Making your children movie stars has never been easier. With the glut of digital video cameras and home-editing equipment available, you can create productions of a quality undreamed of by our parents and grandparents. You and your children can easily capture once-in-a-lifetime events and create a priceless family history.

Before you begin, be sure to go online or to the library to get ideas and tips. You and your kids will be glad you did your homework when you see the final results.

One surefire hint for better video: be sure you have a baby or child on-screen. You can’t go wrong if you feature lots of life, activity, and movement. When it comes to cataloging your family on video, try to include birthdays, holidays, special vacations, and other highlights. Don’t attempt to film everything, but it’s definitely okay to shoot more than you need if you plan to edit later.

As your children grow older, turn over the camera to them on occasion, freeing yourself to be on-screen for a change. You may end up with an avant-garde approach, but go with it. Let them expand their creativity.

The home movies your children shoot will become family heir-looms for a new generation, a visual scrapbook of moments of joy that have passed into eternity. One day you’ll weep and smile to see missing loved ones live on TV.

God doesn’t promise us a set number of smiles, a certain number of hugs. You have no guarantees, no idea how long you’ll have with your children. That’s why the fun filmed today will turn to treasure tomorrow.