This Facebook Rant About Mom Influencers Resonated With Me
Have you all seen this?
This lengthy Facebook rant written by a woman in Utah is definitely relatable in this era of Instagram Influencers – and over 50,000 people also related to this one.
The difference between “real mama life” versus “Instagram mama life.”
“Yesterday while at the pool I watched a young Mama and her little daughter enter the pool area dressed in very nice coordinating swimming suits. The mom, with her perfect loose curls tied up in a coordinating scarf, spent the first few minutes talking loudly on her phone to a friend while her daughter stood to wait to get into the pool. Mom ended the phone call and proceeded to spread out pool toys and sunscreen on a matching towel. Then after finding just the right angle and the right light, Mama pulled out her tripod and took a few selfies with her daughter. Little One asked to get in the pool. Mama said wait and then posed her daughter in front the pool, then going into the pool and then coming back out of the pool. Little one smiled big and said ‘cheese’ like she'd done it a million times. Then Mama told her she could play. Little One walked in and swam around for a couple of minutes. Mama called a friend on her phone and began another conversation while Little One politely and repeatedly asked ‘Mama, can you come in the water with me, please?’ She was ignored. ‘Mama, come play with me?’ she asked 4 more times. Mama glanced over at her but never got off the phone. After 10 minutes Mama ended her call, collected the sunscreen that was never applied, the water toys that never touched the water, and then her daughter and left the pool.
I sat there thinking about what I'd witnessed for a while afterwards. I imagined the photos she took being perfectly edited and posted to social media with a caption like ‘Pool time with my girly! #Makingmemories’.
Somewhere another Mama is going to be at home with her children, the house a mess from their play, her hair unruly from a day of mothering and her clothes dirty with spit up or peanut butter. She's going to be tired because she's spent her day cooking, caring, cleaning and playing with her children. She's going to look at that photo and she is going to compare herself to the perfect Mama at the pool. The Adversary is going to whisper into her ear ‘you aren't good enough... You don't look like that Mama at the pool... You don't have money to buy expensive swimming suits like that and you don't have time to make memories like she is’ and that young Mama is going to believe it. She's going to feel like a failure. She'll never know that how she spent her time that day was so much better in God's eyes and in her children's eyes than that ‘perfect Mama’ at the pool. Ugh!!”
Social media is a magazine – a perfectly curated range of content that someone wants you to see
What we see on social media isn't always real. Sometimes (perhaps oftentimes), it's a complete set-up. It's staged and filtered. It's counterfeit.
Sometimes we do see absolutely real photos of vacations and beautiful homes and freshly done hair, but it is only ONE moment. It's the very best moment from a whole day spent much like our own, surrounded by working, cleaning, and messes...
Mamas, don't compare yourself. You ARE enough! You are amazing – and the very best part is that you are REAL! Your dirty shirt and your messy house and your happy children are real, and they are proof that you are doing it right!
A great reminder for all of us that social media is just a highlight reel
The Facebook rant is a reminder that, for me at least, the experience is more important than the selfie or perfect Instagram image. The experience is more important than sharing the experience.
The rant resonated with me because I know that I occasionally pick venues and restaurants based on what the Instagram picture will look like… But! The difference is that I make sure to take my pictures of the food or experience right away, and then I try to be in the moment with whoever is there.
I can upload it to Instagram later.
And even if I were going someplace for an influencer paid promotion, I would still want to enjoy my experience. Because an actual review and lasting connections are so much more important than a pretty picture. This needs to be said – both to marketers and influencers!
Live in the moment...then share
So, this is your reminder to live in the moment, enjoy time with your family, and also take that photo (because photos are fun!). Sometimes, however, it feels like work posting to Instagram...so don’t focus on the work, but on enjoying your experience! :)
Kids, Fake News + Cyberbullies: An Interview with Kerry Rego
Growing up in a world with social media, Kerry Rego teaches kids about cyberbullying and fake news & she tells us why her tween doesn't have a cellphone.
This blog post was originally supposed to go on the mom blog I was writing for, but it isn’t around anymore… BUT, that doesn’t mean this info should go to waste! So… here you go:
I met Kerry Rego about 10 years ago – through social media, of course. We were both just starting out with our own businesses in social media consulting in Sonoma County. Fast forward to today -- social media is prevalent in all our lives (not just those who make a living off of it), both as a way of bringing people together and as a means of changing the course of our history (e.g., the 2016 American election through Russian-created propaganda that purposely drove us apart). In terms of marketing for any business, including Wine Country Moms, social media has provided a platform for sharing stories and making connections.
