So people frequently tell me how cute Alliclaus is.
Hello! Yes she is! The thing is, I don't really respond appropriately. Take this interaction that happened just yesterday.
"She just gets cuter and cuter."
"I KNOW."
Whu? When did I learn to have such bad manners? I'm fairly certain the appropriate response is something along the lines of "Thank you. You do, too." Just kidding, but really. I KNOW? Wow, Beth! What a great response!
Additionally, I always had prepared myself to raise a child who would know that looks did not matter (even if they totally do in our society), that she had value based purely on her being. Then I had a baby who causes hearts of ice to melt. I literally get stopped in stores and on the streets by people telling me that my daughter is beautiful. "And I would say that even if she weren't, but this time I mean it."
How do you raise a child not to value appearances above all else when she gets so much attention for hers?
Oh, holy Hell! I'm in this picture! And so are my chins!
Um, there's no way around it. She's freaking adorable. Can I eat her cheeks?
Posted by: Chatty cricket at September 25, 2006 12:43 PM
I just say "thank you" and then make some sort of comment like "yeah, we think he is cute, too but we are a bit prejudiced, of course".
Also, I have been told the Cuteness Comments wane when the child is old enough to understand them - meaning, people don't say them as much when they are toddlers. Thank goodness!
Posted by: Cagey at September 25, 2006 01:49 PM
You, as the mama just have to make it clear to her that her brain and her heart are what is going to carry her through life and not her beauty...
(although with this little one, her beauty will get her alot of perks!) tee hee!
Posted by: andi at September 25, 2006 03:29 PM
I usually say, "I think so too!" She is really cute, but doesn't every body think that about their baby and hear that from numerous others...so the whole world isn't caught up in appearance so it must be good parenting that gets us all over that cuteness thing!
Posted by: Jenny at September 25, 2006 06:44 PM
With the values you and Andiclaus seem to have, I'm sure you'll raise not just a girl who's beautiful on the outside, but also on the inside.
Posted by: Jessie at September 26, 2006 06:20 AM
My daughter is 3 and I get the "OMG that your twin" or "She looks just like you". I say thank you but in my head I am thinking is that good or bad after looking is my daughter's face I realize I must be drop dead georgous:-)
And yes your baby is beautiful.
Posted by: Keisha at September 26, 2006 03:58 PM
I have the 2 1/2 year old grandson with the monster eyelashes, silver -gold eyes and a single cheek dimple. So, he gets it all the time. The thing is that he has been an accomplished flirt since the age of one. Always he flirts with the Mommy's. They coo and he dimples. I don't think he associates it with his appearance. I think he likes people, is the ruler of the universe and thinks his Mommy is a Goddess. We all know guys who get away with murder all their lives by being 'charming and cute' so it is kind of an equal opportunity danger. But I think Mommys who are aware of the problem are not the ones who raise kids who manipulate with or consider their value to lie in their looks.
Posted by: Gillian at September 28, 2006 02:13 AM
Perhaps you could hide every mirror in the house? But that would not so much take care of the Street Complimenters. But, seriously, with a momma that values the non-superficial, I'm sure she will grow up to understand real beauty. : )
You are both lovely.
Posted by: kerrianne at September 28, 2006 04:39 AM
Um, there's no way around it. She's freaking adorable. Can I eat her cheeks?
Posted by: Chatty cricket at September 25, 2006 12:40 PM