All Things in Moderation (Even Texting)

I used to think texting was completely ridiculous. I would see someone texting and wonder why they didn't just pick up the phone and have a REAL conversation. Well it's hard to avoid texting completely when you have a pre-teen girl in your home. When we decided it was an appropriate time to get her a cell phone, we purchased a plan with unlimited texting. As the frequency with which I sent and received texts began to increase, I must admit, I began to see some potential benefits.

There are occasions and environments when a phone call would be inappropriate, or disruptive. For example, following Owen's recent surgery, there were other families in the large recovery room, separated only by curtains. It was more considerate to the other patients to be able to update friends and family via text rather than phone calls.

Texting provides a modicum of discretion, not possible with a phone call. I find it so completely annoying when the person in line behind me at the grocery store is very publicly (not to mention loudly) discussing matters best left private. I honestly don't want to hear about your gastric health or lack thereof, and I definitely do NOT want to hear about the guy you hooked up with at the bar last week. A text would be a much more appropriate way for "annoying loud talker" to share this information while sparing the shopping public the gory details of her private life.

I appreciate the brevity it allows. Telephone ettiquette requires polite greetings, and friendly goodbyes with the essence of the message sandwiched in between. Texting, however, provides a way to quickly and concisely get your message across.

As with all things, however, texting can be taken too far. I saw an example of it just the other day that caused me to pause and wonder if the benefits are really worth the cost. I was watching one of my children in a sporting event, and another child scored. I looked over to smile at the mother of the child and give her a little cheer, and her head was down and her fingers were moving. So sad. She actually spent a large portion of the game with her head bowed over her phone. As I looked around the gym, I unhappily noted that she wasn't the only parent to have adopted this posture.

I suppose it isn't any different than anything else. You can have too much food, alcohol, TV. Heck, you can even have too much exercise. I just wish people would realize that life is happening around them while they are busy with their darn phones. Try to be more present in your life... in your here and now. Focus on the person you are out to lunch with, instead of focusing on your phone. Actually watch the movie you just paid 8 bucks to see, instead of watching your phone. Put away the phones at dinnertime, and enjoy your family. Please... reap the benefits of texting, but be mindful of the costs. And, for heaven's sake, be watching when your child looks over at you after scoring in their game and celebrate with them.