To say that you can take your Instagram homeschooling smugness and

[sparklefarts]

Fuck off??

Well am I unreasonable?!?

People I know in real life who I always thought of as lovely seem to have developed a need to post every single bit of homeschooling on insta with smug happy children, all smiles and love and look at our little wonderful bubble.

I know behind the scenes it's probably not quite as all smiles as they suggest.

Most of it seems to be 'look at me I thought of this fantastic activity for my delightful smiling easy children'
It's bullshit isn't it?

But what compels people to do it??


I'm not even that bitter. We're doing OK with homeschooling. We post the work to the teachers teams page and that's that. I know lots of people are struggling so would never dream of posting how brilliant it is everywhere (it isn't brilliant)


Maybe I just needed that rant.

[Brefugee]

Unfollow and stop looking, it isn't legally mandated that you look.

[Iknowwhatudidlastsummer]

I have lost sympathy for so many parents allegedly struggling and moaning about others who "have it easy" when it turns out they are spending their evenings slobbing in front of the TV when some of us spend 1 or 2 hours in the evening preparing for the following day . Don't come and moan how easy it is for other parents when they are just being organised, because they have to!

Seeing happy posts from people is a refreshing change from all the drama, moaning and whining that's around at the moment

[Dreamylemon]

I have a relative who does this all the time. It's insecurity driving her to do this. I feel sad for her and her child every time she posts something.

I'm sure some people are enjoying home schooling. Great for them. Therefore many others struggling and juggling stressful jobs.

My kids are bored and frustrated. If we were living this life pre covid serious questions would be asked about the children's welfare e.g. not going out, not meeting other children, not attending school. It's abnormal and I don't see the point in pretending I'm having a great time when we are not.

[Snarfblaff]

I just ignore most of the parenting bs on social media tbh as it mainly compromises of either "the world's best parents" who prepare hours of crafts and wholesome activities for their children each day, or alternatively it's those insufferable parents who over-exaggerate how hard parenting is and spend all their time pretending to swear into a glass of wine every time their child opens their mouth. Both are equally tedious.

We all know that most of what's in social media is contrived nonsense so the best thing to do is either defriend people or limit seeing their posts by adjusting your settings and just pretend they don't exist on social media.

[tttigress]

I've actually stopped using Facebook because:
a) sick of various humble brags posts
b) I am also tempted to make similar posts, to be "normal"

[hookiewookie29]

We have one Dad on FB who ,during the big lockdown last year, made his children wear their school uniform every day whilst home schooling and posted the smiley pics of them doing so. He even offered help with putting timetables together and offered motivational ideas to try...
He is a bit of a knob who people avoid at the school gates......

[Snarfblaff]

@RuggeryBuggery

I enjoy imagining the irony of them ignoring their kids whilst they spent hours uploading said photos into fb/ig and incessantly checking back for likes and comments 😂

This. There are so many "perfect" parents that I used to follow who would be going on about all the amazing activities they'd organised for their kids and how they limit screen time blah blah blah, all high and mighty, and yet these same people would produce 50,000 insta stories each hour. It's just all a load of bollocks.

[hammeringinmyhead]

I don't think that it is easier this time other than that the schools themselves are more organised. In a straw poll of my friends they would say their employers are running out of patience with parents after 10 months.

[SmidgenofaPigeon]

I just unfollowed a Dad in Instagram who had put a picture of himself dancing round the kitchen to T-Rex to ‘bring people cheer’. A few people where quite kind and said things like ‘nice moves’ etc and then he decided to post a different video of him dancing every day since apparently that was what was needed in these times.

I turned myself inside out from the sheer cringininess of it and promptly unfollowed. What a twit.

[SmidgenofaPigeon]

A video sorry- not a picture

[BeaSmithers]

Yet you're happy to still use Instagram. I'm sure it serves your purpose as and when you see fit. If you don't like it then deactivate.

[Brefugee]

So after that chat I stopped posting online. I would never want another person so feel bad about who they are.

that's your decision but I'm not changing the way i use social media because someone else can't bake/craft/sew/whatever as well as i can. It's on them to unfollow. It's bizarre, this attitude that people shouldn't use their social media how they see fit.