As parents of children growing up in a world in which they won’t remember a time before social media, I wanted to talk to Kerry about how to have conversations with your kids about cyberbullying and fake news, as well as how to raise a Generation Z kid who may know more about using digital tools than you do. So, I Interviewed her...
Tell us about your family.
My dad and stepmom live in Santa Rosa. My sister and her family are in Poway, CA. My husband, 13-year-old daughter, bunny, and tuxedo kitty love living in the West End of Santa Rosa.
What do you do for a living?
I’m a social media consultant, author, speaker, and college lecturer.
How did you get into it?
Technology has always been a big part of my life. My grandma always kept my eye towards the future to make sure I understood that big change was coming. I got two degrees in business and software so that I was ready – for what, I didn’t know. I just wanted to be professionally competitive.
I started my business, an organization and efficiency consultancy, in 2006 and grew it rapidly. When the recession hit, my clients didn’t need the same services I’d been providing; they needed help in new ways.
My friend Neil heard me talking about technology (particularly Twitter) at seemingly every networking function. He purposefully nudged me and told me to figure out a way to make a living off of the information I was giving away. Then I attended a class you gave, Shana, about social media and business. I walked away from that with clarity, that I was uniquely positioned with an in-demand skill set, so I spent the next year turning my ship around and have been providing digital media services since 2008.
What’s it like being a parent who also owns her own business?
It’s pretty awesome. I can modify my schedule to my child’s needs, as her schedule changes each year. The school system posts their next school calendar in June, which I use to block out every single holiday and day off so that I decide when I work.
My husband and I both own our own businesses which allows us to really determine the structure of our lives. He runs his company, Advanced Painting, from home, and his workshop just blocks away. I have a shared office space in downtown Santa Rosa in order to have a professional location for client meetings. We are a fully integrated team when it comes to “covering the kid.”
The only downside I can find is that, because we are our own bosses, our kid doesn’t get that sometimes we’re busy, and, “No, I’m not running down to school to bring you a band-aid.” She doesn’t understand the 8-5 workday that many people must adhere to. #firstworldproblems
What other advice would you give to parents who want to start their own business?
Write a business plan before you do anything else. Get an advisor to help you through the largest obstacles of starting a business – it’ll mean the difference between a painfully expensive hobby and sustainable work. Do the work, do the research. It’s worth the effort. You will get to live the life you want, but don’t jump off the cliff without checking the parachute.
What advice do you have for dealing with a pre-teen or teenager with a cell phone?
One of my favorite topics! Each parent must make a lot of decisions in this space. If you get your kid a smartphone, learn how to set up the privacy protections and USE THEM. Have discussions about what is appropriate behavior towards living, breathing, feeling humans in 3D and digital spaces (we often forget about the real impact our words have when we’re online). Have agreements about what is (un)acceptable usage of devices. Create consequences together and be strong – they’ll love you for it though they can’t show it yet. Dock all devices at night in a controlled space – their uninterrupted sleep is too important.
My kid doesn’t yet have a smartphone. It wasn’t easy to hold out but I. Would. Not. Be. Budged. She has a flip feature phone that she HATES, but I force her to take it when I really need to reach her. Most of the time she leaves it at home. Whenever she messes up, she loses access to all digital activities. My job is to keep my kid safe.
Do you have a few suggestions for helping children distinguish between what's real and what's fake news?
I do. I found a great critical thinking infographic created by Global Digital Citizen that features a set of suggestions when reading. I’ve memorized a few: “Who benefits from this?” “What is another perspective?” “What would be a counter-argument?” “How do we know the truth about this?” It’s important to teach our kids how to critically think about the content they come into contact with and how to evaluate its validity. We need to read with our kids and discuss how we, as adults, go through this process and how we research information.
I also recommend visiting the source of a piece. Investigate the organization by going to their About page, learn who they are affiliated with, and potentially who owns it. This is a big one and doesn’t take nearly as long as people think it will.
Do you talk to kids about helping to teach their parents about sharing fake news?
It’s funny that you ask that question. I just read about a study by New York University’s SMaPP Lab and Princeton University that finds that people over 65 share a disproportionately common amount of “fake news.” Normally I’m teaching young people to be nice when their elders ask for help. But after reading that data and your poignant question, I think I’ll be incorporating this more into my seminars and classes. Truthfully, I think everyone needs help in this arena.
