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Original poster

Can I earn money from my son modelling?

141 replies

Littleeggycustard · 14/02/2023 08:35

I have a 14 month old son who has just been signed up to a good modelling agency in London. I have read that they can only pay money into a bank account in the child’s name - does that mean that I can’t access any of it?
My son and I live at my Mum and Dads and I want to save money so that we can move out. I would like to use some of his modelling money for this, but is there any way I can access it?
Thanks :)

OP posts:

user1494050295 · 14/02/2023 08:37

Have a separate account which is linked to his account. I have this with NatWest and have access if needed

Clutterbugsmum · 14/02/2023 08:40

Well technically you could as you have to set up an account in your baby's name but you have signing responsibilities. But it's your BABY'S money, not yours. If you want to save up to move out then get a better paying job or a second one.

There's no guarantee that your baby will get any modelling job anyway.

unclebuck · 14/02/2023 08:43

No you cannot spend the money your son earns - he earns it it belongs to HIM. Get a job yourself and save up. Laws were brought in to stop parents forcing their children to work and living of their earnings.

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bloodymary100 · 14/02/2023 08:44

Legally, I suppose that you could probably charge a management fee kris Jenner but to be honest I don't think there's as much money in child modelling as you're imagining.

I have a friend whose children model on a regular basis for known brands and they are saving around £5k per year per child (children are 2 and 4, mixed race and incredibly photogenic if that makes a difference to their income). Not to be sniffed at but also not comparable to a wage!

GiveMeBernardsWatch · 14/02/2023 08:46

I'm no expert and suggest you get proper professional advice (i expect the modeling agency will be able to point you in the right direction if this is their business) but my understanding is that that money is his, not yours (legally as well as morally).

I think a lot of parents don't really grasp that when their child is young their earnings are their own, not their family's but it's important that you keep that distinction firmly in your mind.

Again, don't take this as gospel but I believe you may find that you are essentially a trustee of your child's earnings and so can use the money for his benefit (things like his education - like actual school fees, not something you want to do and call it "an education" for him!) and you may find that helping to but a house for the two of you might count. However if it's bought with his money I expect that it will ultimately be his house, held in trust for him until he's of age - it won't be yours.

Also remember that one day your son will be grown up and may well ask about all of this. It causes real rifts in some families where the parents can't show their children clean hands and clear accounts as to what happened to their child's earnings, even if they never take their parents to court (as they could). I'd say that keeping the money totally separate in a bank account of his name is a very good idea, and it keeps the boundaries clear on your own mind too.

toomuchlaundry · 14/02/2023 08:47

Do you have a job?

Imogensmumma · 14/02/2023 08:48

very grey area… if you can pay him back by the time he is 18 then yes as it is him working he should have the funds.

Personally I think no too many cases of child actors working and having nothing as adults as the bank of mum and dad needed the money.

Stock shelves , work at night when your DS is asleep if you need more money

Butitsnotfunnyisititsserious · 14/02/2023 08:49

Well firstly just because he's been signed doesn't mean he'll get jobs. Secondly that money is his. Do you work? If not, you need to before taking your child's money.

LittleBearPad · 14/02/2023 08:50

He earned it. It’s his money.

MelchiorsMistress · 14/02/2023 08:52

Money your son earns should be saved for him and money you earn should pay for you and your son to live on.

Riverlee · 14/02/2023 08:53

I think you may get a chaperone fee.

Also, as others have said, signing a contract doesn’t guarantee income. If you live at you parents, you’d be better off letting them babysit and you go and get a job.

notafraidofthebigbadwolf · 14/02/2023 08:55

Of course you can. You have to set up an account in his name, but you control it and can use it as you see fit. I disagree with PP saying it is your baby’s money. They don’t understand that you have to work hard to facilitate your son being in front of that camera any time it happens! You organise the regular pic updates, you chaperone each session, you do the admin. You don’t get paid directly at all. Having said that, you can’t bank on any money coming in, it is utter luck, it might happen, it might not. You might spend far more traveling to castings and on pic updates than you ever get back. But if you get a central spot in an ad campaign, it will be 2 or 3 k and will all seem worth it. I’ve never needed to use money from my kids accounts, but I think it would be fine to do so if it gave the child a better standard of living.

gamerchick · 14/02/2023 08:56

Christ, is this what it's come too. People pimping out their kids for money?

