Animation and Robotics

I can see some people coming to this site and wondering, where are the photos of all the happy kids taking her classes?  Why are there only feet or hands in the videos?  I admit, it seems a little odd, even to me.

It is mostly nerves.  I am too concerned about invading the privacy of my students to post pictures of them.  I know many of the parents would give their permission, but still I have hesitated.  I haven’t asked.  When I think about it, I know its a lost opportunity for my business, a squeamishness that perhaps I can’t afford, but I am running a little business, out of my home, to kids in my community.  I think the parents can ask their kids if they are having a good time or not, without me soliciting pictures to post. I guess I am relying on good will and personal referrals.

I’m sure some would find my choice overly cautious, perhaps ridiculous, but believe me, this is a rather self-interested choice on  my part.  I know that very soon I will have to insist my children be oh, so careful with their online presence.  I’m sure many a night will involve discussions of Facebook privacy, what exactly was meant in a text, and (hopefully not, but one must be prepared) consolations over a mean cyberspace attack or regretful posting by a former friend.

This is what I thought about when I chose not to put the happy faces and excited yips from my students online.  I thought about how close to their teens many of them are.  How quickly a few years go by.  How difficult it will be for me to say to my kids “but you were younger then, it was ok.  Do as I say, not as I did!”

So, for now, I refrain from the happy photo shoot and rely only on videos of the bots, with the occasional back of the head, hands or feet in the shot as the only proof my students were ever here.   To be honest, I’m pretty sure it will all be ok, with or without the pretty photo shoot with the kids.

Frances Donovan,

overly cautious parent and proprietor of Animation and Robotics.