As the saying goes, “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.” Instead of trying to deal with all of your parents’ seemingly endless issues over the phone for the next couple of decades, it’s just better to teach them a thing or two. Here are some of the easiest ways to do just that.
1. Use a Screencast
If your parent is having a difficult time completing a task on their computer, one of the best things you can do is create a screencast for them. This is especially valuable if it’s something they need to do repeatedly, but will likely forget. “When creating the screencast, it’s best to plan it out a little bit in advance,” millennial, Adam Dachis says. “This doesn’t mean you need to spend a ton of time on it, but just take a minute to think about the steps you’re going to cover in advance so your instructions are clear and succinct.”
2. Sign Them Up for a Tech Support Service
Did you know that there are tech support services that specialize in providing people with wide ranging issues? Yes, you can actually sign your parents up for a service that provides them with unlimited tech support for every device and issue you can imagine. Whether it’s a virus, problem with email, issue connecting to WiFi, problem accessing a smartphone app, or anything in between, a full-service tech support plan gives your parents someone else to contact.
3. Give Them Some Reading Material
The reason many parents have so many questions for you is that they don’t have the material they need to do it themselves. By providing your parents with some reading material, YouTube videos, and other resources, you can give them the tools needed to figure it out on their own.
4. Show Them How to Work Google
When you have a technical issue with something in your life, what’s the first thing you do? Most people your age simply type a question into Google and look for answers. Parents don’t always do this because they aren’t well versed in how to use Google efficiently for problem solving. One of the best things you can do is teach your parents how to use Google. Don’t assume that they already know. Show them how it works and teach them how to type in inquiries and get relevant responses.
5. Avoid Using Confusing Jargon
Words that may seem commonplace to you could very likely be foreign to your parents. When explaining concepts, don’t assume that they understand what you’re talking about. Even using a term like “copy and paste” could confuse them. For best results, try to speak in analogies and explain any concept that doesn’t make sense outside of the context of the technology being used. You’ll feel like you’re dumbing things down too much, but they’ll let you know if you’re going too far.
Don’t Leave Your Parents Hanging
It may be annoying to receive multiple requests from your mom or dad asking about how to use an emoji in a text message, but it’s not the end of the world. Instead of just doing it for her, show her how to do it. Your parents aren’t dumb; they just didn’t grow up in the same world of technology that you did. Pay it forward and teach them a thing or two. You’ll all be happier. Featured photo credit: Shutterstock.com via shutterstock.com
