MY LIFE LOOKS PERFECT... BUT IN REALITY I'M SKINT

Karen Howden, 38, shares a picture-perfect life on Instagram, but the truth behind her photos is very different

- KATE SKELTON

Dressed in designer clothes, my four boys and I traveled in first class on the train to London, enjoyed exclusive access to the dinosaurs and exhibitions at the Natural History Museum, then jumped in a taxi to a top hotel where we were staying for the night.

When I saw the luxury suite, I did a double take. It had a living room, several bedrooms, a welcome basket, a roll-top bath and a beautiful view from the balcony. We were receiving VIP treatment – like celebrities. But it wasn’t my birthday or any of my sons’. It was a typical day at work.

As an Instagram influencer with 35,000 followers, I’m able to go on the most incredible days out with my sons Jonah,10, Winter, seven, Fox, five, and Hunter, 18 months. We wear the latest designer clothes, go to theme parks such as Legoland and stay in lavish London hotels. We work with brands including Netflix to swimming pools and tents and even foreign holidays.

POSITIVE POSTS

I’m paid to provide content to inspire my followers to go on days out or buy children’s clothes. I post beautiful pictures and reels of our family online, capturing all the amazing things we get up to – dining in top restaurants, meeting celebs and attending premieres. Social media is a form of escapism and, like window shopping, browsing can make followers feel good, even if they don’t buy anything.