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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To wish people would play with their kids and not just sit and photograph them

54 replies

UndramaticPause · 25/12/2015 10:16

I'm without my dc this Christmas so feeling pretty shit. But Facebook is winding me up. Endless streams of photos of children with their new toys, posing with each individual present.

Ffs let the kids just rip them open and play!

Aibu or a grinch to wish people would put the cameras down for one day?

OP posts:
Seeyounearertime · 25/12/2015 10:19

I understand.... But YABU. Sorry.

People want memories of their kids at Xmas, people also have relatives that don't love with the and Facebook is a great way for those distant relatives to feel a part of things.

Besides, you can turn off the computer and stay way from FB so really it is only having an impact because you're choosing to let it.

Whathaveilost · 25/12/2015 10:19

Tit may be better if you went away from Facebook tbh.

Aeroflotgirl · 25/12/2015 10:20

Yabvvu and grumpy, yes people do not only take photos, but they also play with their dc too, that is just one moment in time.

BrianButterfield · 25/12/2015 10:20

A photo takes less than one second. They might have far flung relatives waiting to see if children liked their gifts. Don't see how it makes any difference to you.

zippey · 25/12/2015 10:22

Yabu - I think people are able to do both. It's nice to have memories of your children's Christmases in years to come.

Enjolrass · 25/12/2015 10:23

Yabu but I get why.

Mum always videoed and took photos Christmas morning.

It's not new. Except now we have social media. It's part of people's life.

I uploaded one photo today. Of ds with a gift from someone in France.

She rarely checks email so anything I want her to see I put on FB.

I am sorry you are having a shit day, but you can't stop people putting things in Facebook that Piss you off

Savagebeauty · 25/12/2015 10:23

YABU
I've taken pics of my teens this morning. Havent put them on FB but that's just me.

NaughtToThreeSadOnions · 25/12/2015 10:41

Kids don't generally play with their presents until they've unwrapped them all. They don't as you say rip the paper off and start playing with them. In my experience unwrapping is the best thing in Christmas morning and their not that interested until every present is unwrapped. And then depending on the age of the child their a lot more intersted in the wrapping and boxes than they are the toys.
What do you want the parents to do? Unwrapping takes long enough without them stopping to play with every toy as its unwrapped. Parents may well have unwrapped their presents the night before, as people have said it only takes a second to go hay Jim Bob show me your new tractor while I take a photo.

And I myself have checked on my social media this morning for pictures of my friends in Australia and my God daughter in Ireland. It would cost to mms me them. Nothing to Instagram them. Well the cost of the broadband but they have that anyway.

That said I do get that your missing your own children, is it your first Christmas without them? Is it a new thing? Because it is a bit grumpy to not want other people to do something perfectly normal.

ThumbWitchesAbroad · 25/12/2015 10:57

It doesn't take long to photo them. I film mine opening presents from their UK relatives, so that the relatives can share in the fun of watching them open their presents - either that, or they wait until said relative is available on Skype and do it live for them.

The boys are used to this - they've done it every year - and have no problem with it. I also like it because it slows down the present opening, so they have to look at and appreciate each gift before ripping into the next one.

Sorry you're without your own DC though, that must be rough. Have more Wine and Cake and lots of Chocolate. [santa]Xmas Smile

timelytess · 25/12/2015 11:08

My dgd (4) loves a photo. I have known her ask to be photographed.

Sallystyle · 25/12/2015 11:14

It's Xmas

Don't let things wind you up. People do it their way, you do it yours.

I take photographs but that doesn't mean I don't play with them without taking photos as well.

MissFitt68 · 25/12/2015 11:15

Yabu.... How do you know they arent 'playing with their kids'

abbsismyhero · 25/12/2015 11:28

i take candid shots of the kids opening their gifts no posing here the good ones i might post on fb.....maybe

this time next year i will most likely be in your shoes and missing two of my kids i will be staying away from facebook

MTWTFSS · 25/12/2015 11:33

My DS opens his present, 1 photo taken with him and gift, then I open it and we play. YABU.

Birdsgottafly · 25/12/2015 11:48

YABU.

I'm 47, so grew up and had my children pre mobile phones/internet.

However it's a part of life now.

I'm not well, I won't be eating a Christmas dinner and can only visit my DDs for a couple of hours.

My GD, 1 years old, may be asleep during that time.

It's been lovely to see her opening presents etc on FB and in private messages.

I also enjoy 'sharing' the Christmases of friends, when they post their pictures.

It's a shame that someone isn't doing the same for you.

BipBippadotta · 25/12/2015 11:57

Oh, OP, I know it's hard to stay away from FB, particularly when it's one of the few ways you can still feel connected to people at what is a very lonely time of year given your situation. It can feel like an extra sort of exile or punishment.

But it will be over relatively soon - and it really will help you feel less sad / wound up to stay away until the bombardment dies down. When do you see your dc again?

MrsItsNoworNotatAll · 25/12/2015 11:58

Yabu. They're are capturing a moment. Sorry you're pissed off like but if you're newsfeed is full of things that are annoying you it might be time to step away from it.

Etak15 · 25/12/2015 12:06

I agree with you op I think some peoples whole life revolves around Facebook they will take pics with the pure intention of them being on Facebook, will comment about everything they do everywhere they go everything they buy. And if they've already uploaded all this mornings pics onto Facebook then they've been distracted from real life by Facebook.

TheLambShankRedemption · 25/12/2015 12:12

Parents taking photos of their children opening presents could not be any more normal.

They open the lot first, then they start playing. By which time the photos are over and done with.

YABU

LagunaBubbles · 25/12/2015 12:14

Yabu. It also takes a few seconds to upload pictures to FB, hardly a "distraction" from real life. Hmm

seasidesally · 25/12/2015 12:24

I've taken pics of my teens this morning. Havent put them on FB but that's just me.

this 100%

i understand a photo on there for a far flung relative but when i was last on FB 2 yrs ago it was endless photos to brag and boast nothing else,countless running commentary of the whole day,is that what the op means

it was totally ott (look at me type of thing)

hence why i have been FB free for 2yrs

happy Christmas op,and turn the bloomin FB off Grin

Sparklingbrook · 25/12/2015 12:51

When the boys were little and way before FB we photographed the whole unwrapping debacle every single Christmas Day. We may have emailed the odd pic to a relative or two with a thank you.

They are teens now and we haven't done it for years. I have never once looked at the past pictures. They are all on a disc but couldn't find them in a hurry.

I don't have FB, it's not really my thing.

Sallystyle · 25/12/2015 13:37

I posted a photo of my two younger one's huge pile of presents and my 14 year olds tiny pile of about three things for a laugh on FB, tagging him saying how hard done by he is (he isn't, he just got more expensive things)

It wasn't to brag, I thought it was funny.

MissFitt68 · 25/12/2015 14:35

My dd just kicked off ( lightheartedly) that the dinner on her plate wasn't regimented enough..... She need the pic for snapchat/social media Grin had to be perfect

planter · 25/12/2015 14:44

I can see why you might be in a bad mood, but seriously this thread is ridiculous.

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