Tips for Staying in Touch with Your Service member via Modern Technology… Voila! The Smart phone.
A note from Tracy:
I often got teased for having a phone that does so much more than just a phone call. After my son deployed, I discovered a few ways to stay in touch with him. Primarily with my smart phone, which to me is no ordinary cell phone, but a lifeline to my son. Smart phones are like pocket-sized computers that allow you to access your email, interact using social media sites, surf the web, text, and more.
Using the applications on my Smart phone helps me communicate with my son at any time that he happens to be on the Internet. It gives me the flexibility to not have to be near my computer at all times. For example, one day I was notified of something very important pertaining to my son. While alarming, I knew right away he was okay because I was able to chat with my son via my smart phone while at the doctor’s office. Without my smart phone, I would have been worrying not knowing that my son was going to be okay.
Without the flexibility of my smart phone, I would miss out on chats and important information. I never know when he will be online – as his hours are very unpredictable, so I like to be prepared! it helped me tremendously while he was deployed.
Facebook – Ahh the green dot! Anytime my Soldier went online by my smart phone or computer I could see the little green dot that he was online! I would leave his chat name open and immediately that Green Dot would tell me when he was on which to me meant he is okay!
If you and your deployed service member have a Facebook account, you can subscribe via SMS to your service member’s status updates. This is a wonderful tool because the moment my deployed son updates his Facebook status, I get a text message to my phone. From the text message, I could comment on his latest status, making him feel the love from back home. By commenting or “Liking” their comments you are notified of any subsequent comments that he or others make on his status. In order to receive any comments that follow, you must have the Facebook application on your smart phone.
To set up Facebook SMS subscriptions, log into your Facebook account and go to Account & Account Settings. Click the Mobile tab. Once you have that set up correctly, go to your Soldier’s Facebook profile page. Under the profile picture, click “Subscribe via SMS.” If you set it up correctly, the next time your Soldier’s updates their Facebook status, you will get a text message to your smart phone!
Email – There are many email applications you can use with your smart phone. When my son sends me an email, I can read and reply to the email on my phone. It is like texting him back with a feeling he is near even though he is miles away. It’s been a great convenience and lifesaver. Sometimes Soldiers are busy so I reply right away and leave many posts on his page just in case he can’t get back to the computer for awhile.
Google Talk – This is a favorite instant messenger! You can use this if you both have a Google mail account. Just log on from your phone and the “green dot” tells you that your contacts are available and online. This is how you can have chats in real time with your service member when out and about.
Yahoo Messenger – works like most instant messenger applications. You can use this if you both have Yahoo mail account. It’s nice to have a back up.
Skype – if you have a Skype account, you can download it to your smart phone to use Skype mobile. A great way to stay in touch and see that service members face in the palm of your hand.
We hope this is helpful to you in some way. Let Military Moms of Texas know what other ways you found to communicate with your Service member and please share your ideas.
Tracy
Military Moms Of Texas
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