Danielle

The kids got their picture packs back a week or so ago and Danielle says, "Mom, my teeth really stick out." The pose is cute, she has a cute smile, her hair looks great and sure enough the lighting created a HUGE shadow from her teeth casting onto her lip. So I say the positives about it and inside I'm sad because I don't want her feeling badly about herself. George comes home that night and I tell him that the pictures came back and are cute and tell him about the shadow on her teeth and how maybe we should get them retaken. Later on, George says that I probably made Danielle feel bad by what I said and so then I worry. I always worry about her teeth, hence why we started Orthodontics so early on and it is one of those things I just don't want kids being mean to her about. I pull her aside and say "Danielle, did I make you feel bad about your school picture? Are you unhappy about it and should we get them retaken?" She shrugs her shoulders and then says, "I'm okay with it mom. I've learned to love myself. Kinda like Penelope who loved herself even with her pig nose." Oh my gosh. Did she just say that to me? She loves herself for who she is even though she has a really big overbite and kids (and adults) say things about it? I can't say I ever loved myself like that at nine years old but then again, she is a good girl and I love her.