We recently took a family vacation. Key word 'family'. Before we left I explained to my 12-year-old son that he could use his phone on the way there and back (20 hour trip each way) but once we were there it was a 'family' vacation and I expected him to spend time with his family and not texting away at all hours of the day. He wasn't too crazy about the idea.
We took family vacations every year as a kid and I remember as I got to my teen years really missing all of my friends. But, when we were away I had such a good time that the 'missing my friends' thing wasn't so bad and I enjoyed time with my family. I had no contact with my friends while away. Remember, I would have had to call them from a hotel phone long distance! That wasn't going to happen.
Nowadays kids always have contact with their friends. My son did end up texting his friends while away, although didn't overdo it. Do we just accept this as their generation and a way of their times now? We had a phone available to us on vacation as kids but it wasn't as easily available. If I spent more time on the phone on my family vacations growing up, would I have enjoyed and appreciated the family time as much? Do you think this is another aspect of our lives that will change as a result of technology?
Kids texting on family vacations
Posted by Dalia (Generation X Mom) Labels: family time, technology, texting
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8 opinions:
I think it may change. My husband spent an entire family vacation to the Dakotas pining for me and writing me postcards and letters. His attention wasn't on his family even though his only outlet was pen and paper. If we'd had text messaging it would have been unstoppable.
Of course, we're married now so that makes everything from back then okay!
Stopping by from SITS and wishing you a great Friday!!!! :)
It's so hard because we grew up in a totally different world. I love your site because you bring up a lot of conversations about the changing times and it is interesting to think about how to navigate this constantly morphing new world. My kids are still so little that I can hardly imagine a vacay where they weren't looking to me for constant entertainment much less texting friends on cell phones. But my time will come. Oh I know it. It will come.
Oh this is a good one!
When I ws growing up we had a cottage and there was no phone! (ok that I can't imagine b/c what if there was an emergency. Yep a worrier here) There was also no TV! Gasp. Still, the best memories of my childhood are in that cottage.
I think it's sort of a combination answer. Yes, I do think times are changing and as parents we have to be aware of those changes and a bit flexible in accomodating them.
BUT...
I also do believe there are times when the cell phone and Facebook and everything just needs to be shut off for a while to allow for some valuable family time.
I like the way you allowed it during the tedious 20-hour car ride, but still set limits for your son.
Hey there! I don't know about kids and cell phones...How about we give them tin cans and string and tell them if they can make it work, they have unlimited minutes...I admire all you moms of the blogosphere! You are forging a new path parenting in these heady days of technology. I hope when my time comes you'll have it all figured out so I can just waltz along in your footsteps.
Good food for thought!
My boys are still little (1.5 and 4.5) but I already see differences in my childhood compared to theirs with advances of technology. I think in all things moderation and balance is the key. I played just a few games on disk on an apple two e!! HA!
Now, my four year old can play all sorts of games from several websites. I limit the time just like TV.
I think your texting compromise was a good one!
Hey, I found you from SITS. We're actually going through this with our daughter (15). How much is too much? I remember dreading family vacations when I was a teenager because I was so afraid that I was going to MISS something when I was gone. I wish I would have been able to focus a little more on the time with my family, but I guess teens are pretty one-track-minded!
Great site!
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