I Took These 22 Brutally Honest Photos Of Moms To Show What “Mother’s Day” Really Looks Like
Everyone talks about how special motherhood and parenting are. The bond shared with a child is unlike any other; it’s a magical journey that is rewarding and satisfying, and I couldn’t agree more. I love being a mom, and it’s the best job in the world. I am a mom of two boys and love them to pieces, but Raising kids is not always all rainbows and butterflies.
Motherhood is not remembering what it’s like to get a whole night’s sleep and wiping more poop than you ever thought you’d see in your life. Raising kids is no longer having privacy, never peeing or showering in peace. Motherhood is using your shirt to wipe runny noses and dirty faces. Life with little children is learning how to do everything with one hand while carrying a baby in another. Motherhood is waking up with a bit of butt or foot in your face. Motherhood is breastfeeding whenever, wherever. Motherhood is yoga pants and bad hair days. Motherhood is no longer shopping alone. Motherhood is a filthy car all the time. Motherhood is not being able to call in sick because it’s a 24/7 job without a paycheck, and the list of everyday problems goes on. But in the end, I wouldn’t have it any other way. Having young kids and being a mom means being completely overwhelmed by love, joy, responsibility, and selflessness.
With the help of my mommy friends, I created this little intimate photography project just in time for Mother’s day, to remind everyone what motherhood really looks like. Some might find these interesting pictures raw, but that's how it is in real life.
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Motherhood Is Never Peeing Alone
My daughter is 24 years old and still does this to me if i forget to lock the door.
Not to forget her husband who's also in the bathroom, taking the photo...
Or the photographer, as it actually appears to be...
Load More Replies...Maybe teach them that people should be left alone in the bathroom?
This is your choice. You can close doors, lock them if necessary. I could wait until my kid was asleep to use the bathroom, so there was never any need to have her in there with me when she was too little to leave alone for a couple of minutes. I don't understand having an audience when using the toilet.
I haven't even had kids and sometimes when I need to pee I NEED to. Not everyone can hold it until an undetermined time.
Load More Replies...Oh yes. This is my every day reality, literally EVERYDAY my 6 yo is in the tub too you just cant see her.
Load More Replies...Motherhood Is Never Shopping In Peace
I don't think supermarket shopping could ever be considered peaceful. Although re-looking at the pic it's a toy store? That's never going to be easy.
And you end up buying more than you need. Treats read bribes are involved. Plus you're now too stressed out to remember what you came for anyway.
Nah...I'd play with the toys with my kids, as long as we weren't bothering anybody. If the kids get loud & cranky, though...they don't get to play in the store.
This photo should be a Pulitzer winner. It tells the whole story in one frame. :D
This photo should be a Pulitzer winner. It tells the whole story in one frame. :)
When The Kids Go To Sleep
Forget it just try to relax and enjoy them as you will turn around and they will be grown with lifes of their own and no more time for mom!
They are missing the one I bought for my wife "Mommy Drinks Because You Cry" (A Sarcastic Coloring Book)
There’s also the book called “Go the f___to sleep” not a lie. My husband bought one for each of our kids when they had their first child!!
Load More Replies...Sleep Never Lasts Long, They Find You
I always wonder about these huge gaps under doors. I only know them from really old houses with warped floors. Why would somebody build them on purpose?
I think new construction leaves those gaps in case the new owner wants to install carpet...that's the only reason I could think of that had any logic behind it haha!
Load More Replies...Motherhood Is Being Your Kids' Entertainer
I would't know i was raised by my grandmother and my mother was never involved.
I did SOO much wrestling when my son was young. Had to stop when he became stronger than was.
Sometimes. Sometimes, motherhood is, "Go and play on your own. Entertain yourselves."
Motherhood Is Never Sleeping In
Now my kids are adults my dogs do exactly the same now, theres no winning.
My little dog wakes me by standing on my pillow and patting my head with a tiny paw. The bigger one stands on my chest and puts a paw on my throat - he's more determined.
Load More Replies...My daughter would literally take her little fingers and open my eyelids "mamma you wake?"
When our kids were little they were lucky enough to have Mom stay home with them. My Wife always told me that my days off were her days off (her days to sleep in really). I always felt it was a fair deal, being home all day with two babies and two toddlers is a tough gig.
