A news anchor has received an outpouring of support from viewers after revealing the reason she wore her glasses on-air all week was to boost her daughter’s confidence.
Last week, ABC 7 Chicago anchor Tanja Babich appeared on-air each morning wearing her glasses.
On Friday, she revealed the choice was actually a gesture of solidarity with her 10-year-old daughter, who didn’t want to wear her own glasses because she was worried about what her classmates would think.
After thanking viewers who had reached out to say they liked seeing her in glasses, Babich explained: “I learned last week that one of my daughters was not wearing hers because she was afraid of what people in her class would say or think about her.
“So, in a gesture of solidarity, I’ve been wearing mine all week to make this point: whatever people say or think about you is none of your business.
“Just be yourself, authentically and unapologetically, the rest will work itself out.”
While the news station then shared pictures of celebrities, including Taylor Swift and Jennifer Aniston, in glasses, Babich encouraged viewers to share photos of their own children in glasses with her on social media.
The heartwarming segment concluded with Babich’s team also stepping in to show their support, with each of her colleagues appearing on the screen wearing their own pair of frames.
“Look at that! Oh, I love you guys. This is true solidarity,” Babich said of the gesture, before adding a final reminder to “be yourself and don’t worry about what anyone else thinks”.
Since the segment aired, Babich has received hundreds of supportive comments from viewers, with her encouragement prompting many to share photos of their children wearing glasses as well.
“Great message! Here’s my three-year-old with her specs!” one parent tweeted at Babich.
Another said: “Thank you! Here’s my 10-year-old daughter, Lyric. She watched your message this morning & smiled. #beyourself”
As for the response from her own daughter, Babich told The Chicago Tribune she knows she can’t change the 10-year-old’s mind overnight, but that the gesture and the subsequent response may have made an impact.
“I’m not going to change her mind about her glasses overnight,” Babich said. “But I can tell she feels good when she sees that her story is making other kids feel good about their glasses. Hopefully that helps to soften whatever insecurity she has.”
