Replies to '03/06 To Be a Child Star'

The delusion is that every one of these "stage parent" adults thinks that their little darling is going to be the next Hilary Duff, Miley Cyrus, Zac Efron, or, in the athletic realms, Tara Lipinski or Tiger Woods. The reality, is the chances of "making it" are somewhere between slim and none, even if the child does have the talent. As jetta said, why not let the kids be kids, certainly the adults can support them by providing appropriate enrichment. Then when the child is mature enough to start planning his or her own future, a more informed decision can be made as to whether to pursue such a career, and the child can be aware of both the tremendous dedication required to "make it" and the potential pitfalls that await.

Re your last 2 sentences, you're right, the landscape is littered with screwed-up, washed-up former child stars...didn't Danny Bonaduce ("Danny Partridge," 1970-74) appear on Dr. Phil a while back (I'm showing my age...LOL)?

Your last sentence assumes that they will go to college! Kids who are pushed hard in other areas (other than academics), don't normally have the time to devote themselves to schooling. Therefore, they are not the A students that they perhaps could be.

Do you know when children models work? They don't do most of their work in the evenings, weekends or summers. Modeling gets going (hot) in late August and then September. Modeling work for kids is normally during the 9-5:00 work day and NOT on the weekends.

Our daughter didn't make the honor roll the past grading period, so we haven't allowed her to model until her grades go up (and stay up), even though she's under contract.

She has the brains to go to college. The beautiful looks she has may make for a fun hobby ND help add money to her college fund, but they are SO WAY DOWN THE PRIORITY LIST when it comes to the big picture of life! And it's up to PARENTS to do what is best for their children....always.