There’s very little in this world more adorable than a toothy-grinned toddler splashing around in a bathtub or sitting perched on a potty. Something about the unrestrained exuberance of being naked brings out the inner child in all of us—we live vicariously through their carefree abandon.

And those little dimpled tushy cheeks? Cutest. Things. Ever.

Some of my favorite times with my son are those when he’s having a grand old time in our tub at the end of the day, sticking foam letters on the sides or reading books or shrieking hysterically while splashing water all over himself and me.

It’s impossible not to want to snap a picture or video and send it to family members. Or even post it to social media so that all your friends and followers can join you in cooing over your cherub’s antics. You snap the shot, select a filter, bang out a quick-but-cute caption, and slap on a hashtag. Maybe like one of these:

#BathTime
#PottyTraining
#NakedKids
#KidsBathTime
#BikiniKids
#PottySeat
#ToddlerBikini
#ToiletTraining
#NakedChild
#PottyPants
#KidsShower

Upload.

Innocent enough, right?

Except, maybe not.

The hashtags listed above are some of the most commonly used by pedophiles and sex offenders to find pictures of children on the internet, according to the Child Rescue Coalition, which launched its Kids for Privacy campaign last month.

According to the coalition, parents will post an average of 1500 pictures of their child before he or she turns five. If you’re anything like me, it’s probably way more.

Which leads me to the question: when was the last time you checked your privacy settings? The coalition urges parents to make sure their social media profiles are private. And if that’s not an option for you, maybe it’s best to just not post the picture at all. Send it through a text to your family and friends instead.

There’s no denying that our kids do the cutest things sometimes. And there’s absolutely nothing wrong with wanting to share those moments. But it should never come at the cost of your child’s privacy or safety.

And that #bathtime or #pottytraining hashtag? Looks like that one’s getting flushed down the toilet in our household.

You may also want to read:

Not My Child: Protecting My Son from a Sexual Predator

 

The hashtags listed above are some of the most commonly used by pedophiles and sex offenders to find pictures of children on the internet.

So God Made a Mother book by Leslie Means

If you liked this, you'll love our book, SO GOD MADE A MOTHER available now!

Order Now

Check out our new Keepsake Companion Journal that pairs with our So God Made a Mother book!

Order Now
So God Made a Mother's Story Keepsake Journal

Emily Solberg

Emily Solberg is a soldier, military spouse, mom of two, and fierce advocate of women supporting women. The goal of her writing is to help others feel less alone in their parenting journeys, and she isn’t afraid to share the hard parts of her own. You can find more from her over on Facebook and Instagram at Shower Arguments with Emily Solberg.

There’s No Place on Earth More Full of Love than Grandma’s House

In: Grown Children, Living
Grandma helping little girl cook

I have this theory that every grandma’s house has its own smell. For mine, her house always smells like the same perfume she’s worn my whole life. I can’t tell you the name of her perfume, but I can tell you what it looks like and exactly where she keeps it on her bathroom cabinet. Occasionally the smell of freshly baked cookies overpowers the smell of her perfume at my grandma’s house. Knowing her signature recipes, I can tell you within a few seconds of walking in the door just exactly what she has in the oven. I imagine other grandmas’ houses smell...

Keep Reading

This is the Good Part, Don’t Wish it Away

In: Living
Woman standing on beach, color photo

Friendly advice: Don’t fail to realize how much you love something until it’s gone. This goes for so many things in life. The calls from your mom reminding you of mundane things. “Don’t forget your warm coat.” “Did you remember to eat lunch?” I am 44, and no joke, my mom reminds me to go to the bathroom before a long drive. It’s hilarious. I’m old enough to know that someday I will absolutely ache for these calls in the morning. Someday I would give anything to have these reminders. So, I take it all in, I roll with it,...

Keep Reading

To the Woman Navigating Divorce: You Will Get Through This

In: Living, Marriage, Motherhood
Woman with eyes closed standing outside, profile shot

On May 4th, 2023 I was delivered devastating news. My husband no longer loved me, and he wanted to end our marriage. This was the last thing I expected. I tried to get him to work things out, but he was firm on the decision that we were done. My heart broke for my children and what I thought I wanted for my life. As it turns out though, this separation and soon-to-be divorce is probably one of the best things that could have happened to me. It has given me a new appreciation for myself, brought me closer to...

