Everyone is Talking
About an Iowa reporter who posted a #keepingitreal parenting selfie on Facebook and was shamed for it.
Why do I care?
She had the courage to use her online influence, as a public figure, to show what we all know to be true – that being a new mom is exhausting and unglamorous. Let’s be real, that takes courage.
Tell me more.
Erin Kiernan, a news anchor in Des Moines, IA posted this unfiltered photo on April 12th to her professional Facebook page. The response was mostly supportive and filled with other moms commiserating by sharing their own experiences and photos. However, there were also negative remarks posted, some of which were accusatory in nature. That was a line for Erin, and she didn’t hesitate to stand up to the naysayers. As parents who know what it’s like not to recognize ourselves in the mirror after a hellish night with a newborn, we give her major props for that.
In the Trenches
It turns out that kids getting B’s may not be a bad thing. In fact, there’s a college admissions consultant who actually advises it. And, we’re kind of on board if it means the pressures we’ve been hearing some kids are being put under would be alleviated. All kids are different and sometimes the expectation of high grades and test scores just aren’t worth the end result. If elementary students are getting ulcers and migraines, something is amiss.
Your Digital Kid
According to a study conducted by CNN, 61% of teens check their phones over 100 times a day to see if their posts are getting ‘likes’ or comments. Psychologists Pamela Rutledge and David Proost agree that the ‘like’ and selfie culture can be positive and negative for kids. Selfies are the way teens are expressing themselves today and in moderation, can be a healthy form of expression. That being said, the need for external validation in place of fostering the development of internal validation is where the dangers lie. Parent involvement is key in all things social media as your kids become engaged online.
Trending Plate
There’s been a recipe circulating around Facebook that includes bread, brie, garlic, and rosemary – they call it ‘Hedgehog Bread’ and we’re pretty sure it’s fantastic for your overall heart health. So of course, we had to share. Because, that’s what friends do.
Parting Thoughts
“There’s always going to be your to-do list. But you also need a gratitude list. Every single day, write at least three things you’re feeling grateful for. The more gratitude you have for all of the people and things you have in your life, the more grace you’ll extend yourself for not ‘getting it all done’. Focus on what you achieved each night before bed, not on what you didn’t manage to do.” – Arianna Huffington’s Personal Advice for Busy Mothers
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