do they see what we see?

My big boy used to love sitting in front of a mirror when he was about 9 months old and I realised I've never really done this with small boy.

So when we got back from pre school this afternoon, I got the mirror from the hallway and we sat together (to avoid any unfortunate accidents if they pulled it over!) and he was so amazed with the mirror baby! He cackled and wailed with glee and tried to reach for the baby who was reaching for him!

Big boy loved cuddling him and seeing their reflections. For a moment, they were lost in their only little worlds, so I just had to get the camera out.

I tell them all the time how wonderful, precious and totally gorgeous they are. I hope that all this positivity will make they grow up confident in the person they see when they look in the mirror! I wish children could see themselves as we do. All mothers think their babies are the most beautiful creatures in the world!

There has been lots of press lately on children's beauty pageants and I watched in horror at an episode of Toddlers and Tiaras. I think toddlers are far too young to be judged on how they look. My big boy is heartbroken when a page of a book gets slightly ripped or the pop up tent falls down. To him, those are big crises in his little world. But he has not a care in the world if his hair is standing up like a peacock's feathers in full bloom or that his double chin, that he had as a baby, seems to be a permanent feature!

That is how I want him to grow up. Without a care! I was horrified when I read this article where an 8 year old talked about facial beauty being vital. Guess what it was from the latest episode of Toddlers and Tiaras!

I am sure I am not alone in telling my boys they are the most handsome boys in the world! For the short time it will last, I am going to enjoy the fact that my big boy thinks I am the most beautiful woman in the world too, well his world anyway!