<p>Wow, robyrm2, I had no idea what a terrible parent I am – thanks for setting me straight!</p>
<p>We use text to conduct business (often easier than an email or a phone call); for example, today, I texted to let her know that a package was on the way because I know she doesn’t go to campus mail room every day. Last week, I was doing FAFSA and texted to ask about her bank balance. We also usually text back and forth when she’s making flight reservations so we can coordinate dates and times. I guess this all comes under the heading of “harassment.”</p>
<p>And I’m probably “ridiculous” because we do indeed use text to keep in touch. She’ll sometimes text me when an assignment was well-received by a prof, or when she tried a new recipe that the roomies loved. Sometimes she even texts me a photo of a scarf she crocheted or her funny Halloween costume. I might text her if I run into a friend of hers, or to give her a brief update about her ailing grandparents. </p>
<p>If you think this means that she’s not “paying attention” to what’s going on around her, or that she “can’t handle the everyday stuff,” you’re just wrong. Her grades are great and her social life thriving. Apparently, for some kids, it’s possible to have a good college experience AND keep in contact with the parents.</p>
<p>As for “prefer[ring] to actually have conversations with them about things that can’t be conveyed in a word or two” – do you realize that texting does not preclude calling? It’s not either/or. When we want to communicate during the day when we’re all busy, and it’s a topic that doesn’t require in-depth conversation, texting is more convenient. When the topic is more complicated or we just want to hear her voice, we call. </p>
<p>That’s what works for us. If it doesn’t work for you, fine. But I don’t think there’s a need to judge the way other families choose to communicate.</p>
<p>(BTW, your assumption that all text conversations consist of “LOL” and “CULater” demonstrates that you don’t know enough about texting to be making judgments about it.)</p>