So yesterday morning started with my eyes snapping open at 6am. I tugged at Dan, my entire body a ball of Christmas morning-like energy. “Heeeheeee. I’m gonna be on TV in 2 hours. Heeeheeee.”
He was unannoyed but unmoved as I rocked him back and forth with my hands. “Heeheee. Are you excited? I’m famous. I’m famous for the day, remember?”
Shortly after 7am my posse started arriving with food and kids. Eve brought crepes and several other friends showed up for a potluck breakfast in our pajamas. The kids ran around in total chaos and we ate and analyzed the little teasers for my segment.
It was on, everyone screamed and squealed and then and it was over.
The full segment can be found here. NCS is apparently even more techie than I am, although not nearly as nerdy, and she posted this YouTube collage of my portions of the broadcast so you can watch it here for the condensed commercial-free all-DYM version.
So, there you have it. Looking back, I have a few thoughts on the experience and the final piece. First off, I majored in documentary film in college. My favorite films are not just documentaries but SPARSE documentaries, no lighting, no makeup, no background music, no narration, just simply-made films of people telling their stories. I certainly would never use a fuzzy filter or jazzy music in one of my films.
However, when I agreed to do the Today Show, I knew I was going on a morning news magazine which is basically the opposite of my film style and I was okay with that. I liked being called “today’s tech mom” with giant letters across my face. I wish I’d been called “today’s TECHNO mom” and had dance music playing in the background.
Strangely I even enjoyed having my picture sliced and whizzed off to the side, although I would have preferred the freeze-frame to fold up like a cube and roll off the screen.
I was a little saddened to be on the show the same day as Sanjaya. I sort of feel like he was all up in my spotlight but I will likely get over the bitterness in time. My friends were quick to point out that everyone in my house screamed and cheered for my segment and he didn’t get nearly as warm of an audience response.
I also mourn the fact that they didn’t show the footage of Dan and I smooching as I said goodbye to him that morning. It’s in the can somewhere at NBC so technically I guess they could whip it out at any time for a segment about parents who teach their kids by example that making out is okay, especially in front of a TV crew.
Of course I think all three moms should have gotten more air time, a chance to tell our stories rather than have them summed up for us and possibly the chance for me to be discovered by some film producer looking to make a movie about nerd moms who wear layers and have allergic reactions to their own lipstick.
My favorite part of the piece has got to be Laylee yelling “COOOKIE!” as we strolled the dairy isle, followed by me laughing semi-maniacally. The film snob and Canuck in me was also pleased that the segment started with a clip from one of the National Film Board of Canada animated short videos we love.
The sound bites were sound-bitey but if you break down the main themes covered in the piece, I have to say I agree with nearly all of them.
As mothers today we have more choices than our mothers had.
Technology can be a great help if we use it wisely and don’t let it add unneeded stress to our lives.
Although I think we tread on dangerous ground when we even TRY to define “the perfect mom”, I appreciated that the definition was not a rigid indictment or endorsement of any one lifestyle or personality-type. What they said was that ideally a mom pursues her own interests as well as taking care of her family.
They talked about sharing your passions with your child. I think I’m doing a great job at this. Magoo is fully in love with shoes and the other day when I took Laylee’s picture, she asked me to “upload it to the server” so we could send it out to everyone. We also do pilates together and all three of us enjoy a good shopping cart race when the aisles are clear. And, as noted previously, Dan and I share our passions with the kids every morning as I say goodbye to him at the door.
All the moms at my house had to laugh when the survey results mentioned that the majority of moms today think their life is harder, sadder and more stressful than mothers 20 years ago. OF COURSE moms today think that. What were we all doing 20 years ago? Calling our mom from school, asking her to bring our forgotten homework assignment. Doing ALL THE CHORES because our lazy mom was such a slave driver. Spending time asking for name brand jeans because the mortgage paid itself. Of course things are harder and more stressful now than they were 20 years ago. 20 years ago, we had no concept of what it meant to be the mom. She made it look easy so it must have been, right?
