How to Handle Your Mom on Facebook

You heart Facebook. You are on it all the time. It is your way of connecting with your friends and it's fun ... that is until your mom sends you a friend request. Now what do you do?

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• A sense of humor
• Perspective
• Kindness
• Understanding

1. Add her as a friend. I know, I know, this is an invasion of your privacy. What if she writes on your wall? What if she tells you to stop being in the "I want to have Justin Chambers baby" group? Just do it. If you can have that girl you met at camp three years ago as your "friend" then you can add your mom.
2. Keep in mind, your mom is on Facebook because she loves you and she wants to be a part of your life. Sometimes this comes across in particularly invasive ways, but she really wants what is best for you. And she has been watching Dateline and Oprah, which told her you are in danger if you are on a social networking site, so she is just looking out for you.
3. Don't use Facebook as a battleground. If your mom criticizes you on your wall or in your pictures it may be tempting to unfriend her. Don't. Write down your frustrations and take some time to cool off. When you are calm (and your mom is not busy) go to her with your problems. Tell her the rules: If she has a problem she should come to you not write it on your wall for all your friends to see. Tell her it is hurtful. Don't yell. Then politely tell her you are going to delete her comments. Don't block her access right away. While it is important to set boundaries, give your mom a second chance. She is new to social networking and she doesn't know all of the rules like you do.
4. Have fun. That is what makes Facebook so great in the first place. If you can have your worst frenemy as a friend on Facebook then you can tolerate your mom. Make a group for people who are friends with your mom. Add her friends as friends. Turn her into your Ninja Trainee, Pirate, or Vampire. Send her drinks in Top Friends. The more you enjoy yourself, the less awkward it will be.

Tips & Warnings

• Remember, your mom is on because she cares about you. Soon enough she'll have so much fun with her own friends, she'll forget to Facebook stalk you and move on.
• Set boundaries. It is okay to block her access to areas of your profile, but just don't do it to hurt her or as retaliation for grounding you.
• Facebook is not a place to keep secrets from anyone; parents, schools or employers. Some schools routinely search for evidence of underage drinking and many employers search Facebook and MySpace before hiring someone. This may be unfair in your mind, but it is how it is. What you put up on your site may have consequences.