When I look back at pictures of my kid I realize she had cuter phases and...well...less cute ones. But at the time of the less cute ones? I thought she was the most adorable creature on earth. Still do.

Anonymous wrote:I have a child with a birth defect (cosmetic only, his has no health issues associated with it--though some people with the same issue do (Port wine stain birth mark--Sturge Weber syndrome).

I understand fully that some people might think it makes him ugly, and it breaks my heart. I still think he is gorgeous.

That just makes him all the more special and gorgeous. People can be nasty, but not everyone thinks that way.

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.

I think my 4yr old dd is the most precious gorgeous child, and I don't expect anyone else to feel that way.....but as her mom I do. My mom was very critical of me growing up....it ruined my self esteem. I just can't see my child that way. I also think my NB is a stunner....even tho I've seen cuter babes, he is still blowing my mind. I don't say these things to anyone but them and dh.

I have a child with a birth defect (cosmetic only, his has no health issues associated with it--though some people with the same issue do (Port wine stain birth mark--Sturge Weber syndrome).

I understand fully that some people might think it makes him ugly, and it breaks my heart. I still think he is gorgeous.

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.

Anonymous wrote:I don't think my children are beautiful by the standards of the world at large (cute, yes), but they're beautiful to me. Sorry to be so soppy!

And I tell them often that they are beautiful or look great, because like other PPs, I grew up feeling that even my mother didn't think I was attractive.

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.

My kid is pretty objectively cute, but I don't go on about it to anyone but my husband. He also has his totally busted days, just like anyone.

I don't think my children are beautiful by the standards of the world at large (cute, yes), but they're beautiful to me. Sorry to be so soppy!

I was just thinking about this. We were at disney world yesterday and I saw thousands upon thousands of kids and I think about a dozen were truly beautiful children. There were actually quite a few attractive adults but very few really cute kids-a handful at most and often the most attractive parents had thw plainest kids. I love watching crowds and spent a lot of down time in line watching those around me.

And yet I'm sure all the parents (myself included) thought (think) our kids are gorgeous. And thank goodness for that!

Anonymous wrote:I'm pretty sure my mom didn't think I was pretty.

Same here.

Anonymous wrote:
There is a lovely song by the Magnetic Fields that includes the verse:

Well, you may not be beautiful
But it's not for me to judge
I don't know if you're beautiful
Because I love you too much.

That is great!

My mom always thought I was ugly. And, she made sure I knew it. Always commented on my flaws - big forehead, small eyes, tiny lips. Etc. Etc.

So, I really like that above sentiment.

I'm pretty sure my mom didn't think I was pretty.

There was a poster a few weeks ago freaking out because her baby was ugly.

But in general, I think most mothers think their children are beautiful.

There is a lovely song by the Magnetic Fields that includes the verse:

Well, you may not be beautiful
But it's not for me to judge
I don't know if you're beautiful
Because I love you too much.

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. . . .