Replies to '08/14 Trouble in the Spotlight'

How is it that kids involved in Beauty pageants are not given the chance to be kids?  My daughter is very involved in beauty pageant and has yet to miss out on any "normal" aspect of being a kid.  Pageants take up a weekend a month, in some cases maybe two and sometimes a few months pass between one pageant and the next.  When we are not at a pageant, my daughter is just a typical five year old little girl.  She goes outside, she runs around, she gets dirty, VERY dirty, to the point that its hard to remember that behind all that dirt and mudd is a little girl.  She jumps, climbs, goes out and rides her bike.  She doesnt miss out on playing with her friends or going to birthday parties, I could go on and on, I am sure you get the point.  Beauty Pageants have only enhanced her "normal" childhood not hindered it in anyway.  On top of being a normal child, she has gotten to experience things that other kids her age have not.  She gets to travel, she has been to many more places than most kids her age; unlike a typical child who's circle of friends include children from their neighborhoods and maybe school or daycare, my daughter has made many great friends from all over the country.  Friends that she does indeed remember, and that she looks forward to seeing and playing with.  At five years old she is by far more well spoken then other children her age in our neighborhood.  She isnt shy, nor does she feel intimidated around larger groups of people.  Her motor skills surpass what is considered average for a child her age, these are only to name a few.  Pageants are much more than a pretty face.  Grace, poise and personality are also very important factors, so when my daughter is on stage the beauty she potrays most certainly comes from the inside as well.   My child is at no more risk of falling prey to a pedophile than any other child in this world today.   My dream as a parent is to raise my children with love and care, make sure they are happy and healthy and grow up to be functional, successful adults within society.   And by successful I mean they live their lives being who and what they want to the best of their ability, and more important than anything they grow up being a good person.  If that is living out my dreams through my children then I quess I am quitly, but I would think no more so than any other parent out there wanting the same things for their children.

Hi There, 

  

I agree also, but 9 times out of 10 it is the parents PUSHING their kids into doing this to get scholarships for college. 

  

Kids need to be kids.  

  

Parents need to back-off.  

  

I actually had my son in a local pageant, actually it was the Sunshine Pageant, and there were so many expensive dresses and tuxes that I felt really under-dressed.  When we entered this pageant it was not a requirement to be formal and that it would not sway the judges decision.  But for someone who tried to do this with her son, it was not a nice experience. 

  

My son was a very handsome baby, Red Hair and Blue Eyes, and I'm not saying this because he is my son.  He is now 15 and still very handsome, still with the red hair and blue eyes.  We are much better off since we did not continue with the pageants.   

  

People intend to go overboard.   

  

Cindy in FL