Stop hating on the Pinterest moms! If you’ve been feeling pressure to be super crafty and creative, this is definitely worth reading!
I feel like I have read a lot of articles recently about moms hating on other moms for going all out and actually doing things they see on Pinterest.
It might be an elaborate, over-the-top party with tiny details and personalized party favors, or clever Valentine’s Day cards with funny sayings and a home-baked treat made for every student in the class, or even a complicated scavenger hunt, fort, Frozen-themed playdate.
Whatever it is, there has been a lot of negativity towards the moms who actually do the things on Pinterest for their kids. For the most part, other moms are saying that Pinterest has pressured them into feeling like they have to do it all (and do it well) for their kids. And I totally get that. It can be hard to see all these amazing things that other moms do for their kids and then not ever get around to doing them yourself because you are busy with your other kids, your job, or other things going on in your life.
That’s fine. I get that. I get the pressure you feel to measure up and be a Pinterest Mom.
The problem is that the moms who feel the pressure turn their stress and anger towards the Pinterest Moms and rant about how it’s ridiculous that moms take the time to personalize treats and get crafty and their child’s school parties. They rant that the kids don’t even care, or that it makes them look bad when they don’t do the same thing.
Now I don’t have school-aged kids, and I haven’t ever made cute little Valentines for my two-year-old to give to his two-year-old friends. But I love when other moms do their best and make something cute because they like doing it. I have no problem with moms putting together handy little “teacher survival kits” for their kids’ teachers on the first day of school. If my son gets a personalized party favor from a birthday party we take him to, I’m not going to be offended.
I feel this way because I think that everyone has a talent, and for some moms that might be being super crafty and having the ability to make things they see off of Pinterest. That might be the Pinterest mom’s strong suit. Maybe she’s bad at keeping up with laundry or bad at decorating her house (and maybe you’re super good at those things).
The point is, everyone has strengths and weaknesses, and we shouldn’t criticize each other just because our weakness is someone else’s strength and that stresses us out. It’s fine if you don’t feel crafty enough. I’m sure that you have something you are super good at, just like the Pinterest moms do. Be proud of it! Develop your talent instead of tearing down someone else’s.
And if Pinterest is really stressing you out that much, stop looking at it. You don’t need to measure up to anyone. Because at the end of the day, your kid is going to love you whether you buy a treat for her class at the store or bake something at home. It really doesn’t matter all that much.
So please, stop hating on the Pinterest moms.
Kersten says
Yes! THIS! I love your thoughts on the whole “Pinterest Mom” thing. I love doing some “Pinterest Mom” things, but would never be able to or want to bother with other things. We all need to be supportive of each other and realize that we each have our own talents. Tearing each other down because of our differences or personal insecurities doesn’t make anyone a better mother. Just because we don’t share a talent that someone else has doesn’t mean we need to hate on them for it!!
Chelsea Johnson says
Thank you! And it’s totally fine that you don’t want to do all of them. Your comment is perfect!
Annie Gunter says
“I love when other moms do their best and make something cute because they like doing it.” Amazing point! It’s not a bad thing for moms to pull out all the stops. Pinterest is one heck of a resource, and I for one get a lot of useful tips from it. We all have different skills as moms, as you mention, and I feel like Pinterest is one way we can celebrate and learn from each other.
Chelsea Johnson says
Agreed! We can definitely learn from each other, whether it’s parenting tips, crafting, cooking, or even organizing. There are so many different things we can be good at, and we need to be grateful we are all different and good at different things!
Mel says
This. I can appreciate that something is cute, or clever, or creative, or whatever, without feeling guilty or inadequate because I can’t or won’t spend the time or resources to do that thing. When somebody shares a project they’ve done, they’re not saying “look at me, I’m so creative/organized/frivolous and you are too inadequate/lazy/busy”. That message is usually coming from inside the viewer’s head, and it’s also usually garbage. We need to stop telling ourselves such lies.
Chelsea Johnson says
Right? Thank you so much! Sometimes people just like to be creative and share their talents. They definitely aren’t trying to make you feel bad!
Jennifer says
I look up to Pinterest mom’s! I think it’s awesome that they take the time to make what they do, and I’m always impressed with their creativity. I probably won’t have time to do a lot of the things I see on Pinterest as a working mom, but that doesn’t mean I can’t appreciate what someone else did. I wish other people thought that way, too.
Chelsea Johnson says
Agreed! And you are super talented in other ways (your recipes always look so good!) so you have that going for you! And your Sharpie mugs are super cute, too!
Katie says
I completely agree with this. I’m not the craftiest person by ANY means – most my projects take 10x longer than other people would take – and I so appreciate the craftiness of others. Everyone has their strengths and weaknesses, and it’s important to embrace those and celebrate those differences, rather than think “well, this person makes me look bad!” I remember there was an article called “Let’s Take the Holidays Down a Notch”, and it really irked me – just do what you think is best for your family and let others do what’s best for them. In our family, we LOVE traditions, and even if they are for silly holidays, I enjoy doing them. Not because I want to look like the best mom on the block, but because growing up, it was those small things that I loved the most.
Chelsea Johnson says
Me too! Traditions and fun things like that make things memorable. I want to start new ones and continue old ones because I think they are fun and I have good memories of doing things like that growing up. Thanks so much for your input! You said it perfectly!
Jess @ Let's Do Something Crafty says
Totally yes to this!! I am so sick of reading comments about ‘perfect’ mums who craft with their kids or Pinterest mums, I love crafting with the kids so we do lots of it but it doesn’t make me perfect. There are lots of things I might not do that others do! It really annoys me!
Chelsea Johnson says
Thank you! Keep doing what you’re good at. Every mom is perfect to their kids, and that’s all that matters, right?
Kyra says
I am not a mum yet, but I like preparing (via pinterest) for certain things that deal with wee ones is what I do, I think it’s awesome. I could not agree more on this subject. I think it’s kind of rude how some mommas (or just wife’s) hold quite a bit of harsh vibes when it comes to those who “go all out”. It’s crazy how some ladies could be so negative on things that make some people happy, like myself. I bake so many pintrest recipes. ha. Very well said though!
Chelsea Johnson says
Thank you! And I agree! Why are women so negative towards the things other women are good at? We should be proud that women are so diverse and creative!
Cassidy Cruise says
I totally agree with this! A mom said that I’m a good mom today because I mentioned that I make my own yogurt. That doesn’t have a whole lot to do with being a mom, at least not in my book. I never would have been able to have time to do some of the things I see on Pintrest while I was working. And now, I take it as an opportunity to do something special with my kids. Some moms relax by watching a tv show, some relax by knitting or reading. We all have our own thing and we shouldn’t knock other people’s hobbies.
You hit a home run!
Cassidy
tuesdaystantrum.blogspot.com
Chelsea Johnson says
Thank you, Cassidy! I agree! Also, I don’t think I even realized you could make your own yogurt! Props, girl!
Jess @ Make and Do Crew says
Man, I really agree with you about this. Just because I like spending 1,205 hours hand-grinding the flour for my daughter’s custom birthday party cupcakes doesn’t make YOU a bad mom. I loved crafting and making things beautiful long before Pinterest. Pinterest just allows me access to more inspiration and a place to keep it.
Chelsea Johnson says
Exactly! If you want to go for it, then do it! Definitely don’t hold yourself back because other people are jealous of your talents. And teach them how to do it if they really are that jealous!