The Longest Shortest Time

What Family Life Really Looks Like

Our last episode was about It’s Like They Know Us, a Tumblr that skewers unrealistic stock photography of family life. At the end of the show, we asked you to show us what REAL photos of family life look like, with the hashtag #realstockphotos. Shockingly, your pictures didn’t have as many white couches or salads as the pro photos. But they were just as funny. Below are some of our favorites. Enjoy! (And *please* keep ’em coming. We can’t get enough of these!)

Let’s start with one from Sara Given, creator of It’s Like They Know Us.

I love holding still so Mommy can take a picture for her satirical website. —Sara

I love holding still so Mommy can take a picture for her satirical website. —Sara

Safety is first and foremost in our home, we only provide educational learning activities for our 3yo. —Kali

Safety is first and foremost in our home, we only provide educational learning activities for our 3yo. —Kali

My son is learning to crawl because he knows it is an important next step in his development. Bribery is never involved. —Julianne

My son is learning to crawl because he knows it is an important next step in his development. Bribery is never involved. —Julianne

We never pass out on a pile of laundry. —Kaitlin

We never pass out on a pile of laundry. —Kaitlin

We are so perfect that we don't need the television to cast our glance away from a camera in our faces to pull off this innocent, angelic look. —Melinda

We are so perfect that we don’t need the television to cast our glance away from a camera in our faces to pull off this innocent, angelic look. —Melinda

We make sure our son maintains a healthy, balanced diet. —Ryan

We make sure our son maintains a healthy, balanced diet. —Ryan

I like to make sure I wear my bib at all times. I want to make the clean up as easy as possible for my mom. —Karen

I like to make sure I wear my bib at all times. I want to make the clean up as easy as possible for my mom. —Karen

Guess I shouldn't have let the 3 yr old feed the baby. —Diana

Guess I shouldn’t have let the 3 yr old feed the baby. —Diana

When I am sick everyone is well cared for and I am able to rest in peace. —Danielle

When I am sick everyone is well cared for and I am able to rest in peace. —Danielle

So I said, "I'd rather eat my sock than another one of those non-organic fruit pouches!" —Kimberly

So I said, “I’d rather eat my sock than another one of those non-organic fruit pouches!” —Kimberly

I never use my unopened jogging stroller as a table for my wine. —Sheila

I never use my unopened jogging stroller as a table for my wine. —Sheila

Nothing brings holiday cheer like taking Christmas card photos! My kids love wearing coordinating outfits. They never look half frozen, or like they want to punch me in the face. Who needs coats in 29 degree weather anyway? —Marcy

Nothing brings holiday cheer like taking Christmas card photos! My kids love wearing coordinating outfits. They never look half frozen, or like they want to punch me in the face. Who needs coats in 29 degree weather anyway? —Marcy

Breastfeeding is such a peaceful time for me and my baby to reconnect. —Sadie

Breastfeeding is such a peaceful time for me and my baby to reconnect. —Sadie

We childproofed our home. —Hillary

We childproofed our home. —Hillary

With the Simple Wishes nursing bra, I can discreetly pump in public proudly with women washing their hands next to me. I don't even mind that the airport terminal doesn't have a private place for nursing mothers. —Sameen

With the Simple Wishes nursing bra, I can discreetly pump in public proudly with women washing their hands next to me. I don’t even mind that the airport terminal doesn’t have a private place for nursing mothers. —Sameen

Life with two kids can be hectic, so I make sure my bedroom is my oasis. —Lara

Life with two kids can be hectic, so I make sure my bedroom is my oasis. —Lara

My house is always immaculate and I never let my kids watch TV so I can check Facebook. —Jenny

My house is always immaculate and I never let my kids watch TV so I can check Facebook. —Jenny

Finally, here’s one from last episode’s editor Peter Clowney, who responded with this when we asked him where his #realstockphotos were:

I'm looking but you know baby girl lives a life of leisure. —Peter

I’m looking but you know baby girl lives a life of leisure. —Peter

At least he got the salad in there, right?

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