What about dealing with online trolls?
There’s a protocol for bullying that I share with students and parents that I learned from law enforcement resources. These can be used in trolling situations as well. They include: save the evidence, don’t respond, report to authorities, block, don’t participate when it’s happening to others, discuss with a friend group what types of behavior they won’t engage in, and support each other.
I don’t recommend blocking trolls right away. A block is a reaction, and we don’t want them to think they were able to get one. I do think that deleting the offending app for a bit to create a bit of breathing room is helpful.
How can parents look out for signs that cyberbullying is happening to (or by) their child?
I’m a proponent of regular monitoring of devices. Checking messages for concerning words or conversations. Using parental assistance apps to cover many of their apps is another option (check your mobile provider to see what they offer). I also recommend checking their YouTube history. You can see everything they’ve watched and interacted with.
Changes in behavior, depression, pulling away from social situations, and unwillingness to show devices are just a few signs of involvement with cyberbullying.
Nothing replaces conversation. Talking to your kids about their digital and personal relationships, checking to see if they have any questions, if something’s going on that’s worth mentioning (let them fill in the blank). Ask questions – they tend to open up or give clues as to what’s happening.
What age should parents start talking to their kids about these issues?
There isn’t one big conversation. Children are getting access to devices and the internet in their toddler years. As each new situation arises, talk about expected and appropriate behavior. Role play around sticky situations and give them suggestions on responses they can have at the ready for when they find themselves in an unsafe or uncomfortable spot. Cyber safety starts day one and just gets more advanced with each new bump in the road.
Anything else you want to tell us?
There’s nothing more important than sleep – for your child and for you. Please emphasize this in your home behavior. The National Sleep Foundation recommends a minimum of one hour between device usage and bed time. Create a routine around bedtime to build healthy habits that will benefit your kids for the rest of their lives. I call this the Power Down Hour.
An hour seems like a long time, but if you have a routine, your body learns it and will wind down. Dim the lights, play relaxing music, take a bath, have a cup of tea, read a physical book if you don’t have a blue light blocker (most devices emanate blue light that interferes with our ability to sleep), and set a regular alarm clock rather than using your phone. Dock your phone in another room if you can.
Most teens sleep with their phones under their pillow. Not only is that a safety hazard, but it’s seriously impacting their rest. We can have tech and balance. It just takes a mindful approach.
*Image of Kerry, by Tyler Chartier, a photographer in Petaluma.
Wine Country Music Festivals with Kids {How to Do it Right}
The Spring and Summer music festivals in Wine Country are about so much more than music. See how parents and kids can enjoy these festivals together.
The Spring and Summer music festivals are almost here in Wine Country. While the word "music" is in the title, these festivals are about so much more than just a band playing on the stage. Festivals today offer a variety of experiences including food, wine, craft beer, games, shopping, and sometimes even -- kids activities. This is the perfect opportunity for kid-toting parents who love being on the go to enjoy themselves (I am talking to the millennials, who would rather get the gift of experiences vs “stuff”, as well as grandparents wanting to bring their grandchildren to summer music fests in their town).
With a bit of extra preparation, parents, grandparents and kids can enjoy many of the music festivals coming to Wine Country this year.
Music Festivals Happening in Wine Country:
Let’s start off at BottleRock Napa Valley in May (SOLD OUT). Pretty much everyone (including grandma) LOVES Bruno Mars, and the entire venue is one big playground for SF hipsters. There are sponsored wine areas with photo booths and props, as well as 4 stages, including the new culinary stage. Okay, kids may not care what Martha Stewart and Macklemore are cooking, but I can tell you from experience - it was delicious.
Kids are allowed at (and encouraged to attend) this festival. In years past, I have seen parents lug around Radio Flyer wagons filled with kids, backpacks, and toys. There's also a 12 and under play area located a good distance away from the crowds for kids to break away and have some fun. Pro Tip: Bring a blanket and set up in the back of the grassy area so your family doesn’t get trampled.
Froggy 92.9’s Country Summer is happening at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds in June. Many kids attend this festival, and there are games like cornhole at the booths by the entrance. Two years, the weather was HOT (over 100 degrees), and there was little shade. But last year it was cooler… So, plan ahead, bring layers and lots of sunscreen! The food is all fair-style food, so make sure to pack a homemade lunch (here are some details on what you can bring on their website), including empty water bottles.
