Does anyone think their child ISN'T attractive?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I met a woman a few weeks ago at yoga who was going on and on (and on) about how beautiful her daughter is. I finally got to see her when the daughter and husband picked the mom up from class. I was really surprised that the daughter didn't seem at all atractive to me (Yes, I know- total value judgement). She was really nice but I began to wonder if there is anyone who doesn't think their own child is beautful.

I wouldn't have thought twice about the girl's appearance if the mom hadn't told me over and over about how beautiful she was.

Just wondering. . . .

When you keep on looking at a baby she grows on you and you truly think she's more beautiful than before or at least more beautiful than others find the baby.
But if you ask about my child, I also know that objectively speaking my DD's nose is not attractive, it's the same as my husband's, which I never found attractive. I also think her legs are too short for her body, but what can I say, that's from me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't have children, but the cutest child in my life is our best friends' DD, and I've wondered if I only think of her as the cutest because I care about her the most.

Anonymous wrote:One of my friends always goes on and on about how cute her kid is. "Oh you are so adorable! Can you believe how cute he is? I could just eat you up!" etc etc. Her kid is not that cute. I know it's horrible to say and I'd never even think it if she didn't go on and on about how great-looking he is.

I have 2 friends whose babies/children are ugly. UGLY. Cross-eyed, huge noses, tiny eyes too close together, the whole shebang. But my friends go on and on about how cute they are and dress them in shirts that say "Aren't I cute?" and post endless FB pictures. I feel embarrassed for them. You'd think they'd get the hint when absolutely no one gushes over their looks or when everyone says things like, "Cute outfit!" or "Great smile!" Aww.

Haha!! Hilarious. I know a few people like that too!

[Anonymous]

I think my son is beautiful! We are told by everyone is adorable, and handsome, and beautiful, and we are happy to believe it! I think think all mothers think their children are beautiful. And they probably are, because their mothers know best the strengths of their personality and behavior, which I've always felt contributes to looks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The older I get the more beautiful I think almost everyone is. Sometimes I play a game on the metro where I check out people in the car and find the aspect I think is most lovely. I am actually a snide and cynical person by nature, but I think if everyone had a makeover and went on what not to wear, we'd almost all be beautiful.

I agree! I often have the same thoughts.

[Anonymous]

People tell me my daughter is beautiful all the time. I think she is, but I also try to tell her how smart she is, and how much I like her. My mom focused on my looks instead of my intelligence and it hurt me a lot.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have three kids. The first (boy) came out and everyone in the room (docs, nurses, etc) said wow, what a beautiful baby. I guess he was but I didn't think about it. I didn't know any better. He is a gorgeous kid. We get stopped all the time about it. Told her should model, etc.

Second one came (girl) and not pretty at all. A face only a mother could love. Dad hoped she would grow into her looks. She was not a pretty baby and we knew it. At around 2 - 2 1/2 something changed and she turned pretty. Unconventional but pretty.

Third (girl) came out beautiful and still is. She is a head turner. she has the best of both.

I'm sure you're already watching out for this, but please make sure you're making a special effort to boost her morale in many ways. It's hard enough being the middle child, but being average sandwiched between 2 head-turning siblings is a recipe for terribly low self-esteem. Try to work with praising all3 of them for characteristics that have nothing to do with their looks. Parents who instill other haracteristics as most valuable can help mitigate this a lot.

[Anonymous]

This is such an interesting thread. I was at the playground today and it was crawling with kids 1-6 yrs old which is DD's range (she's 4).

There was one little girl, about 2, stunningly beautiful, and her mom obviously put a LOT of effort into her kid's looks and her own. But even at 2, I swear the girl seemed to just walk around looking at people like "aren't you going to gush over me?" Where other kids her age were running and playing (as well as 2 yr olds can when being overrun by 3-6 yr olds!), she just walked around looking at people and didn't seem to actually play.

Then I looked at my DD. people are always commenting on how beautiful she is and once, with thoughts of an early start to her college fund, we agreed to sign her up for kid modeling and they wanted to sign her. Thank goodness we came to our senses and ran far away fast. So I'm looking at her today, in plain blue shorts, shirt, hair insanely messy, face covered in chocolate, knees filthy, climbing on everything... And I was so glad we've never focused on her looks (except the modeling try-out when she was 2), and always focused on character.

I guess I felt bad for the pretty little girl who already seemed to feel too pretty to play. Everyone here, if your kids are bright lights and well-loved, they are no doubt the most beautiful kids out there! I think joy is the most beautiful element of any person.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is such an interesting thread. I was at the playground today and it was crawling with kids 1-6 yrs old which is DD's range (she's 4).

There was one little girl, about 2, stunningly beautiful, and her mom obviously put a LOT of effort into her kid's looks and her own. But even at 2, I swear the girl seemed to just walk around looking at people like "aren't you going to gush over me?" Where other kids her age were running and playing (as well as 2 yr olds can when being overrun by 3-6 yr olds!), she just walked around looking at people and didn't seem to actually play.

