Child Modeling...

[cyncity831]

I am a mother of two beautiful girls.  One is 12 and the youngest is 2.  I've always been told that I should put them to model, or take pictures, etc.etc...Personally, I really don't entertain it.  I think its something that becomes a strain on the entire family and more so for the child.  How can you possibly grow up without major malfunctions when starting out so young in that industry???  And to top it off, there's never a guarantee..

[1969fine]

I agree with you. Some start out so young they don't realize or understand what they are doing.

[jneff0603]

I think it's a little too much for children to handle. I think my kid is adorable but that doesn't mean I want strangers ogling her photos. Kids need to be kids, not little divas.

[sommap]

I agree.  I think a lot of mothers get their children into modeling, etc. to fulfill a desire of their own.  I say, a lot, not all.  I think a child should grow up with a normal childhood. 

[anguyen21]

Well I think a little part of us have always wanted to make it big and be famous and for a parent to give the child that opportunity by starting them out early is amazing.  At least the child will have the chance.  By the time the child is old enough to communicate what he or she wants then the child will have the opportunity to actually have the choice of deciding whether or not they would like to stay or get out of the industry.

[kingreyam24]

I think if a child really wants to then let them, but I would never let a child that was too young to understand what is going on do it. I guess from catching the commercials for that toddlers and tiaras, or whatever the name of it is, it just makes me feel really bad for the children and I just wouldn't want to put any of my children through that unless they really wanted to do it.

[mrstina08]

I have a 5yr old daughter, 3yr old son and a daughter who is a  month old infant. My 5yr old daughter is very smart and intelligent. Sometimes i even think she is too much for her age. I have always paid attention to my kids interest likes and dislikes. M y daughter loves to dance, dress and look pretty. So I enrolled her into ballet. She loved it. Weeks later she had a new dance teacher. For some reason my daughter didnt care for her at all. Now I cant get her too go for nothing in the world. So i didnt force her continue her classes. She is so young. Just because I thought it was good for her maybe it was too much.

[Annella]

Who would want to exploit their children in this venue, unless the parent(s) think to "cash in" someday?  Also, you better have some money because it's going to cost an arm and a leg.  I've read some of the documentary of the children (mainly girls) in this profession that have been pushed into it by their mothers.  They don't have a regular childhood, are forced to grow up way to fast, and learn to be fiercely competitive at any cost.  It's an ugly reality behind the scenes.  they are always traveling somewhere to compete, have elaborate wardrobes, trainers, teachers, ect.

It's the mothers living vicariously through their girls.  It's the mothers dream, not the child.  Getting them ready for a modeling career or actor/actress is not something that should be taken lightly.  Those careers may look glamorous, but there is a definite dark side.

Children need to be children...not adults.  Of course if it's the child's dream, then that's different.  However, a child's whims change with the wind.  It's good not to lay out to much money on musical, dance, karate, lessons of any kind, unless the child is going to stay with it......most don't, as their attention is always grabbed by the next fad.

I remember wanting to be a Nurse, Pilot, dancer, singer, hairdresser, and lawyer.  I became none of those things.  My career path wasn't even close to any of those titles when I got older....lol

[dkanofsky]

Save your money, time, effort and aggravation!