Regarding Isla:
I wanted to share this the other day, but this ‘Fidget’ BS got in the way. Apologies, it’s a bit of a rant...
Sarah - I truly hope you pay serious attention to this. Most of us are deeply concerned about Isla, but you filmed something the other day that might be a golden opportunity to start improving her predicament. Of course she should be in school, but your misplaced arrogance and selfishness won’t allow that. However...
You filmed her playing ‘Twinkle Twinkle Little Star’ on the keyboard with 2 fingers. She’s 9.
Get your ass on Google with her and look up the origins of the piece. I’m sure she’d be interested. Maybe you would too, instead of just panning the camera back to your toddler.
The musical arrangement is by Mozart. He was composing complex pieces age 5. Look up optimum time for children to begin learning piano - it’s ages 6-9. Of course, anyone can learn at any age, but this is a perfect time & opportunity to foster any interest she has.
If you won’t get her lessons with a real teacher - Covid restrictions may prevent this right now - at least get her an online course for her age. And her OWN keyboard for her room. She needs an escape route from vying for the camera’s affection, which you meter out sparingly for her.
For anyone watching, it comes across that you really don’t care for her much. When your 2 year old asked you to film her (that’s pretty sad at best) you cackled and said no, you were filming him. Isla learned early in life that acting out or being unwell earned her camera time which translates as attention from her parents.
It’s clear you’ve lost interest in her. You keep your middle child close to you when you deign to share face time during your ramblings & for now, she’s lapping it up. I don’t think any of us would be surprised to learn that off camera things are very much worse for Isla.
So at least - give her music. Give her something to develop for herself. It’s been a refuge for humanity since we first learned to bang things together.
It’s tragic how much of ‘growing up’ your eldest has missed out on. All of us have more interesting stories of our teen years than her - pandemic aside. She can’t get those years back. But Isla has a real chance if you’ll put your ego and camera aside. You failed to nurture her interest in astronomy, you degrade what little school work she does, and we only see a fraction of your toxic behavior.
Remember - ask her if she’s interested in learning piano seriously - get advice on a good keyboard & research online lessons.
Fuck - if it helps - she may be a budding prodigy & make tons of money. Think of the content!! Got your attention now? You can even pretend that you came up with the idea.
Just do something other than talking to the camera & buying shit.