Mum's five-year-old daughter teaches her to self love as she 'regrets' not taking more pictures together

A mum has spoken of the importance of being in pictures with your children, after her five-year-old daughter taught her an unexpected lesson in self love.

Alaya, a mother from the US, posted a thought provoking message to her Instagram warning other parents that they should make more of an effort to be in pictures with their kids.

The mum-of-two cautioned others that they may 'regret' avoiding pictures with their children for reasons such as shedding that last '7 pounds' or waiting for their 'acne to clear up'.

Alaya described how her daughter, Annie, had been browsing through her mobile phone looking at pictures. But, whilst scrolling through images her mum had snapped, the little girl made the observation that all the pictures were either of the children in their family, or didn't show much of Alaya.

'Earlier this week, Annie was swiping through photos on my phone and she asked why most of the pictures are of her and the ones that do have me in them, why do I focus mostly on her.'

'I stumbled with my answer. I didn't want to use any negative self talk phrases with her, so my answer was very generic.'

It was as Alaya struggled to give her daughter a straight answer, being careful not to pass on any negative body issues, that she was taught 'an important lesson on self acceptance.'

'My sweet 5 year old said, 'Moma. You are beautiful just like me. You beautiful brown eyes and big curly hair. I have beautiful brown eyes and straight hair...We're different and the same AT THE SAME TIME! We're both beautiful!..'.'

The mum describes how overwhelmed she felt, before realising how important it is to capture memories with your children.

'I was stunned. I teared up. I wrapped her in my arms and smothered her with kisses. After this interaction with her, I promised her we'd take more pictures together.'

'Your children don't care what you look like.. they simply want to be with you in the same picture.'

Alaya urged other mums and dads to stop worrying about their appearance and think of their children, who ultimately just want to share a photo with you.

'So stop thinking 'I'll be in the picture after I lose 7 pounds' or 'after my acne clears up' or 'once I get these braces off my teeth'...because the more time you try to avoid pictures, the more you may regret it in the future.'