Why do mums do this?

I think prior to sm parenting was a lot more community oriented so people in a community would often parent similarly so there wasn’t really judgement like there is now.

I expect you are much younger than me. I was talking subjectively when I referred to "back in the day" and my childhood in the 1960's. People really didn't write round robins then. They wouldn't have known what on earth that meant. Most ordinary people would've rented a caravan for a week at the seaside for their holidays, so not much to boast about - although to be fair they would've certainly sent a postcard to aunty Gladys and maybe to work. People rarely moved house either and they stayed in their jobs until they retired and got a carriage clock. So not "absolute balls" really.

I agree with you, especially the fake controversy stuff which is so self congratulatory and unnecessary.

I think some of them make quite a lot of money off it so I guess there’s that. I hate how they monetise their children, how innocent moments become clickbait and traction.

Some of them act like self appointed parenting experts when they’re no more experienced than any of the rest of us!

But then I think, am I just jealous of the success? We’re quite a private family and don’t put our kids on social media at all.

I know someone who comments on others' parenting choices when they're at the other end of a table. She's just bloody rude and it does my head in. So holier than thou about it all and bitchy to boot.

Well there are various definitions of cult in the dictionary. One of course refers to "religious veneration or devotion directed towards a particular figure or object". Another definition is "a person or thing that has has become very popular, fashionable or a craze with a particular group of people". I think the latter perfectly and succinctly fits the point I was making but if you have better word or phrase please do share.

It’s not just parenting.

Our last few holidays we have bumped into online creators,

My long suffering family had a full on mum rant last summer after a selfie session by a young couple in front of a Van Gogh painting. I was fuming on so many levels, all explained very articulately over a wine and water.

Hopefully it’s put the teens off social media for life!

Mine were born long before sm. You always got the know-all parent at playgroup, nursery, school etc., who thought they were the expert on parenting. Usually their child was the worst behaved. Mostly, people just got on with looking after their children without the need to tell everyone about it.

Absolute balls

People have always boasted about their offspring, have you heard of Round Robins? Your annual insert in Christmas cards about how wonderful everyone is doing, a summery of sporting and academic achievements, promotions at work, holiday destinations and house moves!

At least these were people you knew! Or at least knew your address, now you can seek out strangers to fulfil the same function!

I came off Instagram, Facebook and Tiktok.

Dont miss them in the slightest.

It used to be books. By people that assume they were the first people to ever have a child. Some of them didn't even need to have ever had a child just looked after other people's children.

The twats online nowadays just want to be famous for famous sake the majority of them are narcissists who believe that they are somehow superior to the rest of us mortal beings.

The only answer is not to go on insta it's all a load wank anyway 😁

Go back to looking at what strangers eat then.
Or read.

We all have more computing power in our pockets than there was went we first landed on the moon.

And clearly it was going to revert to humanity’s default, which is porn/or sexual imagery, consumerism and one-upmansship.

Instead of having to go out and about IRL to obtain ego stroking you can create an image online and get approval and superficial adoration.

It’s fascinating.

I think you don’t really understand the meaning of a cult.

No they didn't. "Back in the day" you'd have been given a funny look if you talked about parenting styles. There was no such expression. Most people parented their children in a fairly similar way and kids were more or less left to get on with it. They were expected to eat what was served up at meal times and sent out to play at every opportunity. Mums didn't have the time or inclination to make them the centre of their universe. Parenting has become a cult in some circles. Edited to say I think the trend is actually a backward step for women.

Any kind of opinions about parenting are emotive, divisive, content. Even when it seems bland enough. Someone will take offence to it.

Wait til you see the US mommy (normal deep MAGA or Mormon) TikTokers proudly talking about spanking or using corporal punishment. Why do you feel the need to tell the world you batter your 3-year-old

People need purpose and maybe these mums feel the need to feel important, listened to, influential and admired to some degree.

All feelings I had when my career went pear shaped and all of a sudden I wanted to dish out lots of unsolicited advice lol

Love that you're posting this on Mumsnet of all places🤣

It kind of is though. You are on a site for mothers criticising the way in which some mothers parent and how that is different to yours.

They are just looking for views and likes.

Isn't it your algorithm? I'm on Instagram and it's full of women obsessed with cleaning these massive houses. I must have looked at one cleaning video and now I don't see anything else.

…wtf are you doing on a site called mumsnet then?

I only share that information if asked. And There isn't enough to bore in about.

Yep! Agree.... wholeheartedly. Just get on with it and stop making daft videos about it 🤣