YouTube Kids

For the past couple of years our kids have been living out their lives in front of an imaginary camera with imaginary “subscribers.” “Ok guys, we’re on our way to school now…” our son would broadcast to his imaginary audience. As we would pull close to the school’s drop off area, he would end his “vlog” with “Ok guys, thanks for watching! Don’t forget to smash that subscribe button and hit that like button! Bye!!!” (at the same time he would wave his hands to the imaginary camera?)

Don’t get me wrong, we do not let our kids have unlimited screen time at home. Actually, we are pretty strict when it comes to that. We stick to the ‘less than 2 hours per day’ recommendation by the AAP. There are days, they do not get any screen time at all, because we’re too busy running between school, sports, dance and other extracurricular activities they have that day. However, on the days we do hand them over that iPad or iPhone, we still feel guilty, because we know it’s not the best thing for them. But let’s face it, sometimes mommy/daddy needs a little break, reply to an email or prepare dinner. We’re not perfect. We’re human. We’re still learning, in a way we’re just “winging it.” Besides, how many parents before us have let their children watch Saturday morning cartoons so they could get their “me time.” We should stop feeling guilty and stop being so hard on ourselves. After all, we are trying our hardest to be the best parents we can be.

For years, our kids have enjoyed watching other kids review Toys, play video games, open Pokemon cards or blind bags on YouTube. That’s when their fascination with “vlogging” began. Their YouTube experience didn’t end when their “screen time” was up and we took the iPad or iPhone away. It followed them everywhere, even to the grocery store! “Ok guys, we’re on our way to Wegman’s right now,” our son would say, again, to his imaginary audience. “To buy some groceries and snacks for school,” our daughter would add.

We knew one day our kids would ask us to let them start their own, real YouTube channel. But until then we were happy listening to them talk to their imaginary subscribers.

And then it happened. For the last few months, our son has been asking if he could start his own YouTube channel, and for months our answer has been “no.” Then the asking turned into begging. Both kids have promised to do their homework, keep their rooms clean and tidy, basically anything to let them become “YouTube stars”?.  After months of begging, my husband and I finally caved in and ToyKidsTv was born. We do have some rules though, we don’t film any videos unless all the homework/projects are done, the toys they get to review on video will be donated to charities, and they understand it’s something FUN we do as a family.

So far, we have filmed 7 videos and I have to admit the kids are LOVING it! They get super excited when they gain a real subscriber and they are motivated to come up with creative ideas for their next video. We shall see where it takes us….but in the meantime, please check them out on YouTube and don’t forget to smash that subscribe button and hit that like button! HaHa!? Thanks for reading!

Xoxo, Ania