EACH WEEK, A different Irish parent chats us through a family photo from Instagram and explains what was really going on outside the frame – from tantrums to toilet disasters.

Fancy taking part? Email amy@thejournal.ie with a few lines about yourself and your kids for a chance to feature.

Julie Haynes Julie Haynes

This week, Julie Haynes (@twins_and_me) filled us in on what’s happening behind the scenes in a photo of her and her twins Erin Rose and Fionn on holiday. 

Tell us a bit about this photo. What inspired you to take it?

I always have my twins wearing matching outfits. Even though they are boy/girl twins, I try my best to match them 90% of the time. Sometimes I match myself with them too (embarrassing mom). 

What’s one thing that’s going on in this photo that you wouldn’t know from looking at it?

Holidays nowadays are completely different than what they used to be. With two toddlers, gone are the holidays spent lying poolside with cocktails. Nowadays I’m chasing toddlers around a resort instead! 

Another thing you wouldn’t know from this photo is that at home, due to the housing crisis here in Ireland, myself and the twins have found ourselves in temporary accommodation. I am finding it extremely difficult to find a home.

Did it take many attempts to get the right shot?

Getting a photo with the twins is incredibly hard. Normally behind the camera is someone dancing to Baby Shark to get their attention and to look at the camera. 

What do you love about this photo?

I love it because we are all in matching outfits and it’s one of those photos I will treasure forever – even though my twins will hate me for it when they are older! But, for now, they are small so I’ll keep “twinning” with them until I can’t get away with it. 

Was there any editing done to the photo before it was posted?

I don’t filter any pictures, and never ever edit or crop any of my photos. I share the good, the bad and the ugly!

How well does this photo reflect your family life in general?

On Instagram, I show the ups and downs of motherhood and life in general. I share the struggle every night trying to get them up to bed, I record myself bawling crying when I feel like I can’t do it anymore, I share our cuddles and movie days and good days, too. I said it before and I’ll say it again, motherhood is the busiest, loneliest, but best job in the world!

Do you have a family photo from Instagram with a great behind-the-scenes story? The day at the beach when the little one ingested a mouthful of sand – or the smiley photo taken just minutes after a tantrum? If so, we want to hear from you! Email amy@thejournal.ie with a few lines about yourself and your kids for a chance to feature in What You Don’t See Here.

More: What You Don’t See Here: Mum Melissah shares the story behind this cheeky selfie – antibiotics, tantrums and all