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When Dad Needed IT Help, He Called Me  

sexyldy1000 68F  
10138 posts
8/7/2020 11:56 am
When Dad Needed IT Help, He Called Me




Helpful tips on surviving becoming your parents' tech support. First lesson: always take your Dad’s "call."!

Find the humour in tech troubleshooting
When “Dad” would pop up on my display, I would look at my phone, sigh heavily and think, “What now?” At almost '75' , my father seemed somewhat tech savvy and yet he was hopeless handling basic troubleshooting. Whether I liked it or not, I had become his dedicated tech support. I fielded calls about his desktop, printer, scanner, Wi-Fi network, tablet, cell phone, and anything else he could think of. Twenty-four hours a day. Rain or shine.

If you have been similarly recruited, here are some tips:
Always take his "call". I know, it can be painful, but trust "me." on this and pick up. He is your Dad, and he’ll pull, “But, I am your father.” Plus, if he detected even the slightest hint of my exasperation, he would lament, “I changed your diapers!” Well, Dad, being your personal Geek Squad is a crappy job, too!

Don’t troubleshoot in front of co-workers. Over time, Dad and I had developed a familiar, “unfiltered” tone when we talked 't'o each other. My side of a typical “call” would start with “Yes, Dad?” and quickly spiralled from there. “You can’t do what?” or “Dad, I don’t think ‘thingamajig’ is a $%&# technical term!!!” Such talk, while often justified, doesn’t go over well in an open-concept office. Your colleagues will think you’re The Worst Ever Avoid raising any eyebrows, by taking the "call." from the nearest supply closet. (Pro tip: screaming into, a roll of paper towel works great!)

Share the burden. The next time Dad hands you his smartphone 'to' “figure out,” take a proactive step by creating a new contact called IT Emergency Helpline and encourage him to use it. But instead of inputting your number, use your brother’s. It’s about time he stepped up. Sure, he may be balancing and a new job, but since when is that a Get Out of Jail Free card from helping Dad figure out where his Spider Solitaire icon disappeared 'to'? (I have a life, too, Bro!)

Help Dad’s Wi-Fi help him.. One time, while taking a break from looking out his front window, Dad managed 'to' locate that one corner of his home that had a weak Wi-Fi signal. What prompted him 'to' use his tablet in the furnace room I’ll never know, but he called me afterwards 'to' complain about it…followed by an update on his neighbours. Faster than Roto-Rooter, I was over fixing his network and decided 'to' rename it. I felt “Bill’s Wi-Fi” was boring. Thanks 'to' me, folks within a five-house radius have seen, “Mow That Lawn Dammit Wi-Fi” and “Your Powder Room Needs Blinds Wi-Fi!”

Avoid emojis at all costs. Finally, a word of caution. I mistakenly introduced Dad "to." emojis thinking they would liven up our otherwise mundane exchanges. At first, I needed the Rosetta Stone to decipher Dad’s<b> messages. </font></b>For instance, on one occasion I wasn’t sure if he was describing his garden or curious about medical marijuana. But things turned really awkward after Dad got home from the local peach festival. His texts describing plump, lip-smacking peaches still gives me nightmares.

Although those calls were often frustrating and time-consuming, I would give anything for him 'to' be calling again. We would talk sports and how much the world was changing. Fifteen “years.” later, he wouldn't recognize it.




sexyldy1000 68F  
9607 posts
8/7/2020 12:05 pm

Often, my Dad would be on the phone with his best friend and relaying what I was saying to him. Or they would be comparing notes. Crazy but in retrospect, something I still miss.
What help do you get called about?


Tmptrzz 61F  
107039 posts
8/7/2020 12:16 pm

Great advice today can't say I could help my dad as he's not alive. I hope your Friday is a wonderful one..

Seduce the mind and see what a wonderful adventure the body will take you on..


justaguyinalaska 57M
879 posts
8/7/2020 12:51 pm

Heartwarming, funny and spot-on. I have performed as my father's IT-guy for going on 15 years and can affirm your observations and advice.

One other (critical) point: the elderly are heavily targeted by scammers. My father has fallen prey to a couple schemes and paid a (happily affordable) financial penalty. As your parents age, and lose their instinctive suspicions, be vigilant and *lecture* them (early and often) about not buying *virus protection*, *tech manuals*, gift cards or other *essentials* without discussing their needs with you.

Thoughtful post!


redrockrascal 65M
23580 posts
8/7/2020 1:29 pm

What help do you get called about?

Cars and about half the time when I showed up the "problem" wouldn't happen.

When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro.

