Constructing Parental Team Spirit

A Case Study of Instant Messaging Conversations Between Birth Parents and Professional Foster Parents

Abstract

In a micro-analysis of two cases from the Netherlands, Instant Messaging conversations between birth parents and professional foster parents were studied. The study reveals that there are three types of activity in Instant Messaging. Aligning dialogues are the most common. These are aimed at coordinating (daily) matters around the youngster’s situation. Following aligning initiations, the conversations may change into the two other activity types: (background) exchange of information and relationship building.