Asking Eric: How do I get passed this hurtful question strangers keep asking about my daughter?
Leila Ahmed
Leila Ahmed
Reporter · Syracuse, NY
A graduate of the University at Buffalo, Leila has spent five years in journalism, previously working at a community-focused news outlet in Rochester, NY. She specializes in uncovering the diverse voices and cultural richness of Syracuse’s neighborhoods, bringing their stories to light.
More from Leila →Reporter · Thursday, November 12, 2026 at 10:00 AM · 1 min read
Dear Eric: I am the mother of a beautiful four-year-old girl. On seven separate occasions strangers have asked me if I am her grandmother. I struggled with fertility issues for many years, and finally resorted to IVF, which took another few years to be successful.