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Father Of 4 Daughters Blows Instagram By Refusing To Sugarcoat His Photos

Parenting Is Hard

People often show some sort of perfect life on social media, but in real life things are very different, especially if you are a parent. Simon Hooper wanted to put a stop in this situation. So he decided to create an Instagram account to show how parenting really looks like.

Simon is a father of 4 girls, a 9-year-old, a 6-year-old and 10-months-old twins. His account has reached over 190K followers with his realistic post about the parent life.  “There is way too much sugarcoating when it comes to parents, so I wanted to share what it’s really like and provide a bit of humor at the same time.”

Hooper knows being a parent is difficult. He describes his role as a father like “a handy man, taxi driver, swimming instructor, tutor, chef, counsellor, human climbing frame, bank, personal shopper and PA”. That’s exactly what you’ll see in his posts, no wonder people are going crazy.

These are 15 pictures that describe parenting according to Simon:

15. Waking up in the middle of the night.

Well that was fun. @mother_of_daughters is away with the eldest 2 so I have the twins. Delilah was up & down last night more than a yoyo who'd necked a crate of redbull. As a dad, I usually have inbuilt noise cancelling and can sleep through an thrash metal gig but last night was something else. The neighbours must have thought I was skinning cats with a wooden spoon at 3.30am – the noise was endless – the kind of noise that cuts through you & drains you of any memory of who you are or what you're doing until your brain dribbles out you ear. They seem to have forgotten the whole experience and moved on. I'll just scoop up my eye bags so they don't drag on the floor. To top it all, the car is broken so I can't get to my brother's birthday. A shocker of a day so far. #brainonthefloor #alongwiththeeyebags #brokencar #twins #comehomeplease #parenting #fatherofdaughter #dadlife #instadad

A post shared by Simon, also known as FOD (@father_of_daughters) on

14. What you learn living with 5 girls.

Being a guy surrounded by 5 women, I learn new things about the other sex all the time, but I recently has my man mind blown. @mother_of_daughters & I were out and I complimented her on her shirt. Little did I know, IT WAS A FAKE shirt that you wear under a jumper!!! When did women start wearing these & why?!! My whole world is falling apart – I can't trust anything anymore! Also, why are women's buttons on the other side of the shirt? I felt as clumsy as a drunk bear with frostbite while doing this thing up. (now, I just have to explain to my wife why I put this on and took a photo ASAP before she thinks I'm going through a 'change' and that my name is actually Simone at the weekend). #noimnotbeingachippendale #ifindthissostrange #womensfashion #fakeshirt #why #mindblown #fatherofdaughter #dadlife #instadad

A post shared by Simon, also known as FOD (@father_of_daughters) on

13. The real side of the bed.

Is it only me or do all men learn to sleep on an 8 inch strip at the edge of the bed? Irrespective of the size of the bed, or how many people are in it, I always find myself relegated to the 'man zone'. I've become so used to sleeping on this limited area of bed real estate, that I'm confident that I could sleep on top of a wall & not fall off. On the other side of the bed (the promised land), @mother_of_daughters sleeps like a star fish all night long, kneeing me in the back and generally complains about me coming to bed too late, being too cold or my foot encroaching onto her territory. At least the bed's nice and warm, even if the reception isn't sometimes! I hope that next Sunday, on #NationalLieInDay, I'll not only gain another hour in bed, but more space – but it's doubtful ! If you want to regain that hour (and some space for that matter) click in the link in my bio, loads of great prizes to be won @SimbaSleep #bedrealestate #livingontheedge #girls #twins #daughters #therestoomanygirls #fatherofdaughters #dadlife #instadad #gopro

A post shared by Simon, also known as FOD (@father_of_daughters) on

12. Coordinating activities.

Today's family strategy / calendar coordination meeting was going swimmingly. We'd nailed most of October (note that all of my social events had been vetoed by the other board members) but one of the interns kept chiming in with rude and unhelpful comments. I tried to lay down the law and express to her that she was being obstructive to the progress of the meeting. I recieved a raspberry in response followed quickly by a filled nappy – The meeting was adjourned. Guess I'll just read the calendar to find out what I'm doing for the next couple of weeks as per usual. #ihavenocontrolovermylife #shellnevermakeitpasttheprobationperiod #familycalendar #stokkeadventures #familymeeting #interns #twins #fatherofdaughters #dadlife #instadad

