Can iChat and iMessage interface at all or do I have to load iChat on my Mountain Lion to set up a chat session with iChat?

Hi,

Yes.

9:20 PM Tuesday; January 1, 2013

Please, if posting Logs, do not post any Log info after the line "Binary Images for iChat"

 iMac 2.5Ghz 5i 2011 (Mountain Lion 10.8.2)
 G4/1GhzDual MDD (Leopard 10.5.8)
 MacBookPro 2Gb (Snow Leopard 10.6.8)
 Mac OS X (10.6.8),
 Couple of iPhones and an iPad
"Limit the Logs to the Bits above Binary Images."  No, Seriously

Oh, you wanted the How as well ?

(You didn't actually ask that)

Both you and your parent need to be on the same Messaging service (it comes down to using AIM or Jabber).

Lets presume you are using an Apple ID in Messages that is from an iCloud registration (@me.com or @icloud.com ending name).

You would need to enter this name (Again) As it is a Valid AIM Name in the Preferences as an AIM Account (Press the + button then chose AIM in the drop down)

If they are using AIM already then just add each other to each others Buddy lists.

If you both happen to have Gmail Accounts then your could Enable "Talk" on your Google Settings then add your proper Gmail ID and chose GoogleTalk in the Accounts > + button > Add account pane

You have to enter your Google ID as it appears on the Web Mail Page (The Apple Mail app will accept @gmail.com or @googlemail.com and fetch your mail but iChat and Messages needs it to be just so).

If you both have Facebook accounts then Enable "Chat" on your Facebook Setting and Add this as a Jabber ID

NOTES.

Certain Apple IDs are valid Screen Names (@mac.com @me.com and @iCloud.com) but some of these if registered via iCloud will not work in iChat version earlier than iChat 6.

This is due to the way iChat 6 and Messages logs in to me.com as well as a security check on looking at the password.

9:32 PM Tuesday; January 1, 2013

Please, if posting Logs, do not post any Log info after the line "Binary Images for iChat"

 iMac 2.5Ghz 5i 2011 (Mountain Lion 10.8.2)
 G4/1GhzDual MDD (Leopard 10.5.8)
 MacBookPro 2Gb (Snow Leopard 10.6.8)
 Mac OS X (10.6.8),
 Couple of iPhones and an iPad
"Limit the Logs to the Bits above Binary Images."  No, Seriously