Being present and being seen present are very different. We are all very present as parents. Surviving the sleepless nights and the growth spurts when they’re newborn. The toddler tantrums and battling to feed them healthy meals as toddlers. Then the school runs and parties when they’re at primary school. Family holidays and celebrating birthdays and Christmas every year. Then suddenly they’re no longer babies, the teenage years begin and we watch them mature into young adults, complete their GCSE’s and before we know it they’re 18. So, were you there?

Of course you were! but if I was to ask you to show me those moments could you do that? And I don’t mean by scrolling through the countless pictures on your phone or stored away on your computer. I mean actually show me those moments, proudly displayed in your home. Most of us can’t say yes to this, in this digital age that our children were born into and are growing up in. Where body image is a big talking point for children of all ages as well as us adults, we either don’t have the photographs proudly out on display, or we’ve spent time shying away from the camera and focus on capturing the children instead.

I’m here to say STOP! Can you see what’s going to happen here? When your children look back they’re not going to see that parent who spent so many special moments with them, they’re going to see themselves having fun (which is great).

But….

What about you?

Where are you in their life?

Trust me, they are not going to look at those photos and think wow, mum needed to lose 10lbs or dad could have spent some time in the gym. They are going to think “I was so loved” and “that day was amazing”.

So PLEASE, let go of those thoughts…you know…that everyone has. Perfection is unobtainable, and you’ll spend forever chasing it.

The only thought you need is “I love my babies and I want to capture every moment of US together” so that when they look at the photos, all the memories come flooding back. They will see their parents, who loved them so much. So starting today, promise me you’ll “be present…”

Debbie xx 

P.S. If you need some inspiration then have a look at our family white cube session, a perfect session to relax and have fun together; if you’d like to book a family session, or learn more, go to Family Session