Hello MyFace

It finally happened. After finally learning that it isn't called MyFace, BookFace or SpaceBook, Liza (my mom) is on Facebook. I don't care because she tells me she won't add me as a friend because that would be weird. Good decision, Liza. The best part about it is learning all the things she thinks Facebook is and isn't. I don't think she likes Facebook as much as she thought. Here is her FB journey:

1. She told me she got on because she worried that "people might be looking for her." I don't know who these people are, and I don't think she knows either. After being on Facebook about 5 days, she was complaining that she didn't have very many friends and that none of the people looking for her had "added" her. I told her that old acquaintances probably aren't searching for her every day, but maybe every couple months or so.

Me: "Mom, if you're worried about people finding you, why don't you try adding them as friends."

Mom: "Well, I don't know any of their names."

Me (laughing): "If you can't remember their names, how do you expect them to remember yours? And if they add you, are you even going to know who they are?"

So her main reason in joining Facebook is to hope random people remember her name years later when she doesn't remember their names.

2. She won't add people she is in contact with. While she was complaining about having few friends, I suggested she add some old friends of hers, ones that she is in contact with, but doesn't speak to on a daily or weekly basis.

Mom: "Why would I want to add them, if I can just call them up on the phone."

Me: "Well maybe you have good news to share and instead of calling 20 of your friends, you call 5-10 of your friends and then post the news on Facebook."

Mom: "I'd rather just call 20 people."

3. She thinks status updates are personal messages to her. Over Christmas, the friends she had on Facebook would write status updates about family coming into town, or holiday greetings. My mom would be annoyed when random people would comment on these updates. 

Mom: "Who is this Julie person and why does she keep writing stuff to me. How do I get her to stop?"

I had to explain what a status update was and who it was intended for, and she fell a little out of love with Facebook. 

4. My brother has been against Liza joining Facebook, and was flying over Christmas. As a joke, my mom and I sent him a Facebook request from her. His text 5 minutes later:

"There is not a chance in hell that I am adding you on Facebook."

Don't worry, Liza was not offended. 

(In my brother defense, there are some photos of him on Facebook that she probably should not see)

5. I've had friends of mine try to add Liza as a friend on Facebook. My mom thinks they are doing it as jokes, and denies the request. I had to tell her they were sincere, but since she doesn't know how to add people, I had to tell my friends to re-add her.

For a long time I didn't want Liza on Facebook, because I knew she would sit and look through all my photos and ask me who everyone was and what was happening in each photo. Or want to know who each person was that commented on my wall. I was afraid I would need this: (yes, I know it isn't a real app)

I guess I'm off the hook since Liza won't add me. I'll probably add her because I feel bad. Oh, and for the record I don't call her Liza to her face. Only on here.

And here is a great page all about parents texting. I think I may submit some soon...