I see both sides of this. I’m generally a “non filler” myself, but hey.. not everyone is me.

The world is a different place than what it was growing up, and seriously, certain areas exacerbate that fact. There are more parents travelling for work, living in separate cities; people now frequently instead of occasionally move thousands or miles or continents away from friends and family.

SmartPhones and theike have made it easier to maintain a connection for those people. For others, they kind of do the opposite, because they end up living their lives through their phone/screen.

So, OP... from that standpoint, I’m glad that your world is such that you can’t imagine a need for a parent to share a dance class with a parent who only gets home once in a while, or with grandparents they only see once every two years. Or, that parent is so lonely as a new transplant in town that they need to share stuff on the social media feed. Or they’re just lonely because they don’t have the right body shape and car for the mom group at their ES and they want to share stuff with the people they do know, somewhere.

Or, they’re busy working parents, and terrified that they’re going to miss or forget a minute.

Aside from that, many people use private therapies and coaches that aren’t present.

So don’t worry, OP, no one is taking a video of YOUR kid.

I don't do this at sporting events or ballet studios, but I love photography and I like getting videos and photos of my children. I'm usually hyper-sensitive to others so if I include them in my video/picture, I do it in obscure ways, hide them in the shadows, by sunflare, etc. But, I'm also aware that I wouldn't want a stranger filming or taking pictures of my children, so whenever it feels intrusive I stop period regardless of the photo opportunity. If someone came to me and said nicely that they would prefer their kids aren't in my videos or pictures, I'd oblige. Or if they came and asked me to share, I oblige. My friends usually love that I'm the go to photographer and I have countless albums I share of play-dates at the park or movies, etc.

That aside, I get the concern and maybe share this with the studio. If they prohibit photography period, then there are no issues.

I don't know if anyone has established policy yet but some places have put up blinds and/or screens of some sort to help tone it down. I would love for my child's dance school to put up some sort of reflective window so we can see in but not film. Not even sure if that tech exists.

My feeling is that parents need to decide what it is that they are paying for. Are you, the parent, paying for your child to learn a skill/sport? Or are you paying to be entertained by the child trying to learn said skill/sport? Often the parents that hover with the camera are a distraction and the child will not be fully focused. Same with the parents that hang on the batting cages. It changes the tone. The child suddenly feels pressure to perform rather than having the freedom to learn. If you are paying to be entertained, sure. If your child actually loves it. Take a step back and let them learn. They will acquire the skill/sport better with less pressure to perform for the camera.

Same goes for the coaches. I have seem them see the camera and turn away. They are now less focused on helping your child and more concerned with protecting their image, their choreography, lesson plans, play, or simply don't think their hair looks great today and that they don't want to be in your video.

Is it the same family every time or different families? You should not feel like you have to move your kids out of the frame so they can get their perfect shot. The question of public places vs. private is interesting because even though you are in a dance studio you are still out in public and unless the studio bans it, photography is still allowed.

Get your ugly kid out of pic/video. It completely ruins it every.single.time!!

If you are in public, you can be photographed. Ask any celebrity about that.

If it's a class in a private studio, talk to management about their camera policy and enforcement. But at a basketball game, you have no control over that.

I TOTALLY agree OP. I keep my phone away so I can totally focus on being present with my DD. It's bizarre and annoying how so many parents feel the need to interrupt every naturally occurring special moment to 'capture' it.

It's disruptive to other kids and parents, totally unnecessary, and (above all else) causes the child to constantly feel 'on' and 'happy' when they just want to be present in the moment.

I'd say something to whoever is running the event.

You definitely have to get used to this, I think.

Exactly PP. It is a nuisance to constantly be asking my child to get out of the way. Sometimes, like in dance class the parents are in the lobby so we can't direct our kid away from the offending parents kid. Or in a basketball game situation, I can't exactly jump on the court.

Sort of off topic, has any kids activity vender gotten this under control yet? If so, who? They've got my business.

Might as well get used to it. The older your kids get, the less control you have over this.

You really should take this up with the owners of the dance studio. If things are getting this pervasive, and I have seen it too, they should make a policy and then have parents sign a statement to prevent these things.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sorry this is a vent. It seems like every activity we go to some parent is taking video of the game/class. It's weird. I don't want my kid on your feed. I really don't want to be on your feed. Just stop. One lady at dance class was even live streaming her 5 year olds class. This isn't a public space it is a private facility. What on earth makes her think she has permission to do that? You wouldn't take video at soul cycle. Why here?
It always seems so distracting to the kids and coaches too. No one wants to be filmed learning something new. Why do that to kids? I get a once in awhile quick capture for memories sake. But the constant nature of what I am seeing lately makes me uncomfortable.

So it's OK for you, but no one else? I see...

Weird interpretation of OP’s comment. Sound a like she doesn’t begrudge other parents the occasional video but doesn’t want it going on all the time. If it’s occasional, you can move your kid out of the frame, but who wants to constantly have to do that?

Anonymous wrote:Sorry this is a vent. It seems like every activity we go to some parent is taking video of the game/class. It's weird. I don't want my kid on your feed. I really don't want to be on your feed. Just stop. One lady at dance class was even live streaming her 5 year olds class. This isn't a public space it is a private facility. What on earth makes her think she has permission to do that? You wouldn't take video at soul cycle. Why here?
It always seems so distracting to the kids and coaches too. No one wants to be filmed learning something new. Why do that to kids? I get a once in awhile quick capture for memories sake. But the constant nature of what I am seeing lately makes me uncomfortable.

So it's OK for you, but no one else? I see...

Sorry this is a vent. It seems like every activity we go to some parent is taking video of the game/class. It's weird. I don't want my kid on your feed. I really don't want to be on your feed. Just stop. One lady at dance class was even live streaming her 5 year olds class. This isn't a public space it is a private facility. What on earth makes her think she has permission to do that? You wouldn't take video at soul cycle. Why here?
It always seems so distracting to the kids and coaches too. No one wants to be filmed learning something new. Why do that to kids? I get a once in awhile quick capture for memories sake. But the constant nature of what I am seeing lately makes me uncomfortable.