Our children are all beautiful cherubs, aren't they? Er, not necessarily. Still, it's something of a taboo to openly admit that your kid is not-beautiful.
But Reddit user 'UglyKidJoan' did just that, seeking advice from other parents on how to support her daughter even as she breaks the "you're not pretty" news to her.
The mom is all too aware of how judgmental other parents are, yet she reaches out all the same, confessing "the logical fact" that her nine year-old girl is "very physically unattractive."
The woman goes on to compile the list of features - "the worst traits of both my husband and I" - that frequently result in strangers mistakenly assuming her daughter has Down's syndrome or some other genetic condition.
And now that kids are starting to notice and remark on her daughter's appearance, the mom sought counsel on how to sensitively address the issue in the face of likely bullying.
"I just don't know how to NOT feel guilty that I don't think my own child is adorable and gorgeous," asks the mom. "How can I help her look HER best? How do I answer the 'am I pretty mommy?' questions?"
Like any parent, the woman worries that others won't see past her girl's exterior to a personality that is "funny, generous, compassionate -- she's the kid that's always rescuing stray kittens and putting bugs back on leaves."
Of course we all know that it's what's inside that counts, but sadly the real world is obsessed with artifice and appearance.
"I hate myself enough as it is. I just want to help my daughter grow to be a healthy, happy young woman, and not let her appearance get in the way of letting the world know what a wonderful person she is."
Reddit users came through with surprisingly supportive, non-judgy advice.
Clearly the mom values and loves her child, yet she's also a realist who knows the world won't always embrace her daughter's inner qualities.
So if you're raising a girl - even if she is "unearthly beautiful" - 'Scarabic' has the best advice I've heard to date:
"Don't praise her appearance, praise her effort, talents, and social skills. Cultivate her creativity so she will have the tools to invent herself over and over rather than become a prisoner to others' expectations of her appearance."
RELATED: They Kylie Jenner Challenge That's Not Only Dumb, It's Dangerous
Printer-friendly version