i've got a question, too

[elvendoll]

i have a 12 year old sister.
she was always anti-bookish; doesn't read outside of schoolwork, likes all the crap tv shows and basically lives in a way that has me struggling to keep from cringing.

a few months ago, she started using AIM; trying to prevent her from using it would be pointless, and at least this way my parents can (even if they usually don't) talk to her about it.

the way she types makes my hair stand on end. this is her current away message/profile:

hangiin wiif mii cousiinz
xox
at mi cousinz house !!

aside from the fact that it is painful to read, i worry that in typing like this on a regular basis will do permanent damage to her spelling and grammar skills. on the other hand, this is how her friends talk, and asking her to deviate from "the norm" would be unenforceable.

does anyone have any ideas on ways to make sure she can communicate in dictionary english that may not be something she'd have to be dragged to kicking and screaming?

Comments

[elvendoll.livejournal.com]

thank you.

my two biggest problems are that she wears out the little patience i have fairly quickly, and that i can't be there, physically, to make that much of a difference. i'm trying to think of littler things i could do, though...

[nymphochka.livejournal.com]

maybe you could do a project with her... you're good at that... do something creative with her, like make a game...