This simple mom definitly not a video camera mom

**imagine** · 05-20-2009, 10:14 AM

I'm definitely not a video camera mom.

We inherited one back when our oldest was a baby. We recorded his first steps and then he walked up to us while we were holding the camera. He asked to be picked up and we put the camera down. And hadn't picked one up again.

Until last night:

A friend of ours, a single parent, had both of his children having big nights (elementary graduation and middle school band concert) He was in a pickle. Since our sons are in the same band, he asked if I would record the concert for him. He showed me how to use his digital video camera. In return, he would burn a copy for me to have.

I recorded the concert. My son's first and last band concert. I cried when it was over as it felt like I wasn't even there, that I had missed the concert. Recording the concert made it feel so second person. I was so not in the moment. Not present.

I was so busy recording that I didn't even know that my daughter sitting next to Hubby had a friend come and sit with her through the concert. She said she was going to ask if it was okay but "You were busy so I asked Dad" I didn't even know until after the concert was over. I missed out on that also.

I'm so sad. I was there, I just missed it, missed it all.

**blitzen** · 05-20-2009, 11:45 AM

The only time I take the video camera is if one of us can't be there, so the other parent can see it.

You know what I love doing with the video camera? Every few months, I'll interview my kids individually and ask them their favorite things, what they want to be when they grow up and things like that. The last time I did it, my older son cracked me up with answers. That's the good stuff I want to have on film!

**imagine** · 05-20-2009, 11:54 AM

Originally Posted by blitzen

The only time I take the video camera is if one of us can't be there, so the other parent can see it.

You know what I love doing with the video camera? Every few months, I'll interview my kids individually and ask them their favorite things, what they want to be when they grow up and things like that. The last time I did it, my older son cracked me up with answers. That's the good stuff I want to have on film!

That is a cute idea.

The video camera we have has these really small VCR tapes, so we can't see the stuff any more except on the camera. My hubby's family recorded things on film when he was little, home movies (5 mm or something like that) We still have the tapes but no way to watch them and it seems like it would cost an fortune to turn them into DVD's. So basically they are gone even though we still have the actual tapes.

I hate how thing change so fast and become obsolete

I probably should be better about writing things down though.

**miss_thrifty** · 05-20-2009, 02:03 PM

we a older one too from inlaw that was given to her and said she'll never use it. Ive only used it maybe 3x. so i have to smrten up and go see if i can buy some more of those vcr tapes any wheres. if i still can and not too exspensise ill keep it .and try to use to more then xmas time. lol