No one bothers to take pics of my kids with me unless I make it happen

"I had to demand the few that I have. My kids will forget their younger years with me because I am seldom seen in photos," the saddened mum laments.

It's an issue many mums will relate to; they are often the family photographer, and much less often in the photos.

It seems to be something that happens as part of motherhood; but a mum-of-three this week has decided to openly share her sadness about the lack of photos with her kids - hoping someone has advice for her.

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No one bothers to take pics of my kids with me

Writing in a parenting forum, it's apparent the mum is heartbroken.

"Felt a sudden pang of pain as I browsed over my phone’s gallery today," she begins.

"My kids (two, four and 12) were all smiles, happy and playing just about everywhere. I am the one who usually takes their pics with their dad randomly doing stuff, having fun while eating or playing, strolling around, sometimes all four of them wrestling with one another before bed.

"I remember their happy moments, but they won’t remember me because no one bothers to take random pictures of me with them. If ever I had some, it was surely because I asked my husband to.

"I take pictures as a way to immortalize those happy moments. But I guess, when I depart this world, my kids will forget their younger years with me because I am seldom seen in pictures.

"This hurts me a lot. But telling it to him would make this feeling worse."

Image: iStock

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"I don't have advice, but I have empathy"

Hundreds of mums commented that they could relate to the issue.

"I have had multiple conversations with my husband about this and I still have to remind him which takes the magic away from the moment. But I guess it’s better than nothing? I guess I don’t have much advice but definitely empathy," wrote one.

Another added, "Same here. I do not like posed photos and have asked my husband many times to take candid pictures when we're out doing things. He never does.

"I have mostly selfies with my son and lots of nice pictures of him and his dad together. I don't know what to do because once I ask it becomes sort of awkward, kind of like reminding people it's your birthday."

This mum encouraged the poster to not give up, writing, "As someone whose mum died young, please get pictures with you in them. Ask directly if you have to - ask your husband, ask strangers.

"But most of all, ask your husband to take some when you aren't aware. Tell him before a holiday or outing that he needs to take some. Those are the pictures your kids will treasure - your real smile and not your fake poses smile."

This commenter agreed: "Honestly, this is something where you SHOULD tell him. You ultimately are not the one who would suffer from the lack, it'll be your kids. I have maybe five or six pictures of my late mother, who died when I was eight."

And this mum encouraged the poster to really get it through to her husband, as she shared how she resolved the issue:

"I bought myself a selfie stick and when my husband tried to tease me about it, I said, 'I don’t want to die tomorrow and leave the girls without images showing that I existed and that I loved them.'

"He said that that sounded horrible and that he takes pictures of me… so I asked if he could show me on his phone. He looked and then got really quiet for a bit before apologizing.

"He's gotten much better about taking pictures since then, but I still don't regret having the selfie stick to use too."

Originally published as No one bothers to take pics of my kids with me unless I make it happen