Evening star., 1942-07-22
Homely Children
Need Not Lack
Confidence
Stress Good Points
And Develop the
Personalities
BY Leftice Lee Street,

DJ LeHICe Lee. OTePH
Dressed for a party, in her frilly
best, 5-year old Mary studied her
reflection in her mothers long
mirror. Her hair, naturally curly,
and the bright color of highly pol
ished copper, was arranged in soft
waves and ringlets, tied with a
fetching blue bow. Her little frock
was white with sprays of forget-me-
nots daintily embroidered on the
tiny bodice. A blue sash, white
socks and black patent leather
Mary James" completed the saucy
costume.
Turning and twirling, with many
airs and graces, as little girls will,
Mary thoroughly enjoyed the sight
of her pretty clothes. Suddenly she
paused, stared solemnly at her
small face and burst into violent
weeping.
Her startled mother was dis
tressed, but no comforting could
make Mary care that her huge
tears were spotting the blue satin
sash. In crumpled misery she
moaned, "Oh, Mummie! My face is
so ugly!"
So it is. Mary is a homely child,
there is no getting around that.
Her mother came to me with the
story, very much upset. She ad-
mitted that her own lack OF pulchr1-
tude has caused her many moments
of misery. But I tried to point out
to her that as a girl she had had
more beaux than many of the pretty
young things who flirted and prink-
ed, and that right now she can
count numerous friends who seek
her for her wit, sweetness and rare
charm. Some of the most fasci-
mating women in history and today
were, and are, far from beautiful.
Lack of facial beauty, or at least
comeliness, is not desirable for
girls, of course, but how much less
desirable is unloveliness of spirit!
The mother Of homely little
girl can do much to help build up
her ugly duckling's self confidence.
She may analyze privately and
carefully the child's appearance
with the constructive idea OF bring
ing out her best points. There is
always at least one! Perhaps it is
the coloring- If SO, shades that
compliment should be chosen to
blend f1atteringly with bright hair,
eyes or cheeks. Perhaps the good
point is the hair itself, and If so
it should be we'll groomed, brushed
until it shines, and arranged in the
most becoming fashion. Attractive
frocks and nice hair can greatly
improve the homely childs appear
ance and confidence in herself.
But more important than keeping
her daughter well groomed and
tastefully dressed is the mothers
attitude about her child's looks. To
my mind it is totally wrong to tell
an ugly child that she is orna-
mental. 1t is cruel to tease her
about her big teeth or small eyes
and comparisons, too, can be heart
breaking. How humiliating to hear
people say, You will never be as
good looking as your mother" and
how defeating
Instead, mother and daughter can
be honest with each other. To-
gether they can frankly discuss how
TO improve the child's appearance.
Such a child, and all children,
should learn to face realities.
Of 6eener significance still is the
mothers ability to show her un-
bonny lass how infinitely more win
ming and useful in life are kind
heart, sympathetic nature and
gracious manners than apple-blos-
som skin and black fringed violet
eyes. The plain girl who is gay.
good sport has more fun with boys
and other girls her age than the
self f-conscious, selfish butterfly.