Last night, I stumbled upon an insightful blog post by a talented writer named Jenna Collins, titled “The Mom Belongs in the Frame.” In her piece, Jenna expresses her struggle with being in photos: “I’m present in my children’s lives every day, yet I have so few images capturing those moments with them. One day, I won’t be here — and whether that day comes tomorrow or decades from now, I want them to have memories of me. I want them to see my love for them reflected in those pictures. I may not be perfect, but I am perfectly their mother.”
I had a similar realization a few years ago. While family members and friends filled our photo albums, I often shied away from the camera. I didn’t want my less-than-perfect body to be captured, so I made myself invisible in those moments. You’d hardly believe I was there at all during birthdays, parties, or school events.
I’m thrilled to share that I’ve started to embrace the idea of being in photographs with my kids, and it has made a world of difference. Believe it or not, there are even frames in my house that feature me!
Changing My Mindset
So how did I manage to change my mindset? Did I suddenly become comfortable with my appearance? Not at all! I discovered a simple technique called “grab a kid,” and it could transform your life as well.
Gone are the days of standing side by side with my children for pictures. Now, when I smile for the camera, I engulf them in a big hug (and a bit of my body too). Not only does this capture just how much I adore my kids, but it also magically conceals those stubborn 15 pounds! It’s like my own version of Spanx!
Tips for the Perfect Photo
If your hips are your trouble spot, balance a child on one. Have a little extra tummy? Plop a kid on your lap. Want to hide that double chin? Just lean in and cheek-to-cheek with your little one. Want to cover it all up? Give them a bear hug and show off just your smiling face.
Trust me, it really works. Take, for instance, a photo I took with my daughter Mia during our recent trip to the beach. We looked so happy together! Well, I was smiling because I knew she was covering all my problem areas. What’s not to love?
Make It a Priority
So yes, make it a priority to be in those photos with your kids. You’ll cherish those moments, and someday, they will too. And if you’re not quite ready to face your flaws, just grab a kid, squeeze them tight, and smile big. It never fails!
If you’re interested in more parenting insights, you can check out this blog post about home insemination, which delves into different aspects of family planning. And if you’re looking for expert information on pregnancy and home insemination, this resource is definitely worth a look.
Summary
Embracing the idea of being in photographs with your children can create lasting memories. By using the “grab a kid” technique, you can feel more confident in photos while capturing precious moments of love and connection.