So I read all my kid's texts today

[Anonymous]

Good grief! Were we this mind-numbingly boring on the phone with our friends when we were in sixth grade?

Sadly, the girl my DD considers one of her closest friends is the one I've always disliked the most, and seeing their texts just reinforce that. She has much more substantive chats with literally every other kid. I also noticed that the texts between DD and the girl I've always considered shifty was mostly deleted (I am pretty sure that girl curses up a storm).

Only two kids cursed to DD - one boy said "How the f*ck would I know?" and DD significantly stopped talking with him after that, and another screen-shot a pic of her giving the finger and DD talked to me about how upset she was seeing that - and DD cursed to one friend but it was a typo.

There is a lot of talk about Minecraft, various Youtubers they watch, commentary on screenshots they take of themselves, making plans, and homework questions. I'm not really surprised, but a little relieved to know I'm right that she's still innocent. Are other parents reading their kids' texts?

[Anonymous]

Wait - could you see the deleted texts? Cause if not, I'm guessing you got the santiized version.

[Anonymous]

Assuming that the bad texts were not all deleted, which I think is not realistic unless you told her and gave her time. I hope you know that you are doing pretty good as a parent if obscenities is what you are worried about.

Could have been texts about buying drugs or doing sex, or really bad ...

Could have been an executive paid millions and trashing co-workers and employees. another Amy Pascal

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Assuming that the bad texts were not all deleted, which I think is not realistic unless you told her and gave her time. I hope you know that you are doing pretty good as a parent if obscenities is what you are worried about.

Could have been texts about buying drugs or doing sex, or really bad ...

Could have been an executive paid millions and trashing co-workers and employees. another Amy Pascal

I think the one girl I've considered shifty whose texts my DD deleted probably gets deleted after almost every conversation due to the cursing. Over the summer I saw their texts and that girl threw F-bombs as if it was her job. My DD still has zero interest in boys - there's no way she's "doing sex" in any fashion. And she has personal experience with family members doing drugs so I think she's been scared straight unintentionally.

[Anonymous]

My 5th grader and her BFF make videos to Taylor Swift songs and text them to each other. They're hysterical.

[Anonymous]

Your child was significantly upset by seeing a photo of someone's middle finger? That doesn't sound normal to me. I'd venture to say you may be veering over into the "too sheltered" department, which often doesn't end well either. It's all about balance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Your child was significantly upset by seeing a photo of someone's middle finger? That doesn't sound normal to me. I'd venture to say you may be veering over into the "too sheltered" department, which often doesn't end well either. It's all about balance.

I agree with you.
wonder how old the kid is?

And she stopped talking to someone who said the f word. The kid sounds weird but the mom sounds crazy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Good grief! Were we this mind-numbingly boring on the phone with our friends when we were in sixth grade?

Sadly, the girl my DD considers one of her closest friends is the one I've always disliked the most, and seeing their texts just reinforce that. She has much more substantive chats with literally every other kid. I also noticed that the texts between DD and the girl I've always considered shifty was mostly deleted (I am pretty sure that girl curses up a storm).

Only two kids cursed to DD - one boy said "How the f*ck would I know?" and DD significantly stopped talking with him after that, and another screen-shot a pic of her giving the finger and DD talked to me about how upset she was seeing that - and DD cursed to one friend but it was a typo.

There is a lot of talk about Minecraft, various Youtubers they watch, commentary on screenshots they take of themselves, making plans, and homework questions. I'm not really surprised, but a little relieved to know I'm right that she's still innocent. Are other parents reading their kids' texts?

Your DD is in the 6th grade and is upset about seeing the finger and an F-bomb? Wow, you are raising a prude

[Anonymous]

Did you have a reason to do this?

[Anonymous]

Yes, I read all the texts and that was a condition of her getting a device.

When we were kids, our parents knew who called because there was one house phone, period. My kid is 12, not practically in college, so I don't see this as a problem.

[Anonymous]

Mine, too, can't stand the F word or other rude gestures. She's not a prude, but knows it's trashy to do those things. Just because many kids are doing that doesn't make it okay.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Your child was significantly upset by seeing a photo of someone's middle finger? That doesn't sound normal to me. I'd venture to say you may be veering over into the "too sheltered" department, which often doesn't end well either. It's all about balance.

I agree with you.
wonder how old the kid is?

And she stopped talking to someone who said the f word. The kid sounds weird but the mom sounds crazy.

Hahaha. This.

[Anonymous]

Tweets and texts are usually pretty idiotic. Even when they're older.

[Anonymous]

Why does a 6th grader need a phone?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Your child was significantly upset by seeing a photo of someone's middle finger? That doesn't sound normal to me. I'd venture to say you may be veering over into the "too sheltered" department, which often doesn't end well either. It's all about balance.

Huh? I'm an adult and not sheltered, but yeah, I'd be pretty upset if someone sent me a picture of them giving me the finger.