KremerSanner133: Created page with '[http://helpfortroubledteens.net/blog/3-reasons-why-tommy-jordan-isnt-a-crazy-parent/1392 teenage social media] - Only a few months ago my son Nathan, age 13, declared he wanted …'

KremerSanner133 — Tue, 29 May 2012 15:35:36 GMT

Created page with '[http://helpfortroubledteens.net/blog/3-reasons-why-tommy-jordan-isnt-a-crazy-parent/1392 teenage social media] - Only a few months ago my son Nathan, age 13, declared he wanted …'

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[http://helpfortroubledteens.net/blog/3-reasons-why-tommy-jordan-isnt-a-crazy-parent/1392 teenage social media] - Only a few months ago my son Nathan, age 13, declared he wanted a FaceBook account. All of his buddies had one, and the man wanted one, too.

After my stomach knotted a little and i also said a silent prayer, I agreed that he could open a FaceBook account, but told to him there'd be certain "conditions."

Like any child nowadays, Nathan often concerns mom and dad with requests for this thing or that thing he absolutely can't live without. And that he always comes prepared with convincing arguments...why he craves a cellphone, the newest gaming innovation, or some other 15 songs from iTunes.

His cases are strong, but we are united within our position that Nathan shouldn't get exactly what he requests. If he did, an amount there be to look to, to be effective towards, to desire? This is exactly why Nathan doesn't always have an XBox, PlayStation or Wii. He doesn't own a PSP and not has already established a GameBoy.

All that being said, Nathan has always were built with a computer. Starting at 3 years old using a kid's VTech computer purchased from ToysRUs, he's upgraded every few years for the latest, greatest, yet reasonable version...however the creme de la creme was his iMac that he got for Christmas last year. He doesn't actually miss out on a whole lot. He still grows to play games (only it's those created for a pc), but in addition together with his computer he creates music using his guitar, records and enhances songs with GarageBand, adds original soundtracks to his own iMovies, and uses it to do his homework. Though never to excess, we encourage his computer interest.

Then when Nathan found me together with his FaceBook request, I said "yes," albeit with a few trepidation. Like most parents, I've heard the stories about failures and knew the potential danger that the Internet and sites like FaceBook and MySpace could cause for any vulnerable teenager. But I'm also an advocate of informing and educating our children in order they mature they could increase the risk for right decisions for themselves. It is simply that in-between time from child to young adult which is so perilous these days and results in us parents to go gray, especially with the added chance of the Internet.

So that is why the "conditions." I explained to Nathan it absolutely was similar to driving a vehicle. It would be foolish of me or his father handy on the keys at 16 or 17 and expect him to operate a vehicle safely without correct training, instruction and guidance. The same is true with all the Internet and, in cases like this, having a FaceBook account. There's things he has to know to maintain himself safe, to protect his privacy which of his friends', also to understand the "ins and outs" of safe maneuvering through a teen's social media.

[http://helpfortroubledteens.net/blog/3-reasons-why-tommy-jordan-isnt-a-crazy-parent/1392 tommy jordan] - So what were these "conditions?"

1. The e-mail that Nathan registered his FaceBook account with was one that I'd usage of. That meant at any time I could go into his account, have a look and make sure everything on his FaceBook met the "Mom and pop Everything Looks Okay" test. Also, whatever was written on his wall came to me via email notification.

2. He decided to "Random FaceBook Reviews" where we'd ask him to consider us through his account. We were holding intended as instructional, basically fun, low-key reviews of the he shared in the profile, pictures (if any) he displayed, what was compiled by his friends on his Wall, bumper stickers he collected and other things he could offer for view by his friends.

3. He could only "Friend" kids he knew, and simply no adults (apart from his dad, me, and his awesome Aunt Carol).

4. Your computer which he used will be situated in a public spot in our house and not as part of his room or behind a closed door.

We constantly adjust as things change like FaceBook updates and extra features, but the operative word the following is "we." It's really a "family affair." Nathan recognizes that dad and mom may take place because we're most worried about his safety rather than about trying to catch him doing a problem. Now, it's not always touring; we all do have conflicts, however the thing is the fact that we maintain the communication lines open.

And you know, I've seen some positive effects with the FaceBook experience, too. The teenage years tend to be tough territory to move...particularly the early teens. You've some teens maturing quickly, while some not so much. And it is hard...for both the boys and girls. But what I'm collecting through the messages and other FaceBook dialog from Nathan's "friends," both boys and girls, is surely an ease with which they communicate through this medium...bypassing that awkwardness that individuals encountered as teens. Gurus Nathan with that, if FaceBook made it simpler to talk to girls in order to other people he may not usually meet in his number of friends. He agreed it was a pressure-free, fun method to talk to somebody that he may not ordinarily feel safe speaking with.

FaceBook offers an opportunity for all to customize their space, encouraging our kids to be creative and giving "friends" a snapshot into what makes our kids stand out. Finally, it possesses a backdrop on which to have instructional conversations with our kids. For instance, 2-3 weeks ago I used to be seeing some emails to arrive which were not favorable towards a particular young female. I made use of it a learning opportunity, emphasizing empathy and reminding Nathan how he would not want others to talk about him the way his friends were talking about this litttle lady...a real learning opportunity that without FaceBook we probably would have missed.

[http://helpfortroubledteens.net/blog/3-reasons-why-tommy-jordan-isnt-a-crazy-parent/1392 teenage social media] - That i'm penning this, Nathan comes into my office and asks, "Hey, mom, there is a funny bumper sticker about... (some marginally inappropriate saying). Any idea what? Can one input it up on my FaceBook? I believe it's hilarious!!

"Alright," I agree when i remind myself this can be a predictable developmental milestone. I am not too old to keep in mind what I was like at that age. Pick your battles, Susan, just pick your battles.

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KremerSanner133: Created page with '[http://helpfortroubledteens.net/blog/3-reasons-why-tommy-jordan-isnt-a-crazy-parent/1392 teenage social media] - Only a few months ago my son Nathan, age 13, declared he wanted …'