Overall I think it was quite positive, not nearly as polarizing or divisive as so much of the parenting media I see. What did you think of the segment?
wow, you looked great! I really liked the piece, really personable I thought, of course they are always too short…just when you want to really know more, they move on. I am so glad someone put it on youtube, we don’t have a tv hooked up, so this was the only way I could watch it. Great job! I loved the cookie part too, and the part that showed you working on your blog. We live in amazing times.
You totally ROCK! I feel so honored to have been included in your ‘posse’. I love famous people! In fact, knowing you has even made me respond to a blog–this is a first! Anyway, way to make all of us Moms look great! (Now, if only my daughter would have had her eyes open for her first big moment on your site–maybe next time!)
Great job! The thing I kept thinking about as they were talking about how moms today are more stressed in in part because of technology…
think about it… first we had a corded phone. We had to STOP what we were doing to talk on it. Then we got a cordless phone, allowing us to move around when we talked. Before answering machines and call waiting and caller ID… if we missed a call — oh well — and we didn’t care that we missed the call because we didn’t know what we were missing….
and now the cell phone and the blackberries… we are reachable anywhere, allowing us to cram more into our days….
I in no way, shape, or form want to give up my technology….but I can see how it’s stressed us out a bit…. 🙂
Again, great job!
You had a slave driver mom too??? Well that blows my theory of being the lone persecuted child having to do everything around here.
I think you are right, Motherhood is hard no matter when you’re doing it, actually strike that being a Good Mother is hard… Sure we have challenges that are unique to our day and age. But didn’t they as well?
PS: Your hair looked so cute in those segments!
Great Job! Gosh, and I’m only an occasional lurker ~ and I had you penciled in on my dayrunner… and ran past my hubby and kids screaming, “Daring Mom is on TV this morning! MOVE!!” Yep, a groupie.
Hey… didn’t you think the one dark haired woman talking about all those statistics after the clips was the MOST stressed woman you have ever seen??? I mean, did she poll all the women individually??? Why was she such a bundle of spazzed nerves? Whew. I was exhausted just after watching her.
How fun this must have been for you!! Yay!
I loved the segment, but agree that we don’t really have it any harder than our moms. It’s all a matter of perspective. I’ve never had to house 3 kids in a very small 2 bed room house. My husband has never been laid off in the middle of a recession while I was pregnant with child #3. I’ve never had to pack my family up and move 8 hours from friends & family because that’s where the job was. I’ve never had a child diagnosed as ADHD in first grade and learning disabilities in the second grade.
But I’m sure I’ll face challenges she never had to face. It’s just different…not worse.
You looked like you’ve been doing on camera stuff for years. You were so natural on camera, why aren’t you creating and starring in instructional videos about parenting in the 21st century?
You were cute as a button and did great. And if anything, YOU stole Sanjaya’s thunder!
TECHNO mom would have been awesome. Just think of the mad dancing skillz you could have shown to a national audience.
You were amazing! I totally loved it and hung onto every word. Even the baby stopped fussing for a few minutes.
“The time I spend ONline, my mother spent IN line.” So sound-bitey! So wise!
You are gorgeous and lovely as always. And yes, you’ve met people you wouldn’t’ve otherwise, like MEEEEE! See how much richer your life is already? 😉
I am so envying commenter #9. I loved the segment (despite being insanely too short), but I had to turn the volume up to 35 because my kids both started yowling the second it came on. Apparently they prefer Curious George over you. Sorry, babe. =P
I did a little jump for joy in my seat when I heard your voice live!!! And the funny thing is I didn’t even flinch when you started talking about spreadsheets for the grocery store… because I am a NERD like that 🙂
Yippee! I think it was a great segment. You are a fantastic gal!
Loved the segment. I had the TIVO set, but ended up staying home “sick” so I got to watch it “live”.
You did a wonderful job!
