keeping kids safe
it seems as though we (cherie & i) have been having the same conversation with our kids for decades, yet we still find it necessary to put on our mom or dad hat and rehash old ground. maybe we are overly protective, or too afraid that something terrible will happen, or maybe we know just a bit more about how many really evil people are out there. whatever the reason(s), we found ourselves having the same conversations with Ray (34 yo son) and Mandie (21 yo daughter) over the last couple of weeks.
both Ray and Mandie are getting ready to take the plunge again, so we felt the need to remind them AGAIN!!!! about the need to take things slowly and to be safe. the conversations go something like this . . .
us: i know we've talked about this before, but now more than ever, you really need to be careful.
them: i know! i know! [somewhat irritated]
us: there are some really bad people out there. they pretend to be your friend, but . . .
them: i know [losing patience]
us: don't rush into anything, take your time, and . . .
them: i know, i learned a lot from the last time.
us: we know, but we've seen you make the same mistakes over and over.
them: well not this time.
us: please be careful.
them: i will, i promise.
us: and use protection . . .
them: mom!!! [or dad!!!]
us: well, you didn't last time, and look what happened!
them: i did use protection!
us: look, just loading some lame freeware version of antivirus software is not enough! you need to use a good antivirus program, you have to actually update the virus definitions, install a spyware detection program, tighten your security setting, block pop-up ads, regularly back up your critical files, scan you system for spyware and browser hijacks, and for the last time, would you PLEASE!!!! not load KaZaa or any other illegal file-swapping software.
them: but i like downloading songs
us: mandie!!! do you remember what happened last time?
them: ok! ok! i get it.
us: good, 'cause we don't want to have to have this talk again.
them: i know, i know [more sheepish this time]
us: good, now make sure you have protected your new computer before you connected it to the internet, and if you're not going to try to fix the old one, bring to our house next time you visit. i'm sure i can find a use for it.
both Ray and Mandie are getting ready to take the plunge again, so we felt the need to remind them AGAIN!!!! about the need to take things slowly and to be safe. the conversations go something like this . . .
us: i know we've talked about this before, but now more than ever, you really need to be careful.
them: i know! i know! [somewhat irritated]
us: there are some really bad people out there. they pretend to be your friend, but . . .
them: i know [losing patience]
us: don't rush into anything, take your time, and . . .
them: i know, i learned a lot from the last time.
us: we know, but we've seen you make the same mistakes over and over.
them: well not this time.
us: please be careful.
them: i will, i promise.
us: and use protection . . .
them: mom!!! [or dad!!!]
us: well, you didn't last time, and look what happened!
them: i did use protection!
us: look, just loading some lame freeware version of antivirus software is not enough! you need to use a good antivirus program, you have to actually update the virus definitions, install a spyware detection program, tighten your security setting, block pop-up ads, regularly back up your critical files, scan you system for spyware and browser hijacks, and for the last time, would you PLEASE!!!! not load KaZaa or any other illegal file-swapping software.
them: but i like downloading songs
us: mandie!!! do you remember what happened last time?
them: ok! ok! i get it.
us: good, 'cause we don't want to have to have this talk again.
them: i know, i know [more sheepish this time]
us: good, now make sure you have protected your new computer before you connected it to the internet, and if you're not going to try to fix the old one, bring to our house next time you visit. i'm sure i can find a use for it.
posted by secretsquirrel | 9:21 AM
3 Comments:
well written! i was only slightly freaking out, thinking that Mandie was about to get married or something!!!
yeah. reminds me of the baby boy in the nursery explaining the difference between boys and girls to the baby girl in the next bed.
lol . . . i remember that story. blue booties !!!
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