The Kids Grow Up is as much about a father dealing with the fact that his little girl is not so little anymore as it is about the child herself. Block takes on the, at times, uncomfortable dual role of documentarian and dad, talking to Lucy as she hangs out with her friends, dates a French boy (ugh, so glad I have sons) and prepares to leave for college.

There are a few uncomfortable moments. The boyfriend and Lucy converse in French right in front of Block, who doesn't know the language and wonders what they're talking about. (Did I mention that I'm glad I have boys?) A lot of the film is structured around interviews Block conducts with Lucy, something he recommends as a good way to get to know your kids. (I've tried this myself, and it does make for some good home movies.) Late in the film, when Block asks Lucy how she feels about going away to college and leaving her friends, family, and yes, that French boyfriend behind, she starts to cry, and asks him to shut off the camera. It's easy to see why as a filmmaker, Block kept this scene. As a parent, though, it was gut-wrenching to watch; part of me wanted Block to turn the damn thing off and give his kid a big hug.

Block's main point is that "No one tells you how to let go of kids," and he's right. Children leaving home is as much a part of the parenting process as raising them—something I hadn't given a lot of thought to until now.

Block's film includes footage of Lucy as a little girl (spoiler alert: she's precocious and adorable) and that inspired me to start shooting more video of my own children. Not because I'm planning on making my own documentary, but because the more footage I have, the easier it will be to remember how young and cute and innocent they were when those adjectives no longer apply.

The Kids Grow Up premieres on HBO2 on Sunday, June 19 at 5:15pm. The DVD hits stores July 19.

Brett Singer blogs about being a NYC dad at DaddyTips.com.