If I could up vote your comment again I would 100 more times!
Load More Replies...It true, our daughters aged 2 and 9 months sleep through the night. Always have
Why would someone down-vote that? Jealous of you having such considerate daughters maybe?
Load More Replies...Fake - a parent of toddlers’ bedroom is never this white and clean.
Lol that's what I thought! What parent to little ones no less, would get all white bedding?
Load More Replies...Sometimes Moms Need A Time Out To Have A Sip Of Wine And Check On Their Phones
hahahahaha! love it! I remember when bananas in Australia cost heaps ($12.00 AUD a kilo), I would have to sneak away from the kids to have one.
haha, I hide and eat kids Halloween candy :)
Load More Replies...Bottle is empty. How long has she been there? A long time means either her house is on fire by now or her kids are chill. A short time means her kids are a real trial!
And sometimes they need a buzz before a night of whoring around at the bars.....
Motherhood Is Breastfeeding Whenever Wherever
Probably an unpopular opinion but if a kid can ask for the breast they are probably too old to be breast feed.
Unpopular yes, but also scientifically unfound. The WHO recommend breastfeeding untill 2 and beyond and the natural weening age for humans is between 4 and 7. We as a western society arent used to seeing toddlers and children breastfeed because from the 50's to the 80's formula companies spent millions on marketing campains. In the 80's a law was passed that the formula companies arent allowed to advertise for formula for younger babies ( up to six months). Which is now why we find it acceptable for young babies. You're basically believing what multinationals want you to believe.
Load More Replies...People complaining about the kid's age... do you guys drink milk? cow's, goat's, whatever?, well that's the same, if the cow, goat didn't give you the milk, would you drink it from your mother?. Adults don't need milk and still drink it. At the end is the mother's decision.
I like the sentiment, but the impact is blunted somewhat by the conspicuously obvious staging of the photo. I wish that something like this could have been captured with a more spontaneous feel, in the same way that the not-shopping-in-peace item appears.
You people talking about how the kid is too old to breastfeed really make me sad. Statements such as, "If they're too old to ask for it..." and the like are completely arbitrary and have no scientific evidence to support them. If you think it's "creepy" for a mother to feed her child YOU are the one who is warped. Educate your ignorant self...
Breast feeding is natural, beautiful & literally the most healthy thing for U to do for Ur child. I breast fed my son until he was 2yrs old. He rarely gets sick. Has never had a ear infection, & I built a bond with him that will last a lifetime. He is now 14 & he has grown into the most amazing young man. Bonding is very important for children. If some women want to bond a little longer that's their choice. No one else's!! I would rather see a Mom paying attention to her children then ignoring them & caring only about their self. This Mom is amazing. Cooking a healthy dinner, while breast feeding isn't easy. Kudios to her!!!
The official age that health professionals recommend to breast feed until is 3, so...
This is true love, not addiction! Every family is free to decide how long breastfeeding will go on and nobody has the right to judge!
Motherhood Is Never Ending Laundry
My 9 year old changes clothes literally 3-4 times a day depending on his mood (eye roll) I used to b***h so bad about this until my mom said hunny 10 years from now you won't ever remember all the laundry you did but you will remember your sons imagination and so will he
And I thought it would end when he joined the army..........😩
My kids started doing thier own laundry when I was getting CLEAN FOLDED laundry back in the basket....about 11. They had one class and left to their own devices. I swear I was still getting "mooooom where is this or that"...specially uniforms. ... my reply .... IDK did you do your laundry??!! lol
#facts I'm literally in the middle of washing 20+ loads of laundry while reading this article
Taught my kids how-to do their laundry as soon as they could reach the knobs. However they don't do anything else.
Motherhood Is Never Showering In Peace
I don't remember ever doing that with my mum (the cutie sitting on the loo is definitely old enough hence the comparison). I was also never close to her. I don't have kiddies but I think I'd rather have an audience and a closer relationship.
To have peace and quiet, tie up the kids somewhere while you shower. (joke.Sorry, I couldn't resist)
The only way to shower, relatively safe, is when the kids are asleep..
