HHOW TO STAY CONNECTED TO OUR ADULT CHILDREN
When I recently heard Maria Shriver mention something about how to stay in touch with our adult children, I knew I was not alone.
It turns out I had a draft of this idea and forgot about it.
And, like most good ideas, I forget the idea but can recite the cast of Designing Women.
And, then I got an Amazon text alert and knew this alert was a fun example of how to stay in touch with our kids when we no longer live in the same zip code.
I (we) have three adult children. Technically, they are adults, but I feel younger when I refer to them as my adult kids.
HOW TO STAY CONNECTED WITH ADULT KIDS
It turns out Amazon proves to be a fun way for us to stay connected as a family.
So here is how we roll in our family: a little bit of sarcasm, an occasional toss under the bus, lots of laughs, and a network of support from grandparents, aunts, uncles, and friends.
AMAZON
Who in your family gets the Amazon alerts? The ones where you are nowhere near an Amazon shopping cart, but a family member with access to the account just bought a case of roasted Edamame.
Do you know what I am talking about? At our house, my husband and I have an Amazon account tied to our credit card. Our adult children have their own accounts tied to their respective credit cards or graduation gift card balances.
One of my kids always lets me know when he charges a textbook to our master account, as it’s considered an educational expense.
Our daughter sometimes, accidentally, purchases throw pillows with pom pom trim on our account. And then guess who bought her own pom pom trim pillow set?
Recently, I received an Amazon alert that someone in the family purchased this product on Amazon (I get purchase alerts when our credit card is charged).
But when I saw the ship-to address, I thought, “Oh, this is too good not to send a group text to the kid.
I knew my husband didn’t order this product. So I sent the following group text to the kids and Auntie Tricia because she is their second mother.
GROUP TEXTS
And that simple question generated two simultaneous group chats/texts throughout the evening and with the family.
Everyone weighed in- including Evan’s uncles and Auntie Tricia. She always has something to say.
And, instead of asking Evan about work or his social life, we focused on a $13.95 Amazon purchase.
He is older and stronger as evidenced by this order that crossed over my alert messages.
If you have adulting kids or nieces and nephews you you may relate.
There are days I really want to check in on my kids. The problem is I used all of “phone call minutes” from the 60-second Sunday call. The boys remind me that I ran out of mom minutes (talking).
And, it is only Wednesday morning.
So sometimes, I share our status updates with the kids.
You know, in case they are asking. Humor works very well with my kids and me. My husband learned this years ago.
Or, when their dad got pulled over twice in seven days. Just so you know, “We are headed to church” was not well received by the police officer. Good news, he did not end up in jail. See the text message below.
It just takes a minute to share, and it inadvertently gives mom assurances that her kids are good.
As long as I am trending amongst my kids, I do not mind if I get tossed under the bus. Nothing makes me happier than my grown children’s laughter.
Please pin for others to find! What fun ways do you stay in touch with your adult kids? I would love to update these ideas!
How do you stay connected to your adult children?
On another note, with time on our hands, this month here is a fun project to start.
Check out this shortlist if you are looking for gift ideas for the adulting kids in your life.Â
giggle, I loved this post and although Tiffany ( she’ll be 40 May 18th) would have surely used Amazon ( if it had existed), “what, who me, oh yea me, I ordered it,” replies would surely have been heard. I guess I ducked the bullet on that one, LOL xo
Ha! We have alot of fun with each other. I have a few other ideas to share too! Katherine, I think of you every time I use my Turkish hand towels from you store! I love them! hugs, laura
This is awesome! We get those texts too sometimes when they order on our account. I love those pom pom pillows. Are you watching McMillions ? We were obsessed!
Laura… this is too funny. I also spilled coffee on my computer. The Mister found out and not through me. Best Buy called to verify the account for some reason. I had no clue. When the Mister got home, he asked what I did that day. I told him nothing. He said “that’s funny cause I got a call from Best Buy…” Busted! I also had a girl who will remain nameless (#1) who accidentally ordered “necessities” on our our dime too. She almost did it again when she realized we changed our password. Stay healthy.
I love this Katie! I thought of you when I wrote this knowing you have two girls. My youngest ordered a Christmas tree in November because their dorm needed a little Christmas. I think you watched the McDonald’s Monopoly. That is what we look forward to every night… we are almost done! Stay healthy! laura