The Facebook Motherhood Challenge Ruined My Life*

*Not entirely the truth.

My family and I went on a day trip. Upon our return home I posted some pictures of my kids on Facebook. I posted a comment about what a lovely day we’d all had. It got a few likes.

Within that post, I tagged the other families who had accompanied us on the day trip. I congratulated all of us on what had been a real gem of a day. They posted some photos too.

That’s when the trouble started.

One of our friends, not on the day trip, had stayed at home with her children. She had not had a great day.

After seeing the photos of my children smiling, she phoned a therapist:

“Please help me. Abby had a good day with her children. I had a bad day with mine. I am unable to cope with someone else’s happiness on a day that I was sad. Please ban this. Please don’t let this become a Motherhood Challenge. Please, why can’t everyone just post pictures of cats?

I don’t know what became of her.  Such was the damage I caused she was unable to face me ever again.

Another friend, a friend without children, called me.

“YOU. SMUG. COW.”, she yelled down the phone. Unable to contain her fury, the call ended as she flung her mobile against the wall. Shortly afterwards she went on a mad rampage, punching the computer screens of Mothers everywhere. I doubt it ended well.

My Mum then got on Skype.

“Abby love, now I know you don’t like me interfering in your parenting style but our John’s just told me you posted some pictures of the kids looking happy. Is this right? Because if it is right I’ve got to say that me and your Auntie June are bitterly disappointed. I mean, back in the ’60s we fought for our right to go to work and go on the pill and be proud of real achievements. You didn’t see us blathering on about the sprogs all day. Pull your socks up. Get over yourself. Nobody wants to know about your la-di-da days out with your own flesh and blood.”

Such was my family’s shame, they have now severed all contact with me and their grandchildren.

Soon the press picked up the story. Serious people asked serious questions about whether my photos were harmless fun or just plain offensive.

It felt rather like when they discussed whether my breastfeeding was offensive.

Or that time they debated whether my decision to be a stay at home Mum was offensive.

Or whether taking a term-time holiday was offensive.

So I thought about all the reactions to those photos I’d posted. Those photos I’d shared on a website designed for sharing things.

I thought surely that’s not so bad.

Is it?

15 thoughts on “The Facebook Motherhood Challenge Ruined My Life*”

  2. trentpmcd says:
    Reply

    Now you’ve sunk to exploiting children. What next? And what about fathers and non-fathers? And, and, and well, I’m so upset I lost my train of thought. Anyway, I guess my life ain’t that bad because, during those few moments I wasn’t offended while reading, I found this post hilarious.

    Liked by 1 person

  5. mummyspitsthedummy says:
    Reply

    Your children are incredibly offensive. Wait. I mean adorable! Dammit, I’m always mixing those two up. Facebook is an idiot (yes, the whole of Facebook). I quit ages ago so I had no idea this nonsense was going on. I think many people have forgotten what it’s like to actually be offended, so they identify any old yucky feeling they have (envy, regret, disappointment) as ‘offended’, making the yucky feeling someone else’s fault so they don’t have to examine it themselves.

    Phew, that was deep!

    Liked by 1 person

    • Abby Boid says:
      Reply

      I really ought to move away from the Facebook. Although on the whole i don’t think it does me too much harm. I certainly hope my using it doesn’t harm anyone else. You are also spot on with people not understanding what ‘offended’ really is. I think it’s time to reclaim that word!

      Liked by 1 person

    • Abby Boid says:
      Reply

      thank you lovely Lynn. It is so strange because when the challenge came around on Facebook i didn’t take part – not because of any moral opposition but because i just couldn’t be arsed to find 5 pictures! But then some of the articles and the like really got on my nerves. I have totally broken a rule of mine about not posting pics of the kids (and please note that this decision does not imply i judge others who do post pics!!)- but sometimes needs must and when they are older i know they will get why i did it and be pleased they could help their old mum out in proving a point.

      Like

  7. Tim says:
    Reply

    It never ceases to amaze me how aerated people get over memes that are rarely meant as anything but well-meaning fun. I understand that some people may be a bit miffed if they have had a bad day or when a nerve is inadvertently touched. But should we then attach a disclaimer to every happy picture or status update to state that no offence is meant or that any similarity to people or events living or otherwise is purely coincidental? I know people are sometimes guilty of boast-booking or humble bragging (or any of the other wonderful terms that have been invented since social media came along) but sometimes happy pics are just that, right?

    I’m off to post 500 images of my kids having a crappy day now. No doubt someone will tell me that I need to cheer up and keep my misery to myself.

    What’s the old truism? You can’t please all of the people all of the time …

    Liked by 1 person

    • Abby Boid says:
      Reply

      Spot on Sir Tim. As I’ve said to someone else on here – I didn’t take part in the thing originally just because of laziness issues really. But seriously, sometimes I’ve just got to chip in when things get out of hand….hmmm….perhaps I’m part of the problem! Oh well who cares. Not I.
      🙂

      Liked by 1 person

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