Back to School Guide to Stay Connected With Your Children

During the busy commute to and from the office, and the time between it is easy to miss a message. Thanks to technology there are so many different ways to stay in contact with your loved ones during the day. Your teen or tween may have a cell phone, and for safety or personal reasons need to speak with you. How available are you?

Reality

Being available during the work day, does not mean to keep your cell phone on during important meetings with your boss or other clients. It simply means to be aware. Make it a habit to check your messages throughout the day. Let your child and family members know that you do check the messages. Return all phone calls, to build trust with your teen.

Cell phone

A great way to stay in touch is to have your teen or tween contact you at a certain point during their school day. For example, a good time might be as soon as they arrive home off the bus. You may still be in traffic, or stuck at work. Just having your child check in, is important.

Text Messages

If you do not currently receive text messages, add this service to your cell phone plan. Sometimes a phone call is just not possible to answer. However, even someone who does not text message often, can pull of several messages at work.

Work Phone number and name

You direct phone line to your desk, department, or secretary is not enough, if there is an emergency. A contact name is important. Let your child know whom they should leave a message with if you are not available. Instruct them to only give details in the event o f an emergency. If you do have a secretary or trusted co-worker who will give you the message, leave that name with your child.

Coaching your children on exactly how to reach you is important. Clearly define in what order they should try to reach you. Perhaps it is better to text you first. Next try the cell or work phones. In an emergency if they are not reaching you by directing them to coworkers or family friends who can help them, they have a support system. They may be more likely to stay calm in the event that there is an emergency. Staying connecting with your tween or teen while you are working is important. Use these tips to help you find a way to communicate better during this school year.