My husband is a mailman. It’s a nice job, because everyone likes the mailman. He brings you stuff, pretty much everyday. It’s like a mini-surprise party, just waiting to happen!
So he loves his job. Except when it’s really cold.
But, he works long hours, and he doesn’t have a desk or office phone. So it’s hard to communicate with him during the day.
So how do I keep him updated on family happenings while he’s on his route?
Texting.
If you read the most recent post on my Prairie Sense blog, you’ll realize this is a total one-eighty. But, hey! Technology has it’s place!
I had this idea one day when I texted hubby a picture of Nicholas’ first visit to the dentist. He was so happy to get that simple photo. He said he feels like he misses out on so many of the everyday little happenings, and that one just made his day.
I also texted him a smiling, Vanna White-ish photo of me in front of our newly delivered washing machine. His reply: “Nice.”
So now I have been try to take camera-phone photos of little things here and there and send them immediately to my husband. It makes him feel a little more connected, even on those long days.
Texting with Daddy works for me!
Note to Blogger: Please add ‘texting’ to your spell-check dictionary. You are SO 2006.
oh how sweet! GReat way to share special "everyday – milestones." Hubby and I text as well and occasionally I'll send a photo or two. I know it blesses his heart… so glad it works for you guys too 🙂
~ Emily N. from "too Blessed to Stress"
It is true that husbands miss so much during the day, but their jobs are important and we can find ways to include them. I will call my hubby to tell him cute things our kids say or sometimes send a picture through the phone. He loves it! I am so glad we have this technology for now. It can also make a difference when husbands are having a bad day and they receive a cute pic or message with something profound or hilarious. I am so glad we aren't living 30 years ago when people worked 9-5 and couldn't have personal calls at work. However, I do wish people could work 9-5 without having to also work all the other hours because technology makes it an option. Seriously, I think 100+ years ago was best!
mychildsview.blogspot.com
I hope you don't mind my sharing a different perspective: I'm a mom who has worked outside the home since my son was an infant; he's now 5. I don't have a cell phone (click my name for details) but I do have a desk job with my own phone. I am GLAD that my son's childcare provider doesn't contact me at random times throughout the day, and that his dad doesn't do that either. They only contact me if it's important. I do sometimes check my personal e-mail during coffee break, but that is my choice and not interrupting my work.
When I'm working, I need to be able to focus on working, so that I will be able to leave on time and be fully present when I'm home. Also, it's my time to be my working self and be "off duty" as Mama. Of course I want to know if my child is sick or my basement is flooding, but I don't need to be distracted with routine happenings that I can hear about at the end of the day.
If I were a mail carrier, I might feel differently; I understand that's a job with a lot of walking around and having attention to spare. My job is the kind where answering the phone (even if it were a text) means STOPPING work and then having to get my focus back. So I'm not saying it's wrong to text YOUR husband, but I'm imagining SAHMs coming in from WfMW and thinking, "Oh, what a great idea for my husband [who works in an office analyzing data] to feel more connected to the family!" and their husbands then trying to escape the texting without seeming like they don't care about the family…so my point is: Other moms, don't start this without ASKING him if it's a good idea! 🙂