DEAR ABBY: I became a grandmother a year ago. My son told me I have to join a social networking site if I want information about, or to see pictures of, my grandson. He claims I can find out all I need to know on his profile page.
Abby, I'm not asking for pictures to be sent in the mail, nor am I requesting constant calls about what is taking place. I'm not completely computer illiterate, but I do have an aversion to being grouped with everyone else. I am his mother, but I don't feel as though he thinks of me as someone special.
Am I totally out of touch with today's technology? -- OLD-FASHIONED GRANDMA IN MONTANA
DEAR OLD-FASHIONED: You're not out of touch with today's technology, but you are out of touch with the place that it holds in the lives of people of your son's generation -- as well as many of your own. If you feel in some way disrespected by your son, work it out with him. But please do not allow this to be turned into a power struggle, because you will only alienate yourself from him.