Expert: Jason Grabill - 1/28/2011

Question
Hello Mr. Grabill,

I just first wanted to say thank you so much for replying to my question about online safety.  I wanted to follow up to show how much I appreciated your time, effort and patience in responding to my question.  I didn't realize how many kids had asked you the same question.

Just as you suspected - at first, I must admit I was not exactly happy with the answers you gave me. Not because they were wrong or unreasonable - but because of the frame of mind I was in -  just that I kind of wanted you to agree with me.  But I read your answers over and over again and then even showed them to my parents and we talked about it.

I am glad to say that by doing this, it started better communication between my dad and I.  He told me he was impressed with me for taking the time to find somebody whose opinion he would have trusted too - and that i was able to understand what you were saying and talk to him maturely about it.

Now that we are talking more, we've developed more trust with each other.   I willingly gave him my passwords to all my accounts instead of hiding them from him.   He is giving me more credit for my good grades and I am earning more trust from him.  I know that he will go into my accounts from time to time but I realize why.
He also has talked to me more about his job and I'm understanding why police officers are so protective and cautious.  

Together, he and I are now working on a presentation for our community center (my idea and he offered to work with me on it) about online safety.  He is also going to approach the school with me to do the same thing.

So thank you again Mr. Grabill for all your time.  I wanted you to see what a HUGE difference it meant to me and how much this whole experience with you, improved my relationship with my dad so much too !

Tracey

Answer
Tracey:
  
  Thank you VERY much.   Of all the many years I've done this (for free LOL) yours is only the second 'Thank you' type letter like this I've ever gotten...and it's one I'll save.   

  I'm glad to have been of some assistance to you and that I helped some...but it was your choice and your decisions that were the right ones.  I just helped you along a bit.

  Congrats on all your hard work...and keep it up!   No doubt he's proud of you.

All the best,

Jason