Ahhh, technology!  As a geek dad I am proud to be totally on top of the tech toys my kids are growing up with as their default accessories.  In fact, what us older gadget guys consider “toys” are hardly noticed as anything special by our kids.  They don’t know of anything but a world filled with mobile phones and laptops, instant messaging and high definition.  They are digital kids living in a digital age.  Analog is ancient history.

THINKING OUTSIDE THE (LUNCH) BOX

Remember the lunch box?  My first ones were metal, with a single flip down clasp, plastic pop-up handle, and the colorful images of my favorite TV characters embossed onto the lid.  I can still remember the distinctive and slightly spoiled scent that wafted forth whenever it was opened – the remnants of loosely wrapped sandwiches, overripe fruit and leaky containers of juice or milk.  The cool lunch boxes came with their own theme matching Thermos brand liquid containers, and there was just enough room inside for the thermos bottle, a wrapped sandwich, and a snack or piece of fruit… And the occasional surprise note from mom or dad!

THE ORIGINAL PARENT TO CHILD MESSAGING PLATFORM

When we were kids when we left the house for the day that was it.  We were out of reach and out of touch from our parents until the school bus deposited us back at home.  With that in mind, clever parents who wanted to reach out and touch their kids during the day had only one logical choice: the lunch box!  How many of you can remember the fun of opening up your lunch box only to find a note from mom or dad saying, “I Love You” or “Have a great day”?  It was a great feeling knowing that your parents were thinking of you while you were off in school and they were off at work or going about their day.  Getting that unexpected message from your parents was always a welcome treat and made the day go by better.  Today, we don’t need to stuff a lunch box in order to slip a surprise message to our kids.  Today we are easily and constantly connected to them, thanks to technology.

TXTING WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT

Our kids live by their phones and texting is their primary means of communicating.  With that in mind, a great way to send your kid a random reminder that you are thinking of them, that you’ve got their back – all the time, is to send them a text message once in a while.  If you know they have a big test at school, text them a simple “How’d it go?” in the afternoon, or “Good Luck” in the morning before the test.  Yes, they are not supposed to use their phones in school, but they do, and they will, so you might as well be an active part of it.  Texting certainly can’t and won’t replace the importance of real quality time together with your kids, but when you are both out and about and apart, texting some words of love and encouragement is every bit as effective as a note in a lunch box!

How about you?  Did you or your parents ever stick notes in a lunch box? Do you think texting is an appropriate way to touch base with your kids during the day?  Don’t text me your opinion – leave a comment below instead.  😉

Jeff Sass is the proud dad of ZEO (Zach, 20, Ethan, 18 and Olivia, 17).  He is also a seasoned entertainment and technology exec and active social media enthusiast.  You can see more of Jeff’s writing at Sassholes! and Social Networking Rehab.

Photo Credit: © JJAVA – Fotolia.com