Yes, Moms, Get in the Picture

by Cory Unrein

There was a viral post making the rounds awhile back from a mother who encouraged other moms to eschew their vanity about taking photos with their children. She encouraged moms of little ones to embrace their lumps, bumps, and stained shirts, and not waste an opportunity to capture a moment with your children. I read it, agreed with the sentiment, yet still avoid the camera at all costs.

Many (okay, most) of the photos I have with my girls include me strategically placing them in front of me as camouflage or smirking uncomfortably as my husband forces me into a vacation photo. Like many moms, I quietly pledge to myself to hop in photos when I’ve lost that baby weight and am looking fabulous again. We all have similar fantasies about running into an ex or old friend when out looking stunning. Trust me, when you do see that ex or the frenemy again, it will be when you are wearing sweatpants and flip flops, picking up Imodium for your sick child at the grocery store.

Valley News participated in the City’s Trail or Treat event last Friday, passing out candy to thousands of eager little trick-or-treaters. At the event, I reluctantly agreed to a photo with my girls. We were decked out in our Harry Potter themed costumes (I’m dressed as the journalist Rita Skeeter – I don’t generally walk around in faux fur collars), and having a fun time, so the resulting photo was a great capture of the three of us. I’m right in there - lumps, wrinkles, and hidden grey hairs on full display. My first reaction was to be horrified that the photo was on social media for the world to see. But the succeeding lump in my throat at the sight of my once little ones standing as tall as I am was enough to kick vanity out the door.

I was chatting with a fellow mom of teens recently, and we remarked how we never really believed moms our age when they’d admonish us to enjoy every moment with our children, that it all goes by so quickly. When you’re sleep deprived and up to your ears in dirty diapers, time doesn’t seem to fly. But, I know all too well now that you blink, and they are as tall as you. The same child who stuck a pea up her nose, causing a frantic call to the pediatrician, is now looking at colleges. I know time will not move more slowly as I grow ever closer to an empty nest. So, I implore you moms, get in the picture.

If nothing else, it gives you an opportunity to embarrass your teens. And, short of raiding their Halloween candy after they’ve gone to bed, is there anything better than that?

Valley News Co-Owner/Publisher Cory Unrein (right) with daughters (left to right)Sara and Kate. Photo credit: Sara Nadeau, City of Grain Valley