Then I looked at my DD. people are always commenting on how beautiful she is and once, with thoughts of an early start to her college fund, we agreed to sign her up for kid modeling and they wanted to sign her. Thank goodness we came to our senses and ran far away fast. So I'm looking at her today, in plain blue shorts, shirt, hair insanely messy, face covered in chocolate, knees filthy, climbing on everything... And I was so glad we've never focused on her looks (except the modeling try-out when she was 2), and always focused on character.

I guess I felt bad for the pretty little girl who already seemed to feel too pretty to play. Everyone here, if your kids are bright lights and well-loved, they are no doubt the most beautiful kids out there! I think joy is the most beautiful element of any person.

Oh, gimme a break! I bet the little girl was just tired from the heat, that's why she didn't 'actually play'. I can't imagine a two-year-old intentionally parading her looks on the playground. If, in fact, she was, not only was she a beauty, but also a genius.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is such an interesting thread. I was at the playground today and it was crawling with kids 1-6 yrs old which is DD's range (she's 4).

There was one little girl, about 2, stunningly beautiful, and her mom obviously put a LOT of effort into her kid's looks and her own. But even at 2, I swear the girl seemed to just walk around looking at people like "aren't you going to gush over me?" Where other kids her age were running and playing (as well as 2 yr olds can when being overrun by 3-6 yr olds!), she just walked around looking at people and didn't seem to actually play.

Then I looked at my DD. people are always commenting on how beautiful she is and once, with thoughts of an early start to her college fund, we agreed to sign her up for kid modeling and they wanted to sign her. Thank goodness we came to our senses and ran far away fast. So I'm looking at her today, in plain blue shorts, shirt, hair insanely messy, face covered in chocolate, knees filthy, climbing on everything... And I was so glad we've never focused on her looks (except the modeling try-out when she was 2), and always focused on character.

I guess I felt bad for the pretty little girl who already seemed to feel too pretty to play. Everyone here, if your kids are bright lights and well-loved, they are no doubt the most beautiful kids out there! I think joy is the most beautiful element of any person.

Oh, gimme a break! I bet the little girl was just tired from the heat, that's why she didn't 'actually play'. I can't imagine a two-year-old intentionally parading her looks on the playground. If, in fact, she was, not only was she a beauty, but also a genius.

NO kidding. Nothing like psychoanalyzing some stranger's TWO-YEAR-OLD after observing her for a few minutes at at playground.

People here are nuts.

[Anonymous]

I have one that people tend to comment on because of his looks and people tell me he should model. Another that people tend to comment on because of his curls, but he was a funny looking (yet adorable, IMO) baby/toddler.

DD is 2 doesn't get many comments on her looks but I think she's gorgeous. She does get a lot of giggles out of people with her personality. Its nice to have complete strangers cracking up at your kid

I think most parents naturally will think their kids are awesome. And that's the way it should be.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When one of my girls was born she had one of those "ugly" red birth marks (hemangioma) right smack on the top of her head - and she had no hair. Ped said don't touch it, it will fade and go away on its own. My MIL called and said that we really need to do something about it, because even though she loves her, people can be mean and will think that she is ugly. Then went on and on about it. Well it went away.....i hope she finds her granddaughter beautiful now! Oh, and objectively speaking, she is quite beautiful at 2.

OMG, I would have told her to STFU in 2 seconds.

[Anonymous]

I don't rave to others praising my DC's looks, but will compliment him in front of others, as in "hey cutie-pie", "who's mommy handsome boy".

[Anonymous]

My children are drop dead gorgeous.

My job is to keep them from trafficking in it. No special breaks because you hit the beauty lottery, kiddos!

My son will not be allowed to mistreat woman in any way just because he is incredibly handsome or lazy away at school because he is charming. My daughter will still have to be a smart, strong, talented young woman despite the fact that people stop me in the street constantly to tell me how she doesn't even look real, like a doll.

Their dad and I are normal-level attractive, these kids are nuclear beauties. Total showstoppers. So, I am always reinforcing how their behavior and character make them lovely people----to them, and to others, who think they are complimenting the kids by calling them good-looking.

I joke and say my goal in life is keeping my daughter from becoming a Basketball Wife.

[Anonymous]

My older DD is really quite good looking. She has the kind of features that I believe will be make her striking as she gets older. Her personality, however, is a bit prickly.

The younger one looks more like me and is not as good looking as her sister. She is the funniest, happiest kid around and I think she will always enjoy herself more than her older sister.
I will never tell them what I think about their looks but they are what they are. I think they will be a good compliment to one and other as they grow older. At least I hope so.

[Anonymous]

Just wanted to add that my daughter is very crusty right now- crusty scalp (cradle cap), crusty eye (pink eye) and crusty nose (cold). I would be totally grossed out by any other baby with even one of these things. But she is still so beautiful to me.