Interviewing My Children and Other Family Movies

I have this brilliant (?) idea. I might have to learn a few new skills to put it into action.

"Girls, do you want to learn how to make videos? We could make some and post them on our blogs."

"What will we film?" my daughters ask.

"We could film our everyday lives, our outings, things we do... I could interview you, ask you questions. I'm sure you'll think of some entertaining answers."

The girls roll their eyes. "Not only does Mum write about us, she now wants to film us too." They laugh. "We'll have to be careful what we say!"

"It might be fun," I say. "What do you think?"

"Okay, you can film us," the girls say. I smile. Aren't I lucky having such agreeable children? 

Children have lots of interesting things to say. I've already written posts based on conversations I've had with my kids. But instead of putting their thoughts into words, I could interview them and catch it all on film. Do you think that might work? 

But first I have to learn how to make a movie. And I have to encourage my children to start talking. That might involve finding the right questions, ones that will spark off some interesting thoughts. 

I remember a conversation I had with my daughter Sophie about a year and a half ago. What if I captured such a conversation on film, rather than in words?

But first I have to learn a few new skills. Has anyone else posted family videos on their blogs? Do you have any hints to share?

Hopefully I'll soon have a movie to post. In the meantime please read ...

More Thoughts from Sophie: Families and Teams

This afternoon, Sophie and I were returning to the van, clutching our bags of shopping. “We’ve got such a lot done today,” I remarked.

“Yes, we’re a good team,” observed Sophie. “We work well together. I like how our family is a team.”

I am always interested in Sophie’s thoughts so I asked, “What are the good things about being a team?”

“When you work as a team, you get things done. You can help and encourage each other. You grow up not being selfish but kind and generous.  And friendly. You can always tell the children who are part of a family team. They include you in their games and conversation. A team also has fun together.” Sophie thought a bit more and added, “And when you’re part of a team, you feel needed and wanted.”

“How does a family become a team?”

“By spending lots of time together and doing all sorts of things together like… learning, shopping, jobs, working hard, playing, having fun.”

“Couldn’t children refuse to be part of the team?” I asked.

“Well, they could but then they’d feel left out.”

“They wouldn’t feel like they belonged?”

“That’s right.”

I guess everyone has an inner need to belong.

“How do children learn to be part of the team? How do they learn how to work together?”

“I suppose they copy their bigger brothers and sisters.”

“But what about the oldest children in the family? Who did they learn from?”

Sophie mused this over for a minute before replying, “I don’t really know… Perhaps they had to figure it out for themselves.” I couldn't come up with an answer either.

By this time we were home and Sophie was eager to show the other girls her shopping. I’d taken her to buy new running shoes. It’s not often a 7th child gets Mum all to herself for an afternoon and comes home with something new.

Sophie paraded down the hall in her black shoes with the hot pink soles: real running shoes.

“Wow!” The girls were impressed.

“They’re my elephant feet shoes,” Sophie announced, her face one huge smile.

“Elephant feet shoes?”

“Don’t you remember, Mum? I was learning about elephants the other day. They have something like gel in their feet to absorb shock as they stomp along. My running shoes have gel in them too.”

Sophie can’t wait to try out her new shoes. At 6.30 tomorrow morning she’ll get her opportunity. As soon as we get up, The Teamwill walk down to the bush tracks for our daily run.

Isn’t it wonderful to belong? Isn't it great to be part of a team?