I feel like a $hitastic Mom after reading the Kelly Hampton blog. Am I the only one?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So many of the posts on this thread are just classic examples of how women love to tear other women down. Its really sad. She is comfortable, happy, thin, beautiful, and seems to be a great mom. Good for her. Not really understanding why her apparent happiness is so offensive to some of you.

I completely agree. I've read her blog on and off since just before she had her second baby. Yes, sometimes I am blown away by what she seems to accomplish in a day, but I mostly find it inspiring. So she's happy - that's a problem? There are enough blogs out there about the trials and tribulations of motherhood. Her blog is a positive refreshing change. Hate to say it, but it sounds like the haters are just a little bit jealous of what is just a glimpse into her so-called perfect world - but you really have no idea what her day to day life is. It's a blog. If it's really causing a hit to your self-esteem, venture elsewhere.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thank you for introducing me to her blog. I think it is beautiful. It certainly doesn't make me feel like a bad mom. It makes me want to take better pictures and be more crafty that's for sure. But, everyone has their strengths. If you noticed in her pictures, her house is a mess. Total chaos. While I would like to fancy myself as this creative, fluid kind of earth-mama, the reality is that I would go nuts if I lived in that house. I think one of my strengths as a parent is that I am organized and my kids thrive on a schedule. Her strengths are different. I think we can appreciate other people's lifestyles and perhaps even be inspired by them without feeling bad about ourselves!

This, in bold, is how I feel about her blog.

And when I read her daughter's birth story, the only thing it made me feel was a strong urge to pick up my own daughter and hug her.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:People don't post about the bad times. I'm sure she has lots of happy moments, but just as many struggles. No one is perfect. I always feel like people who project this perfect life image are hiding something and not authentic. I like people who are real.

This is so very, very true. She is selling a brand of mommy perfection here. Good for her, but it's internet packaging guys, wake up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People don't post about the bad times. I'm sure she has lots of happy moments, but just as many struggles. No one is perfect. I always feel like people who project this perfect life image are hiding something and not authentic. I like people who are real.

This is so very, very true. She is selling a brand of mommy perfection here. Good for her, but it's internet packaging guys, wake up.

I think adults can understand that no one is "perfect" without needing to "wake up." Give me a break! She's an optimist. If that's not your cup of tea, so be it, but to imply that her readers are somehow getting the wool pulled over their eyes and just don't know it... that's pretty condescending, frankly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Don't feel bad. You can take five photos of your child and spend the rest of the day ignoring her as you sit on the computer to update such site and photoshop your pictures. lol

This is the the real story. The unicorn and narwhal corner of the internet, people. I have parented my beautiful SN son for 11 years and wrestled as many puppies as bears. It is hard to block out all the negative stuff from public view. Eventually, being human, most of us crash and then get up and do it again everyday. Without the strength to blog about it.

[Anonymous]

I have to kids with autism and I tried hard for years to always come across as the perfect mother who always had it together. I beat myself up internally about not doing enough for them. It wasn't until I burst out crying in front of several people that I was finally able to let go at least a little of the notion of needing to be perfect and that people don't look down at me for not being happy all the time.

I think it's easy to create a perfect story in pictures. But what's more important is that you're happy and that you love your children no matter what, and it does seem to me like she is happy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:10:58 - NICE job. You should start a blog. That was very motivational (I am not being snarky, I mean it - and this is OP).

3 things I want to change about myself:

1. not just "get through" each day but ENJOY the days more
2. worry less about health stuff
3. eat better

10:58 here. Which challenge do you want to change first?

[Anonymous]

Her husband isn't some hot shot attorney or stockbroker...he sells software. As with FB, people tend to "rosey" up their lives - that their lives are bed of roses.

I like reading her blog, but I believe there's a lot that's not said.

[Anonymous]

10:58. I want to focus on #2 first.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Her husband isn't some hot shot attorney or stockbroker...he sells software. As with FB, people tend to "rosey" up their lives - that their lives are bed of roses.

I like reading her blog, but I believe there's a lot that's not said.

I thought he was a business owner?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So many of the posts on this thread are just classic examples of how women love to tear other women down. Its really sad. She is comfortable, happy, thin, beautiful, and seems to be a great mom. Good for her. Not really understanding why her apparent happiness is so offensive to some of you.

I completely agree. I've read her blog on and off since just before she had her second baby. Yes, sometimes I am blown away by what she seems to accomplish in a day, but I mostly find it inspiring. So she's happy - that's a problem? There are enough blogs out there about the trials and tribulations of motherhood. Her blog is a positive refreshing change. Hate to say it, but it sounds like the haters are just a little bit jealous of what is just a glimpse into her so-called perfect world - but you really have no idea what her day to day life is. It's a blog. If it's really causing a hit to your self-esteem, venture elsewhere.

I agree, as well. I find her pictures to be absolutley beautiful and her posts/prose to be both touching and interesting. Love her!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People don't post about the bad times. I'm sure she has lots of happy moments, but just as many struggles. No one is perfect. I always feel like people who project this perfect life image are hiding something and not authentic. I like people who are real.

This is so very, very true. She is selling a brand of mommy perfection here. Good for her, but it's internet packaging guys, wake up.

I think adults can understand that no one is "perfect" without needing to "wake up." Give me a break! She's an optimist. If that's not your cup of tea, so be it, but to imply that her readers are somehow getting the wool pulled over their eyes and just don't know it... that's pretty condescending, frankly.

I don't mean to be condescending. But I just think it is intellectually and emotionally dishonest to present a fake reality to people at all times and revealing an almost cartoonishly positive view of parenting particularly when it's SN. Its is a very very vulnerable group of parents, we're probably harder on ourselves than other parents and I hate to see anyone manipulating that intense desire many of us have for hope and good outcomes. Sorry if I offended you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People don't post about the bad times. I'm sure she has lots of happy moments, but just as many struggles. No one is perfect. I always feel like people who project this perfect life image are hiding something and not authentic. I like people who are real.

This is so very, very true. She is selling a brand of mommy perfection here. Good for her, but it's internet packaging guys, wake up.

I think adults can understand that no one is "perfect" without needing to "wake up." Give me a break! She's an optimist. If that's not your cup of tea, so be it, but to imply that her readers are somehow getting the wool pulled over their eyes and just don't know it... that's pretty condescending, frankly.

I don't mean to be condescending. But I just think it is intellectually and emotionally dishonest to present a fake reality to people at all times and revealing an almost cartoonishly positive view of parenting particularly when it's SN. Its is a very very vulnerable group of parents, we're probably harder on ourselves than other parents and I hate to see anyone manipulating that intense desire many of us have for hope and good outcomes. Sorry if I offended you.

Well said.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Her husband isn't some hot shot attorney or stockbroker...he sells software. As with FB, people tend to "rosey" up their lives - that their lives are bed of roses.

I like reading her blog, but I believe there's a lot that's not said.

I thought he was a business owner?

I don't think so...go to her Q & A.

Personally, I found it very strange to give birth in front of a room full of people. The last person I'd want in the room with me is my Dad! Maybe she didn't poop on the table, but it's still very very strange.

I have learned from her how to create beautiful picture books from Shutterfly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:10:58. I want to focus on #2 first.

10:58 here.

Worrying about health....

Is this about your health? Children? Spouse? Everyone?

And we need to take a look at the anxiety level. Chronic? Debilitating? Rooted in reality or worrying about what-if's?

So, make a list. The list should have your top worries and I want you to simply address if they are real (as in health issues that on your plate right now) or worries for the future.

We must make the large smaller, b/c when you remove those worries from your plate, you can move through the world less encumbered (hence starting to address #1!)