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.

Deirdre Corless Deirdre Corless

This week, Deirdre Corless filled us in on what’s happening behind the scenes in a picture of her and her three children; Ronan, four years; Daithi, two years; and Saoirse, eight months. 

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

I’m very rarely in pictures with my babies, but last week my three babas decided they all needed a hug at the same time. We live in the south of France and this was taken in our sitting/dining room. I’m Irish, my children are dual nationality French/Irish. We are bilingual so our daily conversations vary between English and French.

Single mammy life isn’t all fun and games. We argue, we scream, we laugh, we cry, we rejoice in small victories, we take each day as it comes. 

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

This moment of rare calm came after a slight fracas. Saoirse had a meltdown because I wouldn’t let her eat the cat food, Daithi stood on a rake in his bare feet so he needed a cuddle, his teddy and dodie, and Ronan just needed a big hug.

Did it take many attempts to get the right shot?

My amazing neighbour managed to capture this rare and beautiful moment. It was a pure coincidence. There were no filters applied – just a great shot at the right time.

What do you love about this photo?

I love this picture because it’s a rare picture of us all together. I love it because it’s so natural – three kids piled on top of mammy. I love it because it’s so us; messy, scruffy and happy.

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

This is us on a normal day. Someone is tired or cranky, someone needs a hug or someone has a boo boo. 

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.