Family Communication: Then and Now

Skype, Facebook and mobile phones have changed the way we stay in touch

by: Amy Goyer, from: AARP, September 30, 2010

Military Families

Then: Soldiers in WWII who were deployed overseas could wait weeks to send and receive handwritten letters with family. Some families actually received letters from soldiers months later — even after the war ended. Soldiers were disconnected from family activities, and some even became fathers without seeing their child until they returned home. "V-mail" (Victory Mail), an early use of technology in which letters were photographed so they took less space when shipped back to the States, speeded up mail delivery. The film was flown overseas, then printed and mailed free. V-mail shortened the time for mail delivery from up to a month for a ship to reach the United States to as little as 12 days via air. That was quick back then! Letters were saved and treasured, and are now shared across the generations.

Now: E-mail has taken the place of V-mail. Soldiers deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan or other overseas stations frequently have instant connections with family via the Internet. E-mails are sent back and forth about daily activities, and soldiers in many locations can use mobile phones to talk and send photos on the spot. Web cameras make it possible for mom or dad to see their children grow, and even read them a bedtime story regularly. While soldiers still feel far away from home, they more often are able to connect with family in "real time."

7 Tips for Staying in Touch with Family via Technology

Keep it short but clear. When communicating via text message, Facebook, Twitter or other social media sites, remember people won't read long messages. Still, you want to get your message across, and short one-liners may not be interpreted the same way by others. Make sure they'll see what you mean to say.
Use the right technology. Know what family members prefer. Your grandchild may only respond to text messages; your son, e-mails; your daughter, Facebook; your parent, a phone call. Use what each likes and you'll get the best responses.
Learn the lingo. LOL? H&K? IMHO? Text messaging has motivated the development of a whole new language of abbreviations. Find out what these and other shortcuts mean so you can be ITK.
Don't over-share. There are some things that family members just don't want to know. Be prudent when sharing personal information on social networking sites. The temptation to divulge too much can be strong, and TMI (too much information) could alienate some loved ones.
Know your equipment. Is a smartphone what you need? Does your computer have a built-in camera or do you need to purchase a webcam? If you'll be text messaging, will a phone with a full keyboard save your life? Get your family members to help you research the options. They will love being the teachers, and you'll get help from the experts.
Be safe. Talking, texting and driving can be dangerous, so be good role models for other family members and avoid mixing these activities. Also be aware of security issues on social networking and other Internet sites.
No substitute for a hug. Virtual togetherness is great and we can all keep in closer contact by using it wisely. But remember to reach out in person as well. It's the shared experiences that family members remember the most.