Generation to Generation

 

Have you noticed how the majority of the current generation, have a very short attention span?

And let's not forget their ability to sit still long enough to have a decent chin wag...but can you blame them? I mean the majority of young people today have been raised watching short, exciting TV programs (you're picturing Playschool, yes?) and live on a pretty high, sugar diet. Perhaps right now you're picturing your grandchild or great-grandchild and are thinking about how times have changed...

Well it's not too late to give bonding another go...you've just got to think outside the square so to speak...or to put it more plainly, reach them on their level.  Now I'm not advising that you change who you are, or do anything that you're not comfortable with.  In fact, that could be the worst thing you could do!   Academics say that the current generation relates more to authentic people, and their personal stories...so here's an idea...

 

You know all those really special moments in your life that you probably don't have the time or energy to put down into memoirs?  Well the younger generation probably wouldn't read them either so...turn them into your personal video story presented by flashcards.  O.K. now I'm sure I've lost you...and you're about to probably stop reading...but just hang on a tad longer and let me explain...just wait...this is cool!

 People all over the world have been making short videos (say the length of one song) to help tell their story or spread a message...and younger people love it, they totally relate to this type of media presentation.  The video presents one person, who doesn't speak (there's music playing) and over the course of the video the person presents flashcards to the camera to tell their story and displays appropriate facial expressions while the cards are shown for the viewer to read.  Does this sound boring?  Well I cannot really to put into words, just how moving these videos are.  So here are some URLs for you to check out via the internet if you're able...get a young person to assist, they'll love it, 'cause it's YouTube!  If you're really bad with technology memorise this sentence...

"I really would like to check out some clips on YouTube that I heard were great. Can you bring them up for me, I have the URLs?"  I'm sure you'll stun someone with your new lingo! Here are the URLs you need:

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Bbk0Zrs927w

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tmlTHfVaU9o

Then after you've seen the clips, ask your young person if they'd help you to make your own personal video...they will be so excited to help you.  Remember don't put anything too personal or specific in your video, just in case your family loves it soooo much that they want to share it with others far away via the internet.  Remember don't 'act' in your video as young people don't like falseness, and that wrinkles are cool these days...they mean that you have memories to share!

In love, Melanie...