As I guided a friend through the steps of creating a Facebook account, I emphasized, “Remember, everything you post is visible to anyone who follows you.” Just then, my phone buzzed with a notification that my 13-year-old son, Dylan, had updated his status.
“Dylan is feeling frisky.”
I abruptly told my friend, “I’ll have to call you back.” My heart raced as I imagined all the parents of Dylan’s friends reading about his adolescent urges. I started to draft a comment that could only be described as an embarrassing parental reprimand, but I paused, recalling an article I read about Facebook etiquette for parents. Instead of reacting impulsively, I devised a plan that would surely make my son cringe.
With a mischievous grin, I texted him, “How frisky are you?”
Moments later, he replied, “WHAT????????”
I was incensed. How could he act oblivious? I could picture his exaggerated “innocent” face, the one where his mouth and eyes open wide, giving the impression that he’s just been caught in a lie. Feeling a bit smug, I shot back, “I saw your Facebook update.”
His response was an incredulous barrage of “What are you talking about?” which made my heart sink. Doubts crept in. Could it be that he hadn’t posted it after all?
Hesitantly, I texted, “Umm, your update says you are, well, um, feeling frisky.” The silence that followed was agonizing until I finally received his reply: “OMG. I would NEVER post that! My friend did it. I forgot to log out on his phone. I can’t believe you texted me that.”
In a moment of sheer embarrassment, my sweet, unsuspecting son had received an unsolicited text from me asking about his teenage feelings. I spent the rest of the day wondering how he would ever face me again without cringing. When I picked him up from the bus stop, he made eye contact without looking pale, which was a relief.
As he tossed his backpack into the car and caught sight of my sheepish expression, he burst into laughter, tears streaming down his face. I joined in, albeit with a nervous laugh meant to bridge the awkwardness. We shared a few moments of laughter, silently agreeing that discussing such topics was best left unspoken.
That night, I reflected on my parenting journey, repeatedly reminding myself that no 13-year-old boy should ever receive a text from his mother asking, “How frisky are you?” This experience was a wake-up call that I needed to be more cautious in my communication with my teens, ensuring I wouldn’t make such blunders again.
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In summary, navigating the complexities of parenting teens requires a careful approach to communication, particularly in the digital age. A lighthearted mistake can turn into an unforgettable lesson, reminding us to think before we text.