BBC Dad vs. BBC Mom

If you were on the internet last week, you had the pleasure of watching this (probably multiple times):

The video is pure comedic joy. From the high-stepping daughter entering the room and the baby who rolls in after her to the mom’s Risky Business slide into the room and desperate dive at the end, it’s an absolute delight. I’m so happy this exists.

I’ve watched the video countless times, as well as follow-up interviews and reports. I certainly empathize with the reporter, as I know what it’s like to try to give a professional opinion while tiny creatures make their presence known.

But there’s one thing that’s bothered me from the first time I watched the video. It’s a tiny bother, a little thing. I don’t think it’s worth bashing Kelly over, nor do I claim I’d do any better.

Rather, I’d like to celebrate a video that reminds me what it looks like to embrace the unexpected bundles of joy in our lives instead of pushing them away. The following video is almost pure satire, but it’s the tender moment at the very beginning that touched me.

How do you think you would have reacted in this awkward situation?

5 thoughts on “BBC Dad vs. BBC Mom”

  1. I think I would have responded the same way that he did. Just try to keep calm, and hope that it would be all over soon. I thought he handled himself well and didn’t realize that there were people who didn’t feel the same.

    Reply
    • Yeah, it’s the part where he pushes his daughter by the face that made some people mad. Granted, he was making that gesture while looking at the monitor, not his daughter, so it looks more aggressive than it actually was. But I really like the tenderness of the mother’s approach in comparison (even though it’s a satirical video).

      Reply
  2. I’d like to think if this were a job interview, or a small conference call, or even a podcast. He would have taken the mother’s approach. But it being the BBC being broadcast worldwide, he was probably mortified out of his mind, and did what came to his head first. I want to say I’ve heard kids on a few podcasts interrupting, and nearly every time the speaker addresses them, excuses themselves for a minute or two, and then comes back, especially if its not a solo podcast.

    Reply
  3. Jamey,

    I could only hope that I would remain as composed as the correspondent. The fact that he covered his daughter’s face, while probably not the best way to address her appearance, didn’t seem as harsh as the way the mom yanked the little one past the table. Having said that, unless you’ve been in that position, I wouldn’t criticize anyone’s reaction.

    Cheers,
    Joe

    Reply

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