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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Lifestyle
Courtney Pochin

Mum's dilemma as one of her children is 'more attractive' than the other

It's a sad but true fact that we live in a world where appearance matters.

We've heard tales of women being accused of 'catfishing' for wearing too much make-up and being made fun of because of their size.

But it's not just adults that face this kind of criticism, children do too.

A mum of two has taken to the internet to share her concerns about her young daughters.

She's revealed that her youngest, who is just 20-months-old, is a very pretty baby and is told so all the time by friends and relatives - to the detriment of her three-year-old.

People are always complimenting her younger daughter and not her eldest (stock photo) (Getty Images)

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In an emotional post on Mumsnet, the unnamed woman explains how she thinks both of her children are "fabulous" in every way.

But most people only seem to be taking an interest in her more attractive child and she's worried what impact it will have on the other.

She wrote: "The (horrendously shallow) issue is that people keep commenting on how gorgeous/beautiful/pretty my youngest is and it's really starting to rub me the wrong way.

"We were at a family party yesterday and three people commented at different times and two of those times my older daughter was present.

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"I'm worried she's starting to notice and I'm not sure how to handle it. Last week her little sister was pretending to talk to her Nana on an imaginary phone, I thought it was adorable and did say, 'oh you're so cute' and older daughter came running out of the living room to exclaim, 'I'm cute too!"

She adds: "Generally I try hard not to comment on personal appearance, instead complimenting them on being clever/funny/kind but I fear it's only a matter of time before they realise that society ranks girls on their appearance more than any other attribute and this saddens me.

"I only intend on having two children and I fear them being so close in age will amplify the comparisons and could cause irreparable damage to older daughter's self esteem if I don't handle this properly."

The mum then asked for advice on how to fix the situation before it's too late.

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Many people took the time to comment on her post, with some saying they'd been in the same place.

One wrote: "I hear you. I've got a five-year-old boy and a two-year-old girl and loads of people comment on how cute, sweet and adorable she is. I know my son will be hearing this.

"I think it's because they are little and cute, I'm hoping as they grow it will even out."

Another said: "You can't stop people and sharply calling them out will underline the subtext to your other daughter more starkly than anything.

"A good start is a cheerful 'thank you, I am blessed with two beautiful natured, loving daughters'."

A third added: "I'm the eldest of three girls. I'm very plain and they are both beautiful.

"I think I always knew and just came to accept it. I don't think there's any hiding it from the child. Unfortunately people are thoughtless as well. I'm afraid that's just the way the world is."

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