Would You Let Your Kids Model?

I'd be lying if I said that I wouldn't want Princess to model.  People always say she's a natural in front of the camera.  They say she beautiful.  I certainly have to agree.  But, being a kid model ain't all that it's cracked up to be.

As a former model, I was fortunate to have graced the pages of various magazines.  I was no Naomi Campbell, but I did ok.  I'll get into it more some day.  The point is that even though I had a blast and met some peeps, it wasn't all glitz and glamour.  There is a down side, as you may know.  I think being a kid model is no different.  

I wasn't a child model, but I did come across them quite often at commercial auditions in New York City.  I remember seeing parents (mostly mommies) with their kids waiting to be called.  These tykes didn't seem like kids.  It's like they were always on.  They did everything on cue and just didn't appear natural.  Do I want my little Princess to be like that?  As she would say, "No way!"

Don't get me wrong - if she has a chance to do a major ad campaign, we're in!  I can't font, I've entered her in a bunch of contests.  She's also done some boutique modeling, which involved taking pics of merchandise in exchange for goodies.  Basically if a boutique was interested in having her model their line, I'll take snap shots of her wearing them and we get to keep the products.  That's the extent of her modeling career.  I refuse to put her through cattle calls.  Most of the parents I'd run into at castings told me that they were SAHM's.  Schlepping their kids to and from castings worked for them, but it ain't gonna work for me.  What happens when she gets turned down for a gig and gets discouraged?  What about if she throws a tantrum and doesn't want to perform?  I just couldn't imagine putting her through all that at such a young age, not to mention what I'd have to go through.  I'd probably have to quit my job.  Being a model means having drop everything at a moments notice for a casting (cattle) call, audition, or gig.  It was exhausting for me-just think of a kid having to that!

  If baby company shows an interest in booking my baby girl, it's all good.  We're down!  But for now, we'll keep holding our own little photo shoots and avoid cattle calls.

Would you allow your kids to model?

Weather Anchor Mama