I think you did a great job! Much better than I would have done. I think the Today Show did a pretty good job showing diversity in parenting styles, which is a good thing 🙂
I think motherhood is harder in some ways but easier in other ways. When I was a kid I was allowed to roam around the neighborhood wherever I wanted. My mom would run off to the store to get groceries and didn’t have to drag us all along or have a strategic plan to go when the kids were at school or after dh is home.
But I have a great online community for some adult “speak” where my mom mainly just had her neighbors.
Kathryn, you’re now the poster child for blogger moms. You’re wicked awesome! What if I can’t live up to your amazing techno-savvy-ness? I am kinda sad they didn’t show you and Dan making out though. But thanks for all the traffic yesterday. Lots and lots of people read my pig’s feet story. I gotta share the love somehow.
That was Great. Congratulations, you are a Star! You should have worn a tutu:)
I love the look on your face as you are looking at your computer…
I thought it was great but I agree it was too short. Like someone else said, just when I was wanting to know more it was over. 🙂
Michelle
To add to everything that has been said – you were really good, a total natural in front of the camera. It’s great how technology lets us invite people in our lives, people who we would otherwise never met.
I’m kind of sad they didn’t let you free-style rap for us. THAT’S what tech moms are really about. 😉
It was awesome and I’m proud to know you. I kept pointing you out to my kids and they were impressed that I know someone famous.
My mom would’ve laughed at the thought that I have it easier than she did. Yeah right!
I mean, oops, the other way around.
Excellent job! I hummed techno music to myself while watching (can one actually hum techno music? Hmmm).
Loved the segment and this post! Loved you and the way you looked, and the kids, and your comments in this segment. You are right. Parenting takes energy and love and dedication, no matter what era your in, I think. You and DYD are doing a wonderful job with what the times have to offer in the way of challenges and opportunities! Keep it up! We are lovin you!
Didn’t have time to read other comments, but I think:
It was too short. I wanted more Kathryn face-time!
The lady with the dark hair (can’t remember her name) was so amazingly annoying that I stopped watching. Seriously, I couldn’t handle her mannerisms anymore. I turned it off. Sorry. I did. 🙁 But you were great! And I was mildly arrogant as I said “Honey, honey! I know her! Well, I know her blog!!”
congrats tech mom, you were awesome. but it was too short, and built up, then i felt let down. but then i rewound my dvr and watched it again, and again and again. COOKIE!!!!
Your lipstick looks great!
Wow!
I came to the hamster petting post by way of Liz, and had no idea I was stepping in to meet someone famous. Well, meet, as in me at the back of the crowd, waving my little hand and yelling, “loved your hamster post, way back a year ago!”
How really cool! I’m star struck now!
Oh, that sounds sarcastic. It’s not really. Well, maybe a little of the good sarcasm. There is good sarcasm, right?
I feel special that I have a DYM T-shirt. I am glad I got to see the segment online too, since we don’t get regular TV out here in the sticks. They should have left the Dan smooching in though. What if you start getting a bunch of fan mail from guys that think you are single?
I am so impressed, Kathryn! You looked great, spoke well, and the kids were so cute! Applaud, applaud!
The piece was great – and I love your take on all of this… 20 years ago it was a lot easier for me to parent… being 10 and all 🙂 You know, each age has it’s challenges – I don’t know that you can say one era is easier than another. I have a son with autism and 50-60 years ago they blamed the mothers. Called it “refrigerator mother” syndrome – you just didn’t love your kid enough. A lot of those kids were put into institutions… now, I have help from the schools and other agencies – there will always be struggles – being a mom is NEVER easy!!
First of all, I recorded it,cheered really loud and jumped up and down when it came on, watched it all, and then rewinded it to watch it again. I think they should have spent more time of you 3 moms and less with the ‘experts’. I felt we were a little cheated having you taken away so quickly.
I did like Michelle Borba’s suggestion of sharing your passion and taking time to relax together. Great ideas.
And why did they use the word ‘perfect mom’?? I just don’t get it.
Again…more time for real moms and not the 3 women who I suspect have very little balance in their lives.
Congrats! Your blog is amazing – you actually inspired me to start blogging almost a year ago. Your segment was great – I wish you continued success.