This year Tim McGraw is headlining on Saturday, so start playing “I Like It, I Love It” now so your kids can sing along… Just like you did with friends in high school (at least, that’s what my friends and I did when we saw Tim McGraw 3 times in the span of 2 years).
In the town of Sonoma, the Huichica Music Festival at Gundlach Bundschu Winery is VERY kid-friendly. The June music festival features 30 indie musical acts, Sonoma Valley wines, craft beer from Lagunitas, and food trucks. There's also a designated kids area with bubbles, chalk, cornhole, boats made out of corks, and a grassy hill to run around on. Everything a kid could ever want!
Other Music Festivals in Wine Country to Bring Your Kids:
The lineup for the Green Music Center’s Summer on the Green is here. This event is always kid-friendly, with great prices for lawn tickets. There's also a giant hill of green grass, water bottle stations, and a laid-back vibe. You can even bring your own picnic! These shows are great to bring kids to and I know this firsthand because Weird Al Yankovic was Ryeson’s first concert when he was nine months old!
If you're not into large crowds, insane parking, and/or paying money to go to a music festival, there are always smaller shows to check out in Sonoma and Napa County. Healdsburg on the Square and Sonoma Farmers Markets are both on Tuesday nights and kid-friendly. The Windsor Town Green on Thursdays is a blast for all ages. And Fridays at Napa City Nights is family fun for everyone. They all start their concert series in May.
There are also a few music festivals at wineries in Napa and Sonoma counties this year. However, they're usually 21+, so make sure to check your favorite wineries for info before you head out to any winery concerts.
Tips for bringing your kids to a Music Festival:
Prepare beforehand. Check the weather and take a look at the music festival's website to see what you can and cannot bring. Most concerts allow a wagon and an empty plastic water bottle that you can refill. Bring sunblock, and if snacks are allowed, pack a stash in case the kids get hungry. And if you have a portable battery to charge your phone, bring it.
Location, location, location. The closer you are to the stage, the crazier things can get. I never thought I'd say this, but please don't bring your baby into a mosh pit. Put out a blanket at the back of the lawn and enjoy the setting with your family.
Food - know what's available. If you know your kids are picky, scope out the food vendors when you get there. You can even purchase something early on before the lines get too insane. When you have a screaming kid on your hands, the last thing you want is to be waiting in line for an hour.
Don’t forget to take care of yourself! Put sunscreen on your kid, and make sure to add some to your face as well. Drink lots of water because being out in the sun all day with family can easily dehydrate you.
Check out everything the festival has to offer. Festivals are becoming more about the experience than just the music. Take advantage of that.
Stay safe. Spend a few minutes talking to your kids (and the adults who are with you) about what to do if they're lost. Find the information booth, or set a designated spot for them to go if the situation occurs.
Remember, if you have to leave early because of a tantrum - it isn’t the end of the world. Just be sure to take precautions and be as prepared as possible so that your kids are not ready to go before Bruno Mars even starts.
*Main image of Old Dominion at Country Summer 2016 via Country Summer team.
Why I Bring My Child to Political Marches
This debate was brought up this past week as I shared images of my husband, 3-year-old son, my friends, and me at the 3rd Annual Women's March on January 19th, 2019 in downtown Santa Rosa. I shared the same images to both my Instagram account and Facebook page (and the latter received comments from friends, likes, hearts, and one angry face from a cousin with whom I’m not actually Facebook friends)... Instagram was a completely different experience.
Am I using my kid as a political pawn?
Maybe.
Do I consider that a bad thing?
No.
This debate was brought up this past week as I shared images of my husband, 3-year-old son, my friends, and me at the 3rd Annual Women's March on January 19th, 2019 in downtown Santa Rosa. I shared the same images to both my Instagram account and Facebook page (and the latter received comments from friends, likes, hearts, and one angry face from a cousin with whom I’m not actually Facebook friends with)... Instagram was a completely different experience. I added hashtags like #WomensMarch, #ImpeachTheMF, and #ProudLiberal because, frankly…I believe in them. The first image in my Instagram carousel of photos was of my toddler and me smiling as I held his sign that said “Trump Gives Toddlers a Bad Name.”
