So my BFF Stacy suggested that I make a video of me as a guy for my kids. I have a one and six year old and I really like the idea of giving them something to remember who their dad was. They will always have me but they are so young they wont really know their father or gain the understanding of him that comes from growing up. While it makes me sad I know they will have a better parent in me.

Any thought or suggestion on what to include or non include in the video. I don't want to make a video apologizing to them for what I did. I will still be around for them to understand. I was thinking of something along the line of who I am, what I enjoy, the way I lived my life. The whole thing makes me so sad that with the help of E all I do is tear up when I think of it.
-M

I would just tell them about your life and why you are doing what you are doing. How you felt when they were born. What it felt like to be their dad.

This seems like a good idea on paper, but I am wondering how your kids will view it. Who you were will seem like a strange man they never met long since gone. In a way, this video is more about your wife I think. A remembrance for her sake.

I kinda agree with Melody. I don't think your kids will necessarily mourn the "loss" of their father in the same way that you do. After all, they will have you right there, and they will be surrounded by loving parents.

If I made a video I might not make a specific video that was like a monologue for them to see later in life that was apologetic in tone, or sort of setting the expectation that they will see your transition as loss, but more just get some videos of you playing with them, and being yourself. It feels to me sort of like making a video monologue like that kinda sets the expectation and mood of loss of fatherhood. But transition doesn't feel that simple to me - because even though there is some loss, it's not a complete loss because you still are who you are. You still are their father, even after transition (even if they don't call you that).

I dunno, with me you kinda have to take my advice with a grain of salt. I'm not sure if it's helpful, but I wanted to offer up my thoughts on it. I think it's so cool that you are thinking about this sort of thing though, trying to capture some images of yourself before transition. It's really thoughtful, and beautiful that you are thinking this way.

I think this is a bad idea.
It leaves a bad taste in my mouth.
The childrens biological father is you. A female with a male body. Their father is a woman. To make them a video of you in the male incarnation? Kinda creepy. They will be just fine to be raised by you as a woman without referances to you as a male. As long as you are truthful about their lineage and how it is possible that you are their father they will be fine.
I am sure they will want to see pictures of you as a male eventualy but that would just be them displaying morbid curiosity. A thing to be discouraged if you ask me.

I tend to agree with cynthialee.  Recording a video like that is usually reserved for people who aren't going to be around anymore.  You're still you, just your body is changing.  There's no reason o make a huge record of what ou used to look like any more than there is to record that awkward phase where you totally wanted to dress like Christina Agulera every day.

Wow, Thanks for the comments. I hadn't thought of that side of it.
Dosen't seem to be such a good idea any more.
I guess I still have trouble seeing life post transition. The HRT effects are starting to become more obvious so the time is coming.
Thanks,
M

Nah, I wouldn't do it. If you're still around there's not a reason. It would imply that at one point in your life you were someone that you offed. You may collapse the universe with some odd physics loophole, then I'd be mad at you.