Recently, I stumbled upon a heartwarming memory on Facebook that took me back seven years to when I was in grad school. My partner, Lisa, and I took our little girl, Emma, to the local fire station as part of her preschool field trip. They dressed Emma in oversized fire gear, and Lisa snapped a picture of me standing next to her.
Back then, Lisa was always capturing moments of me with the kids. Every time she showed me a photo, she’d tell me I looked like a great dad. But more often than not, I’d focus on my appearance, feeling awkward or out of shape, and I’d insist she delete the photo. I’d reluctantly allow her to post some, but I wish I had embraced those moments instead.
Looking back at that adorable snapshot from the fire station, I can’t believe how young I looked, and Emma was just the cutest! It fills me with such warmth every time I see it. I’ve revisited that photo countless times, smiling at the memory of holding my little girl.
The sad truth is, until recently, I wasn’t as diligent about taking pictures of Lisa with the kids. When she’d occasionally point out the lack of non-selfie photos of herself and the children, I often stayed silent instead of picking up my camera and capturing her in those precious moments.
Now, I make a point to take lots of candid photos of Lisa with the kids. It may sound trivial, but I’ve come to realize how vital it is to document these moments. Parenting goes by so fast, and looking back at old memories can be bittersweet. It’s hard to accept how quickly time flies, and we all deserve to see ourselves in those moments of joy with our children, beyond just selfies.
Taking pictures isn’t complicated. Just grab your phone and catch your partner in the act—reading a story, baking cookies, or cuddling on the couch with a little one. Be sneaky about it; the more candid, the better! Your partner deserves to have these memories too. She should see how her children look at her with love, admiration, or even the occasional frustration. These photos can help her appreciate the beauty of motherhood from another perspective.
Sure, she might not love the photo at first—she may feel self-conscious about how she looks or what she’s wearing. But take it anyway! If she asks you not to share it online, respect that. You don’t even need to show it to her right away. Wait until the kids have grown and the moment has become a cherished memory. Then, pull it out, laugh together, and remind her how wonderful her role as a mother truly is.
Photographing your partner with the kids conveys a powerful message without saying a word. It shows her that you recognize her hard work and appreciate her efforts. It captures a slice of her life as a loving mother, which she can cherish later on. Plus, it’s one of the simplest yet most overlooked ways to create lasting memories.
If you’d like to learn more about family building, consider checking out resources like CDC’s guide on infertility. Also, for those interested in fertility, Make a Mom offers valuable insights. And for more on home insemination techniques, visit our post at Intracervical Insemination for more information.
In summary, capturing candid moments of your partner with your children not only documents the beautiful chaos of parenting but also fosters appreciation and joy in your family memories. Don’t let these moments slip away; grab your camera and start snapping!