Let’s be real. Overdoing it when you post about your kids on social media is looked down upon by some. Okay, by many. Some find it obnoxious. Some find it annoying. They may even enjoy putting the eye roll emoji in a text.
Mom 1: “Did you see pictures of her first day of toilet training?”
Mom 2: “Ugh. Who cares if your baby can pee now on the potty?”
(FYI: It definitely may deem an eye roll if you show a picture of what’s left in the toilet. 🙂 )
But I confess. I am probably one of those people who has created a few eyerolls along the way. Okay, maybe more than a few. Because, at this point, I have four kids. And about four hundred thousand posts. And have been going strong for nearly 10 years now. And if you’re wondering, that’s a lot of pictures.
I post their first-day-of-school pictures.
And I post about their accomplishments.
I post when something funny happens.
And I post when we are all struggling to hold it together.
I post when they make me laugh.
And sometimes, when they make me cry.
I post when we look cute.
But I also post when we look like a mess.
And sometimes I post when everything is absolutely normal but oh so very sweet.
And even though that’s a lot, and sometimes I have wondered if maybe I should stop, I have decided over-posting is my jam.
Why It’s Okay to Post About Your Kids on Social Media
Here are a few reasons why I wonder if maybe (just maybe) it’s not nearly as bad as it sounds.
1. Every time I take a moment to post, it reminds me to slow down and be present.
This may sound silly, but it is absolutely true. Every time I take a moment to slow down and acknowledge the sweetness or silliness of a moment, it forces my brain to take a moment and sit in my reality. Life is rushed. Going 100 miles per hour if we aren’t careful to slow down. It’s easy to make it through the day without noticing what is really in front of you. (Precious bundles of kids.) And sometimes, it’s good to be reminded to stop and be present. And for me, pulling out my phone and snapping a photo of their cuteness is just what I need to slow my roll. And smile.
2. My posts force me to laugh at my life instead of cry.
Okay, if you’re an over-poster, the ethics in it say you have to be honest. You can’t just post the perfect. You have to post the real too. And for me, I’m an external processor. I once had a rough day because my toddler took a tub of butter and spread it all over my kitchen. I posted, “Looks like someone is trying to butter me up.” Just that simple little joke made me be able to laugh instead of cry while I cleaned up butter off of all of my counters. And just taking a moment to joke helps to flip my mood. It’s therapeutic in a way. But a lot cheaper than therapy.
3. I know sweet posts encourage other mothers to love motherhood.
Have you ever been at a restaurant watching a family have a really good time together and thought, “I want to have that same type of thing with my family!” So then you go home and act more intentionally with your own family? Well, social media has that power too. When moms spread messages about loving their kids, it encourages other moms to hug and love their kids. Yes, they may not be entirely in love with your babies, but they may be motivated to squeeze their little chunky squishy baby tighter when you show them yours. (Or they may just think yours IS, in fact, the cutest ever!)
4. I know honest posts show other mothers they aren’t alone.
On the opposite note, honest posts help other moms feel a sense of solidarity when things aren’t so perfect. They don’t feel alone when they see you have the same things in your life as theirs. If your house looks messy, they feel relief. If they see you can’t make your bathroom not smell like pee, they know they are normal. If they see you had a wild experience at a restaurant, maybe they won’t be scared to go out to dinner with you. Because they know you feel their toddler-not-sitting-in-a-highchair-pain! Moms like to feel normal.
5. My posts keep a timeline of my life to stop and look back on.
And last but not least, I am okay with over-posting because I always think I will remember, but when old posts pop up, I am reminded how quickly time flies. And how I have forgotten. An old video of my second son talking to me popped up, and I honestly couldn’t remember his voice sounding that way. It got me in my heart. Why don’t I record them every day? I felt panicked. Then laughed. At least I have over-posted. And this specific video caught them being little. Even if I wasn’t intentional enough to notice their voice then, I can now.
So maybe I won’t call it over-posting anymore. Instead, I think I’ll call it . . . intentionally remembering. Intentionally remembering the good and the not-so-good and that motherhood is a gift—every messy part.
That’s why I will always over-post, so I won’t forget how blessed I am.
Do you post about your kids on social media? Are you a fan? Not a fan. Let us know.
