Facebook rant

Hope you all had a peaceful, joyful Christmas surrounded by family and loved ones.

Yeah right!

Or was your day full of stress, tantrums and meltdowns?

Mmm thought so.

I’m betting the majority of us found the day extremely exhausting with expectations to be a fabulous host, amazing mother and generally all round multi-tasking, juggling super human. Whilst, our children are over-stuffed, over-indulged and over stimulated. Leading to inevitable battles, arguments, tears and tantrums.

Yet on Facebook this morning what do I see on my feed?

Yes, you’ve guessed it. Smiling happy photos (and some videos no less) full of shining examples of perfect families. Posts full of gushing praise and thanks for the wonderful presents.

Did no one receive a crappy, useless thingymagig?

Really, is it all true?

Of course not.

We all know that the true reasons why people feel the need to post about perfect lives on Facebook. But it doesn’t help when we read that Christmas Day in the Blogs Family was AMAZING – yet ours was a complete and utter contrast. How cruel.

And then in the ‘comments’ section people actually have bothered to write ‘lovely photo’ ‘lovely family’ even ‘lovely house’. Aaargh – doesn’t it make you want to throw your laptop at the wall!?

Now I’m not a grouch nor a grinch. I really do love my family and I really love my life – warts and all. I just don’t see the need to let everyone know via the platform of Bragbook – woops I mean Facebook.

That is why I belong to a few secret groups on FB where parents with children with special needs share stories and support one another every day of the year. We don’t brag, boast or feel the need to promote anything other than the reality of normal, boring, difficult, stressful, agonising lives. It is ‘secret’ so I can post without any of my other FB ‘friends’ knowing what I write – a very cathartic platform to get my feelings off my chest and to offer support.

My advice to you is yes be on Facebook. But read all the posts about perfect lives with a pinch of salt. Join secret groups where real people with real problems can offer help, support and feeling of ‘you are not alone’.