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Original poster

Random tip for mums-to-be who live a distance from their parents / in laws and are IT savy.

16 replies

thepreciousbabycheeses · 20/12/2007 10:29

Just thought about this and decided to post it, it might help someone.

Gt a webcam and get your parents one too. Then video skype / AOL ichat them. Easiest way is to buy Macs as they have them built in or stick one on your PC.

They get to see the grandchild without a 2hour drive and you get someone to talk to who wants to hear about how the baby slept last night. For some reason video calling is more relaxed than chatting on the phone.

Plus you might be surprised how much closer you get to your mum when you have a baby. It changes the dynamic.

Anyway - it's working for us for my parents and the inlaws. No guilt about not seeing them every other weekend.

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RoskvaAteSantaUnderTheXmasTree · 20/12/2007 13:43

If you put the webcam on a laptop, the absent grandparents can even 'join in' bathtime - dh holds laptop and camera just out of dd's splash range, and grandparents coo across the internet at her

Original poster
thepreciousbabycheeses · 20/12/2007 17:30

oh man, you are too good to them!

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RoskvaAteSantaUnderTheXmasTree · 20/12/2007 20:53

Well, dh's parents are in the US, and we haven't taken dd over there yet, so it eases the guilt trip a bit.

I have noticed that dh always uses my laptop though, and not his own

whomovedmychocolate · 20/12/2007 20:57

Oh god, and have them criticising the way I BATH the children as well as raise them? . Not bloody likely thanks very much!

RoskvaAteSantaUnderTheXmasTree · 20/12/2007 20:58

MIL and I agreed to disagree on parenting techniques when she was over last year. She disapproves of most of mine, and I just let it all wash over (no pun intended from several thousand miles away. It would be much harder if she lived around the corner...

elvisgirl · 21/12/2007 01:42

I am trying to set up a webcam for xmas. Baby is not even here yet but mum & dad want to see the bump!

Califraunkincense · 21/12/2007 02:24

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

FrannyandZooey · 21/12/2007 07:50

LOL some of us live a distance away for a REASON

the idea of my parents or inlaws being able to see into my house on a webcam. HA! HA!

Gumbo · 21/12/2007 08:27

ROFL Franny! I agree - it's no accident that I live 8000 miles away from mine!

ProjectIcarus · 21/12/2007 09:32

Franny - you said what I was thinking!

Both sides have hinted at a webcam a few times to be met with a brick wall of resistance. I think they have got the hint now .

e14mum · 21/12/2007 09:59

Thanks for the tip OP. We are finally breaking down and getting one for Christmas- my parents live in Canada and my mom has had one for ages! None of her children are quite on the ball with it yet...

bunnyhohohunny · 21/12/2007 10:07

I am pc literate, but have never seen a web cam option on skype. where is it?

Original poster
thepreciousbabycheeses · 21/12/2007 16:51

how about a comedy backdrop scenario......tell the parents you've moved; paint a sweeping staircase and glittering chandelier. Or a prison cell if you don't want them to visit.

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Original poster
thepreciousbabycheeses · 21/12/2007 16:55

OF COURSE! If you are pregnant you have to paint a stable and a manger. [pmsl at own joke emoticon]

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PoinsettiaBouquets · 21/12/2007 17:53

Doesn't help them babysit your other kids those does it?

RoskvaAteSantaUnderTheXmasTree · 21/12/2007 19:10

bunny, on mine I plug the camera, call whoever I'm calling on skype, and a "start videa" click on tab appears between 2 other tabs on the top left

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