A reader contacted me about a problem so pervasive I found it necessary to respond right away. Here’s what she wrote:
“When I am on the computer or laptop, my mother always tries to see what I am doing. It’s very annoying, and it makes me think that she cannot trust me, and I cannot trust her to not look at what I am doing.”
My first instinct was to write an explanation for her mother's behavior ASAP in the Why Does Mom DO That? section.
Okay, that’s a lie. My REAL first instinct was to ask, “What in the world is she doing on her computer that she doesn’t want her mom to see?” What can I say? I’m a mom, too.
Anyway, after posting my answer I thought back to my days as a teenager. We didn’t have the internet – no emailing, Facebook or MySpace. No cell phones or texting, either. If we put anything of our thoughts in writing, it was in a diary stuffed under our mattress.
“When I am on the computer or laptop, my mother always tries to see what I am doing. It’s very annoying, and it makes me think that she cannot trust me, and I cannot trust her to not look at what I am doing.”
My first instinct was to write an explanation for her mother's behavior ASAP in the Why Does Mom DO That? section.
Okay, that’s a lie. My REAL first instinct was to ask, “What in the world is she doing on her computer that she doesn’t want her mom to see?” What can I say? I’m a mom, too.
Anyway, after posting my answer I thought back to my days as a teenager. We didn’t have the internet – no emailing, Facebook or MySpace. No cell phones or texting, either. If we put anything of our thoughts in writing, it was in a diary stuffed under our mattress.
Personally, after about age 12 I chose not to have a diary. Why? Because the written word could be used as evidence – concrete, couldn’t be disputed evidence. If I had something snarky or damning on my mind, I sure as sugar wouldn’t write it down. I said it. To my friends. Whom I’d sell out if they passed it along to the wrong person.
My, how the world has changed. The social waters have grown darker and deeper, awash in a sea of text. Not good, my dearies, not good at all.
Let me explain via silly re-enactment:
SCENE 1:
The date: 1980
The time: 7:55 a.m.
The place: Right in front of Laura’s gym locker.
[LISA stomps up to LAURA with fire in her nostrils.]
LISA: Hey, Laura. Linda told me you said the only reason Luke’s dating me is because I’ve got big b00bs. Thanks a lot.
LAURA: What are you talking about? I told her I hoped he wasn’t just dating you on your appearance because you’re such a great person inside.
LISA: Oh…that’s different. Sorry.
SCENE 2:
Date: 2010
Time and place: same
[LISA stomps up to LAURA with fire in her nostrils.]
LISA: I just talked to Linda. She showed me your text saying the only reason Luke’s dating me is because I ‘have b00bs the size of beachballs.’ Thanks a lot.
LAURA: I, er…ummm.
Difficult to dispute hard evidence, huh?
One of my favorite sayings is, “Life is tough. Life is tougher if you’re stupid.” It amazes me how many people are stupid enough to write certain things down. I’m not just talking about teenagers. Many an adult have been fired from their jobs due to emails they shouldn’t have written. Others have been fired for visiting…hmm, shall I say ‘interesting’ websites while they were on the job, too. Have you visited any websites that might cause your mom to stir? Just checking.
So think before your type. It’s not a hard rule to follow. It’ll keep you out of the defendant’s chair, too.
My, how the world has changed. The social waters have grown darker and deeper, awash in a sea of text. Not good, my dearies, not good at all.
Let me explain via silly re-enactment:
SCENE 1:
The date: 1980
The time: 7:55 a.m.
The place: Right in front of Laura’s gym locker.
[LISA stomps up to LAURA with fire in her nostrils.]
LISA: Hey, Laura. Linda told me you said the only reason Luke’s dating me is because I’ve got big b00bs. Thanks a lot.
LAURA: What are you talking about? I told her I hoped he wasn’t just dating you on your appearance because you’re such a great person inside.
LISA: Oh…that’s different. Sorry.
SCENE 2:
Date: 2010
Time and place: same
[LISA stomps up to LAURA with fire in her nostrils.]
LISA: I just talked to Linda. She showed me your text saying the only reason Luke’s dating me is because I ‘have b00bs the size of beachballs.’ Thanks a lot.
LAURA: I, er…ummm.
Difficult to dispute hard evidence, huh?
One of my favorite sayings is, “Life is tough. Life is tougher if you’re stupid.” It amazes me how many people are stupid enough to write certain things down. I’m not just talking about teenagers. Many an adult have been fired from their jobs due to emails they shouldn’t have written. Others have been fired for visiting…hmm, shall I say ‘interesting’ websites while they were on the job, too. Have you visited any websites that might cause your mom to stir? Just checking.
So think before your type. It’s not a hard rule to follow. It’ll keep you out of the defendant’s chair, too.
Photo credit link for gavel here.
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