You know the type: moms proudly sharing every milestone. It starts at playgroups or daycare—'Isn't yours walking yet? Klaasje was up at 9 months. Such a clumsy one!' At school, it's Roosje skipping ahead in kindergarten or Suus landing a spot in the elite dance class. Facebook feeds overflow with one sports victory after another. Online bragging rights—and as a fellow parent, I've joined in too.
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The Sire campaign 'Who are you doing it for?' got me thinking. All those polished family photos on Facebook and Instagram—why do we post them? I've written before about my 'perfect' Facebook life, yet I keep sharing. With my kids, I'm selective: joyful moments yes, meltdowns no. It paints an idealized picture, not the full reality.
Sire's 'Who are you doing it for?' creators question this curated perfection. In mid-December, they launched The Good Life Agency—a fictional service helping 'ordinary' people look more successful. Buy likes, boost your child's image, or snap a celeb photo. It was a hoax that drew massive buzz: over 100,000 website visitors and 170 sign-ups for these status boosts. Eye-opening for a made-up agency.
Preliminary research showed 63% of Dutch people believe others glamorize their lives online, but only 16% admit to it themselves. It's like those schoolyard boasts—you swear you're not like that. Or are you?
My life isn't flawless, but I'm content and share it proudly. Not everyone needs to see it—if they don't like it, they can scroll past, right?
Posting my child's swimming diploma photo (clothed, of course) is pure joy, like countless other parents. It's pride, plain and simple. To answer Sire: not for bragging rights, but for me and distant family who celebrate from afar.
Still, I'm reflecting more on my shares. Why chase that flawless image? The cookie-baking pic—is it to prove I'm the fun mom? Vacation snaps—shouldn't I savor the beach sunset instead of staging shots? 'Sweetie, shift left. Arm around your brother—no hitting!' Sound familiar?
Today's world demands perfection: thriving career, vibrant social circle, star-performing kids with envy-worthy hobbies for easy online wins. We broadcast it all. Sometimes, it exhausts me. Am I so focused on displaying happiness that I forget to live it?
I wonder how others manage. Do their real lives match those Instagram ideals? Doubtful.
