Create Rules for Text Messaging | Cleaning Relationship Discussions | Lent / Easter Prep |

 Text Message Rules in a Relationship

Today, set up an agreement and guidelines for texting with your partner.  Set up automatic responses for your arguments from yesterday's goal and decide what emojis mean when added to text messages. Keep the agreement in a binder for reference.

Rules For Texting

The Texting Agreement For Relationships

Texting Style & Boundaries

• 1. Response Time Expectations:

  • During work hours - For Example - Check-ins are fine, but no pressure to reply until lunch.

  • If someone doesn't answer the text - Write down what happens if there is no answer. If the person doesn't reply in four hours perhaps it’s just work/life, not being upset or distracted.  Call to verify if they are getting your text messages.  

  • The 'SOS' Rule - what does the message need to be or emoji or image. If it’s an actual emergency call.

• 2. Handling Conflict:

  • The "Text" Zone: What is it OK to be texting in a discussion or an argument.

  • Tone Check: How do you communicate? If a text sounds too short or mean is it a style of communicating or reaction or misunderstanding?

• 3. Daily Rituals:

  • Start/End of Day: Decide if you start the day with a text message.  Send a Good Morning/Goodnight text, even if busy or weekly or monthly. 

  • The "Checking In" Preference:  Decide how often do you want to have a text message and what kind of messages are OK to send at certain times of the day.

• 4. Privacy & Social Media:

  • Sharing:  Decide what messages are OK to forward and share with other people or friends.

Emojis

Category	Emojis	Best Use Case
Friendly/Polite	😊 🙂 👋	Acknowledge a message without being cold.
Agreement	👍 ✅ 👌 🙌	"Got it," "Sounds good," or "Great job."
Humor (Safe)	😂 🤣 💀	Standard reaction to something funny.
Thoughtful	🤔 🧐 📝	Use when discussing an idea or "thinking out loud."
The "Softener"	✨ ☕ ☀️	Adds a bit of cheer to a morning text or a plain sentence.