This post is inspired by my 14 year old daughter who texted me (again) that I really need to write in the blog. Apparently she wants to know what is going on in the family, and since she lives in a cave, she needs to read a blog to find out what's up.
Update on foster kids: Apparently DCFS isn't mad at me, they just don't want me working with "structured kids". So they came across a kid who needed to change placements. Seeing as he needs an "emotionally supportive family" they called me. Yea! I'll do "emotionally supportive"! Glad I fit somewhere. So I've had him for the last few weeks. There's a meeting tomorrow. I'll probably know then if he's moving in permanently (or semi-permanently) or if DCFS is still clueless. Probably the latter. I'm starting to notice a trend.
So after three years of having the same phones, and mine being washed in the washer and being completely unable to type, we decided to take the plunge and upgrade our phones. We did that a few weeks ago. Peter & I got the new Blackberry Torch (which I absolutely love by the way) and the kids got a Blackberry Curve knockoff. So now they have a full keyboard. Sara got one phone, and the kids got the other. Then our foster kid moved in, and we gave him one. (They're going to let me add a fifth line. I just need to find the time to go back to the mall and get it set up so my other kids have one again).
I've discovered something that my family science degree never prepared me for. I call it "parenting by text". Seeing as I never see my two teens, I parent by text.
Sara gets woken up at 5:45 on Tuesday and Thursday for early morning seminary by text. I text her until she's awake, then go back to sleep. I arrange ride schedules with Angel (my foster kid), and make sure he got off to school ok, all by text. I take it back. Sometimes he actually calls me to ask for a ride to school. Throughout the day as necessary I text the two of them. After school, Angel texts me to let me know where he's going: band practice, his foster home, or the mall, and when he'll be home. Sara texts me throughout the afternoon. She also texts Peter. I call them to dinner by text. Sure beats yelling down the stairs!
As a group, we've managed to text 3654 times. And we're only 2/3rds through our billing cycle. (Not all are to each other. Angel texts friends a lot.) I personally have 1249 texts. A new record for me!.
Funny thing is I actually know better what's going on in the kids lives now that we text. It's opened up a whole new method of communication for us and has actually improved things. Who knew?
Fortunately for all of my younger siblings, I get to be the trail blazer. I'll let you know how parenting by text goes. Hopefully, the family that texts together stays together. We'll see! I'll keep you posted.
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