Tuesday, July 30, 2013

10 Skills to Avoid Going Crazy as an Internet Admin...I mean Parent. Whatever.

The legal age for a Facebook account is 13, but some days you wouldn't know it. Some days, anonymity, distance, and free access to a keyboard make a few people forget the manners their parents taught them.

Here are some positive tips for in-charge wranglers of all ages.  

  1. Have firm, simple ground rules. Repeat often.
  2. Remember that there will be arguments, and your best ground rules won't prevent this.
  3. Stay out of the arguments.
  4. Practice taking deep breaths and counting to 10 before responding. Or even walk away for a short time.
  5. Bite your tongue until it bleeds. Point-scoring is not a winning strategy.
  6. Remember there is always a reason behind freaky, confusing behaviour. Seek that reason instead of reacting to the behaviour.
  7. Let them repeat their mistakes, even though you will see it coming.
  8. Remember you can't please everybody.
  9. Nobody will agree on who started it - just finish it if you can.
  10. Keep your eye on the big picture
And good luck! You'll need it...