Techno Distraction at Kids' Meets

RE: Techno Distraction at Kids' Meets

Former Member — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 11:43:34 GMT

Being in my mid 20's now... I happend to go thru swimming at a time (early 90's) where there were LOTS of gameboys (yes the BIG one...) since there was little to no connectivity at that time yet most kids (even myself.. until i got bored of it) would turn on the gameboy sit on my towel and play on it till my next race.. As said before always some form of distraction.. at least id rather have there be some form of communication rather then the self isolation of my early swimming years... though sledding in shovels in our swimsuits was fun at the winter meets...:lmao: personally i lock all my stuff in a locker (combo lock.. as i tend to loose keys around a pool), so all i have to carry is the suit im wearing.. and possibly my camera which in turn i have found is a constructive distraction to the kids as after the race sometimes they would be OH... Now i see what the coach was saying about my stroke.. (usually the older kids..) but they all like to gather and see the pictures of the race that just happened. that said there distracted but at least its with swimming... GO TEAM!

RE: Techno Distraction at Kids' Meets

Former Member — Fri, 08 Jun 2007 10:40:38 GMT

Man some people here are really cranky about texting (etc.). Yes it can be a distraction for kids, especially at first. But most do calm down after a while. I find it extremely convenient to text my kids with short messages. One of the great things about text messages is that like email - they don't require someone to answer a phone. Works great in a noisy indoor swimming pool to ask your kid if he needs more Gatorade. Or my wife can text me to remember something at Lowe's and I can retrieve the item it as if it were a shopping list. Specifically at swim meets - texting or cell phones are great to reach your child since we parents aren't allowed on deck. Since the child probably has the phone attached to them - there is a high probability of reaching them. I've used texting to send messages to someone in a business meeting to ask them a question, silently, without interrupting the presentation. It can be very useful.

RE: Techno Distraction at Kids' Meets

aquaFeisty — Thu, 07 Jun 2007 07:17:08 GMT

My typing skills certainly improved drastically when we started using 'Write' and 'Talk' in college (imagine an incredibly primitive precoursor to instant messaging). I don't think I'm up to texting on a phone though... it's frustrating enough just adding in new names to the phone list. Oh, and Kirk??? You're not that much older than me... I'd appreciate it if you didn't refer to yourself as a 'grizzled veteran'! :laugh2:

RE: Techno Distraction at Kids' Meets

Former Member — Wed, 06 Jun 2007 15:38:29 GMT

On a related, but light note, you all might get a chuckle from today's "Rhymes with Orange" comic.

RE: Techno Distraction at Kids' Meets

Former Member — Wed, 06 Jun 2007 15:36:35 GMT

My husband ran cross country, Finding - he'll love that slogan!

RE: Techno Distraction at Kids' Meets

Muppet — Wed, 06 Jun 2007 11:34:19 GMT

Great point. I attended a conference at work a couple weeks back about knowledge management. I work for Boeing and obviously data and processes are a huge company asset. Trying to not only store all that information, but also make it easy to dessiminate to others is a major issue. Someone brought up the point that the new-hire "kids," who us grizzled veterans like to think don't know much, are much more proficient at communicating and finding information fast using today's technology then we are. They're the one's who can teach us a thing or two in that regard! Kirk, that is a great point. We didn't necessarily grow up with all that much, but by the time folks my age were in college, Instant Messaging was by far the most popular (and easiest) way to keep in touch with all our HS buddies. Keeping 5 separate conversations going was certainly a challenge, but it sure advanced my typing skills and speed. That was a huge plus going into the real world any time I needed to churn out long emails or recaps, etc. I was able to write in 15% more detail, tidy up formatting and send it off while my coworkers were still finger-pecking and going back to fix misspellings/typos. At my new job, they have IM installed on all the machines. Most of the younger crowd uses it a lot, but the bosses are on too. Right now, I am working on my Treo tying skills. The mini-qwerty is certainly a challenge, but I am getting pretty quick with that too. Gotta get all those meet results emailed to mom ASAP!!!

