To be fed up of Instamums 2

[Hmmmmx100]

Continued from original post...

Nobody is pulling apart people on their success, merely pointing out that if you're taking in 90k you are not a struggling working mum.

you've just lowered the tone and reputation of MumsNet

That's a bit strong, isn't it?

I was under no illusions that MOD and FOD weren't loaded. He clearly has had an expensive education and she is called Clemmie.

Ordinary struggling working folk they ain't. That's not a slur, it's a fact

Whether you've got 90k or 90 million in your savings you can still find motherhood/work/whatever a struggle! She has 4 children and despite having this so called amount of earnings she still returned to work as a midwife she could have easily jacked it all in and lived off this money. I also don't see anywhere on MODs page where she mentions she struggles with money, more that she struggles with normal things like we all do, spots, toddlers who draw all over the place, mum guilt.

The think is, this is a job for them now and the more you post the more followers you get.
They stop documenting every detail of their lives? They lose followers and therefore money.
Yes it's an alien concept for most of us.

I agree many are annoying but I follow the ones I like and I'm grateful for frequent posts and I know that's how Instagram works..Its not Facebook.

The thing is argghh

I also agree that it's crass to bring earnings into the debate. It's irrelevant information to the transparency of advertising argument. And from what I've seen I'm not sure that MoD does try and portray herself as a "struggling mum" in a monetary sense. Just a mum. And being a mum is a hard job regardless of how much you earn, if you can afford cleaners and nannies and a top of the range washing machine. It's the stress and responsibility of keeping a small human alive that it is the same for all mums surely, weighed down with a good old helping of mum guilt.

I have agreed with many arguments on this thread and it was as interesting debate for a while but the continuous bashing of MoD and FoD has become tiresome and uncomfortable and I have to say there are definite hints of jealousy and bitterness throughout this thread (not by all but it's there in some posts). Surely the main debatable points have been made many times over now; they ("intamums") have seen, they've heard, some have responded and engaged, some are already making changes. Isn't it now time to move on? I think the point has been made!

I agree that posting that is a step too far. They've never claimed to be struggling. She got her book deal from her blog. Ok things have taken off and they've been making the best of it, but putting up info regarding where to find their accounts is too far. Why does anyone care what their accounts are? It's one thing to talk about transparency with advertising and a completely different thing to start all this. They are people who will be worrying about their kids and feeling shaken.

Yep how much anyone earns is not relevant unless they are clearly lying about their life and claiming to be in a financial position they are not. MOD and FOD dont cry poor or make an representations of the type that they are financially struggling so to bring it up is a bit crass. Sure they may not be your cup of tea and lack of transparency with freebies is IMHO problematic but apart from the fact that earning money from Instagram means they are a business and should act ethically, the amount of money they earn and from where is irrelevant to the points made here.

I also agree that it's crass to bring earnings into the debate

I personally think it's crass to beg for free Miele white goods and Mulberry handbags when you can afford to buy them.

Has anyone read MODs book?

I personally think it's crass to beg for free Miele white goods and Mulberry handbags when you can afford to buy them.

Shame there's no eye rolling emoji on here...

I think it was crass IF she was begging for free stuff by doing those posts but I would think that is crass for anyone to do regardless of their financial position. I don't link how much someone earns to how ethically I think they should behave. But each to their own.

Checking on companies house is a bit weird.
I have to say FOD does not come across as someone who works - unless I've missed those posts he seems to hold the fort at home most of the time.
Truth is a lot of these people are loaded: Chloe loves to shop - classic case - clearly hubby is doing all right. It gets a bit irritating after a while - typical Nappy Valley mum - can't relate at all.

He definitely did work and it was referenced a lot especially in relation to childcare and how her mum had always helped a lot and they were really grateful and when the twins went to nursery and he had to take them/pick up before/after work. They then got a nanny. His posts are about family time so they wouldn't be at his work or during working hours. A career break was mentioned. Constantly slating what they actually do when he works and she definitely works and whether that's 1x 12 hour shift or 2, it's not really relevant. This was about ads and transparency not how they live their lives.

I didn't realise I was slating.

Mumofkids are you MoD in disguise? You seem to be taking great offence 🤔🤔

Lol no. I didn't say slating either. Going on about finding her irritating is one thing but going on about him not having a job or how to find their financial accounts. Isn't that a bit weird?

I really hope Mod hasn't read this part of the thread you'd have to be pretty thick skinned to see the way you're all discussing her and not be affected. I hope she's got some lovely support from her friends and family you know people that know her in REAL LIFE! That's the point none of you know any of these people just what they choose to show you on their Instagram accounts.

