We’ve partnered up with Plum Organics because they had a brilliant idea that fit our site and purpose perfectly: to create an online convo where parents could tell it like it is, to see and show others they’re not alone, and to laugh or cry at the wonderful and grim realities of parenthood.

With social media, parents can get caught up and crushed by the pressure to put on the best face possible, to sort of appear to be the “perfect parents” with “perfect children.”

Here are two made-up comparisons to illustrate this point…
 

It’s not lying so much as it is editing and dressing up what gets shared. We’re not saying we shouldn’t post the wins and joys, but a lot of the awkward or awful (and often funniest) parts tend to get swept under the carpet. This “filtering” is totally understandable when you look at all the judgement, peer-pressure, criticism and out-right hate out there.

Maybe we can all change that. Parenting is hard enough on its friggin’ own, right?
 

The relief, satisfaction and fun that comes from joining the “been there, done that” conversation of #ParentingUnfiltered is pretty remarkable.

Post your own stories and pictures on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram on Friday with the hashtag #ParentingUnfiltered. You may even get featured! We’ll be posting a large “best of” collection in a month and we just might showcase yours!

Also, follow Plum on Twitter and Facebook because duh, they started this party.
 

4 yr old at 6am — “mommy you keep sleeping, I'm just going to stare at you for a little bit” #creeperchild #ParentingUnfiltered

— AnneClaire Stapleton (@AnneClaireCNN) April 25, 2015

Oh God. #ParentingUnfiltered reader submission… pic.twitter.com/tJKkUuSLYk

— Scary Mommy (@ScaryMommy) April 24, 2015

Chuck E. Cheese's, where a kid can be a kid, and a parent can be a complacent shell of their former self. #pizza #ParentingUnfiltered

— Chris Teregis (@Christeregis) April 25, 2015

SpringCleaning is 7000% harder when kids keep trying to play w/ all the “new” toys Ive unearthed from beneath the bed #ParentingUnfiltered

— Carla (@Roladex17) April 26, 2015

I wouldn't let her play tag in the grocery store so I'm an asshole. #assholeparent #ParentingUnfiltered (post your unfiltered parenting moments with @PlumOrganics on Friday's with the hashtag #UnfilteredFriday) #ad

A photo posted by #assholeparent (@assholeparents) on Apr 24, 2015 at 9:46am PDT

Dinner out with my screaming 10 month old made me “that mom” again. Shoot me now #ParentingUnfiltered #AnnoyingMoments

— Cyndi M Frick (@CyndiMFrick) April 26, 2015

Parenting. It isn’t always pretty. It isn’t always perfect. And that’s ok. #ParentingUnfiltered http://t.co/RSGyjDh5c7

— Plum Organics (@PlumOrganics) April 20, 2015

Plum Organics helped us bring you this post with their sponsorship because they’re rad and they think we’re rad, too. In our opinion they make great products and it’s our pleasure to join with them to help start a conversation about real parenting.