RE: Techno Distraction at Kids' Meets

The Fortress — Wed, 06 Jun 2007 10:39:32 GMT

RE: Techno Distraction at Kids' Meets

FindingMyInnerFish — Wed, 06 Jun 2007 06:30:18 GMT

No, but I have coached 9 and 10 year olds and made them run laps for not paying attnetion. I'm a hardass though. :agree: "runner hijack> Heh! That's why kids on x-country/track teams often have t-shirts that say "my sport is your sport's punishment."

RE: Techno Distraction at Kids' Meets

Former Member — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 16:26:46 GMT

I'm sorry I look so good, but I can't help it. ...and so modest too...that why you're the whole shebang...the total package... :applaud:

RE: Techno Distraction at Kids' Meets

Former Member — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 14:47:24 GMT

I also think they just think texting is cool and they develop their own little language so they don't have to type actual entire words. A good link for us old farts, who care to text... transl8it.com/.../index.pl

RE: Techno Distraction at Kids' Meets

Former Member — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 14:21:54 GMT

The text message phenomenon is a little puzzling to me. Why can't you just talk to the person? I guess I'm just too old :) hey how long before we get a swimphone, so you can take those calls mid lap?

RE: Techno Distraction at Kids' Meets

Former Member — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 14:01:40 GMT

There came a point for me when time was my most precious resource and being less accessible seemed like a luxury. I agree. Now it's for friends and family only.

RE: Techno Distraction at Kids' Meets

Former Member — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 13:41:17 GMT

I usually take no gadgets to the deck at meets (barring my cell in case I need to call out or something) but I always seem to get distracted...

RE: Techno Distraction at Kids' Meets

Former Member — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 13:23:10 GMT

I noticed that (S)he-man is living without a cell phone. It can be done. Not sure young kids need them either. Why? I can see why they would be a distraction at meets. I've heard parents complain about it with respect to homework too. Kids do homework with itunes in the background and their phone on the desk beeping with text messages every few minutes. Hey Fortress. Wish I could help you on your initial question, but as I don't have kids. . . However, I do remember telling hubby to "shoot me" if we ever had a kid and I gave him/ her a cell phone as a pre-teen or tween. Funny story on why I opted for no cell phone. Other than the bills being outrageous for minimal and often unacceptable service (and I've had about 5 providers over the years). . . I digress. I was the VP of HR for 10 years at an IT consulting company. So, I was often on call 24/7 and had many, many ways for people to get in touch with me whether it be multiple land lines, cell, blackberry, email, fax, or pager. All my colleagues and I were always "multi-tasking" so to speak. Whenever we were in officer meetings, it was rare for any one of us to be focused on the item at hand. We all had our laptops and were constantly emailing and such. What I noticed was that every day the spouses of my colleages would continually interrupt meetings via cell phone to discuss (and rather, from what it sounded like :argue:) the most petty items. Drove me nuts and wasted countless hours. I did not want to do that to my hubby. So - no cell. No whining. There came a point for me when time was my most precious resource and being less accessible seemed like a luxury. Hubby is the Director of Animation at a feature film co in Atlanta. Also, no cell. We do fine. If we don't respond, we just don't want to talk to you. :rofl: Gotta pick and choose when there's so much excess whether it be gadgets, food, travel, clothing, cars, STUFF! Kids will always have distrations. They have more things to choose from now. If they bomb a meet due to being distracted, hopefully, they'll figure that out and make adjustments next time. Okay, wishfull thinking here. . .

RE: Techno Distraction at Kids' Meets

Former Member — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 12:46:17 GMT

Yep I coached them at 9 and 10, but something happens in Junior high, and yes I make them run laps, me right with them.....and still no concentration. I am about ready to leave for a game. I know from past history this will be the hardest game of the season for concentration. School got out today, and they will all be flibber-d-digits. Even the most serious lose their minds on the last day of school. But the other team is dealing with the same thing, so no mind. There are some days I really worry one of them is going to get hurt, and I hound them about making sure they are awake when a batter is up. I made my daughter swim practice tonight to get some of the silliness out. I need her playing a good game, because she often sets the tone(often the most silly of them all. One game teaching all the girls the dance moves to Thriller,:shakeshead:) Batter? Ah see there's your problem. You've got them sitting around in a dugout half the game... ;) I can't control other people's children only my own...somewhat...my kids know I will not be happy if I am there on a Saturday watching their game and they are texting...I've already had it out with my 9 year old about not making an effort. Not as skilled; I can tolerate and encourage practice...not running or trying; I can't deal with.

