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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be fed up of Instamums

999 replies

Hmmmmx100 · 25/08/2017 22:56

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.

OP posts:
Hallomiaddicted · 26/08/2017 13:29

I can't stand the glittery one who got pregnant with her new man to cash in even more. It's all so so fake and it's not good for younger women who feel inaquate unless they have the latest sponsored item. Also the ones who moved from Ireland to surely and get a new designer car per month. It's just all about the cash and they make it seem like they are better parents because they have all of this extra STUFF.

NaughtyNannyPlum · 26/08/2017 13:33

Who are the 'zany' and 'Flex' ones? I follow the midwife but have only done so I'm the last few months since getting instagram.

Someone mentioned Emily Norris upthread- love watching her and so pleased for how she's doing, I remember watching her first on YouTube early on with not too many followers.

NaughtyNannyPlum · 26/08/2017 13:36

But yes a lot of it is bollocks. I do follow quite a few though and watch their you tube channels as, in all honesty, it has helped a little with my depression

NoCapes · 26/08/2017 13:38

That's interesting NannyPlum as lots of people are saying it makes them feel inadequate, in what way do you feel it's helped your depression? If you don't mind me asking

sacchetto · 26/08/2017 13:41

another reason why I stopped following the midwife is indeed the chip on her shoulder: she CHOSE to put her life on Instagram and makes a living out of ads and photos of her children. She can't expect 300k+ followers not to express a negative opinion ever (including of her book). Expect very soon an instafeed from her about this thread and some random photo about womanhood and supporting each other, "it's cool to be kind" etc. She's happy to accept all the freebies, but not the normal consequences of being instafamous

WipsGlitter · 26/08/2017 13:48

I love watching them! Although it's a bit love hate. I like Esther Coren, blossoming birds, life at the little wood and Chloe loves to shop.

WIT makes me Hmm but that's because I generally can't imagine caring so much about the shit she cares about or being such a consumer of stuff.

I also cannot believe her icons E newsletter does so well. She (and her sidekick) must have an absolutely loaded husband to maintain that lifestyle.

WipsGlitter · 26/08/2017 13:50

Although the animal filters is just pure cringe. Stop it women. You are not pandas.

Original poster
Hmmmmx100 · 26/08/2017 13:51

Looked back at a few accounts and you can see them getting glossier and more money-driven over time.

OP posts:
NaughtyNannyPlum · 26/08/2017 13:54

I actually came off Facebook years ago as I was feeling inadequate Capes (I guess because I knew them in 'real life').

Part of my depression has been having utterly no motivation to get up and do anything. I survived doing the absolute bare minimum. I began watching these 'mummy' YouTube channels when I was a SAHP (back to working full time now) and I actually found them to help me a little. I felt encouraged to clean and tidy after watching a decluttering video and watching some 'day in the life' videos of other mums at home with young children started to make me do more. Same with instagram. I find it to be a 'pick me up' or a reminder to get and get up and do something.

So, nothing major really but it weirdly does have a small positive effect on me!

StillStayingClassySanDiego · 26/08/2017 13:55

I like MoD and FoD, I do think he's really funny. I'd love all the free stuff they get.

Good luck to them all.

Imchangingmyname · 26/08/2017 13:59

I suspect the ones who are all 'be kind' 'support other women' 'kind words' etc are actually the bitchiest of us all Grin

forfuckssakenet · 26/08/2017 14:00

I follow a few of these types and I must admit that I follow them to be annoyed by them which I appreciate is quite twisted in itself. 😂

The worst one is one who claims to be so fat and working on getting back to herself when she's clearly an 8 without an ounce on her. She also doesn't know the difference between your and you're or their, there and they're. Drives me mad. A writer who can't spell 😔. To her credit she doesn't seem to be trying to punt anything other than her own writing. She also uses this emoji all the time 🤷🏻‍♀️

CourtneyLoveIsMySpiritAnimal · 26/08/2017 14:01

@sacchetto I agree with everything you've just said. I think she'd come over a lot better if she ignored any negativity. Yes, it must be hard to hear or see but she's doing well enough to rise above it and ignore it, surely. Be the bigger person.

What she did to that other IGer was just awful.

CourtneyLoveIsMySpiritAnimal · 26/08/2017 14:04

She also doesn't know the difference between your and you're or their, there and they're. Drives me mad. A writer who can't spell

Is that the writer who's married to the male Bridesmaid by any chance?

Original poster
Hmmmmx100 · 26/08/2017 14:05

I loved MoD's blog, Gas and Air. It was absolutely beautiful. I'd love to read more of that and less about luxury resorts/villas.

OP posts:
grandOlejukeofYork · 26/08/2017 14:07

They're not our friends, they're just there to sell us stuff that we probably don't need anyway

Well duh. How long did it take you to get there?

StillStayingClassySanDiego · 26/08/2017 14:08

If I could instagram my witterings about being a middle aged Mother of Boys I'd do it Grin, God it would be mind numbingly dull.

BabsGanoush · 26/08/2017 14:12

I watch the vlogs and I do wonder how many kids they will churn out in order to film:

Am I pregnant
gender reveal
my birth story
name reveal
post partum
baby's 1/2/3/......month update
Names i love but won't use
baby's first......

The 10 minute house tidy with (no mention of sponsorship) Method cleaning spray, Dyson 'V8 Animal' (who says that anyway).

Then there's the declutter/minimalisaton vlog followed by the Primark haul.

ElspethFlashman · 26/08/2017 15:39

Oh Jesus, "names we love but won't use". NOBODY CARES, LOVE.

I like Esther Coren, blossoming birds, life at the little wood and Chloe loves to shop

I follow Esther but must check out the others. I definitely don't class Esther Coren as an Instamummy though. She's just someone who has kids screaming in the background, lol. I love her, she is very very frank.

grandOlejukeofYork · 26/08/2017 15:45

But people must care, because they follow them. If they didn't care they wouldn't.

ElspethFlashman · 26/08/2017 15:45

Yes true, how depressing.

fivefour3twoone · 26/08/2017 17:10

Haha you must read the same ones as me Babs unless they really are all that predictable!

HelloSquirrels · 26/08/2017 17:14

Looked back at a few accounts and you can see them getting glossier and more money-driven over time.

Good for them though surely? If you had the sort of opportunity and it would mean you and your family had a lifestyle you couldn't have dreamt of before, wouldn't you take it?

YouCantArgueWithStupid · 26/08/2017 17:21

I've unfollowed all the above but I do love Clemmie Telford

Pappawasarollingbone · 26/08/2017 17:36

I agree re Midwife mum. Suddenly it's all about flogging stuff.
Quite like the one whose husband is a famous food critic. She is sweet and kind of charming but clearly loaded and completely out of touch with reality. But she is so out of touch and trying so hard it makes it almost like a work of fiction. This week she is worried about going on her third holiday and her second home is annoying her.