I think shes just beautiful the way she is. They are similar to my ears.... yeah I did get a bit of teasing from siblings but, I got through it. It should be her choice as to what she wants done with them, so waiting til shes old enough to see if it is an issue is probably best.
I had ears that stuck out when I was a child and I never noticed them until I got to grade 3 and the other kids started picking on me. I never told my parents because I did not know that anything could be done about them, all I did was stop wearing my hair up.
When I got to 13 I watched a program that showed a person getting otoplasty and I wanted it BADLY! My parents booked us in to see a plastic surgeon but freaked out after the consult so I never got it done. I went through high school trying to find different ways to hide my ears, and at one stage even used super glue to stick them to my head so I could wear my hair up. This stopped after the skin behind my ears started peeling off when I removed the glue.
When I turned 24 I finally organized for the surgery myself and have never been happier.
In the end, my parents did what they thought was best for me as they didnt see my concerns as being valid. To them I was perfect and they didn't understand what damage a few kids name calling could do.
Now, with my own daughter, I am going to keep an eye on her ears so that what happened to me doesn't happen to her. I will not put her through surgury just for the sake of it, but if she ever asks it will be considered.
Because of the (possible) psychological impact of having "bat ears", otoplasty is coved by Medicare and if you have private health insurance they will cover the hospital stay and any gaps.
She is a beautiful girl!!! I really don't think you can do anything now and her face will change as will her hairstyle as to how it sits around her ears, etc, etc. My sister had one sticky out ear and was very conscious of it (it runs in our family), when she was 18 she had it pinned back. Until then she would refuse to wear her hair in a ponytail. I just think it is a wait and see thing and really a decision that your little girl needs to make herself when she is older and has stopped growing, you never know how things will work out. kids get teased about anything and everything and it is part of life, I used to wear glasses and got teased about that, also got teased about being too skinny and ....well, lots of things really, I guess what I am saying is, if it isn't one thing it is something else when your a kid, part and parcel and all that. Anyway, after all that rambling, your daughter is gorgeous and your DH is obviously a very kind and caring daddy for stressing about his little girl so much.
I think there is a real grey line between teaching her self respect in this modern society and letting her be the victim of unnecessary bullying. Bullying is real and relentless. I was bullied for my height so there was nothing anyone could do to help me. It didn't teach me to be proud of who I am as women it made me consider killing myself at the age of 11-12.
Only you will know when or if your daughter needs to change things. All I suggest is don't get too caught up in teaching her huge life lessons beyond her years of comprehension!
I wish we lived in a better society but that's what you have to remember, she does have to 'live' within in it every day.
I hope she has a long and happy life where she never notices her ears.
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