“Oh wow! She is absolutely precious!”
I don’t even need to glance up from the cereal box I’m pretending to read to know the subject of her admiration.
“Where did she get that beautiful auburn hair? And those big, enchanting brown eyes…” The woman’s voice trails off as she fixates on my daughter, captivated by her striking features.
“Actually, red hair is a recessive trait, so my husband and I must have it in our genes somewhere,” I respond, keeping my tone polite despite having had this same exchange just a few minutes ago in another aisle. I can almost guarantee I’ll hear it again before I finish my shopping. I glance at my other two daughters, who have their caramel locks and lighter eyes, resembling both my husband and me. But my middle child? She’s like a cartoon angel—so cute it’s hard to believe she’s real.
The compliments about her looks began the moment she was born, with nurses gushing over her, and they haven’t stopped since.
Everywhere we go. I mean, everywhere.
“Just look at her! She’s the most perfect baby!”
“She should be on the cover of a magazine!”
“She’s definitely the most adorable of your kids… and she knows it.”
Let me clarify—I think all my girls are beautiful, but this one? She’s got a special something.
All three girls have had the same teachers, yet my middle daughter seems to get away with things the others can’t. People often make assumptions about her character based solely on her looks. “What a little sweetheart, and so clever!” they’ll exclaim, even while she’s engaged in something as charming as picking her nose in church.
She effortlessly wins speaking roles in plays, sparks more conversations, and at blogging events, she’s always the one PR folks pull aside for photos.
This is all new territory for me—having a child whose beauty stops people in their tracks. As Amy Poehler would say, my strength has always been my personality. Back in my single days, I would hover near the restroom until my friends scored some free drinks, then swoop in to chat—effectively driving the poor guy away.
Don’t get me wrong—being slightly below average in looks has its perks. I developed a solid personality that helped me make friends, my parents never had to worry about me announcing a teenage pregnancy, and I’ve saved a fortune on beauty pageant outfits over the years. But let’s be real—life is often easier for those who are conventionally attractive. A 2013 study by Business Insider found that attractive job candidates were 24% more likely to receive a callback than their less attractive peers.
However, my daughter’s beauty does come with its own set of challenges. I’ve had people jokingly offer to buy her (I think they were kidding, but catch me on a bad day and who knows?), request to snap her picture (ummm, no thank you), and I’ve even spotted people discreetly filming her (let’s just say they won’t be doing that again anytime soon).
I’m unsure how to navigate my parenting role in this situation. While I appreciate the compliments, I worry about her developing an inflated ego or, worse, causing my other two girls to feel insecure about their own appearances.
Should I downplay it? “Wow! She’s so cute!” “Eh, I’ve seen cuter.”
Or should I spotlight my other daughters? “Look at these two! Their healthy gums are practically show-dog worthy!”
For now, I guess I’ll keep smiling, thank the admirers, and explain basic genetics to strangers. But one day, oh yes, I will teach them the art of teamwork for scoring free drinks.
And if you’re interested in more about parenting and beauty dynamics, check out this post on intracervical insemination. It’s a great read!
In conclusion, while raising a stunning child can be a mix of pride and concern, I’m learning to navigate the waters with grace and humor. At the end of the day, all my girls are uniquely beautiful—and that’s what truly matters.