Tower and Town, August 2016

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Life as a Mother of Three Grown-Up Sons in a 'Smart' World

When my three boys were toddlers I couldn’t begin to imagine what life would be like for us as parents and how our relationship with our children would develop when they grew into adults; it seemed so far into the future that I didn’t really dwell on it that much! Looking back I suppose we probably thought our relationship would be similar to the ones we had with our parents, and mostly it is, except there is one big difference…technology, instant communication, social media! It’s amazing to think that my sons are the last generation who remember a time when most young people didn’t own a mobile device with the world via the internet at their fingertips. It’s a bit like their great-grandparents remembering a time before electricity!

I know it sometimes seems as if we are in danger of losing the art of conversation because of our reliance on these devices but I have to say I love the fact that I am in almost constant touch with my sons (two of whom no longer live at home). We have a WhatsApp group for the whole family, including wives and girlfriends, and are forever sending daft messages or asking each other for advice: instantly sharing the excitement and pleasure through photos and videos of holidays; gigs; walks in the bluebell woods; new curtains; my daughter-in-law sending me photo updates of how the garden I helped her plant is growing; the dog lying in a funny position in her basket after a long walk. And how amazing (and reassuring) it is to be able to talk to each other via Skype from almost anywhere in the world.

Even though they are all gradually making their own way in the world they share so much of what they are doing with us that it feels as though we are almost more included and involved in their lives than we were when they were little - and it’s wonderful!!

'Anna'