A post shared by Simon, also known as FOD (@father_of_daughters) on

11. Bath-giving expert.

Why does bathtime always involve cramming as many family members into one of the smallest rooms in the house at the same time? I guess the eldest 2 like it as it's like a cheap version of the sea life centre. They get to watch these weird pink slippery things splash about and generally contort themselves out of these chairs while sucking the life out of some sponges. Clemmie and I are there just play life guards and crowd control. I should charge admission. Just avoid the dirty nappies at the door and the water EVERYWHERE. Actually, forget it – Health and safety would definitely shut us done. #waterstaysinthebathgirls #bathtime #sealifecentreathome #cheapentertainment #twins #mygirls #theyneverstayinthesechairs #fatherofdaughters #dadlife #instadad

A post shared by Simon, also known as FOD (@father_of_daughters) on

10. What it’s like being away for a few days.

I'm so close and yet so far.It's been a long week and I now have no idea what time of the day it is as my body clock is screwed. To top it all, im stuck in dubai for 3 hours – im in travelling purgatory with free champagne. No doubt as soon I get in through the door tomorrow Clemmie will tag out and drop 4 kids on me at which point I hope they'll give me a big hug. But I bet you within 30 seconds of that they'll be hacking my case open, rummaging for presents. It's OK, I know my role, I'm essentially a very expensive courier service that carries goods from far off places directly into their hands. I'm coming for you team hooper! See you for breakfast and kisses. #getmeoutofhere #imcominghome #dubai #imdefinitelynotgoingtorememberwichtwiniswhich #travellingpurgatory #mygirls #fatherofdaughters #dadlife #loungelife #instadad

A post shared by Simon, also known as FOD (@father_of_daughters) on

9. Birthdays are way more special.

Today I turn 34. I never make a big deal out of my birthday as there's always more important things going on but they made a real fuss over me this evening & made my birthday wishes come true: a cold Chinese from yesterday for dinner, a personalised hammer (dadjoke alert: they hit the nail on the head with that one! Uurhh, I hate myself sometimes…..), a personalised box for me to keep my man stuff (dead batteries, nail clippers, foreign change that's no longer in circulation, USB cables from things I no longer own, random keys and old wallets) and my favourite cider. To top it all I'm allowed to sit down and don't have to do bedtime. I'm winning more than Donald Trump. #birthday #im34 #bestdadpresents #theyjustgetme #family #fatherofdaughters #mygirls #instadad #dadlife

A post shared by Simon, also known as FOD (@father_of_daughters) on

8. Story time before bed.

Reading at bed time can be a pain in the ass, especially when you've got 'important' adult things to do, but that's no excuse to not to do funny voices for the characters in the story. But what if you didn't do them? They may lose interest and decide books are boring. They may not read much as they grow up, leaving them intellectually and culturally stunted. They might jack in school and start hanging with the wrong crowd. They may end up in a dead-end job they hate and drink too much. They may get evicted from their 1 bed squat and end up living under a bridge, sniffing stolen marker pens with a guy called crazy bob who eats pigeons. For the love of the children, DO THE VOICES! #thiscoulddefinitelyhappen #toofarperhaps #bedtime #thebfgisdefinitelyfromthewestcountry #timetopullonmyaleveldramaskills #likeanaudiobookbutlive #thinkofthekids #fatherofdaughters #instadad #dadlife

A post shared by Simon, also known as FOD (@father_of_daughters) on

7. Getting ready for school.

6. Being busy all the time.

Life with 4 daughters is never what you'd call quiet or relaxed. Infact living in a house full of drunken long distance lorry drivers and builders who have strong opinons about the world would still be quieter. As a guy I'll never quite understand why emotions have to run in the red all the time and why shouting has replaced normal speaking voices. That said there are those moments when the planets align and the world suddenly goes still and for those few seconds when they are all nice to eachother and we're all laughing, you realise why your family life is so great. Remember these moments. Go and enjoy your family. Thanks to @philippajames for capturing a moment. #happytuesday #yesimstereotyping #imsurelorrydriversarelovely #thisisararemoment #family time #fatherofdaughters #instadad #parenting #dadlife

A post shared by Simon, also known as FOD (@father_of_daughters) on

5. Kids can fit everywhere so you must be careful.

4. You have to compromise.

3. You learn how to do proper housework.

The 3rd and final day of #dadtakeover and operation deep-clean is in full effect. (Basically got to make it look like all the jobs I was supposed to do are actually done). That means everything has to be clean, and I mean everything. Don't worry I'm not a monster – I put them on a low temp slow spin cycle. They now smell like fabric conditioner but that's better than before. Putting them in the tumble dryer was a step too far so now got to air dry them before they other girls get home. NOTE: don't actually put your baby in a washing machine, that's mental. #willthelinetaketheirweight #theyrecominghome #airdrying #washing #twinssmellofleonor #twins #dadwin #instadad #dadlife #fatherofdaughters #parenting

A post shared by Simon, also known as FOD (@father_of_daughters) on

2. Children are messy.

1. No matter how hard it might be, a family is a blessing.

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