Updated: Sep. 12, 2015
Originally Published: Sep. 11, 2015
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Meet a mom who’s been posting selfies where she lovingly cradles her snoozing baby girl—while cheekily flipping her off. Predictably, the internet has not taken kindly to this. If you’re a parent and say you’ve never felt the urge to express your frustration toward your child—whether through a sneaky gesture or by yelling into a pillow—I’m not buying it. Babies are absolute bundles of joy, but they can also drive you up the wall. It’s perfectly normal for a parent to feel a little irritated, and sharing that feeling shouldn’t come with a wave of judgment.
Take Lucy, for instance, a columnist whose seven-month-old daughter has mastered the art of sleeplessness. Lucy affectionately describes her little one as “a total diva” when it comes to bedtime: “Sometimes, it takes more time to get this tiny ruler to sleep than she actually stays asleep. On those nights, I’ll celebrate her hard-earned nap with a selfie where she’s blissfully unaware and I’m giving her a cheeky salute.” Lucy then shares these snapshots on her blog for all to see.
Internet Reactions
Naturally, the internet is buzzing with opinions:
- “You give your baby the finger and still think you’re a decent parent? Seriously? What will she think when she’s old enough to see those photos? You need a reality check because she picks up on both the good and the bad vibes.”
- “Wow, you’re a terrible parent. That poor child! You’re a narcissist, and I can only imagine the damage you’re doing to her self-esteem.”
- “Malignant narcissism aside… oh wait, that’s the only thing here.”
- “Maybe rethink your coping mechanisms; you’ll need them more than you think. Seriously, what’s the point of sharing these photos? If it doesn’t help anyone, why do it? Keep it together, lady. I’m sure your mother is proud.”
Well, that escalated quickly! Some people feel the need to remind the world how superior they are as parents because they would never dare to do such a thing to their “perfect” child. Of course, they have to overreact to a stranger’s harmless fun to validate their own parenting choices. Must be nice to have everything figured out!
What Lucy is doing is not only harmless, but it’s also downright funny. It’s relatable for any parent who’s ever felt the weight of sleepless nights. We’ve all been there! Sure, maybe we didn’t flip off our babies, but those feelings of frustration are universal. Personally, I found my own release in locking the door and shouting into a pillow when my little ones refused to sleep—my son, the worst sleeper ever, remained blissfully unaware, but it worked wonders for my sanity. Sleep deprivation can make anyone feel a little loopy!
Some people worry about the “damage” Lucy might be inflicting on her oblivious infant by sharing her lighthearted “baby salute” selfies. But really, is anyone actually concerned this is harming the child? When she sees these photos as an adult—maybe after having kids of her own—she’ll likely find them hilarious. Honestly, everyone needs to take a chill pill. If flipping off your baby isn’t your style (again, I’m still convinced you’re fibbing), just focus on your own parenting journey and let Lucy be.
This article was originally published on Sep. 11, 2015.
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Summary
Parenting can be frustrating, and it’s completely normal for parents to blow off steam in humorous ways, like sharing silly selfies. A mom recently sparked debate by posting photos of herself flipping off her sleeping baby, a gesture that many parents can relate to. While some critics have harsh opinions, it’s essential to recognize the humor and relatability in these moments of parenting frustration.