Navigating motherhood in a world dominated by social media is no easy feat. While many of us attempt to share charming and humorous moments, the reality often involves a mix of anxiety and, let’s be honest, a bit of artifice. To give you a glimpse behind the scenes of my carefully curated Instagram feed, here are 10 surprising truths you probably don’t know about me:
- That trendy black and white rug from IKEA? It’s a hot mess. Sure, it looks fabulous in my photos, especially when my kids were tiny and immobile, but it’s riddled with stains—everything from baby spit-up to juice spills. A little strategic child positioning and a brightening filter can work wonders, but don’t be fooled; my rug is far from pristine.
- You’re only seeing my best shots—after at least five attempts. That “candid” picture of my kids having fun? It took roughly 217 snaps from every angle imaginable. And even then, I send it through my Camera+ app for that extra flair.
- If you count how many times I appear in my own photos, you’ll find that it coincides with how often I’ve bothered to blow-dry my hair and wear actual clothes in the last two years. Most days, I’m in black activewear, or as my husband calls them, my “quirky sweatpants.” So don’t think I’m rocking jeans at the library or a cute outfit at playdates. When I do manage to look presentable, you can bet I’ll post a pic to show off.
- I live in a duplex. It’s cozy, but it’s not a sprawling mansion. I share a wall with neighbors and have vinyl siding—definitely not the glamorous lifestyle you might think! I do have some cute purses and shoes, so I understand if you feel misled.
- I know not everyone is interested in my kids’ antics, but I have family who loves to see them! Sending individual texts with photos is just not happening. Plus, clever hashtags don’t translate well over text.
- My eldest son’s eyes? They’re not as blue as they appear in photos. They’re strikingly blue, but I can’t resist adding some lo-fi effect to really make them pop. “OMG! Look at those eyes!” I know, right? But hey, that’s just how it goes!
- Coming up with hashtags is tougher than it seems. Seriously, it’s a challenge!
- The pressure to get likes is all too real. It takes me back to middle school, where I’d think, “Why didn’t she like my post?” It’s a silly game we play, and even as an adult, I find myself caught up in it.
- Many days, I feel like I’m doing a subpar job as a mom. Sure, I post about our fun trips and playdates, but you don’t see the moments when my nearly 3-year-old is glued to his iPad, begging for more snacks or ignoring my attempts at cooking him breakfast. Or when I’m constantly telling my 1-year-old, “Don’t touch that!” You’re only getting a tiny snapshot of my chaotic day-to-day life.
- I wish I could rebel against Instagram’s expectations, but it has a grip on me. At least once a month, I think about ditching my phone and the pressures of oversharing. But then I snap a perfect shot, remember a filter I haven’t used in a while, and I’m right back in the game before I can step away.
This peek into my life reminds us that social media often shows a polished version of reality. For more insights into the journey of parenthood, check out this excellent resource on pregnancy and home insemination at CCRM IVF.
In summary, the reality behind my Instagram posts is a blend of messiness, effort, and the occasional staged moment. Life as a mom is far from perfect, and my feed only captures a fraction of it.