Keep Reading

Dear OCD Mom

In: Living, Motherhood
Mom organizing toys

When you’re an OCD momma, you might request an epidural for labor because you know the lack of pain will calm your brain and help you enjoy the experience. When you’re an OCD momma, you might switch to bottles and formula early if the baby is fussy and seems hungry because you want to find joy in the first year and know they’re eating enough. RELATED: To the Mom Left Worrying While Everyone Else is Asleep When you’re an OCD momma, you might stock up on store-bought baby food because you want your child to eat lots of fruits and...

Keep Reading

Losing My Hair and Finding My Beauty

In: Living
Woman standing near Christmas tree, color photo

I blame my mother. That’s right, I blame her for instilling in my young mind to always strive for outward beauty. “Always pretend that there is a hidden camera out there trying to capture an image of you because the way you look will determine how you are perceived by the world.” I remember my mother used to make fun of my overbite. I would catch her staring at me and mockingly copy how I looked. I never really thought that was funny. As early as 12 years of age, I made it a point not to get out of...

Keep Reading

“It Looks and Tastes Like Candy.” Mom Shares Warning about THC Gummies All Parents Need to Hear

In: Kids, Living, Teen
Hand holding bottle of THC gummies

What Aimee Larsen first thought was a stomach bug turned out to be something much more terrifying for her young son. Her 9-year-old woke up one day last week seeming “lethargic, barely able to stand or speak,” his mom shared in a Facebook post. At first, she assumed he had a virus, but something about his behavior just didn’t seem right. She called an ambulance and asked her older sons if their brother might have gotten into something, like cough syrup or another over-the-counter medicine. Their answer? “Yeah, THC gummies.” THC gummies are an edible form of cannabis that contain...

Keep Reading

I’m the Friend Who Flakes Out Sometimes—Thanks for Loving Me Anyway

In: Friendship, Living
Group of women on beach, color photo

I recently read a quote that said, “Sorry I’m late, I didn’t want to come.” It resonated. Not because I don’t love my friends. I do. Fiercely. Wholeheartedly. But, I’m that friend. You know the one . . . the last commit, the first to leave. The one who chooses option C when everyone else chooses options A or B. The one who doesn’t initiate the plans. And struggles to show up to the ones that are made even though they are with the people closest to my heart. The one who politely declines opportunities for reasons that are sometimes driven solely...

Keep Reading

Why Have Team Sports Gotten So Expensive?

In: Living, Motherhood
Cheerleaders holding pom poms in line

I love what being on the dance team has taught my daughter. It has taught her to work hard and not give up even when things get difficult. It is currently teaching her that you don’t have to like everyone, but sometimes you do have to work with everyone for the benefit of the team. It has taught her confidence in herself and kept her in great shape. Those are valuable life lessons, and that’s what we’re here for. But something deeply concerns me about these school sports, marching bands, dance, and cheer teams. They are so expensive that only...

Keep Reading

So God Made a Sunday School Teacher

In: Faith, Living
Woman sitting at table surrounded by kids in Sunday school class, color photo

God looked around at all He had created, and He knew He would need someone to teach His children. So God made a Sunday school teacher. God knew He needed someone with a heart and desire to teach children God’s word. God knew the children would act up and made Sunday school teachers with patience and grace to guide them when they step out of line in class. He also made Sunday school teachers with a touch of discretion to know when the stories of a child may be real or imagined. God knew this person would need to be...

Keep Reading

Here’s to the Friends Who Don’t Hide Their Messy Parts

In: Friendship, Motherhood
Two women sit in a field with arms around each other

To the friend who invited me over without picking her house up beforehand . . . thank you.  You had no way of knowing, but I’ve been especially weighed down by the feeling of “I can’t keep up” lately—and when I walked into your beautiful home and saw dishes in the sink and laundry scattered here and there, I let out the deepest exhale I didn’t even realize I was holding in.  Because seeing your mess? Your less-than-perfect? It didn’t make me think any differently of you, but it did allow me to give myself the grace I desperately needed....

Keep Reading