Baby face

I know I look younger than I am. Everyone who happens to find out I've graduated from college feels it necessary to inform me that I look like I'm still in high school. I even had a man at an antiques store seem shocked that I was old enough to drive. (That was a couple of years ago, but still...)

However, I did not realize how completely I look like a child until last night. I teach the 3, 4, and 5 year olds on Wednesday nights. Somehow, we got on the topic of growing up. One boy pointed at me and said, "You're a teenager." I said, "Actually, I'm not a teenager; I'm 22." Another girl said, "You're in college then." I said, "No, actually I'm done with college." At this point, the other teacher (who probably isn't more than 5 years older than me) said, "She's a real grown-up." The first little boy then said, "You don't look like a grown-up." And all the other kids nodded in agreement. Sigh. Not even five year olds think I look my age. After class, a middle school girl came by the room to see if we had any food. She looked at me in surprise and said, "Are you the teacher?" When I said that I was, she said, "You don't look old enough to be a teacher."

Aaahhhh! What can I do? I've tried wearing make-up; it doesn't make a difference. I was even dressed fairly nicely last night because I was still wearing my work clothes. For some reason, I seem to be stuck with the face of a 16-year-old (and that's on a good day). I know I'll appreciate my youthful look when I'm older, but right now it's getting annoying.