I had to remove the lock on the bathroom door when my son locked himself in. :-(
Load More Replies...That's what men are for... to watch the kids while you shower... if they bang let them bang they will eventually go away when you don't go to the door and let them in
Moma me bath? Moma me bath? (Repeat until you get out and put them in) thank you moma. *worth it right there*
Motherhood Is Being Kicked In The Face At Night
Gah this is terrible but something about that little snuggly baby beside you makes it worth it
Does anyone discipline their kids anymore? Or, y'know, set boundaries to say..."You have a bed, sleep in it"...? Anyone? Anyone?
My kid never slept in our bed. My parents never let us sleep in their bed. She has her own room and her own bed and she has known that since she can remember. We have just as close of a bond.
Oh yes, my daughter did this all the time...in her sleep, she turned around, head to head with mommy and Chuck Norris-like kick for Daddy :-)
I've learned to sleep defensively when he is with me...One time of having a heel smashed into my nose was enough for me to learn!
My. Mom, said when we were young, and dad being in the military, she was alone with us a great deal of the time. We, apparently would crawl innn bed with her all the time, and when we were all in her bed, she’d get out, and go sleep in one of our beds we were restless sleepers!
Motherhood Is Cooking With One Hand
This freaks me out and I'm sure Dr's all over the world if they saw this.
It's a lovely photo but I'd be worried the baby would lean over the stove suddenly and I'd drop 'em in the pan. I am especially clumsy though!
Or she could, y'know...put the kid down while cooking over an open flame. Just saying'.
Motherhood Is Trying To Keep Your Kids Alive
Who cares if the kids wear clothes at home. My oldest grandson would not keep clothes on. Wherever we went he would walk in the door and was in his diaper in seconds. That's anyones house we went to. People tapping us on the shoulder.....um your grandbaby is almost naked in the living room. Haha. We still tease him and hes almost 17.
Kiss Army have you ever been a kid bcuz I have and I never wore clothes when I was and I dont think I was the only one and anyways it is less laundry and hey whats more comfortable than your own skin. And seeing that this isnt your family you have no right to judge
Yes, I have a child. He was always dressed and always wanted to be. I, personally, like to lounge around in pjs. He would not even stay in pj's - as soon as he was up he wanted clothes. He is 16 now and still does this. As soon as he wakes up, he showers and gets dressed (including shoes) and stays that way whether is going anywhere or not... From the responses, apparently my kid is the weird one. (Who knew?)
Load More Replies...These are my kids and they start out with clothes but about 2.5 seconds later my 2 yo strips herself then her 1 yo sister. I'm lucky she has underpants on
Load More Replies...Motherhood Is Not Being Able To Call In Sick
Single mums having to push through because they are it. There is no one to step up and help out.
Sometimes you have to ask for the help because if you seem like you can always handle it, no one knows that you need it. Not everyone is able to know when to help without being told/asked. No one should have to take it on alone!
Load More Replies...If i am sick, and i tell my husband i am sick he askes me why i am sick... i am like oh yeah i forgot i am a woman i am not allowed to get sick and lay in the bed like men donwhen they are sick lol... it happens every time.
Yep - I became a single mom and recall the week we both had buckets by our beds!
It’s not just single mums who have to push though some people, like me, have partners who work 12hr shifts so aren’t there to help out
Motherhood Is Being A Nurse Or Wiping Kids' Noses With Your Shirt
My mum neither.. she always taught me to have a napkin/tissue with me.. now I see one of the reasons..
Load More Replies...My kids wore clothes so I would use their shirts.. I don't want boogies on mine 😉
Motherhood Is Having No Privacy
Honestly, all of these will be misses for the while i have kids but i can't wait... i want children even more now! i love this post!
I do not let my kid in the bathroom with me... he is 5 and he can wait outside the door...
looks like its bath time..and whats she suppose to do...hold it? at least she has her eye on all 3 even if it means taking care of business.
Load More Replies...Boundaries. These kids are gonna be terrors when they grow up. She's going to be so stressful because she'll have 3 kids ruling the house.
