![]() ![]() When one mom sent a picture of the family dog with a request for “snout time,” she was rewarded with a chatty session between daughter, dog, and phone-holding parent. One option, almost guaranteed to get a response, is to send a picture of the family pet. Parents of young adults often share tips to entice responses from children busy with college or career. He adds that the “expectations are higher with voice conversations-we expect responses to questions and get frustrated with long pauses-whereas such pressure doesn’t apply to a text exchange.” Morgan spoke to this, as well, and says sending a text is much less socially demanding than having to pay attention, respond, and be present during an in-person interaction or telephone call. Many people felt anxious about returning to the demands of in-person interactions after being isolated for months. Cardwell said the Covid-induced restrictions taught us “there are many ways to reach out and connect to each other.” When we couldn’t hug, we maintained relationships via Zoom, email, phone, and text. The pandemic reduced in-person interactions for everyone. Over the years, we've probably shared as much by writing as if we'd managed to talk weekly. Justin flew home, and my husband and I visited, but my son's texts were as important as the visits-at least to me. As time went on, interview preparation and first-job bulletins were traded for garden and family summaries, while workout, diet, and pandemic news flowed in both directions. Text messaging is the most widely used smartphone feature, so it wasn’t surprising that Justin chose this communication method.Īs I watched him pass through airport security with a backpack and no checked luggage, I drew comfort knowing I'd receive an arrival message followed by weekly updates. Social engagements, errands, lists, and countless updates travel faster, farther, and more frequently via text. Then, almost overnight, handwritten notes were replaced by electronic messages. Folded notes traveled in batonlike fashion across rows of nonchalant students for generations. The use of short written notes isn’t new. ![]() Before he left, I requested a weekly update via phone, email, or text. I didn’t want to badger Justin (not his real name) but needed to know he was OK living over a thousand miles away. As my son prepared to leave home for coding boot camp five years ago, I worried his communication style wouldn’t match my need for updates. ![]()
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January 2023
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