Here Come the Trolls
About an hour after I shared my Instagram post, I received comments from people I didn’t know saying I was a bad mother, a horrible person, and that I am a leftist idiot. One guy who was following me (which wasn’t reciprocated) simply said, “Adios.” Along with several long-winded comments with plenty of spelling errors that talked about everything from “Trump hasn’t done anything wrong” to “white woman don’t care about minorities – they are just there for the Instagram pictures.”
Some of the comments I responded to (I know, I know…I shouldn’t bother), and some I just deleted and blocked the account from which they came. I also shared the link to my Facebook page asking if I had “made it as a liberal because I had trolls trying to bring me down.” That brought even more comments (from friends backing me up) to my post, and now it is the second most commented on Instagram post in my history of being on the platform. First was merely a question about cilantro which I talked about in my Instagram hack post. It seems people have strong opinions about both Trump, and cilantro (I am anti-both).
Click the pic to see some of the non-deleted comments on my Instagram page…
Even though the people (or Russian bots) commenting on my Instagram post were hateful, I did want to look up sane reasons why someone wouldn’t want to bring their kid to a march, so I did some research. There are logical issues of bringing kids to a crowded area, there are safety issues because you never know what type of nut-job might hurt people in a crowd. And there are people that don’t want to push their beliefs on their kids.
These were all very valid points. I found an article from Today’s Parent about a woman’s experience when she was a child, going to protests she disagrees with as an adult. I also still believe that by focusing on the good in the world, I have a duty to bring my kid to political protests.
Focus on Love, Not Hate
I remember seeing some of the ads for Trump back in 2016, before the election. With my marketing knowledge, I thought that love and positivity would always win over hate. Ahhh, how naïve I was. In addition to the Russian hacking of social media during the election, I didn't realize how much of a motivator fear and hate truly were, and are.
And no matter what anyone else is doing, normally I would be an advocate for focusing on what YOU are marching FOR versus what you’re against. But, this is not a normal time. We have someone in the White House throwing a full-on tantrum about something he had two years to focus on (aka the racist WALL), and now that he finally has an opposition with the Democratic majority in Congress, he is not taking it well.
And, honestly IMO, everybody calling him a clown or a toddler gives those groups a bad name. Toddlers can sometimes be reasoned with. Or, at least put in a timeout.
So I wrote that on a sign. Most people, at least the people I'm friends with, thought it was hilarious. But obviously others didn't like it, which actually did make me pause and remember that even in the next election cycle, “when they go low, we go high.”
Why I Bring My Son to a Political March: His Future
This was the third year I brought my son to the Women’s March. The first year, he was a year and a few months old, sitting happily in his stroller; last year he was able to run around with my husband while I took pictures from the stage in Courthouse Square, Santa Rosa; this year the march happened to be at the same time as his nap, and so we went for one speech and to show our support of friends who were in charge of putting everything together.
I want him to grow up with empathy for others, a desire to learn, and an understanding that the political process isn’t black-and-white – that it does take activism and people joining together to let those running our government hear what we value.
And of course, there are issues that this current government is for and/or against that directly impact my family, like bullies, a Green New Deal (because we need a progressive approach to combat the biggest issues the world faces), climate change, gun violence, and healthcare.
With Rye’s Cystic Fibrosis, medicine is what literally keeps him alive. Back in the ‘50s, children with CF didn’t live past five, but with all of the advances in medical science, he’s going to lead a long and healthy life.
Why I March: My Family
Marching is personal because the thought of everything that’s going on in this administration literally makes me feel sick to my stomach. I have gone through every stage of grief since waking up on November 9th, 2016 (the day after the election) and realizing that someone I NEVER thought could have been elected to be president, was… I have been angry, sad, in denial, bargaining (come on, Mueller), and everything in between since then. I march to remind the world that women’s issues still have a ways to go, especially with this administration.
It’s also because I want to fight for those who don’t have a chance to be there. Government employees who are forced to work without their paychecks (because of the longest U.S. government shutdown in history), immigrants trying to pursue a better life for their families, and kids like Ryeson who deserve to live in a world in which they don’t have to fear a shooting taking place while they’re at school.
It's Important to Continue the Fight, Because It's So Much More Than Just Marching Once or Twice a Year.
It’s….
Making sure to raise our children with empathy and kindness.
Donating (time or money) to organizations you believe in, the organizations that have their boots on the ground fighting EVERY DAY for causes you believe in.
