccer game yesterday.  I had fun watching you on the field!

See if that opens the lines of communication between you and teen, or leads to some memorable experiences together.  If you have a story about how using technology helped you connect with your teens, tell us about it by sending an email to info@fatherhood.org.