If she wanted PRIVACY she should not take photos of herself on the toilet seat !!! OMG - If you want kids - have them - if you do not want them - have a antibaby pill , do not have kids and then regret for your wasted life ! Grand parents were invented a long time ago - to give you some help and to spoil your kids . I had the best time of my life with my two daughters growing up. I wish that there is more unconditional love like that in the world ....
Motherhood Is Having Little Helpers To Help You Cook
'Uh..oh..don't do that, go away, watch tv or something' there,that's more like my mom..she is such a good cook but so perfectionist that she didn't allow me to help when i was little..
And so you didn't learn how to cook like her, huh ? Sad...
Load More Replies...Now that my kids are grown adults I really miss all of this. I wish someone would've told me how fast it goes & how much I will miss this. I am telling all of you parents of tiny ones to cherish every minute. Even the bad ones because before you know it your little ones will be big ones & you will miss these times.
don't kick eggs, don't pour the bag of flour over your own head, don't stick your finger in the electric socket or the cat's butt
Not for an actual meal, though, that you plan to serve to other people. Doing a "kid cooking session" I'm all for...but I wouldn't let my kids do anything in the kitchen that I couldn't wash & make sure there's no snot, sneezes, hair, dirt or whatever thing someone doesn't want to find in their food.
LOl my girl and her friend hand mixed the cookie dough so long it got too warm and runny- but that was more fun then cooking them.
Motherhood Is Being A Housekeeper
My mum taught us to pick up after ourselves, even at that age - otherwise we'd feel the wrath of dad. And once she had cleaned it was expected to stay that way - as she put it .... "you can play, but we're not pigs so we will not live like pigs" The same with closing doors to keep the heat in "were you born in a barn...no...then shut the door" (never understood the barn. But I always shut the door)
Yup...especially that oldest girl...hmmm, hope she enjoy's picking up all this stuff as much as she seems to enjoy spreading it around.
Load More Replies...Kids need to learn to clean up after themselves.. that older kid should be able to do so atleast and help his/her mother. Some parents dont seem to bother that their house looks like something exploded in their with food everywhere and trash.
I am not a housekeeper... they pick up their own c**p or it will go out in the trash...
This house sure is dirty in every picture. Not a good thing to teach kids.
Lol you can eat off my floor sarah... it's just toys.
Load More Replies...Or, y'know, teaching your kids to pick up & clean up. "If it's left on the floor, you don't want it anymore..." and out it goes. Seriously.
Those kids are obnoxious and the pic is staged. She isn’t vacuuming.
I wouldn't say I'm the best housekeeper. Not while working a full time job anyways.
Motherhood Is Trying Not To Lose Your Mind
kids need rules and boundries ofc.. but you also need patience and let your kids be kids.
As a mother of three and a single parent with the first one. I never remember people complaining and whinging so much about parenthood. The generation who are raising kids now were maybe spoiled or maybe setting boundaries, rules and letting them be kids while you are the parents is lacking. Kids need these things. Patience, love and acceptance goes long, but don't lose sight of whose the parent.
I'm sure the book will be telling her to set rules and boundaries. Even from the age of 2. It can be tough, but it helps in the long run.
He should shut up if all he is going to do is mom shame.
Load More Replies...Motherhood Is Being A Maid
For a lot of reasons, saying that Mom is a maid really raises my hackles. We all do a lot of things for our kids. I don't know, but when it gets said like that it's almost like an expectation or a task. I willingly did all those things when the kids were little, but I wasn't a maid! Not for my own kids.
I don't like to call it being a maid..... That sounds like its a chore. I know that it can be but weigh up the pros and cons and it's worth every little thing.
Nope not a maid... they do stuff for themselves or it don't get done... including folding their clothes and putting them up... even my 5yr old...
Well that doesn’t look like a 5 year old. That looks like a toddler that needs it mother to be a maid for him. Damn
Load More Replies...Amen to that! I live alone with my boys. I tried dating. I was out enjoying dinner when I got a call from the baby sitter that my who was 5 at the time fell I inside the washing machine splitting his lip. I had to leave. My date wasn't too happy about that. Being a mom I thought she would understand. Nope.
If you start, while children are young, you say mommy, or daddy needs help, they do like to help, start with little things, especially when the second child arrives, it helps the first born, to feel important, when the children are old enough, a small allowance for helping, teaching to save some and spend some, I forgot to do that !!!
