Editor’s Note: Alyse Myers is the author of Who Do You Think You Are?: A Memoir, which comes out in paperback next month.

Growing up, I cringed whenever I was compared to anyone else. Or when I was used as an example — good or bad — in front of an audience. In the second grade (the same grade as Sasha Obama), I had a teacher who would constantly tell the rest of the class that if I couldn’t do something — an art project, keep quiet during recess, etc. — well, no one could. And as you can imagine, despite that teacher’s good intentions, I wasn’t very popular in that class. I hated being on that stage — especially at seven.

So when I read Rachel L. Swarns’s piece in The New York Times — "Michelle Obama’s Agenda Includes Healthful Eating" — I had a second-grade flashback.

Swarns’ article focused on the First Mom’s campaign to promote healthy food and living, and it made mention of how she is working to make sure her daughters develop the right eating habits, too.  It’s a challenge for mothers everywhere —- especially now. The article suggested that the White House kitchen might want to consider issuing regular news releases describing the menus of the First Couple and their daughters — so that other parents can use them as examples to share with their own children, a kind of "If Sasha and Malia are eating broccoli, well, you should, too."

At first read, the suggestion is a noble one. Mrs. Obama’s quest to make healthy eating a key part of her social agenda will no doubt positively affect millions of chubby American families.

But taking the extra step of using the Obama girls as salad-eating poster children to promote good eating habits among their peers? Don’t do it Mrs. Obama.

"Any time you use children as example to other children, your mission could backfire," said Dr. Ron Balamuth, a child psychologist and psychoanalyst affiliated with Columbia University. "Telling children that they should behave the same way as Sasha and Malia risks making them feel inadequate."

There’s also the issue of making your child feel unwanted. "You’re almost telling them unintentionally that you would rather be the parent of ‘those perfect girls,’" he said.

And finally, there’s the risk of undermining your child’s self-esteem. "By comparing and contrasting children, you elevate one — but bring down another," said Balamuth.

Ouch.

And let’s not forget the privacy matter. The First Lady has already declared that she doesn’t want her girls to be used for marketing purposes. Her office fired a presidential salvo across marketers’ bows last January when it asked Ty Inc., the maker of Beanie Babies, to remove two dolls that appeared to be named after Sasha and Malia — despite the company’s protests that those sweet and marvelous names had nothing to do with the First Daughters. I think most parents would agree that the White House made the right call there. I know I did.

If the Obamas decide to promote what Sasha and Malia are eating to set an example, their privacy could be violated. Beanie Babies or broccoli — exposure would put them on the spot. And the last thing those beautiful girls need is to have their dietary bar raised to the point of perfection. I would imagine most seven- and ten-year-olds wouldn’t want to have what they eat each day held up for all to see, either.

I’m all for promoting healthy eating. But please, let’s leave the First Daughters out of it. At least until they’re old enough to speak for themselves. The stage they’re on now must be uncomfortable enough.