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Annie’s Mailbox: Mental and marriage breakdowns

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On the Books: ‘The Light Between Oceans’ examines choices we make, consequences

<p>A scene at the end of an episode of &#8220;<a href="http://abc.go.com/shows/modern-family" target="_blank">Modern Family</a>&#8221; has the character <a href="http://abc.go.com/shows/modern-family/cast/character-claire" target="_blank">Claire</a> (the mother of three) complaining that her kids unfriended her again on Facebook and how then is she supposed to know what is going on in her kids&#8217; lives?</p><p>It crystallized for me something I have experienced with my sons: The oldest used to be pretty active on Facebook but has all but disappeared (he just graduated from college) and the youngest (soon to be 17), blocks me on Twitter!</p><p>When I asked about this recently, he emailed me to say that &#8220;I block with love, padre.&#8221;</p><p>It makes me awfully split-brained, with the conversation going something like this:</p><p><strong>Rational Me:</strong> What do you expect? He is almost 17. When you were almost 17, would you have wanted to share your remarks with friends with your dad?</p><p><strong>Emotional Me:</strong> No, of course not. But I am a cool dad. I understand social media and it&#8217;s not like I would stalk every tweet he posted.</p><p><strong>Rational Me:</strong> Really?! I find that hard to believe&#8230;</p><p><strong>Emotional Me:</strong> OK, well maybe I would look at every other one. Besides, it is another indication of how he is coming into his own and becoming his own person.</p><p><strong>Rational Me:</strong> Yeah, dummy. You are the one always preaching that parenthood is about giving kids roots and wings.</p><p><strong>Emotional Me:</strong> Oh yeah. Right.</p><p>What is your relationship like with your kids vis a vis social media?</p><p>Are you friends with them?</p><p>Do you follow them on Twitter or Instagram?</p><p>Or do they block you out in the virtual world as much they do in the real world?</p><p>Write me at amr@amrshow.com and share your story&#8230;assuming you have not blocked me on social media.</p><p>Oh, and happy Father&#8217;s Day to all the dads out there.</p><style>
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<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Christopher Mele</p><p>Mele&#8217;s Musings</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><factboxMeta><p>About Men Radio is a show about men. Not all men, mind you, but specifically about a group of lifelong friends coping with rapidly changing gender roles and how they interact with their partners, their kids, their co-workers and each other. It&#8217;s funny, feisty, smart-assed and very, very real. To learn more, go to <a href="http://aboutmenshow.com/" target="_blank">aboutmenshow.com</a>.</p></factboxMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Christopher Mele is married and the proud dad of two sons and two adult stepchildren, all of whom have given him prematurely white hair. His childhood in the Bronx defined his friendships, which endure today and for which he is grateful. A career newsman, writer and editor, the Lords Valley resident is glad for the opportunity to share stories and insights about the challenges that the modern-day middle-aged guy faces in the world.</p></shirttailMeta></div>

Mele’s Musings: Unfriended and blocked by the fruit of my own loins