annoyed about Mums showing off about kids crafts in lockdown?

[Transformer123]

OK, so I'm getting quite irritated by the amount of Mums on my School and Pre-school Whatsapp groups, and Facebook, going on and on about what marvelous crafts and activities they are getting up to with their kids at home - long posts, videos and pics.

My husband is a key worker and I'm trying to do my job as well whilst looking after the children. It's very stressful and I'm only really able to squeeze the school work in. He worked late this evening and has been told he's now got to work the weekend (9 full days in a row) and be on call next week, when he was supposed to be taking annual leave. Both nurseries, including my sons' have closed due to Coronavirus, so I can't use them.

Some families have both parents who are key workers (I have a friend whose a Doctor in a hospital and so is her husband). I think the Mums who are overly sharing, should perhaps consider that some families are really struggling, with both parents working and looking after kids?? And they are just making them feel bad?

Worse, they are coming up with ideas for us Mums to do - like posting a video of our children saying hello and showing their crafts. I do not have time for this and our lives have gone crazy. It feels like I am in the minority and most people are at home, not working and having fun?? Anyone else in a similar situation?

Some people are private and some people aren’t.

When I post stuff on my private Instagram page - it’s for my own memories and anyone who wants to enjoy them. Not for likes - so I’m not sure why being fake has anything to do with it.

If you choose to do arts and crafts with your children - it’s not taboo and there’s no reason you should feel any way about posting to social media. If someone has an issue with it - it’s best they block and delete

Ok just read first page of this thread. My FB is private and only people I know well are my 'friends'. I have lost 40% of my income so I'm not about to post about how I'm spending all my money on a expensive toy. But I also have material in the house from a hobby and my daughter and I were to do a couple workshops on a related one this Easter. So we are teaching ourselves and yep I've posted the results. I've also posted my daughter's decluttering skills with the kitchen cupboards. Can't see how our amateurish crafting efforts etc are going to make anyone feel bad. A friend is doing instructional cooking videos - would you say she's showing off because she has the time and skill and is now boasting? I like to see positive things, I'm not really interested in motivational sayings (trite and meaningless) or the 'clap for X' things or links to yet another tragic story. Lighten up. And block those FB feeds you find so annoying.

I spent the first week of lock down trying to WFH with kids (husband is a keyworker). It's incredibly hard.

Week 2, I'm on furlough and it's easier time wise but i am out of my depth. I'm good at my job but currently at the start of a massive learning curve about how to entertain and educate two young children at home, while dealing with their and my emotional reaction to everything that's going on. I haven't actually posted anything but I have friends who have and being part of a community of people dealing with something which honestly is not easy is helpful.

I’ve also seen it on the NextDoor app. Like I just don’t care that your DC has used toilet rolls covered in poop to make something that’s useless.

Maybe it should be because your children are not old enough to make a choice.

I would be tempted to get a big piece of paper, black pen, and let rip of all the pent up rage. Post the picture and withdraw into blissful solitude.

...I realised it was the sentiments that were fake - like the person who posted about the lovely day out (but hated it because the toddler had a tantrum the whole time) - so the friends aren't really so lovely or the food wasn't good or someone caused a scene...

May I present to you - the true story of Kinfolk magazine.

www.vanityfair.com/style/2020/03/how-kinfolk-magazine-defined-the-millennial-aesthetic-and-unraveled-behind-the-scenes

Ta-da!

Just because it's on social media doesn't make it true.

You might think people are boasting. That says more about you than about them. You might think someone is showing off, they might have done something they enjoyed and want to share it in case someone else wants to try it.

Life is what you make it.

Maybe stop projecting dissatisfaction

I'm totally over it! It's so funny most of the mum's never spoke to each other at the school gates and now they are showing off videos about their kids etc, mentioning how irritating there partners are, showing off alcoholic beverages and bigging each other up on how amazing they are at coping with there situations and even saying we have to go out for a night out - I find it really false. But I feel rude if I leave the group now!

Why can't you just boast back with your own trite nonsense?

"So proud of my amazing keyworker DH, working at weekends to help support people at this difficult time. Kids are missing their daddy blah blah blah"

People who post these sort of things on social media are usually putting a ridiculous spin on things too. Just ignore them or if you fancy it, join in

I'm a keyworker working at home with a 4 and 5 year old. It's hard work and I get quite upset when I see updates on my daughter's school app with all the work different children have done and the posts from the teachers announcing 'learner of the day's. I'm just winging every day.

However, today I've posted loads on my social medi of the crafts and baking we've done. However, during the week it is hours spent on screens, iPads, left ro their own devices because we have to work.

We're all doing our best . I'd love to be furloughed but hey ho.

So many typos, apologies!

OP, you are doing the best you can and that is plenty good enough. So what you're not crafting for days or painting sodding rainbows with #staysafe all over them. You're juggling a very new situation, working kids and running a home then dealing with a very tired dh. You deserve a medal...ask one of your WhatsApp group to craft you one!

A big G&T and be pleased that the kids haven't set fire to anything and you've got some work done. Hats off to you it's tough but you're doing it.

Sounds like you have a lot on your plate! An old lady said to me last week - the most important thing isn't actually what they achieve academically at the moment... Or what crafts they do.. the only thing they'll remember long term after all this has past is how they felt during all this! So just do your best (like you are) just keeping their mental health good - don't fret the small stuff - hugs and

I've been too busy too, but it's been lovely to see others ideas.

I'm a single mum to 3 and 4 yr old children, key worker, and now working from home. I'm lucky in that I work part time but the job is stressful. I do feel for you @Transformer123 it's hard work.

We did crafts yesterday and had some really lovely time in the garden. I posted photos. I didn't post photos of bedtime when all hell broke loose, and I had enough of the constant noise and relentlessness of it all.

Try not to judge others for their actions, everyone is struggling in their own way.

@Eskarina1 it's a really steep learning curve. I've had to develop patience I never knew I had. I've been at home with my 2 (3 and 4) for 3 weeks now as me and dc1 has symptoms. This morning, 4yr old said, while doing some of his school work (he loves it) "you're getting really good at helping me mummy!"
I must have made progress!

@Nottalotta that must have been lovely to hear.

It's utter shite. I keep getting photos on WhatsApp of Easter crafts, dressing up, baking etc. I even got a series of photos taken on a long nature ramble with the whole family grinning at a local beauty spot that I know is at least 8 miles away from their home. Am I meant to be impressed by this?

Meanwhile I have moody teens and my eldest child is a key worker living away from home. I am pining for them today so have no tolerance for performance parenting and general showing off.

I’ve deliberately not joined the pre school Facebook group for this exact reason! I think my son is missing a weekly story reading posting on there but I can’t face the showing off. I get stressed enough receiving an email saying this week teach your son how to blend sounds.... I have no idea how to do that... and I’m a teacher! a level so have no idea about phonics and blending sounds!

I am visually impaired and I am sick and tired of people flaunting their 20/ 20 vision by driving and doing things that I can’t. Except that I don’t because I accept that it’s my responsibility not to compare myself to others and if I did, it would say more about me than them.

Yes, some appear to have it harder than others and some have had it harder than others for a longer that three months. It’s called life.

I am getting tired of this competitive’I have it worse’ than other people bullshit.

@AgentJohnson why read this thread then which is clearly about that?

@Quote OverTheRainbow88. In the futile hope that maybe, just maybe, people will stop assuming that everything is about them. One persons braggy crafting post is another’s, ‘I made this cool thing and by sharing a picture of it, I hope to inspire other people’.