Note: On Friday, March 9th, the National Association of Mothers’ Centers will be hosting a webinar as part of their Parenting and Family Webinar Series entitled: The Knack of Networking: Social media for Moms. And guess who will be presenting? You got it… me! Because of my upcoming webinar, I was inspired to write this post. Maybe after you read this post you’ll be inspired to join me in the Webinar?
Are you on Twitter?
About a year ago I finally decided to step out of my comfort zone and join the world of Twitter.
Even though I still thought to myself: What does a mom need to do with a Twitter account?
Really, what the heck is Twitter anyway?
Twitter: A social networking service that allows you to answer the question,
“What are you doing?” in 140 characters or less by “tweeting” to your friends or “followers.”
~
Regardless of the definition given above, for the longest time after initially starting my Twitter account I still did not quite understand what Twitter was.
My first tweet ever. (Which took me way too long to write, especially when you take into consideration that
at the time I probably had less than 10 people “following me” on Twitter!)
I mean really, who talks on twitter anyway? Not me. I didn’t have anything important to say. (Or so I thought when I first joined Twitter!)
Yet here’s the thing: I’ve discovered along the way that Twitter can help you find your voice, it can introduce you to fresh thoughts and new friends, and Twitter is also a great resource.
Furthermore, believe it or not, Twitter has a lot of similarities to parenting.
A LOT.
Lessons Every Parent Can Learn from Twitter
You just never know where a good parenting lesson or tip is going to come from.
And in hindsight, stepping out of my “communication comfort zone” to slowly enter the “Twitter-Universe” has been helpful and even influential when it comes to my own parenting skills. (In particular, the parenting skills that involve effectively communicating with my own kids.)
Yes. I’m serious.
#DeadSerious
(Just a little Twitter #Hashtag humor there )
With that being said, here is my short list of just a few of the lessons I’ve learned and the similarities I noticed between Twitter and parenting.
Parenting/Twitter Similarity #1
On Twitter: Just because you “mention” someone doesn’t always mean they are going to respond. (In twitter, using the “@” sign before someone’s “twitter name” notifies them that you mentioned them in a tweet.)
In Parenthood: Just because you “mention” (ahem … shout!?) your child’s name doesn’t ensure they will listen.
~
Believe me.
Just because you say something, doesn’t mean you are going to be heard (on Twitter OR at home!)
Enough said.
Parenting/Twitter Similarity #2
On Twitter: The most effective tweets make the best use of 140 characters or less.
In Parenthood: Shorter, direct statements are much more effective then looooong drawn out ones when it comes to giving “important” directions to your children.
~
EXHIBIT A:
“Go clean your room!”
vs.
EXHIBIT B: (Said in a very irritated and high pitch tone)
“Really [Insert you own child's name here] !!!!!
How many times have I asked you to put your clothes away?
Your bed still isn’t made, your nightlight is still on and your blinds aren’t up!
I can’t even see the top of your desk?!
PLEASE don’t throw your good sweaters in the dirty clothes basket with wet towels. (Especially when they are not dirty!)
And, just so you know, dumping everything that currently is now on your floor onto your closet floor or your laundry basket is not a good solution! (I will check!)“
Not only is Exhibit A much more effective and to the point, (believe me - your child probably stopped listening after you asked them how many times they’ve been asked to pick-up their room) but it is also much healthier for you.
Using the shorter tweet communication route, I personally tend do a much better job of keeping my own blood pressure down!
Parenting/Twitter Similarity #3
On Twitter: You get a lot more out of Twitter when you join in on the conversation (instead of just observing). You also get a lot more out of Twitter when you share other people’s tweets not just your own. (a.k.a. Retweeting)
In Parenthood: You may be the “boss,” (What Mom says Goes! Right?) but your children love when you also listen to what they have to say.
~
It always feels good when others take notice of something good you’ve done.
The first time something I tweeted on Twitter was retweeted by a follower (did you get all that Twitter lingo?) I was ecstatic because: Someone actually took notice to something I said and found it just as important as I did.
And this also applies to my own children. I can see a similar reaction in their eyes - a look of pride in fact - when I personally call out and notice something good that they’ve said or done.
Opportunity Knocks
It can be hard to join in on something that seems foreign and unfamiliar to you. There is always fear associated with the unknown. Yet again and again I have learned that often there are many benefits to stepping out of my own comfort zone.
And in this instance, when I stepped out of my own “communication comfort zone” to join Twitter, I was able to somewhat apply and relate it to how I parented.
So maybe you don’t tweet now.
Maybe you aren’t even on Facebook.
Maybe you think that Blogging and Social Media are for the birds.
And it quite possibly could be except for ONE THING:
Every new experience we have can introduce us to a lesson we have yet to learn.
And yes, even Twitter can have a life lesson or two.
So go ahead, I dare you! Give it a try.
Follow us on Twitter.
Like us on Facebook.
Subscribe to the Mothers Central Blog.
And maybe (just maybe?) learn a parenting lesson or two along the way.
#ExperienceIsAGreatTeacher
(And the best lessons are often learned by stepping out of your comfort zone.)
Leave a Comment. Do you have the “Knack of Networking?” Is social media really relevant to parenting? What lessons have you learned from social media and/or from stepping out of your communication comfort zone?
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Still feel like a twitter twit Kate, but with your encouragement I keep trying
I suppose there’s a lesson too. There are things my kids do and are interested in that I don’t ‘get’ at all (twitter, video games, some cartoon called Avitar) and sometimes it takes some encouragement to keep trying to ‘get’ it or at least understand why these things are important to them. Suppose I really should read those Hunger Game Books too…
Oh, the Hunger Game books - that should probably be next on my agenda too! It is so hard to stay on top of everything these days… which is why, when possible, I try my hardest to keep up with all these trends - especially when it comes to technology.
I have not joined Twitter, still don’t see the need. Perhaps your webinar will change my mind
I was very hesitate to even join Facebook. I had heard one too many “My Space” horror stories on the news and thought no thank you! My cousin finally convinced me to sign up on my birthday three years ago by telling me to stop acting like such an old lady. Imagine my surprise when my first friend suggestion was my 60 year old Dad! I didn’t even know he knew what Facebook was let allow that he had an account! LOL
I’m glad I finally caved because it’s been a great way to stay connected with family spread across the United States and abroad. I’ve also reconnected with a few great friends I had lost touch with over the years. I think social media, when used appropriately, can be a great resource for parents.
Well said Tatum! —> “I think social media, when used appropriately, can be a great resource for parents.”
I definitely think it is a great resource. And in addition, it is just one more way we as parents can stay up-to-date and educated on activities that someday our kids may be involved with (or might already be involved with!). My kids may be a little too young yet to be on Facebook and/or twitter… but my daughter is creeping up there in age. (And I know already that she is exposed to it.) By educating myself on how to use these social media tools, it makes me feel better about knowing the space that my kids may eventually use some day.