artificial insemination kit for humans
When my children were younger, they loved being in front of the camera, and I enjoyed capturing every moment. There was never a shortage of photos, and if I missed taking a picture during a holiday or outing, they would ask why. They didn’t care about their appearance or outfits; all they wanted was a fun photo to share, eagerly anticipating my Facebook or Instagram posts.
That all changed when they became teenagers. During our annual first-day-of-school photo session, my eldest made it clear that he would only pose if I promised not to post it online. I didn’t take him seriously and shared the photo anyway, thinking he’d eventually be okay with it. After all, it had always been our tradition. But he was upset, and suddenly he didn’t want to be photographed at all, even if I promised not to share it.
Soon after, my younger kids also started to shy away from the camera. Occasionally, they would agree to a photo, but only if they could approve it before I posted. However, getting them all to agree on a single picture proved impossible, often leading to arguments. I desperately wanted to showcase our family moments on social media, especially on holidays. They reluctantly agreed for occasions like Mother’s Day and the first day of school—but only if they liked the photos. This rarely happened. My eldest refused to be in photos, my daughter would hide her face, and my youngest would just look miserable.
I tried to fight this change for a while. Friends and family were curious about our lives and often asked why I stopped sharing pictures. But last Mother’s Day, as I struggled once again to get a decent photo, I realized it wasn’t worth the stress. My kids value their privacy and deserve to have it respected. I often remind them not to post photos of others without consent, and I must uphold the same principle with them. Just because they are my children doesn’t mean I can disregard their boundaries.
I can still capture our special moments without sharing them online. I had forgotten that this was how it used to be, but I’ve come to embrace it again. Now, when I take photos, it’s purely for our family album, and my kids are fine with it, knowing only I will see them.
Some teens enjoy being photographed and don’t mind their parents sharing those moments, but mine are different. They prefer to keep their lives private, which is something I need to respect. I wouldn’t appreciate it if they posted unflattering photos of me, so I understand their feelings.
These days, I take just as many pictures as before, but the difference is that they remain private. My kids are happier, and that brings me far more joy than the struggle of trying to get a perfect photo for social media.