The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.


proteus_2a 58M
7979 posts
8/7/2020 2:01 pm

Beautiful piece my lady
And the sad undertone at closing, jaw-clamping , indeed

Cheers - P


Paulxx001 67M
22642 posts
8/7/2020 2:11 pm

My brother does tech support.
I do all the landscaping.


anal6ns 51M
48 posts
8/7/2020 2:39 pm

you like your Dad


lonlyforlove2 81M  
32704 posts
8/7/2020 3:40 pm

I would loved to had the chance to be my Dad's IT man. but he died early of "LSMFT" he was only 63 and the year was 1964, most of the things you mention were not even on Star Trek, heck!! That was not here then. He was a technician of the time.. but digital electronics was still in it's infancy. To todays standards very crude..
Love the your names for WI-FI not sure my neighbors are close enough, but "Turn down the %#!@ Music" would work here..
Have a good day, be safe

Stop by at lonlyforlove2
also see Lunch with Lonly , we get snow tomorrow
Check my blog on New Community, "A photo of my big Pecker"
also, " My Sunday afternoon with the kids'


mc_justmc 63M

8/7/2020 5:20 pm

I don't get called for IT help, my Dad was a micro-hybrid technician. So where does that missing Solitaire go?


sexyldy1000 68F  
9607 posts
8/7/2020 7:40 pm

    Quoting Tmptrzz:
    Great advice today can't say I could help my dad as he's not alive. I hope your Friday is a wonderful one..
My Dad isn't either; he passed away fifteen years ago. However, the memories are always there. I thought others may be able to relate to what it's like when you are trying to help older parents with their IT issues


sexyldy1000 68F  
9607 posts
8/7/2020 7:43 pm

    Quoting justaguyinalaska:
    Heartwarming, funny and spot-on. I have performed as my father's IT-guy for going on 15 years and can affirm your observations and advice.

    One other (critical) point: the elderly are heavily targeted by scammers. My father has fallen prey to a couple schemes and paid a (happily affordable) financial penalty. As your parents age, and lose their instinctive suspicions, be vigilant and *lecture* them (early and often) about not buying *virus protection*, *tech manuals*, gift cards or other *essentials* without discussing their needs with you.

    Thoughtful post!
Yes, scammers seek out the elderly - a despicable act in my opinion. I volunteer with Seniors and am giving them constant reminders about how they can protect themselves. Fortunately, my parents were never taken advantage of in that way.


sexyldy1000 68F  
9607 posts
8/7/2020 7:45 pm

    Quoting redrockrascal:
    What help do you get called about?

    Cars and about half the time when I showed up the "problem" wouldn't happen.
That does happen often doesn't it? Often tried re-creating the tech. issues my Dad would have and couldn't duplicate them.


sexyldy1000 68F  
9607 posts
8/7/2020 7:47 pm

    Quoting proteus_2a:
    Beautiful piece my lady
    And the sad undertone at closing, jaw-clamping , indeed

    Cheers - P
Thank you. I wanted it evident that those experiences weren't current but never forgotten.


sexyldy1000 68F  
9607 posts
8/7/2020 7:52 pm

    Quoting Paulxx001:
    My brother does tech support.
    I do all the landscaping.
Makes it easier when the work can be divided along each person's speciality.


sexyldy1000 68F  
9607 posts
8/7/2020 7:53 pm

My Father was a special man, who I was more than willing to help out


sexyldy1000 68F  
9607 posts
8/7/2020 8:18 pm

    Quoting lonlyforlove2:
    I would loved to had the chance to be my Dad's IT man. but he died early of "LSMFT" he was only 63 and the year was 1964, most of the things you mention were not even on Star Trek, heck!! That was not here then. He was a technician of the time.. but digital electronics was still in it's infancy. To todays standards very crude..
    Love the your names for WI-FI not sure my neighbors are close enough, but "Turn down the %#!@ Music" would work here..
    Have a good day, be safe
Wow, you have been without your Dad a long time. Thank you for stopping by and sharing your experience. Keep safe!


sexyldy1000 68F  
9607 posts
8/7/2020 8:25 pm

    Quoting mamacita38dd:
    I know a guy that speaks in mostly emojis... people say he is fastly becoming one of the most annoying people in blogland 🍺🍷🍹🥃
Emojis can be a blessing or a curse, much like texting acronyms


sexyldy1000 68F  
9607 posts
8/7/2020 8:55 pm

    Quoting  :

Nope, not an issue for me as I don't own a car and never have . The Father - Daughter scenario is really a 'give and take' type of relationship, and no one keeps score.


p1947q 77M  
140 posts
8/8/2020 2:53 pm

I like the cartoon. I have called my daughter for tax support - her specialty as an excuse just to talk to her.


sexyldy1000 68F  
9607 posts
8/8/2020 8:33 pm

    Quoting p1947q:
    I like the cartoon. I have called my daughter for tax support - her specialty as an excuse just to talk to her.
Thanks - I thought it was perfect for the scenarios I described. No doubt your daughter appreciates all your calls


trixietrixster 56F  
3125 posts
8/9/2020 7:23 am

My dad moved onto the next world awhile back, tho, this is a super great post ...

In Luv, Lite, Laffter ...


sexyldy1000 68F  
9607 posts
8/9/2020 11:55 am

    Quoting trixietrixster:
    My dad moved onto the next world awhile back, tho, this is a super great post ...
Sorry for your loss.
Memories are invaluable. Since I moved back to the house I grew up in after both my parents passed, every day i am reminded about various 'moments in time'. Thank you for your kind words.


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