Video Activity Starring ... You!

Let the kids turn the camera on you for a change.

Submitted by
Kayla Chong

Ever notice who's missing from the home videos? If it's you or your partner, then it's time to hand off the camera and let the kids direct for a change. Not only will your kids have a memento of mom and dad with this activity, but 10 or 12 years from now, when you're embarrassing your child by showing his prom date your old home videos, you'll be reminded how good you looked!

You:
With your hair brushed.
Your kids:
With clean hands.
A video camera.

Show the kids how to turn on the camera and how to record. Skip the part about how to zoom, unless you're a fan of vertigo when you're watching home movies.
Put the strap around the videographer's neck and hand over the camera.
Roll 'em! Encourage the kids to be creative in their directorial debut.
Let them interview you or just tell them a story about when you were a kid.
Make funny faces on their command. For once, let them tell you to stick out your tongue and get away with it.
Dance! Bust out your best Electric Slide.
Tell corny jokes.
Tell them you love them and list a dozen reasons why.
When they're all done shooting, let them screen their work (without commenting on how terrible you look), so they can feel proud of their big time filmmaking skills.
If you or your kid is tech savvy, consider uploading the video into some video-editing software and adding a voiceover or some music to match the mood.
Resist the urge to turn yourself into the next YouTube celebrity. One mother singing parenting woes to the tune of the "William Tell Overture" is quite enough, thanks.