We all know Big Brother is watching.
Here at my house, eyes from big sister and little sister are upon us as well. Normally, my kids don't pay me any mind. They often run the other way when I walk into a room. Well, not anymore! Two of my girls recently got an i-touch; something they saved for and have been wanting FOREVER (their words, not mine)! My husband, too, was excited at the prospect of the infamous facetime. He has an i-phone and couldn't wait to actually see and talk to the girls on evenings he was working late.
Well, the first day, I was the best mom ever! They sent me messages on my awesomness; they sent me hugs and kisses, via gmail. The next morning they decided to test out their facetime. I had just woken up, no coffee in my system, teeth not brushed (not a pretty picture). Anyway, they were talking to their dad at work when I walked into the room. They asked me to say hello. Immediately, I was in the spotlight, gazing into my husband's eyes and worrying about how I looked. Now, this was OK; after all, it was the man I share everything with, but it got me to thinking...
It is now possible for me, and all parents out there, to be on display at any given moment. This facetime thing is like the trick mirror at Ripley's Believe-It-or-Not. You stand there getting lipstick off your teeth or fastening an undone button, only to find out that everyone on the other side can see you adjusting yourself.
Now, I need to be on my best behavior at home because my girls could 'facetime' social services, giving me up for my discipline procedures. We need to post new house rules, prohibiting electronics from entering the bathroom. I may have to resort to wearing my bra to bed in case they chat it up with school friends first thing in the morning. I was singing in the car yesterday and, lo and behold, I am now saved in their video app, rocking to the tunes of Pink.
I may be able to turn this around, though, with my own i-phone. I could just picture us all walking around looking over our shoulders and sleeping with one eye opened, waiting for the perfect blackmail moment. As they head into their teenage years, this could be fun.