I think you had the cutest hair and the most adorable kids out of all the mom shots. And I love that you had your own mom party to celebrate your big debute. Now that’s classy and downright fun.
I also think the lady with brown hair needed to take a valium and to knock her volume level down a few notches. I also disagreed with her when said “Happy Moms make happy kids. Happy kids make happy moms.” That’s just a little too fairy tale-ish for me. I know plenty of times when I was happily sleeping or NOT sleeping if you catch my drift (wink wink) and my kid was screaming his head off. I can also recall times when I was madder than a hornet and those little buggers were laughing. Laughing, I tell you! So needless to say, I don’t buy into the I’m happy – you’re happy crap.
And lastly, I love that you make out with your man in front of the kids. It makes me feel a bit better that I’m not the only one with that hang up and really, you’re just rounding out their education in the long run.
Good show Kathryn. You’re one to watch…
You’re a superstar! You were awesome!
I’m so proud of you!! And, you look fabulous in spring green! (nice haircut, too) 🙂
which one was sanjaya, and which was daring young mom? I’m afriad I got confused… help…
Just kidding! loved it!
Great job! I loved seeing you guys in action – the Daring Ones on tv! My hubby was impressed that you take your PDA to the grocery store (I had to watch it on the NBC feed last night and so he watched it with me)
The commentary by the ladies after the videos was interesting. I don’t feel like we have it any harder than our parents by any means, but times are different, so parenting is different, that’s all. The dark haired woman who was giving her thoughts was full of crazy – kept cracking us up!
You were great! And I agree…more moms, less experts! 😉
S’more comments for ya:
DYM you looked great, I couldn’t tell you had lipstick issues.
Laylee I love “COOOOKIES!” too.
It was too short (repeat comment I know).
I wish I were more Techno savy like you (‘puters, fancy phones and dancing -you’ve got the moves! but Magoo in boots dancing…he rocks! He’s so cute.
Oh, and in defense of the “expert” Michelle?, who seemed to be a bit little crazy that particular morning,…I think she had some pretty good advice to give, but I bet, she’s just a normal person (like us) and she just got a little nervous after talking in a long spirt of energy and just said the “happy kids make happy moms” comment for the sake of just talking more. I know I say silly things (more often) when I really want to say something neat…so give her a break people.
But yeah, and I too wanted to hear more about YOU, DYM (not the “experts”), but I guess that’s what your BLOG is for!
I’ll stop now before I try to say something neat!
Hey, fun! You looked great! (I’m only sorry I missed the segment on the show when it aired.)
Congrats! You looked and sounded wonderful. I’ve been reading your blog a little over a year and really enjoy it. The kids looked especially sweet as well.
Keep up the good work!!!!
Too bad about Sanjaya appearing the same day, I thought your hair looked much better than his.
may I just say that your beautiful friends made me completely homesick for Seattle?! great job on the interview; thanks for sharing the play-by-play.
I am so glad you posted the links so I could see you! You should have gotten more time, for sure. But what was seen was great.
🙂
Wow!! Cool! I am so proud of you, dym!!! Who knew that this little thing called blogging could get you on tv! You looked fabulous and I loved what you had to say, as always. 🙂
I pop over here occasionally (and I don’t know why I don’t come more, because I always like what I see). I was so glad that Shannon told me to pop over. I loved the story, and I totally agree with the techno part. Very cool!
A very nice piece. Congratulations on your fame!
I am so glad you put that up so I could see it. Was not able to watch the Today Show that morning, and with a slow connection at the time, watching your clip would have been impossible.
You are wonderful! Dan, I am sure tells you that every day.
I’m such a geek, I just had a little heart attack that you actually left a comment on my blog.
So the comment to this post is a little late but WHOO-WEE! Way to go, Ms. Celebrity! Shopping with a PDA? No wonder you made it onto t.v. I usually just make sure to shop hungry and so the cart gets filled up one way or another.
So what’s next for you? American Gladiators? The Surreal Life?