GADGETS TEND to be a pain in my world and their use usually results in my having a headache at day’s end.

Of course, in the world today the use of some gadgets – computers, iPods, cell phones, is a daily and somewhat necessary part of life.

Truth be told, it is the cell phones that get me in trouble.

In our family of six, there are five cell phones. One of each of the adults, one for each of the other two drivers and one for the remaining teen who can’t yet drive but who needs to be chauffeured to and from a myriad of activities. The cell phone enables him to contact any of the four driving members of his family by phone so they can shuttle him to the next event.

The one remaining, cell phone-less member of the family spends his time calling the others on their cell phones requesting fast food and its estimated time of arrival.

Still, despite my having to decide which fast food joint will get my business and which calls to answer and which to ignore, I will admit that cell phones can come in handy.

I like the fact the kids have them in case of emergency when they’re out on the road. I like the fact they can reach me if necessary and I like the fact I can be out and about when they’re at an activity and I don’t have to be tied to the house waiting for them to call for a pick up.

What I don’t like about cell phones is the fact that my children rarely use them in the manner for which they were intended.

In a perfect world, the cell phones would be used as a secondary form of communication – not the primary one. The children would answer the phones when their mother calls and not let it go to voice mail. The children would actually speak with their actual mouths when using their cell phones. Texting would not be their main form of communication.

We don’t live in a perfect world.

My teens seem to think a text is the best way to communicate. And, because I’d like to keep the lines of communication open – even if I don’t actually agree with the form – I have learned to text as a way of getting through to them.

Admittedly, texting does come in handy when reminding family members about what is on the day’s busy agenda – especially the drivers in the family who may or may not always remember which kid they are in charge of getting to and from activities.

I put the text into practice recently and, well, let’s just say I got into a little trouble with it.

My youngest, cell phone-less son was on a field trip with his class to our state capitol. Their estimated time of arrival back at school had been set between 4:30 and 5 p.m. On this particular day, I had a meeting, my husband was at work and likewise my daughter. This left my son Ian as the only driver in any position to get his brother from school.

I had reminded him a million times to get his brother and he assured me he would. Being a control freak, I decided to text him a reminder that afternoon. I got no response.

I called his phone. I got no response despite my telling him to respond so I would know he, in fact, remembered he had to pick up his brother.

I called the house phone where the middle son answered and told me his brother was indeed in the garage washing his car and had said he would be on pick up duty.

I reminded the son on the phone (remember, he’s not the one that was to do the actual picking up) of the time to be there, I hung up the phone.

I then got a text from the picker-upper asking what time he needed to be there.

I told him between 4:30 and 5 p.m. and he needed to be at the school by 4:30 just to be on the safe side.

My phone buzzed again telling me I had a text. I opened it – not wearing my glasses – and it said something to the effect that “5 p.m. would be more like it.”

I was hot! Was this kid telling me he wasn’t going to go to the school until 5 p.m. when I told him to be there at 4:30!

I quickly texted back “How would you know? Be there at 4:30!”

I was still steaming mad when my phone buzzed with another text and then my face was red hot.

In my haste – and in my semi-blind state – I had made a big mistake. The text telling me the arrival time was 5 p.m. was being sent from my son’s teacher and not Ian!

I about died! Thankfully, said teacher has known me for years and knew my angry text was slightly out of character.

After an apology and a more than a few good laughs, all was forgiven.

Still, there are lessons to be learned – 1. Kids! Pick up the phone when your mother calls. 2. Parents! No hasty texts! Look to see who is actually texting before replying and put on your glasses for goodness sake!

Graham can be reached at tgraham@timesleaderonline.com.