Video calling/messaging!

[Love_Young]

I am know this isn't necessarily portrayed as an immigration question but I figured this may be just the right place to ask this question and get some helpful responses. Please bare with me. Well as you all know with immigration comes being miles away from people, whether that be spouses, children, friends, or other family members. In mine and hubby's road to my immigrating here, I have had to be away from my home and my mom (whom I love so dearly). We are blessed enough that we can talked unlimited on the phone but I still get saddened that I haven't seen her face in over 2 years. Sometimes just hearing a voice doesn't seem good enough, you know? My mom unfortunately though is not very capable of using a computer nor owns one. I was considering doing the video messaging/calling thing with her however there aren't many options out there that don't involve knowing how to use a computer.

I guess my real questions would be this: Can anyone recommend any tips to over come this and still be able to video chat? I had considered purchasing her an iPad or iPod once I start working but not sure she would be able to use it well without me being there to teach her. And then I also considered the actual phones you can buy just for video chatting but not sure which is a good one to use.

In general, can anyone recommend a good service and tool to use for video chatting? I miss my family and mom so much. It would be a true delight to physically see and talk to them again until I can visit. Any tips, advice, or recommendations would be great. I am looking forward to all of your responses.

 

[bonbon9]

Aww Love_Young
The best advice that I can give you is to teach her how to use Skype, it would be easy because there is an option to set on Skype so it opens automatically on startup and it automatically logs her in, so she doesn`t have to do anything other than turning on the computer. My mother doesn`t know much about computers either but she manages. It takes just a bit of patience I find Skype very user friendly. My mother learned how to add contacts and now she chats with everyone except me! Hee hee!

Good luck!

 

[Canooknic]

I would recommend Skype too, my Mom is completely PC illiterate so i sent her a step-by-step sheet for turning it on and logging into Skype (i set up the email address and Skype account for her and just gave her the Skype user name & password to save more confusion!) and she has managed to log on at the arranged time each week.
It makes such a huge difference to actually see her, and even more for her to be able to see and talk to my little boys each week. It is hard sometimes because she gets upset, it would be easier not to see that, but the benefits far outweigh the tears!!!!

 

[Love_Young]

I was definitely thinking Skype. But would you recommend just finding her an affordable computer or just having like say an iPod/iPad etc. bonbon9, I really love the fact that it can autosign in and all she would have to do is click it. And Canooknic, yes seeing them definitely makes a huge difference. I know she misses my hubby too. My in laws haven't got to meet her yet either because tickets are so pricey right now. I am also thinking into the future of when we have children, that I want her to be able to see them as much as possible to. Skype seems to be the best thing for this. How did you explain what to do though for your mom?

 

[Canooknic]

I was definitely thinking Skype. But would you recommend just finding her an affordable computer or just having like say an iPod/iPad etc. bonbon9, I really love the fact that it can autosign in and all she would have to do is click it. And Canooknic, yes seeing them definitely makes a huge difference. I know she misses my hubby too. My in laws haven't got to meet her yet either because tickets are so pricey right now. I am also thinking into the future of when we have children, that I want her to be able to see them as much as possible to. Skype seems to be the best thing for this. How did you explain what to do though for your mom?

I literally did a list of each step (very tedious, but it seemed to work!) starting with
'Push button to turn on base unit'
'Turn on monitor'
'Wait for Windows logo and click start in bottom left corner' etc etc

She was so worried that my boys would forget her (they are almost 3) so now they talk to her, have told her about our new house & their bedrooms, and what they want for their birthdays!! It's very cute to see their little faces light up when she comes on the screen - absolutely priceless, and a guaranteed way of making sure that they know their Nanny!

 

[Love_Young]

I literally did a list of each step (very tedious, but it seemed to work!) starting with
'Push button to turn on base unit'
'Turn on monitor'
'Wait for Windows logo and click start in bottom left corner' etc etc

She was so worried that my boys would forget her (they are almost 3) so now they talk to her, have told her about our new house & their bedrooms, and what they want for their birthdays!! It's very cute to see their little faces light up when she comes on the screen - absolutely priceless, and a guaranteed way of making sure that they know their Nanny!

Aww what a lovely and cute story. I am sure it is a site to see. I am sure Nanny's face lights up just as much too.
Well I am certain I will have to go about writing mine the same way for my mom but the extra work will be completely worth it.

Thanks for your advice. Means a lot to me.

 

[Jurjen]

A simple laptop is not very expensive any more. Your mom doesn't need the fastest and newest technology available. Just something with a webcam and USB port for connecting a headset. The most anoying thing is probably that she needs to get ADSL just for video calls, but I think it's worth it. Maybe if your mom will get the hang of it, she'll start using the internet for other things. Just get a good anti-virus, it's essential for people that don't know the risks and dangers of the internet.

 

[Love_Young]

Thanks Jurjen for the tips. We certainly have a lot of options out there for us. I figure with me and her discussing it, we will find what works best for both of us. But these tips have been amazing and will be something we discuss over together for sure. Thank you again.

 

[Jurjen]

No problem. You just need some time to get everything installed and setup properly, just like the other people already mentioned. Make sure everything works pretty much automatically (login on to Skype for example) and just a short explanatory list for in worst case scenarios. Maybe you have a brother or sister that's handy with computers and can help a bit?

 

[Love_Young]

Yeah we definitely need to look at things that keep it simple for her to use and simple for me to explain as well. No, I am an only child. Lol but that would have been nice to have extra help.

 

[Canooknic]

Aww what a lovely and cute story. I am sure it is a site to see. I am sure Nanny's face lights up just as much too.
Well I am certain I will have to go about writing mine the same way for my mom but the extra work will be completely worth it.

Thanks for your advice. Means a lot to me.

No problem, moving away is really hard, we all need to stick together!!

 

[Love_Young]

No problem, moving away is really hard, we all need to stick together!!

So very true. It is very nice to find comfort and be able to relate with everyone on similar levels and to remind you that you aren't alone in this.

 

[bonbon9]

Just get a good anti-virus, it's essential for people that don't know the risks and dangers of the internet.

Totally agree with Jurjen
I have found that Avira Antivirus is the best free antivirus out there. I would recommend getting that one