How I Use Textgram to Help My Daughters Self Esteem

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If you read my post about my life falling apart you already know that my youngest, Avery, was bullied last year and was actually threatened with a knife. I took her out of school and homeschooled her for the rest of the year but this year we are back in school. It was not an easy decision to make, but she wants to attend the cosmetology program at our local Votech and I knew the only way she was getting in was to go back to school. However, she is having anxiety and her self esteem is shot. I tried talking to her but I think at a certain age our kids learn to tune us out and all they hear is “blah, blah, blah.” So I decided to start thinking like a teenager and figured out texting was the best way to get my message across.

She just got her phone for her birthday and is already in love with texting. I found an app called Textgram which is kind of like Instagram but you make pretty graphics to text. I wasn’t sure it was going to work, but I knew I had to try. Later that day when she came home she told me that it made her feel good. Yay, score one for Mom. Is it always going to work, probably not but if I use it sparingly maybe I can build her self esteem enough to make her realize that the bullies don’t matter. That in 10 years from now, this is all going to be a memory.

I remember being her age and thinking my life was over because the cool girl didn’t talk to me or the boy I had a crush on didn’t like me. I didn’t realize that life hadn’t even begun. Even at 39 years old I realize there is so much more life I need to live. But when you are young you live in the moment and don’t think like that. On Facebook last week, a facebook friend lost her grand-daughter to suicide because she was relentlessly bullied. My heart broke for her and the girls mother. Then I thought about Avery and decided I needed to try to do something. Texting, a long with still trying to talk to her, may help.

I sent this to Avery on Friday when she was feeling anxious.

This is a hard path for any parent and as parents we need to stop criticizing each other and start figuring out what works or what may help your child. I was worried about posting this because I was afraid I would get backlash for using technology to try to help my kid. But if it helps one parent get through to their child, it would be worth it. Some days I feel like I am at a loss because of what my daughters going through. I ask why and get frustrated because I have this beautiful, talented and intelligent young woman that feels like she is worth nothing. I hate it, and as any parent does, I am doing the best I can. That is all I can do and just keep fighting for her to realize she is worth everything to those that love her.

Ps. I wasn’t paid anything for this post, I just wanted to give parents ideas on how they can talk to their kids when “blah, blah, blah” is not working

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