After many lengthy discussion about the misrepresentation/embellishment of life (and more specifically parenting) on Facebook by mums and dads, I've decided to start a Wednesday Confessional: 7 Things You Don't Know About This Photo.
I'm all for transparency when it comes to real life. I mean, I'd hate to think someone decides to give parenting a try based on a near flawless photo I've posted of myself nailing mummyhood.
So here goes nothing (and everything).
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| Taking a snack break on the bench #victoriapark #beautifulfallday |
1. I used an Instagram Filter
Ok, Ok, this one is pretty obvious (to most). But! I'm coming clean just in case some people think that Mummyhood gives you and your children a lovely orange-yellow glow.2. It took nine takes to get us both looking this fabulous
No, my son doesn't look directly into the camera with his coy little smirk on-demand. In fact, I believe I just caught him mid-sentence (during an angry protest), so the smirky smile is definitely a lie. I may have also exclaimed "K look! There's daddy!" to get him to look in the right direction.3. He was upset that I made him take a break from the playground to have a snack
K didn't want to have a snack, like my post may have implied. I bribed him over with the promise of Goldfish, and then when we got to the bench, I pulled an apple slices switch-a-roo (again, he was not impressed). He immediately threw the apples in the dirt and given the urban locale of the park, they were a write-off... so I gave him the Goldfish.4. He slid off the bench in protest 6 times
If I would've taken a picture of his back, you would see the red marks to prove it. This is also why his hat is pushed up all cute-like on the top of his head.5. It was way too hot that day to be dressed in our fall attire
I put my jacket back on and did up K's long sleeved shirt to give the illusion that it was a beautiful fall day. In reality, it was 29 degrees and we were so sweaty. The only reason K still had that shirt on is because I forgot the sunscreen and didn't want his arms to burn (bonus mum points...right?)6. I was feeling inadequate as a mum that day
K had watched 2 hours of cartoons that afternoon while I attempted to fold the laundry I had washed days earlier. We went to the park for 1/2 hr in the late afternoon so I could feel a little less guilty about how bored he probably was. I originally wanted to take the picture to send to D to suggest our afternoon was soo fun and filled with fresh-air that there was no way I could've gotten the laundry done.7. I was about to realize that I was doing just fine
While I was fiddling with my phone trying to select the right instagram filter, K gave me an unprompted hug and kiss then slid off the bench, marched over to a cute little three year old and offered to share his Goldfish with her. She accepted and they spent the next 15 min following each other around on the playground. Her mum complimented me on how polite K was. This mummy was a bit puffed with pride.So there you have it. The picture I posted, while it may have presented us in our best light, represented the day's events, both frustrating and fabulous. My life as a mummy may not be as orange-yellow and smiley as this picture (and others I post) may suggest, but it is filled with a million moments both good and bad that I wouldn't trade for the world.
Until next time my friends!
-A
