I admit it. Sometimes I compare myself to the white background-ed, organized home, picture-perfect families I see on social media. But know what?! Real Life Is Not Filtered #stopCOMPAREnting. My family life is an ever-juggle of coming and going. And I own it. I love my busy, unpolished, very real life.
Like working from home while looking after sick child.
Being able to work at something I love AND be there for my kids when they need me is such a privilege.
“COMPAREnting” is when you compare your parenting style to other parents. This habit has been heightened with recent social media trends.
So my “desk” is sometimes the kitchen table. And often, I’m supervising an art activity across from me while I write posts. I am present in my kids’ lives…and they in mine. Every. Single. Day. And it’s real. And so good.
For example, my coffee table is never for coffee
By the way…Who scribbled in pen on the coffee table?!
A cropped snapshot of my coffee table gives a tease that play happens in my house. When in fact, there is so much MORE…
We read books together. His remote control car – treat for his PD Day (OK, it was given as a reward for being a good sport while running errands on his PD Day). And look at that…a visual of our continued conversation about the value of a rock collection (Me: Do we really need to have them on the coffee table? Him: My rock collection NEEDS to be on the coffee table – that’s their SPOT).
#stopCOMPAREnting
It’s time to start celebrating all the good things we do as parents & time to stop COMPAREnting ourselves to perfection seen on social media. Quaker Canada is celebrating the real side of parenting this year as they launch the #stopCOMPAREnting campaign. Canadian parents often compare themselves to the filtered, staged and cropped images they see in their social feed, even though these images often depict a filtered reality and not the real picture. Instead of feeling inspired, these images often leave parents feeling insecure about their own parenting decisions and habits. The Quaker brand wants to help Canadian parents celebrate their confidence by showcasing the authentic, unpolished and beautiful side of parenting.
Disclosure: This post is in partnership with Quaker Canada. And yes, someone scribbled on my coffee table. Opinions, as always, are my own.
Isn’t it amazing what kids want out on the coffee table! This is very similar to how my son used to set things on mine when he was younger.
I totally agree with this post. Sometimes, it’s hard to keep up with the Joneses – now it’s so easy to compare ourselves because we see other people’s “lives” on social media. For all we know, these photographs could be staged and its reality is probably far from perfect!
It’s so hard to no compare ourselves to others. I need to get better about not doing it.
Nobody is perfect but so many try to appear that way through social media. We really do have to stop comparing our parenting styles.
This is so true! I often compare myself to other’s social feeds but we have to remember that we only see what people want us to see (and that’s usually just the good stuff)
I agree 100%! We need to raise or kids the way that works for each person! One family has their own strengths and weaknesses same as everyone else! You way is the right way for your family.
I always wonder just how crazy my household is compared to others. I hate comparing but sometimes I find myself wondering about others.
This is a great post. I completely agree here too. Everyone is so different and it’s not good to compare yourself to others. I’ll admit, I’ve done it, but try not to.
Nobody is perfect!! We really do have to stop comparing ourselves to others and love our time with our children watching them grow!
This post really resonated with me- sometimes I look at pinterest or instagram and definitely feel like I’m not measuring up to other moms and this post reminded me that I truly need to STOPCOMPARENTING!