To be fed up of Instamums

[Hmmmmx100]

I followed a few of the more well-known Instamums but got weary of the constant daily barrage of brand endorsements. I can't relate to people on £100k a year in Farrow & Ball houses. I just can't. So I had to unfollow em all, every one. AIBU to feel a bit miffed that these people are using the idea of sisterhood to make money? They're not our friends, they're just there to sell us stuff that we probably don't need anyway.

[MumIsRunningAMarathon]

Yeah. It can get a bit much

[doozeldog]

I completely understand where your coming from, I follow a lot of insta mums too and to be honest it started getting me down they are all so perfect with perfect houses and life's, with every child related gadget going because they are given it To endorse. I'm happy with my lot don't get me wrong but I find it depressing because I can't relate either!

[ASauvingnonADay]

I follow a few but recently have found it really cringey when they're parading new freebies around. Mega cringe.

[Hmmmmx100]

I love my son and I post pics of him on my (private) Instagram account. But I can't imagine taking pictures of him wearing things to make money. It doesn't sit well with me. Not to mention holiday pics, all fully hashtagged and geotagged as per the client's request.

[NapQueen]

You can follow me if you like? I earn 20% of that, and most of my house is painted in Wilkos own brand. I dont endorse products because who the fuck would know who I am? I dont share pics of my dinner except Jamie Olivers salmon fish fingers because they were the dogs bollocks.

But the short answer is no, these women are not your friends. They are business women.

[Hmmmmx100]

That's it. They're business women masquerading as our friends, frequently referring to themselves as our 'sisters' - that's what I find most troubling.

[AdalindSchade]

Why would you think random instagram figures are your friends though?

[firawla]

It doesn't bother me at all. Good luck to them. However I've never seen people referring to their followers as their sisters so maybe we follow different types of people

[NapQueen]

I suppose the sensible option is to unfollow and move on. It could just be that youve outgrown them.

The only one I follow is Giovanna Fletcher because I am a sucker for that family. I only found her vlogs and who they were probably a year ago, so not sick of it all yet. And I sort of think "meh, if I was offered a free family holiday in exchange for a 10 min video montage then yer, I would do it".

[Hmmmmx100]

I don't personally think they're my friends at all. But their whole schtick is that they are JUST LIKE US. And they operate entirely on social networking sites, so there is definitely a slightly more intimate (sinister?) angle to it all.

[Claudinette1978]

Oh I didn't know there was a name for this phenomen : Instamums. I came across some on Instagram...gorgeous children with beautiful clothes, beautiful house and style, the sky is always blue....really can't relate to them...it makes me feel inadequate.

[MumIsRunningAMarathon]

Which accounts were they?

[Hmmmmx100]

I don't want to start naming names because making it personal to some can be hurtful and cruel. It's more the whole phenomena that I have an issue with, rather than the mums themselves. I just wish there was a bit more transparency in their blatant advertising.

[Saysomething88]

This just reminds me of the unmumsy mum and her dilemma about whether to start endorsing products on her insta so she can make money to support her family....
I unfollow any reality TV star who advertises the johnsons baby top to toe wash. It's so obvious and I hate Johnsons. I also unfollow anyone who does it too much. But I also like the reality of some posts and some products that are advertised

[minipie]

YANBU but why were you following them in the first place? I have never looked at any Instamum accounts. Or indeed much instagram or social media at all. As a result I am much happier . I suggest ditching social media (at least other than what you want to share with real life friends and family) for a few months and see how you feel.

[Hmmmmx100]

Using the whole experience of being a mum to sell stuff makes me cringe a bit. Posts like 'Just did a night feed, oh wow is anyone else surviving on 2 hours sleep a night? Thank goodness for these green teabags from ..., they give me just the right energy hit I need right now. And these eyebag masks from ... are a lifesaver!'

[Hmmmmx100]

When I was awake all night with a newborn, and lonely and tired and vulnerable I might have bought some of that shit they peddle, in the dark wee hours at 3am. It all seems a tiny bit predatory.

[Trills]

Captain Birdseye is not my kindly uncle either.

[chocolatespiders]

Agree unfollow! I always think it's unfair that the wealthy get given things while people who just about manage don't.

Guess it's business that I don't understand!

[unfortunateevents]

I know what you mean OP. I loosely follow a couple of fashion/lifestyle blogs but one in particular where the blogger often wore things I liked changed dramatically in a very short space of time and it was blindingly obvious that she is now being paid to promote certain brands with the result that some of the stuff she is wearing really doesn't even suit her any more and she is just a walking billboard for her brands. She's also now represented by a digital marketing agency which makes her whole "I'm a mum just like all of you" schtick a little hard to stomach.

[simpaticasimpatica]

The Ones who grind my gears are:

The one who does the flex appeal thing bugs the living days lights out of me. Her cause is noble but she's so irritating.

Midwife with the four daughters who's written a book and the husband who's cashing in hugely.

The American mother and father of five who left leafy Highgate and travelled the world, recently settling in Australia. No tv the kids only play with wooden toys. My arse.

[Hmmmmx100]

They're all just cashing in, cha-chinging all over the place.

[FunkinEll]

I find this social media insta advertising really interesting. Big companies must love it as it's cheap compared to the more traditional route. Give away a few freebies to instagrammers with lots of followers, they endorse your product, some followers read and buy your product.

I wonder what happens with the freebies, are they classed as income that is taxable or are they gifts? Some people get cars!

[zippydoodaar]

Completely!

Almost as irritating as the middle aged women who promote their business through social media and describe themselves as mad..... wacky....... bonkers.......

Makes me cringe.