When my son was in kindergarten, he brought me to his class for show and tell and introduced me as "This is my mom, she is my maid"....18 years later still true!
No it isn’t. You have to clean up every day whether you have kids or not. Moms are so dramatic.
Motherhood Is Breastfeeding On Demand
I love this mom. She doesn't sweat the small things, and looks to allow her children to be little and enjoy life.
teeth have a lot to do with it
Load More Replies...Aww ma, cotton branches and half an avocado for dinner again?!
Too bad if the food splatters up and hits her bare skin or even worse the child - do they make splash-guards for such occasions????
Looks like it might be something that wouldn’t matter except the fact that it MIGHT get them a little dirty. Why is everyone being so negative and pointing out every little problem you see? Some of y’all enlarging the photo to see what you can find to b***h about. Geez stfu
Load More Replies...I'm more concerned about the kid say high up. There's no way she'd catch him with a kid on one nipple.
Motherhood Is Never Shopping Alone
Two under control , now try to see what the third one is trying to do.
This one is so not true for me....shopping alone is my self care!
I did at every opportunity, if I didn't, the shopping would come in at double the price
Where are all the dads in these households? Are they too good to help take care of the kids they had fun creating? 😡
My husband child sits when I go shopping... he got tired of me buying him toys every time I went so now he keeps him home, unless I go while he is at work lol...
"child sits?" You mean "takes care of his children?"
Load More Replies...thanks for your concerns :) baby is not even 2 years old... btw my own kid is 3 and still breastfeeds at night and I don't see anything wrong with that. have a blessed day !
Load More Replies...I'm thinking abt that too :( And I'm not old enough to not have the 'you will one day want kids' reply every.single.time
Load More Replies...Seeing photos like this just reassures me that I've made the right decision to never have children. I don't like mess, I want to sleep when I want, do what I want - when I want, I need my alone time (I suffer from anxiety), I can't stand noise I can't get away from (gives me a headache). And I want to work outside of my home, and not put my career on hold. Not saying I don't have huge respect for mothers out there, I'm just not made to be one.
It takes a person who knows themselves inside and out to realize they are not the mother type. Nothing wrong with that. What's wrong is having kids cuz everyone is buggin you to do it. Then you are unhappy, the kids miserable and life sucks.
Load More Replies...Pretty much.. It's no glorious life with couple of young children.. No social life, to tired to function and body & mind left right after the dead beat dad.. I made it through, but it sums up the mess you become when dealing with the madness a couple of small children are.. Never again!
Being a mother without any help is a tougher job anyone can ever imagine unless you are one. There are lot more than these pictures show. In Asia, it is much worse. Sad part is that no one appreciates while the mother is doing all these without a hum. This will never change. No wonder most girls prefer not to have children unless you are forced to.
thanks for your concerns :) baby is not even 2 years old... btw my own kid is 3 and still breastfeeds at night and I don't see anything wrong with that. have a blessed day !
Load More Replies...I'm thinking abt that too :( And I'm not old enough to not have the 'you will one day want kids' reply every.single.time
Load More Replies...Seeing photos like this just reassures me that I've made the right decision to never have children. I don't like mess, I want to sleep when I want, do what I want - when I want, I need my alone time (I suffer from anxiety), I can't stand noise I can't get away from (gives me a headache). And I want to work outside of my home, and not put my career on hold. Not saying I don't have huge respect for mothers out there, I'm just not made to be one.
It takes a person who knows themselves inside and out to realize they are not the mother type. Nothing wrong with that. What's wrong is having kids cuz everyone is buggin you to do it. Then you are unhappy, the kids miserable and life sucks.
Load More Replies...Pretty much.. It's no glorious life with couple of young children.. No social life, to tired to function and body & mind left right after the dead beat dad.. I made it through, but it sums up the mess you become when dealing with the madness a couple of small children are.. Never again!
Being a mother without any help is a tougher job anyone can ever imagine unless you are one. There are lot more than these pictures show. In Asia, it is much worse. Sad part is that no one appreciates while the mother is doing all these without a hum. This will never change. No wonder most girls prefer not to have children unless you are forced to.
