Stuck in texting hell!!!

How many hours a day do YOU spend texting? Teenagers are reportedly peeved when their parents are not giving them their undivided attention. And, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree (no, not THAT kind of Apple). Teens send almost 80 messages a day according to a new report. It's starting to worry physicians and psychologists, who say it is leading to anxiety, distraction in school, failing grades, repetitive stress injury and sleep deprivation. It's a terrible feeling to always be "turned on". I hate the stress of having my cell phone with me all the time. I think I forget it on purpose. One day it may find it's way into the bottom of Buntzen Lake. Read on . . this e-mail is from Don . .

Attention: Shelley Joyce. Regarding your recent on-air comment about the number of text messages the average teenager sends per day . . . I'm inclined to believe it. After a doctors appointment in Vancouver this past Tuesday I decided to go for a walk around Kits before taking the bus back home to Mission, and twice I was run into by girls so intent on their text messaging that they didn't see anyone or anything else. I hope for their sake they do better when crossing streets or they are going to get run over.

I was a VERY late bloomer when it came to buying a cell phone and I'm going to wait until the last bitter moment before I'll let my kids have one. It's like going on Facebook and MSN-once you approve of it-it's like a runaway freight train. I'm on the side of Gabor Mate-"Hang on to your Kids" ! How can they communicate with you if they are in constant touch with their friends? Maybe after 6 pm everyone in the family should lock up their cell phones in the family vault. What would you talk about?

In honor of Father's Day on Sunday . . . The Best Advice Your Dad Gave You That You Didn't Take . . . I bought a car, actually, two cars (slow learner). They were crap cars and dad was insistent that they would only end up costing me a fortune in repairs and insurance. I was certain he was just trying to ruin my life and keep me under his thumb. So I bought them . . both. And they cost me a fortune in repairs and insurance. But I learned from my mistakes. Now I have BCAA.

These e-mails came flooding in to relay similar fatherly advice rejection stories.

Dear Shelley; My Dad didn't like my boyfriend in high school. He thought he was aloof and cold. But he was SO cute. I married him anyway, and guess what? Dad was right. He's still aloof and cold, even with our three kids. I wish I'd listened to Dad.


Dear Shelley: My Dad wanted me to become a vet because I loved animals SO much as a child. I went to law school instead wooed by the "prestige" and promises of $$.
Big mistake. I'm 34 and back in school studying to be a vet. Wish my dad could see me now.

Thanks for your e-mails and keep em' comin'.

Famous Dad quotes:

Harry S Truman
I have found the best way to give advice to your children is to find out what they want and then advise them to do it.

Anonymous
One night a father overheard his son pray: Dear God, Make me the kind of man my Daddy is. Later that night, the Father prayed, Dear God, Make me the kind of man my son wants me to be.

Drop me a line at Shell@qmfm.com we will share your stories on the air and here.