This Hilarious Instagram Account Is a Realistic — and Average — Look at Parenting

While many mommy Instagrammers post inspiring, naturally lit images of their children on their best behavior, Ilana Wiles — author of parenting blog Mommy Shorts and mother of two — has started an Instagram account that every single parent needs to follow: Average Parent Problems.

The account features photos of normal, everyday happenings that many parents can relate to, like walking barefoot into a minefield of Lego bricks. Read through for what Ilana had to say about the account and to see some of the hilarious photos that she's posted (and check out her book, The Mommy Shorts Guide to Remarkably Average Parenting, which is available for preorder ahead of its September 27 release).

POPSUGAR: What made you start the account?

Ilana Wiles: The Internet often features only the best and worst of parenting, so I thought it would be fun to have an account that represents everybody else. The parents who love their kids but sometimes fall asleep while playing with them . . . The parents who leave their daughter alone for a second and come back to find her hand buried in a jar of Nutella. These are the parents I relate to!

PS: How are you finding the response to the account? Is it all positive? Any haters?

IW: So far so good! I think it's hard to insult people who are admitting their less-than-perfect moments. Especially if it's done with humor.

PS: What kind of message do you think this account sends to parents?

IW: People usually share their best selves online . . . But I think the tide is turning a bit. People seem to be having a lot of fun sharing their imperfect days and momentary lapses in judgment. Most of the photos on the account depict situations that have happened to every one of us, whether we share these moments with the world or not.

The people posting perfect pictures of their kids in wrinkle-free outfits playing with museum-quality toys — they have had their average parent moments too. I guarantee it.

PS: What is your favorite part about this project?

IW: I love going through the photos in the hashtag and the submissions on my Facebook page to find the funniest "problems." The theme is so open-ended and I never know what I am going to find to highlight. My favorite part is definitely coming up with a caption that really makes the photo hit home.