Lots of Instagrammers have obviously taken the valid points on board re transparency and ads I've seen #gifted now being used which is great. So maybe some good has come of it all, apart from searching someone's taxable income that's just weird

MOD seems lovely, and at he end of the day she's just trying to be a good mum and do the best for her kids like most of us. I hope she doesn't take some of these comments to heart. It's simply about looking at how they manage their social media career and making adjustments- which I'm sure they will do.

I've read both threads, the crappy DM article and some of the insta response.

Leaving aside the discussion of ads / child safeguarding etc as it's been covered by others very well.

My 2 cents - I really only follow MP and CA of those who've been listed on this thread and am a huge fan of both for very different reasons - they are very different accounts / styles.

MP makes me laugh and uses her reach for a noble cause as well which has helped me be more confident and informed in my engagements with my employers (who are pretty fab).

Her ads don't bother me or reach me.

CA is dreamy. Love the ethos of wooden toys and travel - it's my escapism into their highlight reel of reality and encourages me too. Love her style and think she manages the balance of her feed very well (preferred U.K. and travel era as more exciting and relatable - especially London as this is where I live too)

Her ads are subtle and on topic - the collabs are obvious and tasteful and long term - i.e. Babaa and a long term follower would know this I'm guessing

I do most of my clothes and toy shopping through brands I've found on insta - seeing a toy or item in a pic and asking the poster where it's from - saves me heaps of time and I like the thrill of not relying on the high street - I enjoy babyccino immensely for this, the odd heirloom toy I choose or special outfit - I love that it's come from a small company in the Netherlands or poland rather than h and m like the rest of his bits (I've checked and am aware of my privilege and thankful)

I use insta as my go to for most things - it's for me a highly curated magazine of absolutely my interests, a bubble of what I want to see - craft, small brands, travel, interesting lives (I've added the sheep guy on this thread!), food, interiors, being a parent, nice clothes.

I just ignore and / or unfollow the bits that bore me or are too obviously off point for that poster.

That's my 2 cents for what they are worth ( 2 cents - lol !) and thanks babyccino, velveteenbabies, motherslovecookies, CA, MP and the other cool brands and lifestyle and fun follows for making my coffee breaks just about what I want to read (not like the glossies) and for free - my home looks better - Kon Mari and other inspiration from various posters and a big heart to 91 magazine, my baby has some lovely pieces and I love my own highlight reel

I have been reading this thread with interest and think it is a shame that what began as a very reasonable and valid debate is descending into nastiness as it has raised issues pertaining to social media that clearly matter to lots of us, namely the over-exposure of children and undeclared commercial interest.

I have no interest in any of these people cannot bring myself to use the word instamum per se or even heard of them, but have a problem with social media 'influencers' not declaring commercial interest. The sponsored posts issue is summarised very well here by Pandora Sykes, a trained journalist who manages to simultaneously write for the broadsheets and make money via social media exposure with honesty and integrity by filtering who she works with and declaring it, simple as.

To dismiss the argument with 'if you don't like it don't look' is defensive and disingenuous. If you have a large following it is because you have a voice that speaks to people and brands are assuming that a certain proportion of said people will listen and buy. This monetisation is not the problem but you do have a moral if not legal duty to your 'customers' to make sure that the difference between opinion and promotion is as clear as in print journalism.*

*Disclaimer - I know that print journalism is not black and white either but at least it is regulated.

I am a low key Instamum, I think. If you want to call me that. About 5000 followers. My Instagram is focused on BLW recipes but I also post the occasional non-food post. I try to post as realistic a picture as I can (e.g. if my daughter throws her meal at the wall I will tell you) but yes the majority are 'nice' photos. People like to look at nice things. I get a lot of positive messages saying that my Instagram and Facebook have been really useful to them. Does sharing my hobby and pictures of my child make me a bad person if I have chosen to do that? I am going on my next maternity leave soon and this will become my job. I have found ways to monetise the 'brand' without just advertising on Insta (I don't do this). Wtf not? If I can stay at home, cook, take photos, be less stressed and spend time with my kids why would I NOT do that?!

Don't think that's the issue at all. If you can then good for you.

Hey all
Thanks for your reports - we've deleted a couple of posts as PAs, so just a reminder to remember not to break our Talk Guidelines please.
Peace and love,
MNHQ

creamed thas fantastic and I admire anyone setting out to do anything like that. It's a really hard slog to make money from a blog/vlog/social media account.

Sure there will be haters, and jealousy but isn't there always. I hope that you have read the thread and taken from it (ignoring the irrelevant hate stuff) that most people don't care about making money, they do care about transparency though.