Disclaimer: Devoted Grandma is reader-supported. If you purchase anything through my site, I may receive a small commission (at no cost to you). Thank you.
Learning new technology can feel daunting, but with a little humor and patience, we can master it. Whether it’s sending a text or hopping on a video call, I’ve got some easy tips to help you feel confident with these gadgets. Let’s embrace this new adventure together, we’ve got this!
- Start small: Focus on one thing at a time. When I got my first smartphone, I just started with sending a simple text to my daughter. Sure, I accidentally sent a few garbled messages, but once I got it right, it felt like a victory. One step at a time, just like when we learned to ride a bike—slow and steady.
- Relate it to what you know: Technology isn’t all that different from things we’re already familiar with. Sending an email? It’s just like mailing a letter. When a friend of mine was learning to use Facebook, I told her to think of it like a bulletin board where you can post photos and notes. It’s just like pinning photos on the fridge for all to see.
- Write it down: I keep a notebook right by my computer. When my grandson taught me to use Zoom, I wrote down each step: “Click the camera icon, type in the meeting number, hit ‘Join.’” Just like how we kept recipes on cards for our favorite meals, it’s helpful to have a guide to refer back to.
- Laugh a little: You’ve got to keep things light. I always joke that passwords are like little keys to a secret garden. It makes the frustration a bit more bearable. A friend of mine had a laugh when I told her that her phone wasn’t misbehaving; it’s just like trying to fix the TV antenna back in the day!
- Focus on the benefits: Think about what you’re getting out of it. I love video-calling my grandkids who live across the country. My friend Carol figured out YouTube and now watches all her favorite Dean Martin performances. Once you see the perks, it feels worth the effort.
- Go at your own pace: Take it slow! When I first got my tablet, I thought, ‘What kind of wizardry is this?’ But I practiced a little each day. One day I read the news, and the next day I figured out how to send a picture. I told myself, ‘Rome wasn’t built in a day and neither was my relationship with this gadget!
- Use large text: This was a game-changer for me. I used to squint at my phone, but once my daughter showed me how to make the text bigger, it felt like someone gave me a magnifying glass! My fellow devoted grandma was so happy when I showed her this trick. No more reading glasses for every little text.
- Don’t be afraid to ask questions: There’s no shame in asking for help. When my grandson was teaching me, I asked him to explain things again and again until I got it. We weren’t born knowing how to use this stuff! Just like when you learn to knit. If you’re stuck, ask for help.
- Take breaks: If it gets too much, step away and take a breather. When I first got frustrated with online banking, I’d make a cup of tea, and come back, and things made more sense. It’s like a puzzle, sometimes a break helps you see things more clearly.
- Celebrate every win: When I sent my first email all by myself, I called my daughter and we celebrated. My friend Helen sent her first video of her garden to her sister, and she was over the moon! Just like finishing a knitting project or baking a cake, every little accomplishment matters.
- Embrace feedback and corrections: This one’s important ladies, and it’s the key point that got me through the little broken email link hiccups these past few days. If you get something wrong, it’s no big deal, it’s just a part of the learning process. When my grandson gently told me I’d been turning off the Wi-Fi instead of muting my phone, I thought, ‘Well, no wonder I couldn’t hear anyone!’ Don’t feel embarrassed. Think of it like when you first learned to bake bread. You didn’t get it perfect every time. When someone points out a mistake, take it as a chance to get better. After all, practice makes perfect. Especially when it comes to gadgets!
We’ve done so much in our lives. Learning a bit of technology is just one more thing we can conquer!”
