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April 9, 2010

Toddler Thursday: When to turn off the camera

OK, OK, it's not Thursday anymore. But it's been that kind of week. Let's get back to the post at hand, shall we?

Last week, all over Facebook -- and The Early Show and who knows where else -- this viral video was getting posted again and again: Kid is devastated when his dad tells him he's not a single lady! Sounds cute, right? And it absolutely is. Three kids are in the backseat, and they start rocking out when Beyonce's "All the Single Ladies" comes on the radio, none harder than the 3-year-old boy. His dad off-handedly tells him, sorry, kid, you aren't a single lady, and he dissolves into tears. It's one of those unexpected and hilarious moments that happen when you're raising a toddler. Lucky for dad, he had the video camera on, right?

At the end of the video, the dad turns the camera around on himself after having tried to console his son, and it's then that you realize: He is filming this moment while he is driving a car -- a car with three children in the backseat. Up until this moment, I thought the mom in the passenger seat was wielding the camera. I can't lie. I was horrified.

On his blog, the father, Carlos Whittaker says: I was holding the iphone but watching the road not the back of my iPhone. Just like I hold a coke can and drive. But trust me, next time I’ll hand it to the wife for sure!

I guess I can see how that would work, but honestly, it still feels irresponsible to me. Well, if that cell-phone ban ends up getting passed today, I guess videotaping while driving is going to fall into the category of unlawful behavior.

Personally, I thought that was already covered by common sense.

Posted by Sarah Kickler Kelber at 11:21 AM | | Comments (2)
Categories: Toddler Thursday
        

Comments

We are in the post-common sense era. Legislatures now have to legislate it, schools have to teach it, and the media has to hold regular features devoted to it. It may not be called common sense in these arenas, but much of it is simply that. My bet is that Whittaker wouldn't be helped as much by a cell phone law, a class, or a newspaper article relating to his behavior as much as an increase in his auto insurance premiums.

So make sure you don't wave at anyone when you drive by.
Seriously.
You guys are amazing.

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About Hanah Cho
Hanah Cho joined The Baltimore Sun in 2003, just a few years out of college. While covering everything from education to workplace issues to financial services, she also got married and became a first-time mom in December 2009. Now, she’s trying to juggle work and life demands without losing her sanity.

She lives in Columbia with her husband and infant son.

Kate Shatzkin authored Charm City Moms until June 18, 2010.
Follow @charmcitymoms on Twitter
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