Texting etiquette- parent/child

[fauna74]

So, a friend of mine posted a text convo she had with her 12 year old on fb because she thought it was cute and funny. Part of the convo in the screenshot was her 12 year old son texting to her

“Come get me now, pull to the back and let me know when you get here”

Do people feel like texting is just casual, doesn’t need to include all the niceties and this is perfectly ok? Or should all communication be polite? Do you expect your kids to be polite to you?

I’ve taught my kids to be polite and respectful in all forms of communication. But maybe it’s just me, as my friend posted this without a second thought and no one has commented that he was a little rude or demanding. (My answer to the above text would have been “Try again and use some manners this time”)

 

[soccerdad72]

Sorry, but I'm failing to see the impoliteness on this. Is it because the text didn't say please?

Slightly OT, but I'm pretty tired of all the FB posts that consist of snapshots of text conversations between two people, especially kids and their parents. JMO

 

[msjprincess]

Taken out of context, I don't see anything wrong with that text.

 

[RedAngie]

It's extremely rude and impolite not to include at least three emojis in a text.

 

[mjkacmom]

That seems fine with me, dd17 tends to be extra polite (I get tons of TYSM), while dd15 is way more abrupt (pick me up now). We’ve talked about it, she really doesn’t think she’s coming across rude (and when I pick her up, a bunch of friends end up needing a ride too).

 

[Southernmiss]

So, a friend of mine posted a text convo she had with her 12 year old on fb because she thought it was cute and funny. Part of the convo in the screenshot was her 12 year old son texting to her

“Come get me now, pull to the back and let me know when you get here”

Do people feel like texting is just casual, doesn’t need to include all the niceties and this is perfectly ok? Or should all communication be polite? Do you expect your kids to be polite to you?

I’ve taught my kids to be polite and respectful in all forms of communication. But maybe it’s just me, as my friend posted this without a second thought and no one has commented that he was a little rude or demanding. (My answer to the above text would have been “Try again and use some manners this time”)

Deep South mama here. Where yes ma'am and no sir, please and thank you are expected and considered polite for conversations.

But in a text for a child to pick them up? No. Brief quick messages are the point and beauty of text.

I've been texting teens who need rides for 10 plus years. I've often gotten "We're done." Or even "Done" My reply, "OMW." (On my way.) When I arrive, my text is "here".

No biggie at all.

For longer conversations, my kids have always used punctuations and not very many if any abbreviations. I've gotten chided by my kids "Mom none of our friends use the text abbreviations, like you do," My kids usually type most things out and rarely do I get an emoji.

 

[lorimay]

Why do people feel the need to share EVERY aspect of their lives on SM???? OMG, no one cares about these petty things you find "cute".

I hate SM, never had it, never will.

Thank you rant over.

 

[wvjules]

Not rude at all. Short and to the point. That's how I prefer it.


SM?

 

[msjprincess]

Not rude at all. Short and to the point. That's how I prefer it.


SM?

Social media? Took me a few minutes to figure it out. LOL

 

[soccerdad72]

SM?

Took me a minute or two - Social Media, I assume

I hate abbreviations too

 

[Hikergirl]

I would have preferred something like this.
Dearest Mother, I have finished my basketball practice that was scheduled until 4:00 PM at school. Could you find it in your heart to come and pick me up since it is now 4:05. I will be awaiting your arrival around the back of the building. Until then, your loving son, XXXX.

 

[Wishing on a star]

Hahahaha!!!!!
Love that one, Hikergirl!

I agree that the whole thing with texting is the quick, simple, etc...
My son falls into the 'shortest words and sentences' category!

 

[Hikergirl]

Hahahaha!!!!!
Love that one, Hikergirl!

I agree that the whole thing with texting is the quick, simple, etc...
My son falls into the 'shortest words and sentences' category!

The irony for me is that my ds actually complained that I always respond with just "K"
So, I started texting him back with more formal and ridiculous responses. He has since learned to appreciate the short and sweet LOL

 

[Wishing on a star]

OMG.... 'K"
Even my son usually does better than that!!!!
The text in question is a novel compared to that! Hahaha!!!
Maybe a middle ground.

 

[fauna74]

So I guess I’m the only one out there telling my kids that when they would like me to drop whatever I’m doing and pick them up because they’re done with whatever activity they have been enjoying, they can at least throw a “please” or even a “pls” in there? Because I’m neither their chauffeur nor their servant? Ok.

I’m fine with brevity, I’m not fine with commands or disrespect.

And yes, the convo my friend posted on fb was not particularly cute or funny. Yes, she shares a lot.

 

[QueenIsabella]

I see no problem with the original text, although I don't see the charm in posting all these texting conversations on Facebook. They are not all diamonds!

We keep texts short and sweet in this house, for the most part. The kids know I'm likely to be driving or otherwise occupied. For pick-ups, we have a 5-minute rule. Wait 5 minutes before you call/text--just because I'm not sitting in the parking lot, doesn't mean I've forgotten you.

 

[VandVsmama]

I think the kid should have thrown in a 'please.' if typing that is too hard, abbreviate it to "plz." My 12 yr old does that..."I'm done w/student hr. Can you come pick me up plz?"

 

[soccerdad72]

I'm assuming that the mom knew she was going to have to come pick up the son at some point - so I guess I read the text as simply letting his mom know that he's ready to be picked up, not a demand for his mom to 'drop everything' and pick him up, like a demand.

 

[kimblebee]

I’m another one who would have expected a please thrown in.

 

[msjprincess]

So I guess I’m the only one out there telling my kids that when they would like me to drop whatever I’m doing and pick them up because they’re done with whatever activity they have been enjoying, they can at least throw a “please” or even a “pls” in there? Because I’m neither their chauffeur nor their servant? Ok.

I’m fine with brevity, I’m not fine with commands or disrespect.

And yes, the convo my friend posted on fb was not particularly cute or funny. Yes, she shares a lot.

Like I said in my OP. I can't judge whether or not it's rude when it's taken out of context. If I told my child to let me know when they needed to get picked up and they texted that I wouldn't find it rude. If I had no idea that they needed a ride and they texted that out of nowhere then yes I would expect a more polite text.