My Mum is in her fifties, and I can honestly say she looks more beautiful, radiant and glowing that she ever has done (not "for her age" either).

Her secret? Having a full, exciting life of her own; being a smiley/warm/lovely individual. Oh and posh cosmetics, expensive haircuts/colours and personal shoppers! She is not super-wealthy but she is not afraid of saving up to treat herself.

When I was a lithe young teenager she used to call me "snakehips" without any hint of jealousy; now she tells me I am beautiful all the time.

She's quite an inspiration really, and proof that your attractiveness doesn't need to fade as the years pass. I look exactly like she did at my age- and I'm pinning my hopes on looking as good as she does when I'm her age!

I would see it as a lovely reflection on your good genes that your dds are both so georgeous. Lucky you and them.
Just because you are older dosn't mean you can't be attractive. You don't have to do plastic surgery to look great. Natural is sexy you know!

I know what you mean. Mu looks blossomed late, bloomed fast and are withering even faster. I see myself in the mirror now and mourn the way i look. Such is life.

I'm like LazyEmma.

The other funny thing is that as a child I was one of the least athletic kids I knew. Dead last in races or any other physical contest, like that until my mid-late 20s.

Nowadays, I am one of the fittest women I know my age (early 40s). So, I never have seen myself as remotely pretty, but I revel in belated smuggrey about at least not becoming fat & flabby (Yet?! ).

I agree with others that looking after yourself so that you present the best version of yourself you can makes sense - but whinging that you no longer turn heads or have a tangible 'bloom' is ridiculous at 46.

As I said, some of us never turned heads even when 'blooming', so count yourself lucky that you were blessed in this department and can at least look back on it.

I can't get over the asking whether you're the prettiest mum in the playground - are there women out there who actually think like this?

I appear to be on an upward trend.

Never been terribly attractive but since hitting 30 I feel a whole lot more comfy in my body and now appear to be beating them off with stick. Where were these men when I was 20?

Hopefully being a late bloomer will also result in being a late fader. I am much more interested in what my body can do, as opposed to how it looks. I don't wear make up at all, live in jeans and t-shirts but I do wear sunscreen at all times and keep my skin clear and moisturised. Will take whatever comes.

Doesn't bother me as I've always been I've always been f**k ugly - knew it would have its compensations one day !

I met an ex colleague the other day and the first thing he said was "you've aged well", which seemed a bit strange. It was one of those things were I'm sure he was thinking the opposite!

Protect and perfect on your face
Baby bottom butter on your body
Think beautiful thoughts

And having realised that I always look at photos from 10 years previously and think, 'shit, I looked great, and I was gutted when I first saw that picture' that I might as well try to appreciate how I look now rather than in 10 years time.

And find something else to do. When you've been pretty that can kind of be what you did, how you interacted, your 'thing'. find something else that makes you feel as good that doesn't depend on being admired.

I've never been a total stunner, but I've always looked really young for my age - am appreciating that now in my thirties, whereas before it was just a pain - oh, the agony of being left out when all my class-mates were arranging to go to clubs etc. They were all gorgeous and able to pass for eighteen, I looked like a pudgy ten year old. Even at university and in my twenties, it was a struggle to get served in bars.

I think I'm pretty happy with myself now - even though I can see wrinkles starting to appear. As a 'late' mother (daughter due in August) I'm hoping I won't feel any trace of wistfulness when my girl reaches the blossoming age, just pride. (Of course, she may turn out to be hideous, so that'll be a different story)