“Mom, nooo,” my kids groaned as I asked them to pose for a picture. We were having a fun day together, complete with decorating cookies and visiting the giant lights display, and I wanted to post about it on social media. But by the time I begged, pleaded, and threatened everyone into posing, the “fun” momentum was lost. Wait, why am I doing this? I thought.
I enjoy social media as much as the next mom, and there are plenty of good reasons to keep enjoying it. But there are three heart-level questions we need to ask ourselves to consider if we’re posting pictures of our kids on social media too much. By asking these three questions, we’ll ensure we’re using social media in a healthy way for ourselves and our kids.
1. Am I posting this to prove or validate something?
I don’t know about you, but when all six people in my family are actually together and everyone is laughing and having a good time, my motherly heart feels like it will burst with happiness. And my very next thought is Look, world! We are happy, and they do love each other!
But do we feel the need to capture and post to prove the experience really happened? To validate it in some way? These are tough questions that might come with complicated answers. It’s important to remember that posting (and the positive responses we receive after we do) does not give us value or prove our value. Our value shouldn’t be dependent upon the fickle approval of other people. When I’m tempted to use social media to make myself feel valuable, I always return to the worth I find in a higher source—and for me, that’s God. Where do you go for that?
2. Will it disrupt the good flow of the moment?
Back to the happy moment taking place with my family. There we were, laughing and playing together, and then I stopped everyone to “capture the moment.” But one picture turns into three, and I position everyone in a better light, and my son elbows my daughter, and then I take a second to post it… You see where this is going. The fun we were having is long gone, and I have to ask, “Is it possible that capturing the moment ruins the moment?”
Is it possible that capturing the moment ruins the moment? Click To TweetIt may be possible to capture it without ruining it, but you’ll have to keep it super simple. For example, can you take a quick candid photo instead of a posed one? Can you just take one and not 10? Can you post about it later? It’s really a personal question: What do you need to do to make the actual fun you’re having with your family more of a priority than capturing and posting about it?
3. Is it too personal?
Is there a right or wrong way to share personal information? How much is too much? The answers to those questions vary from person to person.
As a mother, ask yourself if it will embarrass your kids now or in the future. If you’re still unsure, ask yourself, “Is this something I would announce to a large group of people over a microphone? Would I share this with my pastor or my grandma?” Because that’s really what you’re doing when you post on social media.
One more question to prevent overly personal posts: Are you feeling emotionally charged at the time of posting? If you are feeling angry, sad, or just annoyed, there’s a good chance you’re going to share too much and probably regret it later. Give yourself a good night’s rest, and if you still feel the need to post it, go for it.
What do you do to ensure you’re not posting pictures of your kids on social media too much or at the wrong time?