RE: Techno Distraction at Kids' Meets

some_girl — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 12:24:35 GMT

I usually take no gadgets to the deck at meets (barring my cell in case I need to call out or something) but I always seem to get distracted... I'm sorry I look so good, but I can't help it.

RE: Techno Distraction at Kids' Meets

Former Member — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 12:20:22 GMT

Our 11 year old was wasting huge amounts of time doing the text thing with all of her class mates. It's remarkable that the primary digit for kids under twenty has become the thumb rather than the index finger.

RE: Techno Distraction at Kids' Meets

Former Member — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 11:42:54 GMT

But Keith Richards looks just as wasted. Some things don't change. Gull can we get your professional opinion? lol :whiteflag:' liver :help: ' other liver

RE: Techno Distraction at Kids' Meets

Former Member — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 11:40:16 GMT

:laugh2::laugh2::laugh2::laugh2::laugh2: OK, I will stop laughing now. You obviously have never coached Junior High girls. Pay attention to what's going on?:laugh2::laugh2::laugh2: Only if there is a cute boy in the vicinity. No, but I have coached 9 and 10 year olds and made them run laps for not paying attnetion. I'm a hardass though. :agree: Either way my kid won't have a phone on the field, on the deck or in the movie theatre. Problem solved, but I choose to do this as a parent. I agree Dorothy about the security but like slowswim said the limited number phones are a good idea. I'm tough on my kids to a point. I don't care what the lovey-dovey brigade think about it (not saying you are a lovey dovey type either).

RE: Techno Distraction at Kids' Meets

Muppet — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 11:20:47 GMT

The news anchors on our local station were commenting today about rock concerts...then and now. Back then the audience held up lighters and candles. These days they all wave cell phones. Things certainly have changed. Yes, we can blame two things for this: Motorolla ran a commercial a years ago where their phones lit up the SD Charger's stadium during a power outage. Some of these indoor venues, at least where I am, do not permit smoking in their arenas. No smoking = no lighter brought to concert. For U2's vertigo tour, Bono had everyone pull out their cell phone at one point, before he got us all to text something to join the One campaign. The arena looked awesome with all those lights.

RE: Techno Distraction at Kids' Meets

Former Member — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 10:50:13 GMT

I agree with that Kirk. But old dogs can learn new tricks. Technology proficiency can be intimidating for those unfamiliar with it. Yet it's fairly simple at the end of the day. Being tech savvy is matter of being immersed in it fairly regularly. We can be as resourceful...and just as fast as the next generation. ...maybe not in the pool however.

RE: Techno Distraction at Kids' Meets

knelson — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 10:50:12 GMT

omg lol! :joker:

RE: Techno Distraction at Kids' Meets

The Fortress — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 10:41:29 GMT

to your original question, Leslie, I'm not sure that the whole texting phenom at meets is a really big deal... I recall playing tag, eating hot dogs, checking out boys at USS meets... there was always distraction, just maybe not the electronic variety. and as you know, summer league meets are infinitely worse than USS meets for screwing around instead of focusing on the bright side, other than tiring their thumbs out, at least the kids are physically resting, ya know? Maybe not. But I think they still do all of the above, plus text and call people. I don't think any of this takes place sitting down. I rarely see kids sitting down at meets. At least not mine. I guess she's got it bad. She's certainly got the boy crazy thing bad. They all need to have fun at their meets, to be sure. But I hate seeing kids (always girls) crying after races. You wonder whether some of that is inadequate preparation.

RE: Techno Distraction at Kids' Meets

aquaFeisty — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 10:33:36 GMT

RE: Techno Distraction at Kids' Meets

knelson — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 10:27:37 GMT

hey how long before we get a swimphone, so you can take those calls mid lap? For me the answer would be "when hell freezes over." About the "multi-tasking" thing. Yes, sometimes you have to juggle several things at once, but in my mind multi-tasking is never something you want to encourage. Anyone familiar with "lean" manufacturing, etc. should know that multi-tasking is best avoided whenver possible. So the idea that texting, IMing, etc. helps kids learn to multi-task seems a little specious to me.