This post will be 2G2B4G, I promise!
Yes, we have another topic to cover in order to parent our kids correctly. Not only are we having to talk about sex, alcohol and drugs, but we must talk about sexting and texting while driving. The check list just keeps getting longer. The good news is that we no longer have to talk to our kids about pulling out the ribbons on cassette tapes or wasting film by opening up the backs of camera.
Let’s look at some statistics shall we:
- 45% of teens admit to texting and driving but only 4 percent of parents believe their teens have ever texted while driving. (LG Stats)
- Drivers who type or read text messages contribute to at least 100,000 crashes each year, leading to thousands of preventable deaths. (FocusDriven.org)
Numbers don’t lie and we mustn’t lie to ourselves. Our kids learn best by example. We have to make sure we are not texting while driving and using our cell phones carefully when we are behind the wheel. We can tell them a million times not to text and drive, but if they see us do it: Our words don’t mean anything!
In San Diego , MomOutnumbered and I got to go to a fun cocktail party hosted by LG with spokesperson Jane Lynch. On top of being a party with amazing food and drinks, we got the 411 (do kids still say that?) on texting and driving as well as what some of the letters that our kids use frequently mean. 4COL I learned a lot. The LG site is not only a great resource on texting and driving but it goes into sexting, bullying and also on how we as parents can use the texting technology to help us in our parenting. It is an easy site to navigate and is worth a few minutes to read I promise!
MomOutnumbered
On a personal note: Jane autographed a picture for Mita and read the letter Mita had written her and given to me to give to Jane. (Mita is in love with Jane, I don’t know why, I don’t let her watch Glee (story lines are a bit racey for an eleven year old) but Mita is celebrity obsessed so…) Mita is head over heels happy and I thank Jane for being so kind, I almost WMPL I was so happy.
So, tell the truth. Do you still text and drive? Have your kids called me on it? Mita has insisted she saw me do it once, I don’t remember honestly, but never again!
2G2B4G = To good to be forgotten
4COL = For crying out loud
WMPL = Wet my pants laughing
(Disclosure: I was not asked to write about LG or this event, but the subject matter is important for all of us and I was happy to share what I had learned. I did not receive any compensation for this post, but the party really did have great coconut shrimp!)