[2021hastobebetter]

Well I’m a teacher and we are currently with my parents - retired by also teaching.
Eldest DC is fine. Youngest Christ on the bike - we will all die from heart attacked the work set by his primary teacher means he needs his own Laptop abs 1-2-1 constant supervision and Christ it’s dire. He’s still alive 3 weeks in. Just 😂. But I had to deliver one of my lessons live on teams with him on the floor under my desk with his work - for his own safety (else my parents might have murdered him!) step away from social media and if you get the end of the day with some work completed and a child in one piece - then in my view that is success!!

[Glitterblue]

I'm totally with you, OP. We are doing OK most of the Time, but today, DD is drifting around in her PJs and dressing gown, looking miserable and just not able to concentrate. Its freezing, she's tired and we've lit the fire and given up on the schooling. Her room is a tip, there is washing drying all over the house.

[Anywherebuthere]

Actually they dont need to f*off insta or any other social media. They are using it how they are choosing to. They can put whatever they like on social media as long as its not inappropriate etc

The ones who should leave social media or even in real life situations are the ones who can't handle what others are putting out there and do actually come across as bitter.

[CakeRequired]

@RuggeryBuggery

I enjoy imagining the irony of them ignoring their kids whilst they spent hours uploading said photos into fb/ig and incessantly checking back for likes and comments 😂

That's what I think too! If your kids are so bloody perfect, why are you constantly on Facebook hiding from them? Go spend time with the perfect little angels.

No one on earth is going to believe that your child behaves perfectly all the time, because they just don't. That's just kids! They misbehave, they cry, they have tantrums. That's all normal.

[Quaagars]

@DifficultPifcultLemonDifficult

To share ideas, so their friends and family can see what they are up to, so they can get a bit of a pat on the back for doing something we all struggle with... there's a million reasons.

This.
Maybe it's what gets them through?
Scroll on by or hide them/unfriend them/unfollow them if they're making you feel bad in any way or you don't want to see their posts.

[Quaagars]

@SmidgenofaPigeon

I just unfollowed a Dad in Instagram who had put a picture of himself dancing round the kitchen to T-Rex to ‘bring people cheer’. A few people where quite kind and said things like ‘nice moves’ etc and then he decided to post a different video of him dancing every day since apparently that was what was needed in these times.

I turned myself inside out from the sheer cringininess of it and promptly unfollowed. What a twit.

See, I'd have seen that as a bit of fun.
Far rather that and seeing what crafts people are doing or whatever than those who doom post!

[SmidgenofaPigeon]

I see your point @Quaagars it was more the condescending way he dressed it up by saying it would be something for people to look forward to at the end of the day

[Bluesheep8]

Ha. I’ve homeschooled my kids for years

I think if I’d of posted every single day. People would of gotten bored very quickly

I hope you're teaching them to say 'have' not 'of'

[Bluesheep8]

Bold quote fail

[emilyfrost]

People I know in real life who I always thought of as lovely

So because they post photos of family life on Instagram they’re not lovely anymore? Regardless of whether it’s staged or not or whether it’s one happy moment in a bunch of chaotic ones, so what?

It doesn’t make them smug; it seems like they just want nice family photos and are willing to put in the effort to get them. You’re obviously not and that’s fine, but no need to be jealous and bitter about it.

[LilMidge01]

I was on my own (DP elsewhere) throughout the first lockdown and whilst not homeschooling found I posted the small joys of my day much more on social media whereas when I had more of a life I barely posted at all. It was nice to share the nice moments, connect with people that I sometimes hadn't spoken to in a while through DM's and comments, I enjoyed seeing what others were up to, inspiring me to try new things (whilst also not putting pressure on myself to do it). I think you're being a bit cynical.
If it makes you feel bad, get off social media. But for some people, it's uplifting, and whilst they only show the good stuff it isn't necessarily 'lies'. I also shared days when I was a bit more down commenting on how boring life was. Yes maybe its a bit attention seeking but I didn't really feel I could 'bother' people, but it was a gentle way of letting people know I was on my own and struggling and they reached out to check in more.
Maybe you just need to adjust your perspective, realise your anger isn't really at these people, it's at the situation and see that they're trying to make the best of it as well and connect with people.
If they're annoying obnoxious people though, stop following them and get off social media for your own mental health. Stop blaming others for your own anxiety

[Xmasfairy86]

A friend did this in the first lockdown. She was furloughed and is very creative.
She is now trying to WFH full time and help her 2 kids with schooling. She posted a full apology for her behaviour last year 🤣🤣

[dootball]

To be honest I find that better than all the people moaning about how hard it all is.At least it's positive!