To Tiara or Not

Over the last few years, TLC has had a show called Toddlers and Tiaras. This show covers child beauty pageants and the preparations that the children go through. Recently, I was watching the show and about threw my remote at the TV when I watched an episode regarding one specific child. She is now seven years old and has been doing pageants for as long as her mother has been able to bring her to a show. Now the little girl's name is Makenzie and she is in the picture that is on the right, mind you that this is a seven year old, not a twenty seven year old.

So I was wondering, what makes these parents do what they do and why would you do that to your child? So I started to watch a little more of the episodes and decided to write about it. Now, some will say this is all ranting and raving, but how far is too far?

For those of you who have never seen the show, they do show before and after pictures of these children. They also show the parent interviews and the child interviews. While many of the children say they enjoy the pageants, the parents insist that the child is not allowed to do anything besides pageants. Whether it is because of a money issue or because the moms wished to have been brought up that way varies between parents. But pageant moms are not the only issues with the show, it is also the pageant dads. There was one father who quit his job so that he could be a full time pageant dad. He spends all his time making costumes and setting up pageants that the child will be part of. Now not to say that spending time with your child is wrong, but there is a fine line between reality and too far.

Many of the children that are featured in the show are very normal little children besides the fact that their rooms are plastered in trophies and sashes and crowns. But how far is really too far? Some tips and tricks on keeping it real for pageants that will still give you an edge.

1. Flipping out: Flippers or fake teeth to cover gaps or missing teeth. Gaps and missing teeth are normal for children until they are at least twelve when they finally get all their adult teeth or get braces. Most judges like to look for that "real child" the one that is not trying too hard to be perfect that they look fake.
2. Dolly Parton hair: The hair extensions are a bit much when you spend hours at a salon with your little one crying and whining that it hurts. There are other options such as hair tie extensions and clip on extensions, but try to keep them light weight so that your little one will not feel pain while wearing it.
3. Keep it short: heels on a child that will be performing on stage can be dangerous. Not only are the stages generally higher then they are tall, but they are also set up with groves because they are pieced together. A heel that is less then a half inch is more then enough and will help the child while moving around on stage. Also, remember to let the child break in their shoes at least three weeks prior to them performing. New shoes can be painful, especially new dress shoes. Allow your child to wear them inside the house so that they can get used to them, let them run and dance and just move around so that they are comfortable in them.
4. Costume Constriction: Many pageant dresses are huge, with full skirts and high collars and poofy sleeves. Keep it simple and elegant, not clown suit style. Many pageant dresses can be classy and fun while still regarding your child as underage. I have not seen many dresses on Toddlers and Tiaras that cover much of anything. This is very inappropriate for children of their age, short skirts and low cut tops are meant for clubs not pageants. Keep it fun and covered. Skirts should generally go to the knees for two reasons, the first being modesty and the second being so that they do not trip on their dresses.
5. Fake and Bake: Though pageant lighting means that the darker the better in spray tanning, keep it real! Allow your child to run around outside or at a pool and get a normal childhood tan. Oompa Loompa is not attractive, no matter what the age is. If you are going to spray tan, make sure that the product is safe and that the tanning agent is not inhaled or ingested in anyway.
6. Barbie Face: Keep the make up simple, fake eyelashes are a pain and getting your child to sit still can be a hassle all on its own. A little bit of bronzing powder and blush is really all you need. Keep the lipstick to a minimum and let them use chap stick or the Smuckers brand children's flavored chap stick
   

For more information regarding products mentioned in this article, see the links listed below.

The pictures to the right are all thanks to http://tlc.howstuffworks.com/tv/toddlers-tiaras.

Again, I would like to give thanks to TLC's Toddlers and Tiaras for the images in this article.