Friday, February 3, 2012

Babysitting the Big Kids

Babysitting for the big kids.
I know that most people go onto Face book for the interaction with friends, the games and the (let's face it) gossip, but I have a whole different reason for falling into the Face book trap.  If not for Face book I'd not have one danged clue as to what my kids are up to.  Okay, so they're not exactly kids, they are well north of 20 and I've not paid a babysitter in years.  But I still like to know what is going on in their lives.  I don't want to be the last one to know that in the interest of health older son Wallace was entered in the Marine Mud Run last year.  I wish I could show you the picture of his new lean self covered in mud and it wasn't a beauty treatment. Oh, wait...I can!   Or that baby son Michael had changed jobs and was now working not to far away from our home, but a fair trip from his own home.  I haven't worked for the Sheriff in over 10 years so no longer have my brothers in khaki  or grey to keep me posted on their comings and goings.  (One of my favorite troopers once  labeled Michael the Road Warrior and then proceeded to give me details.  I don't care for details.  They keep me up nights.)

So anyway, the babies are no longer in need of babysitting, the teens are no longer in need of a shadow but I find that I no longer have a clue what is going on with them without Face book.  For instance...last week I went onto older son's page and saw a picture  of him that looked suspiciously like being seated in an airplane seat.  So, I asked him in the comment section "are you on an airplane?"  Hmmmm....seems  Sara (my Daughter((in-law)) was chosen to be a contestant on Jeopardy (May 28th is when the show airs) but did I get even a clue that they were leaving for LA?  Yeah, right.  Face book knew...mom was in the dark...
Son Michael bought a new car not to far back.  The old truck was beating him to death on the trip from Florence to Cheraw, and I found out when?  Yep, there he was on Face book standing next to his new ride.   So,  what do I have to do to get my kids to talk to me?  I don't nag them to call, but a call every so often would be nice.  Till then, I guess Face book will be my information highway and my babysitter of choice.

24 comments:

Vee said...

Oh I don't want to know what my kids are up to. Really. I'm sure that I'd be a wreck. Tell me after the fact that you've been snowmobiling in the County, I don't want to know ahead of time.

Congrats to Sara. That's really something. I've noted the date on my calendar. This will be the first time we've "known" somebody who has been on Jeopardy. Well, except for Jennings. (We felt like we knew him anyway.) Ha!

Pondside said...

I'll be watching Jeopardy up here too!
I've not yet succumbed to Facebook - the kids are on my Family Five, so we talk a lot, but I can see that Facebook would be a good window on their lives!

Sally said...

Well, I'm excited about your d-i-l. I watch it every night!

My daughter isn't on FB; my granddaughter sporadically. So about the only reason I go on there is to see if Britt has posted any new pics. Well, of course I'm nosy about the rest of ya'll peoples.!!

Have a great weekend, Sandie, and yeah sometimes it's better to learn things after the fact. :)

Gill - That British Woman said...

at least you are your children's friends, my two won't let me be their friends on facebook........maybe it is better that I don't know what they are up to!!

Gill in Canada

Donna said...

Hahahahaaaa!! Me Toooo!!
It keeps us "in the Know"...don't cha know!
I'll be looking you up over there...who knows, maybe You'll talk to me...Hahahaaaa...
Happy weekend girlfriend!!
hughugsssss

ancient one said...

Facebook is a wonderful way to keep up with the family goings on... we have a new baby... but not enough pics... fast enough to suit us..LOL

Carver said...

My problem with facebook is everyone assumes I know things because they post to facebook but I've never gotten in the habit of checking it. If someone posts on my wall, I get that in email and go on and respond but I've just never gotten the facebook habit. Maybe if I'd started on facebook before blogging I would have done that instead, but I spend so much time with photo memes and such that I do with blogging I haven't managed to get into facebook.

Rick said...

Very, very clever!

Lee said...

Great post Sandi! My sister and I both know that feeling about her kids. Do your kids visit your page? IF so I have a suggestion.

Love,
Lee

Jeni said...

I understand your methodology completely here as that's how I generally at least have some clues now and again as to what my kids are doing, where they are, etc. Matter of fact, I usually check FB every morning to see if my daughter (who lives with me here)is working or shopping or has a counseling session or doctor's appointment for herself or one of the kids so I have an idea then when she might return home!

Brian Miller said...

ha one of the reasons i nixed my FB was there were some people keeping too close a tab on me...lol...not my mom...i just talk to her ont he phone every other day to fill her in...

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

LOL...well at least you have facebook to keep up with them. Mine don't facebook enough and we finally decided that no news was good news with our grown sons...

If you do head up my way this summer let me know... Lunch would be fun!

Candy said...

Staying in the loop, that's what moms do. Just some to it better than others. Way to go.
Blissful Blessings ;-)

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

Sandi: Time is certainly changing. Did we ever think things of this sort would happen. We also didn't think $0.25 a gallon gas would be $3.50.

Akelamalu said...

Facebook can be a mine of information as far as your offspring are concerned. ;)

CatHerder said...

i TOO HAVE FALLEN INTO THE FACEBOOK TRAP...hence the reason my blogger posts are so sporadic!

Sam Fox said...

Hi Sandi! Loved having a catch up with your blog - seems I just don't get much time on Blogger much any more. FB me! Samantha Fox, Kokopu. Ha ha, one of my friends was laughinly telling us how she and her husband were sitting beside each other on the sofa - messaging each other on FB!

Maggie May said...

I've never got into the Facebook craze..... Maybe I'm missing out on life.
Families are important though, so we have to get communication anyway we can.

Thanks for your kind comment.
Maggie X

Nuts in May

Judy said...

I can totally identify with this post, Sandi! I rarely post on FB...but learn a lot over there!

cheshire wife said...

I find it difficult enough to keep up with my blog. I don't think anything would ever get done if I went on Facebook.

Lynne said...

That's exactly why I am on facebook, just to keep up with the children.

Zuzana said...

I think you keep up with your kids through FB like my parents keep up with me through my blog - as we are hundreds of miles apart as well..;)
I am on FB from time to time and I mostly get updated on the news of my friends and extended family, as my close family (like my sister) use FB rarely.;))
Have a great week.;))
xoxo

Anonymous said...

You've just inspired a blog post from me! I'll link this post up to it if you don't mind.

I was having a conversation with Amy last night about the use of Facebook. Some of her friends are on it from school. They are all extremely vulnerable kids as they have a condition, either autism, aspergers, ADHD or similar so I'm quite surprised their parents let them use it. Hey ho, I'll go write the post!

CJ x

rosecreekcottage-carol.blogspot.com said...

LOVE this post, Sandi!! I, too, find out all kinds of things about my kids! I have a love/hate relationship with FB because of it. I actually had to say a while back to one of them: if you don't want your aunts and uncles knowing where you're going to be on a particular nite....DON'T post it on Facebook or they're liable to show up and greet you!! (actually happened much to one son's chagrin!!)