I hope you've got a job OP.

TibetanTerrah · 14/02/2023 08:59

My ex wasn't a child model but played a character in the foreign language dubbing of a hit movie when he was about 8. All through his childhood he was told the money was 'safe' and would be given to him when he was 18.

Come his 18th birthday, it was never mentioned. Eventually he plucked up the courage to ask. All he was told was it was 'gone' and they refused to discuss it further.

Making an 8 year old stand in a recording booth for hours on end and then keeping the money is really low. But the OP's baby won't have any recollection of modelling so it would be even easier for her to take advantage.

SoCunningYouCanStickATailOnItAndCallItAFox · 14/02/2023 09:00

If the money is used for his benefit that's not immoral. If it helps you get your own home together for him to grow up in, good for you for making that happen.
People saying the money is sacrosanct and can't be touched have never been properly poor and are assuming you're ripping him off.
If you frittered it away or used it for your self only that's one thing, but putting it to good use to give him a better life is something else.
Talk to your bank op and find out what accounts there are that can sort this out.

BreviloquentBastard · 14/02/2023 09:00

Seems a bit mean. I did catalogue modeling as a baby until about 10-11yo, classic cute chubby blue eyed blonde so I did well, but my parents put it all into an account for me to have when I was older.

It's hard to think of it like that because a baby having a job is weird, but really it is his money, not yours. I actually think legally it has to be in his name or in trust for him, or that's how it was when I was a kid.

ReneBumsWombats · 14/02/2023 09:00

gamerchick · 14/02/2023 08:56

Christ, is this what it's come too. People pimping out their kids for money?

I hope you've got a job OP.

It's not pimping, ffs.

Child models are needed for advertising and other jobs. There's nothing inherently unethical about having children model a kiddie clothing line.

dworky · 14/02/2023 09:00

You shouldn't want to!

MeMyCatsAndMyBooks · 14/02/2023 09:01

No, your son is earning the money not you. It would have to go into a bank account in his own right.

If you want money - surely you could look at upping your hours at work?

LIZS · 14/02/2023 09:02

I think it has to be spent in his interest ie nursery/school fees , but not on day to day living expenses. Tbh. It is unlikely any jobs will be so consistent (and there are limits as to how long and often he can work, your LA has to issue a licence) and high profile as to provide an income to fund your lifestyle and you will pay for travel etc. Getting paid work yourself would be a better bet if you need to move out.

SoCunningYouCanStickATailOnItAndCallItAFox · 14/02/2023 09:03

Lying to your child and keeping the money is despicable.
But what if op tells her son he modelled and the money helped him but their home and he will inherit that one day... No lies and he benefits in the end... What's wrong with that?

SoCunningYouCanStickATailOnItAndCallItAFox · 14/02/2023 09:03

Helped her buy their home

Pirateships · 14/02/2023 09:04

It's extremely competitive (for some reason, I can't imagine my child's face being plastered in magazines or on TV before they can consent themselves but anyway)- I wouldn't bank on making tonnes of money. It actually takes money to get anywhere, you'll be paying to travel to castings etc and yes any money is his. You can do some jiggery pokery of accounts but morally its corrupt.

worried4698643 · 14/02/2023 09:05

You forcing you son to model and then taking the money is horrendous.

gamerchick · 14/02/2023 09:07

ReneBumsWombats · 14/02/2023 09:00

It's not pimping, ffs.

Child models are needed for advertising and other jobs. There's nothing inherently unethical about having children model a kiddie clothing line.

Show quote history

When your primary aim is to spend the money made it is.

Hopefully it's just a hand grenade job to get a thread to run. Like.

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