to cringe at a facebook 'friend' entering her 16mo old DD into a modelling competition?

[DaydreamDolly]

I totally understand having pride in your children and thinking that they are beautiful and beguiling, but I really don't understand why you would enter your young child into a baby modelling competition for a large brand. I just see it as prostituting the babies and I don't like it!
Especially when the mum puts it on their facebook status and encourages people to vote.... so, am I being unreasonable? Do I need to get over myself??!

Common As Muck

and yes, I know I'm being snobby re: your friend.

Haha, I'm afraid I thought the same Fright Garden...

Nothing to do with you. yabu. But it does put pressure on your friends to vote so far that yanbu.

I'm with Fright Garden.

Is that the Next one? I'm quite up for entering that one myself!

Well the baby is unlikey to be affected by it, won't be caked in makeup or have to prance about so can't see the problem.
My dd1 used to model for the ARGOS catalogue when she was little as we lived local to where it was produced, I was a SAHM at the time and we needed the money plus I was a tad bored. We both enjoyed it and got v well looked after, she was always happy to play with the toys and didn't even notice that her photo was being taken. Plus she has a nice little nest egg for when she turns 18 next year. We did it for 2 years until we moved. Nothing to do with 'prostituting the babies'!

You may be too old, Panzee

I don't really like it when it reaches beauty pageant proportions, but since this is none of your business, YABU and you do need to get over yourself.

I think I know which company this is and if I'm right, there is a £500 voucher to be won. Maybe your friend is short on money and this would come in really handy?

:o :o

I've seen the mothers. They are scary as.

Hmm you may not be so disparaging when their child has enough saved up to go to University and be debt free. I'm all for it if the child has the personality to do it, not so sure about pushy mothers living their lives vicariously through their children.

Fair points everyone, I am aware I do have a bit of the snob in me sometimes and am willing to admit it! Maybe saying prostituting the babies was the wrong term to use - apologies for any offence caused.
taintedpaint and HeadFairy the family is very very well off so it definitely isn't for the money. I think it just gets on my nerves as she is always very boastful about her daughter and that is irritating.

@ mangoandlime

YABU.

If you don't like it, then don't vote - and hide her status updates..

I have a Mumsnetter on Facebook who entered her little one and I voted..
It's no different to the 'Bonny Baby' type contests that you see in local newspapers etc.

It is a bit different Drama, as they win a modelling contract, so they are kind of being signed up to doing something long term. Bonny baby competitons are normally, 'well done, your baby is the cutest, here is a voucher for some hideously expensive photography company who will rip you off'

Okay, perhaps she just wants to enter her DD then, just, well, because! I don't know, maybe she just thinks it's sweet. I really don't see the problem at that age, ultimately it's not a beauty contest, it's a modelling job. If in a few years time she is a pushy parent who is making her DD do it against her will, or entering her into pageants, I would say your judgement is not unreasonable, but for now I think there's really nothing wrong with it.

And I'm not scary at all! Nothing could tie me to the allegations of doping the other models

DurhamDurham

its not prostituting ffs
i do think the next competition is a bit silly as its just done on who can bug the most people to vote for their dc, via facebook and whatever else but i wouldn't judge anyone for entering i just personally could not be doing with harrasing enough people to get the votes.
there is nothing wrong with babies modelling though

I take more offence at you saying "prostituting babies" when it is nothing of the kind!

Cannot believe the attitude of people saying it is common either! Only a common person would call someone that anyway.

I have not entered my DD's in one of these because most of them are a rip off...and my DDs are shy. BUT I see nothing wrong with others doing it...some people want to get thir child into show business early as a possible career choice...then if they have talent they hav had a early start.

Nothing to do with "common".

HAVE HAD AN early start! Not "hav had a early start."

Mash - I can see where you would take offence at that, see above I have already apologised for using that turn of phrase, I agree, it's not the right term to use.
With regards to getting your child into show business early though - why on earth would that be a good thing? That's terrible!

I've entered DD. Bit of fun, no more. Didn't give it a second thought about it being snobby.
Won't be hassling anyone for votes, it's there on my News Feed for anyone who is inclined to vote.

"prostituting the baby"? bit OTT don't you think? From what I've heard child models are treated very well, as they should be.

YABU and stuck up. what's the harm in showing your baby off and hopefully winning oodles of Next vouchers in the process?

Why is it though? My family is all in show business! Myself, my DH and my brother...my other familly are in related business's!

Showbusiness is a valid career and can be extremely lucrative.