Emily Andre, the NHS doctor married to singer Peter Andre, has opened up about her conscious decision to avoid complimenting her 11-year-old daughter Millie's physical appearance. The 36-year-old medic explained she focuses instead on celebrating her children's strengths and personality traits, fearing an overemphasis on looks could be harmful.
A Deliberate Shift in Compliments
Speaking on the True Reflections with Gia Mills podcast, Emily admitted the approach can feel 'really odd' as it goes against the natural instinct many parents have. She noted that compliments about hair or beauty are often the first thing people say, particularly to girls. 'What I try and do with the kids... is I really try and focus on their strength, the things that they're good at, and really build that up,' she explained.
Emily clarified that she does not completely withhold appearance-based praise, mentioning she tells her young son he looks handsome. However, the core of her strategy is to ensure her children's self-worth is not anchored solely in their looks. 'Just to make it not all about how you look,' she stated, acknowledging the concept might sound strange to some.
Navigating Makeup and Skincare for Pre-Teens
The healthcare professional, who shares Millie, Theo (9), and Arabella (1) with Peter Andre, also revealed she maintains strict boundaries regarding makeup. She described herself as stricter than some of her daughter's friends' parents, currently only permitting clear mascara, clear eyebrow gel, and lip gloss.
Emily highlighted the conflicting messages children receive, noting that while she models wearing makeup for work, she wants to reinforce the message that 'you look beautiful as you are'. She expressed satisfaction that Millie is currently content with the minimal routine but anticipates changes as she grows older.
Furthermore, Emily issued a serious warning about the dangers of young girls using adult skincare products. She recounted an incident where Millie used a sheet mask from a party bag which caused her skin to hurt. Emily stressed that expensive adult brands often contain anti-aging or blemish-targeting ingredients that are too strong for pre-teen skin and are 'not designed for young skin'.
Social Media Ban and Family Context
In a firm stance on digital exposure, Emily disclosed that she and Peter have banned their children from having social media until they are 16. This extends to messaging apps like WhatsApp. She expressed relief that Millie's school has banned smartphones for her year group, making enforcement easier.
Emily, who met Peter in 2010 when her father operated on him, voiced deep concern about social media's impact on young people's mental health. 'There is no doubt that there's an impact, 100 per cent,' she said, referencing her medical experience. She acknowledged the difficult balance between protecting children from negative content and preventing social isolation or bullying for not being online.
The family dynamic adds another layer to this discussion. Emily is also stepmother to Peter's two older children from his previous marriage to glamour model Katie Price: Junior (20) and Princess (18). Princess has built a successful career as a beauty influencer, becoming the face of Superdrug's Studio London makeup line at 16. This stands in contrast to Emily's cautious approach, and follows past controversy from when Katie Price painted a young Princess's face with heavy makeup.
Emily concluded by emphasising that parenting involves navigating complex issues without a perfect handbook. 'I think there's no right or wrong answer. I think however you choose to do it as a parent, you're only doing your best,' she said, refusing to criticise other parents' choices.
