One day, while innocently sitting with her phone in hand, my older sister Brenna received some news that would change her life. News that she was at first unable to grasp. News that she thought would change the course of history.

Mom was learning  to text.

That trial conversation went something like this:

-“hibrennalookilearnedhowtotext.”

-“hi mom. hit the pound key between words.”

…ten minutes later…

-“oh      thanks      is this better         gf?”

But, in all seriousness, despite the humor that we young people find in our moms, aunts, grandmothers—whoever—learning to text, it’s not a bad idea.

Texting is a quick and easy (once you get the hang of it), way to get a message across, ask a question or check in.

Also, it allows people to communicate at times when otherwise, speaking on a telephone would be prohibited. For example, you can’t talk—but you can text—in the library, at the movies, during a TV show, in class (of course, I would never do such a thing), or on public transportation.

Although the process is all trial and error, progress through practice, there are some Do’s and Don’ts for Fiftyshifters in the art of texting.    

Do text as you would speak and type, while staying within the 160 character word count.

Don’t use or spell words in ways that you normally wouldn’t, as if to copy someone else’s or create a new style. In other words, unless you are a lazy teenager, don’t try to sound like one.

Example:

Good: “Ok would you like to meet at the restaurant?”

Bad: “K, wud u wanna meet at da rest?”

Do use common texting acronyms if you need to keep your message short.

Don’t go acronym crazy. Especially with “lol”—Laughing Out Loud

Example:

Good: “I’m going out now but I will ttyl.”

Bad: “lol I g2g. but w/e I’ll ttyl omg lol.”

(This one is more for us unmannered young people.)

Do reply to texts in a timely manner when possible, as the message could be important.

Don’t forget about the people who are physically speaking to you. Head nods are far less acknowledging when you’re carrying on another conversation through your phone. If you must reply to a text, it is OK as long as you include that you are busy, throw in the promise of a “ttyl,” then direct your attention back toward your company.

Do put a reminder on your texts if you tend to be busy and forget to check that text you received 15 minutes ago.

Don’t put a reminder on your texts if your phone is not attached to you somehow and unable to be put on vibrate. A beep every 15 minutes is annoying to those around you.

(A “reminder” is under the “alert sounds” in the Sound Settings. This can be set so that if you have an unchecked text message, an alert is sent every 15 minutes to remind you that you have a message.)

There’s no time like the present. So pick up your phone and give it a try. And if you have kids who are opposed, remind them that not having to answer a phone call from you on a Friday night can be a good thing.

OH, and just so I'm not held accountable, sometimes, the spacebar is the * key.

Lol, omg.

Read more:

Fox News : Parents Keep Tabs on Kids

Some Texting Acronyms

USA Today : Texting While Driving

                                                            --Gillian Ball