Mum shares 'unfiltered' photo of life with a baby - and we love it

Newborns are hard work, and don't let anyone tell you otherwise. 

Yet it is easy to feel inadequate and not up to standard when your social media accounts are constantly being bombarded with images of so-called perfect parents. 

But as Shannon Peterson proves, there is a hell of a lot more going on behind the scenes than they want you to see.

Taking to her Instagram and blog page, Much Most Darling, to share the reality of life with a newborn, highlighting how  "it’s really easy to forget about the need to share the hard things, because we all want people to know how awesome being a mom / parent can be. "

 

Just in case you thought my real life was anything like these tiny squares, I give you: this is 4 months. J has been an incredibly easy baby, from labor to delivery to him being *here*. But 4 months happened and his needs have grown tenfold. The other day I spent THREE HOURS like this, people. J had to be swaddled, on his back, in my arms. While I was bouncing on my giant exercise ball (never once used for it's intended purpose). With my boob perfectly resting in just the right spot on his chin. Our house was (is) a mess, my breakfast (lactation smoothie) sitting abandoned behind me, dirty hair and desperately in need of a shower (and 5 minutes without someone touching me) – and at the brink of tears. I mean, I was too lazy to even take the sticker from our movers off the stability ball  and I'm pretty sure you can see the remnants of my snowflake crafting on the carpet next to the couch I forgot to clean up. The truth is, this is who I am most days. Not a put together human who has her act together. Not a mom who can juggle working from home, kids, etc. I'm just a crazy person trying to maintain some semblance of calm while attempting to figure it all out. Counting down the hours until bedtime and the kids are asleep, and then that first delicious sip of Gin & Tonics or wine. And you better believe I VSCO and heavily edited the you-know-what out of this picture to make it look light and airy and "fit my feed". Because I'm stuck on the couch under a 4 month old cluster feeding little dude who won't have anything to do with anyone but me. – Here's to YOU mama, holding it together even when it gets rough. And even if you're not, you're still a part of this club of crazy. Anyone else having a really rough week? – – – – #beautifulbfing #breastfeeding #breastfeedwithoutfear #breastfeedingmom #motherhood #fedisbest #darlingmovement #our_everyday_moments #bfing #breastfeedingisbeautiful #mommyandme #momlife #mommylife #noshame #normalizebreastfeeding #rainbowbaby #happymom #mamabear #theDulcetLife #boymom #feelthefeelings #joyfulmamas #liveauthentic #motherhoodunplugged #mybeautifulmess #ourcandidlife #ohheymama #thehappynow #momofboys #honestmotherhood

A post shared by Mom Blogger || Shannon (@shynnz) on Feb 1, 2017 at 4:59pm PST

But it IS just as important to share the hard times.

Why?

Well, to stop fellows mums feeling alone or like they are failing.

“The other day I spent THREE HOURS like this, people. J had to be swaddled, on his back, in my arms. While I was bouncing on my giant exercise ball (never once used for its intended purpose)," she wrote under a picture of her sitting on a stability ball while feeding her four-month-old. 

 

A post shared by Mom Blogger || Shannon (@shynnz) on Dec 15, 2016 at 4:50pm PST

 "With my boob perfectly resting in just the right spot on his chin.

"Our house was (is) a mess, my breakfast (lactation smoothie) sitting abandoned behind me, dirty hair and desperately in need of a shower (and 5 minutes without someone touching me) ― and at the brink of tears.”

 

Making a huge effort to put down the phone, turn off the computer, and spend GOOD quality time with H. He's struggling with not having more one on one time right now and I'm feeling all sorts of mama guilt. I know the time will soon come when J won't be quite as clingy (although it sure doesn't feel like it right now), but his needs have definitely come first these past few months. This dude loves reading, every part of it. The pictures, listening to us recite the words in different funny voices, turning the pages, everything. And I love the quiet calm that takes over, and the fact that my tornado becomes a little snuggle bug again. Vehicles are his current favorite obsession, especially busses, trucks, and anything construction related and this "Good Morning City" book by @patkiernan checks all those boxes and then some. Plus the illustrations are incredibly beautiful! It's been a wonderful addition to our collection of favorite books  – What is something you like to do with your kids? – – – – – #AD #momlife #motherhood #ig_motherhood #happymom #mamabear #theDulcetLife #boymom #feelthefeelings #joyfulmamas #liveauthentic #motherhoodunplugged #mybeautifulmess #ourcandidlife #ohheymama #thehappynow #uniteinmotherhood #momofboys #humansofjoy #thepursuitofjoyproject #clickinmoms #livethelittlethings #momdotme #momlifeisthebestlife #momtog #patkiernan #motherhoodinspired #mamabear #mommyandme #dailyparenting

A post shared by Mom Blogger || Shannon (@shynnz) on Feb 7, 2017 at 5:23pm PST

However, as Shannon so rightly puts, most of us aren't doing it intentionally; most of us just want to focus on the good times – which is totally understandable.

At the end of the day – we'd never do it again if we were constantly being reminded just how hard it is. 

"It’s not that I intentionally leave out these hard days, these rough moments from my feed. It’s more so that I’m trying to focus on the good,"  she continued.  

"The sweet moments that I want to remember, rather than the brink-of-tears moments that remind me of my feelings of helplessness."