You need to be in the pictures

A recap from this mornings Comedy Through the Chaos conversation. You know what I see all the time at events like the State Fair? Parents (usually moms) playing photographer while their kids rack up the adorable photos — and the parents end up looking like they never existed. One article I read called it the “Invisible Mom” problem, and it stuck with me. Years later, your kid shouldn’t scroll through the family album and wonder, “Was Mom on deployment during my entire childhood?” So here’s the deal: Get. In. The. Picture. Not because your hair is perfect. Not because your outfit is coordinated. But because your kid deserves to see you in the story you’re building together. And if you need the push — tell yourself you’re being selfish by NOT being in the photo. You’re robbing your kid of proof that you were there, laughing, sweating, crying, and making memories with them.