Text Messages to My Sons: A Guide to Using Mobile Devices to Connect and Communicate Deeply With Your Kids
I wanted to connect with my sons in a meaningful and lasting way. How could I reach them, show them who I am, and inspire them to grow? The answer was simple—use what we all carry everywhere: our phones.
I decided to text my sons daily. Each message was filled with love, gratitude, hope, inspiration, wisdom, and accountability. I shared what I was learning and reminded them how loved and worthy they are. I expected nothing in return, no replies, no acknowledgment. The act of sending these messages was enough.
Over time, this daily practice became a cornerstone of my growth and connection. It also became my first book, Text Messages to My Sons: Connecting Deeply in a World of Devices, which I self-published on October 4, 2023.
A Mission Born of Adversity
Just days later, on October 7, I experienced another profound shift. As a Jew, I was horrified by the hate, misinformation, and violence that seemed to grip our world, particularly among young people and on college campuses. This moment clarified my purpose.
My mission is to guide parents, grandparents, families, and communities to adopt this simple practice. You don’t need years of therapy or expensive courses. You only need a phone and a few minutes daily to send a heartfelt message.
The Power of Love in the Digital Age
Our mobile devices are tools that can either spread love or amplify negativity. By consistently sending messages of love, gratitude, and inspiration, we counteract the hate, fear, and anger that dominate our screens. Positive energy is contagious—high-frequency vibrations of love cancel out the low frequencies of hate.
This idea led me to publish an expanded edition of my book, Text Messages to My Sons: A Guide to Using MobileDevices to Connect and Communicate Deeply With Your Kids. It includes new messages, chapter introductions, chapter reflections, a new introduction, an epilogue, and a foreword written by my sons. This book is the modern take on the “Message In A Bottle” and spans generations. I hope parents will use these messages as templates, tweak them, and make them their own.
Start Today
It’s not about being perfect; it’s about being consistent. A daily text can build stronger relationships and create a ripple effect of love and positivity. Messaging is a simple yet powerful tool to foster connection in a disconnected world.
What the Experts Say
Text Messages To My Sons is a must-read for anyone seeking to raise empathic and connected teens and adult kids.
Tammy J Cohen has hit it out of the park with this roadmap for creating and sustaining the deep and meaningful connection every parent longs to have with their teenage or adult children. More than just another how-to, (this book) (“Text Messages To My Sons”) taps the world's greatest thinkers and cultural icons to help you communicate your deepest values to your kids - and deliver your message right to the palm of their hand! Divorced or alienated parents will find a great ally in this warmhearted strategy of consistent, one-way missives of love and support.
"Text Messages To My Sons" is Powerful and Groundbreaking! As a stepmother, it took me a while to understand that connecting today requires another communication mode. Tammy's book sheds new light on how I can connect and reach without preaching. Thank you!
An inspiring read aims to motivate parents beyond simple texts and offer their kids encouragement, valuable lessons, and boundless love.
Text Messages to My Sons transcends traditional parenting advice by bridging the communication gap between parents and children. This gap is often brief or lost in the noise of our daily lives. In a world dominated by social media and devices, where our voices can feel muted, this book provides a meaningful way to reconnect with our children. After reading it, we were so moved that we immediately shared it with our grown daughters and sons, encouraging them to pass it along to their peers. Tammy Cohen's heartfelt texts offer a clear road map for reconnecting with our children and grandchildren, creating more profound, meaningful bonds. This book is a treasure and should be shared widely, especially with young parents navigating the chaos of today’s world. More than just a parenting guide, Text Messages to My Sons is a touching and motivating reminder of the importance of genuine connection in an age of disconnection. It’s a powerful testament to the lasting impact of simple, thoughtful communication.
Tammy J. Cohen has a deep passion for sharing light, love, and support with others and encourages readers to do the same. Parents can learn how to communicate with their children, and children with their parents. As a former caregiver, I appreciate text messages and highly recommend sending messages to caregivers to also show support. I have interviewed Tammy J. Cohen twice on my radio show, Chatting with Betsy, and I know her passion and authenticity shine through. Thank you to Tammy J. Cohen for writing this highly recommended and inspiring book; it is a beautiful gift any time of the year!
As soon as I heard about this book, I was hooked! "Text Messages To My Sons" offers a unique approach to bridge the communication gap between parents and children in the digital age. Through a collection of thoughtful text messages that Tammy (the author) sent to her sons, she demonstrates how to convey love, wisdom, and support using a familiar format. Her concept blends timeless wisdom with modern technology, providing parents with a practical tool to strengthen bonds and impart valuable life lessons. Inspirational and accessible, it serves as a guide for fostering deeper connections in an increasingly disconnected world. Tammy, thank you for sharing your wisdom and how we can communicate with our kids in a chaotic world.
As a parent, coach, and advocate for over 30 years, I’ve seen firsthand how challenging it can be to maintain communication and connection with our kids as they grow older. That’s why Tammy Cohen’s Text Messages to My Sons resonated profoundly with me. Tammy masterfully captures the essence of modern parenting, where simple, heartfelt texts serve as lifelines for connection, even when there’s no response on the other end. What I loved most about this book is Tammy’s unwavering commitment to showing up for her kids, even in the most minor ways. She sends these texts without expecting anything, proving that it’s not always about what we get back on but about letting our kids know we’re here for them, no matter what. This collection of messages reminds all parents that we don’t have to have the perfect words or wait for the ideal moment to reach out. Sometimes, just showing up on their phone is enough. In her expanded edition, Tammy doesn’t just share more of her journey; she also equips parents with practical tools and suggestions for how we can adapt these messages to fit our unique relationships with our kids. In a time where technology can often feel like a barrier between parents and teens, Tammy uses it as a bridge, offering us a way to connect on their terms. With her signature humor, honesty, and warmth, Tammy reminds us of the importance of keeping communication lines open, even when complex. Whether navigating the teenage years or trying to stay connected with a young adult, Text Messages to My Sons is a powerful reminder that connection isn’t about getting it perfect, it’s about showing up repeatedly.
"Text Messages To My Sons" is a powerful reminder to parents that we alone are responsible for teaching our children how to give and receive love and support through communication—a step-by-step guide to fostering the most profound family relationships.
How the mission started and turned into a movement: Several years ago, I began texting my sons love, gratitude, and inspiration, and began sharing wisdom of the ages. This practice led to self-publishing my first book, Text Messages to My Sons: Connecting Deeply in a World of Devices.