Some photos on KidsAreTheWorst tickle our funny bones more than others. There are some photos that I am sent that make me laugh immediately and I know that I have to post and share them right away. What is the story behind these photos? Who are these kids and who are their parents? I asked Amy Holmes (@amyedenholmes) to be my first KATW Behind the Photo interview because this photo has been one of my favorites and has become a bit of a viral sensation since it was posted.

Tell us a little about the Instagram photo. Where did you find the peanut costume?

I originally purchased the peanut costume (from Amazon) for my daughter’s first Halloween in 2009. It has been a staple in our “make believe box” ever since, along with my son’s sexy fireman and skeevy cop get-ups.

My daughter (5 years old in the picture) has always marched to the beat of her own drum (don’t most kids, though?). And for the past few years, she’s been adamant about choosing her own clothes. A game-changing moment for us (and by “us,” I mean me) was when she exclaimed, “God made YOU to be fancy, He didn’t make ME to be fancy mom!” (I was asking her to wear a sundress to a nice family dinner. You would’ve thought by her flare for the dramatic, I was dressing her up for one of those shameful Toddler & Tiaras pageants.) I realized in the moment that, A. I didn’t have the energy to be the fashion police, and more importantly, B. kids' hearts are so fragile. I just want her to have a happy childhood; and if that means she walks around in a peanut costume, then so be it.

And the sign on her back, .I just thought it was funny. It was more of a “shout-out” to all the other moms at Target.

Tell us a little about your family.

My husband and I have been married for 8 years and have three kids, ages 6, 3, and 11 months. I drive a mini-van. I homeschool my kids. We are entirely boring. I wouldn’t have it any other way.

What is your favorite thing to do with your kids?

I love snuggling on the couch and watching TV, mostly because they're quiet and I get to rest for a minute. My kids talk incessantly, and it’s fun (except for all those new Pokemon sounds my daughter is making. Those are annoying.). I’m constantly documenting our conversations in my Notes app because I’m terrified that I’m going to forget all the funny things they say. I love the quiet moments. It gives me time to soak in life.

What is one thing you wish you would have known before becoming a parent?

I wish I had known that the miracle of childbirth was going to leave me unable to jump rope without wetting myself. I would’ve done more kegel exercises. For sure. Also, baby boys and boners. I wasn’t expecting that.

What is one thing you would like all new parents to know?

You’re not cool anymore. Being a parent is inherently uncool. Accept it and move on. While those beautiful new Tory Burch boots and that Suburban may be earning you some high style-points, everyone knows that you’re scraping baby poop out of your nails and sucking like the dickens on that ingenious little NoseFrida Snotsucker just like all the other parents. So go ahead and buy your kids the tacky character bedding and stop worrying about what people think of you.

***

Thanks so much Amy. Keep up on those kegels, Moms and Moms-to-be. And, while I never had a NoseFrida Snotsucker, I do know a bit about being uncool.

Is there a picture on KidsAreTheWorst that you would like to know more about? Which is your favorite? Have you let your kids wear something in public that you wish you would have accompanied with a "Don't Judge My Mom. I Dress Myself" sign?

Tell us a little about the Instagram photo. Where did you find the peanut costume?

Tell us a little about your family.

What is your favorite thing to do with your kids?

What is one thing you wish you would have known before becoming a parent?

What is one thing you would like all new parents to know?

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