Thursday, September 09, 2021

When I made my son's dream come true

This week was extra busy for me and my second boy, Iñigo. For a few years now, my kids have been saying that when they grow up, they want to be YouTubers. It's a dream I frown upon. But because my parents discouraged me from becoming a writer, I wasn't going to do the same thing to my kids. Nope. 

My husband said we won't discourage them but they have to prove that this is what they really really REALLY want. And then we'll support. We told them the best YouTubers loved doing something first and they shared that something with the world. So cooking, video games, toys - what's important was they had a hobby, job, interest that they made videos of. They were Someone first before they were a YouTuber. So we encouraged them to have a Something and be a Someone, and then vlogging will come easy.  

We also never said they can't be YouTubers. We told them they have to figure out how to be one because neither their parents were vloggers so we really didn't know how to help anyway! And for years, their dream was all talk, no action. So we didn't think they were serious about it.


This summer, however, my boys learned to program. And my second boy, Iñigo, took to it like fish to water. He was churning out video games in a few short weeks on Scratch, and other kids were telling him his games were cool. I'm so proud of him. Even more important, he's so proud of himself.

Last month, he announced he wanted to start his YouTube channel. He said he wanted to share his love for Scratch and Minecraft. He has found his Something and his Someone was he was going to be a teacher. 

I resisted because I didn't know how to make videos myself! But finally last week, I promised we'd figure it out together. But when the weekend came, I backed out. I was tired. I wasn't interested. And I really didn't want him to be a YouTuber.

Iñigo got sad. He looked betrayed. But he said he understood. And that made me feel worse.

So what the heck, let's do this! So I sat him down and had a heart-to-heart. I told him why I didn't want him to be a YouTuber. I said, "The internet is an ugly place filled with mean and hateful people. I don't want you to go out there and they'll say mean and hateful things about your work and about you. Or what if no one 'likes' your video or no one comments? That hurts, too. You're a kid. You can't handle these things yet. Even me, I'm a blogger for 15 years now and my grown-up heart gets very hurt at mean comments."

I also told him that the opposite can be a bad thing, too. "There's also a danger in getting lots of likes and fans. You'll start building your self-worth on likes. But what if you made something they didn't like? Then you'll always want to make something that will make others happy when you should be creating work that makes you happy," I said. 

We talked late into the night and he agreed that I'll screen all comments first. He'll tell me if anyone was being mean or threatening or making him uncomfortable. I also told him it's important to not take things personally. But, my goodness, he's a kid! How can I protect him from the world? 

We talked about internet safety and many other things. He told me about his dreams, his plans for his videos, and that he'll be responsible and always tell me and his Papa everything. Finally, I was convinced. I conceded that he really wants this YouTube channel and so what's a Mama to do? We make it happen!


We Googled everything! We set it up, we troubleshot, we plotted and planned. And I was annoyed sometimes. I really didn't want to do this and I was sleepy and frustrated at all the things we had to learn! But he was so happy and excited. He was going to do Scratch tutorials and let me tell you, I'm not his market at all. I told him to make this or that instead, but he said, "I'm not doing this for likes, Mama. I want to help kids like me!" 

So I went through with it, researching with him, guiding, explaining, and finally... Iñigo launched his YouTube channel.


At 3 AM on September 7, 2021, Iñigo sat back, exhausted but bright-eyed. He said, "So this is how it feels like when your dream comes true."

My heart exploded! It was worth it. He fought for his dream. He worked hard at it. And that made his accomplishment even more amazing. I'm so proud of him. Even more important, he's so proud of himself.

In two days, he made FIVE videos. That's how excited he is. And I may not understand his dream but I realized that's not what's important. All he needs is for me to support him all the way. 

I learned a lot this week. How to set up a channel, make and edit videos, fiddle with all the settings. I also learned how to be a supportive parent. And that's the best lesson of all. 

9 comments:

  1. Wow!!! This is amazing :) Zeeka has been following Iñigo’s channel :) So happy for the both of you!

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    1. Thanks for all the support, Zeeka! - I

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    2. Thanks, Ginger! You and Zeeka are such hige blessings to us, always encouraging and helpful =)

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  2. Great job,Iñigo!
    How fast time flies! It just feels like yesterday when they were just babies,Frances. I remember reading your blogs about them & how cute & cuddly the kids during toddler years. He is still cute & cuddly syempre. hehehe.
    But wow, he is already programming his own games & even making youtube vids!

    Soon, he will be ready to fly on his own na! Great job in being a mom! I sure hope that I can be as cool as you though. We are just in our toddler years & it feels like time is trickling very slowly! lol

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    1. Thanks! I'm not cool. I wasn't cool. I was impatient and kinda discouraging, diba? But I try! And I'm glad his heart was stronger than my protests.

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  3. This is a really sweet and honest post. I wish more parents really take the time to listen to their kids the way you have with Inigo. So many of us adults still remember those times when our parents/caretakers either outright discouraged or casually dismissed our "silly and childish" dreams, and no matter which experience we've had, those memories still sting. I truly commend you for your honesty about parenthood and your sincere wish and effort to be a great mother to your kids. And I hope your boys continue to be dreamers and doers, secure with the knowledge that their first and biggest support comes right from home :)

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    1. Thank you! Thank you for seeing me and my mama heart!

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  4. I love this! I need to read this again when i find myself resisting what my kids want to be versus what I want them to be. Will subscribe to his channel and let my kids watch his videos.

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    1. Thank you! With all due respect to our parents, we know they were just raising us with what knowledge they have about dreams and success. Hopefully, we know better and will do better.

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