Technology · Advice & Questions · Oct 19

Who should choose the photos for the digital frame we gave Mum?

Technology

Mum paused the new digital frame on a photograph of her garden and left it there all afternoon. My sister said she was missing the point: we had spent Sunday filling the album with recent family pictures so it could keep changing.

Mum likes the frame. She also likes this particular garden photo. My sister wants all the grandchildren represented and has started asking me to remind everyone to upload something each week. I was the one who set it up, so the requests have landed with me.

I thought we were giving Mum an easier way to see pictures. It is beginning to feel like a small family publication with me collecting contributions and her being asked to view the full edition.

Would you let her keep a few favourites on the screen, or encourage the changing album we prepared? I do not want my sister's work dismissed. I also cannot see why a gift should require Mum to enjoy every feature we chose for it.

Discussion

4 community replies

@TheoInTransit

Mum's decision to leave the garden visible is useful information about what she enjoys. Let that lead the everyday setup. The family album can remain available without being a weekly viewing obligation.

@maren17

Your sister may be thinking about a grandchild feeling left out. Talk about that worry directly rather than making automatic rotation responsible for family fairness. A still image of the garden need not be a ranking of the people in the album.

@northstar88

Separate the setup favour from an ongoing upload job. Ask whether anyone actually wants to coordinate weekly contributions before accepting that role yourself. The frame did not come with a family agreement that you would collect pictures forever.

@softfocus

Could Mum choose a small favourites collection, with new photos offered when she asks or at an agreed interval? Check what this frame actually supports and what she finds comfortable. You are looking for a routine she enjoys, not maximum use of every menu.

Who should choose the photos for the digital frame we gave Mum?

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