Dear Moms: Get in the Picture
Take the photo mama, trust me on this.
I’ll never have a photo of my daughter and I after her birth — that’s something I’ll regret for the rest of my life.
She was born healthy and well, though it was a rough delivery which ended in an unexpected c-section.
I was battered, bruised, and eyes filled with blood from the strain.
Definitely not a pretty picture.
So I took no pictures.
For two weeks after birth, I had a no-photo rule. For some reason I didn’t want “the world” to see photos of the real me. I didn’t want my bloodshot eyes memorialized for all time.
So I literally took zero photos of myself and my newborn daughter. None.
The first photo of the two of us together is when she is almost a month old.
And I can’t even tell you how much I wish I had more.
When you don’t take the photo, you’re the one missing out
Have you ever looked at a photo of a new mom and thought, “wow, she really should have kept that one to herself.”
Didn’t think so.
When you’ve just brought a new life into the world, no one cares if you look a little rough around the edges. All they see is the mystical glow of new motherhood.
And you know what? You don’t have to share those photos with anyone!
But it’s such a gift to yourself and to your family to have those photos to cherish.
Mama, take ALL the photos.
I’m not just talking about photos from the delivery room.
I’m talking about birthday parties. I’m talking about sporting events. I’m talking about a Tuesday afternoon at the park.
Get in the picture.
Get in ALL the pictures.
Capture those moments forever.
Don’t be the one person left out.
Take the photo mama.
I promise you won’t regret it.
But you might regret if you don’t.
These days I’m making an effort to be more present — to get in front of the camera instead of staying behind it.
Sometimes I worry about what I look like — no makeup, yoga pants, hair in a messy bun. But are those small details worth losing out on irreplaceable memories?
No way!
So I take the photo.
I even insisted that my husband take photos of me after birthing our youngest daughter.
I was groggy from anesthesia, swollen, bruised, hair matted. But no matter. This could be my last baby, I don’t want to have the same regrets as I did last time.
It’s not a photo that hangs on my wall, but I’m so glad I have it saved. What was I so afraid of before?
Moms: Get in the Photo.
Memories fade.
Photos are forever.
More of my favorite posts on motherhood:
When You’re Sleep Deprived Mama, Remember This
5 Things All C-Section Mamas Need to Hear
- My King of Christmas Tree Review - October 9, 2024
- Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake - September 25, 2024
- Pumpkin Cheesecake Cookies - September 24, 2024