Calling your representatives, and either thanking them for fighting for the values you believe in, or letting them know why you want them to vote differently.
Staying informed and nicely calling out those who share fake news. (Shaming anyone online usually has the opposite effect of what you are trying to accomplish.)
Being more political in local government (something I’ve never done before and look forward to doing more).
Standing up for marginalised groups… Just like the Gillette Ad implies, Don’t Be A Jerk. Also, this article by TeenVogue is worth reading: How to Be a Good Ally.
Listening. I am not advocating to listen to your racist uncle about why we need a wall to “keep out illegals,” but to listen to marginalized groups for ideas on how you can help them. Don’t just bulldoze over them when they have genuine concerns about something like the Women's March.
Don’t Feed the Trolls. You Should Know Better by Now.
As I continued to respond to the trolling comments on my Instagram page, I realized that as much as Trump has brought out the absolute worst in some people, having him in office has also brought out the best in even more. People who stand up for each other, people who have had the chance to be an even greater ally to women, LGBTQ individuals, minorities, etc., people who take matters into their own hands when their administration fails them. And that is a world I like being a part of.
The social media mom versus real life
We’ve all seen it: the perfect pictures on Instagram with someone using the hashtag #blessed. Or the gorgeous DIY second birthday party for a toddler, complete with crafts that belong in the pages of Martha Stewart or on Pinterest. You may know one of these moms in person, and secretly – or not so secretly – look up to them...or judge them. This is a blog post dedicated to real moms.
We’ve all seen it: the perfect pictures on Instagram with someone using the hashtag #blessed. Or the gorgeous DIY second birthday party for a toddler, complete with crafts that belong in the pages of Martha Stewart or on Pinterest. You may know one of these moms in person, and secretly – or not so secretly – look up to them...or judge them.
For the last ten years, I’ve made my living teaching others how to market their brands on social media. I’ve seen it all, from relationship building in the early days of Twitter, to Instagram pods to get more engagement on your own content, to Facebook organic reach basically going to zero. Ten years since the concept of “social media” was introduced to the general public (yes, websites like Myspace or Friendster were around, but I would say they were primarily for younger or more tech-savvy audiences than Facebook. I mean, my mom has been on Facebook since 2008. Not saying she knows how to use it, but...).
We are still learning how to deal with this new technology
We are now seeing trends of tablets being confiscated from toddlers in an effort to get them to want to play outside. Or of parents taking phones away from their kids because it has been shown that social media leads to depression amongst teenagers.
And guess what – depression because of social media impacts adults as well. Hello, FOMO! Life is not perfect. Not for ANY of us. No matter how much greener the grass looks on the other side, I can tell you first hand that it is not. What we sometimes don’t see is that the grass is only green on that one small patch that people take pictures of, and everything else around it is dried up, or just dirt – much like our own lives. The blogger going to free wine tastings or press events may be struggling financially, because free wine doesn’t pay the bills (I know this because I have tried in the past).
Being “authentic on social media” isn’t JUST a buzzword
Thankfully, there is also a movement on social media dedicated to sharing truths about being a parent and a real life human being (versus depicting only gorgeous, curated shots taken by a professional photographer). The Instagram hashtags like #assholeparent or #momtruth highlight the messiness of parenthood. Because, while parenthood is the best thing that’s ever happened to me, MUCH of the time it’s messy. I mean, I have a toddler. Everything is messy.
This blog post is dedicated to anyone who has had a hard time in public with their children and been told by someone else to “treasure every moment.” I’m here to tell you that it is perfectly OK to not treasure every moment, no matter what your situation is, because not all moments need to be treasured. And what is worthy of being deemed a “treasurable moment” is subjective, anyways. Maybe you are the type of mom who loves getting up at 4am with your toddler for no reason at all other than him simply wanting to watch Paw Patrol. Or maybe you love changing that second diaper, right after you put on all of their clothes and both shoes and are grabbing your keys to go out the door.
Living in the information age of parenting
One really good thing about social media is that you can get access to information quickly. Just one google search at 3am can return blog posts about topics you struggle with. You can get tips and tricks from others who have dealt with the same issues, and you’re able to read about topics like miscarriage, or sleep training, or getting your toddler to eat.
It has taken me two and a half years to get to a place where I realize that ALL parents have it rough, and that I am definitely not any different from that mom who looks like she has it all… Well, maybe she has better lighting for pictures.