To feel sorry for some of the children on Child Genius?

[Laymizzrarb]

I felt so sorry for Aaliyah when she made a mistake. She looked totally crestfallen. And the mother wasn't helping, telling the cameras her child had made a 'stupid mistake' . She's a little girl for goodness sake.

Non of the girls had their hair brushed the thing I have noticed is child prodigys don't often lead to happy adults

Aaliyah's Mother - can you forgive yourself? She is unhinged.

I seriously want to shoot Aaliyah's mum

I think these programmes should be banned.
(Incidentally I was this sort of child and even though my parents were not competitive I still feel a bit damaged by by being held up to scrutiny all the time).

that poor girl is gonna be so messed up by the time she is an adult

poor girl

"Do you feel better now you can (memorise the cards) on camer?"

Awful!

Go to that sparkly place inside - pass the bucket you abusive insane bitch!

Could have wept for poor Tudor and Hazelle. Just wanted to give him a big cuddle and treat him like the little boy he is.

It sounds like Aaliyah's mum had an abusive childhood, which may explain a few things but by no means justifies then.

Eleanor's mum seems the most normal out of all of them

Well it's said so many children not getting what they need to thrive there a docu about blinging up baby a lady who Spray tans her 4 years old

It makes for uncomfortable viewing. Totally agree re Tudor and Hazelle's parents. How can you pit your kids against each other like that? It's utterly vile. And poor Tudor just goes into meltdown every time he doesn't meet his father's expectations. He and Aliyah in particular are just going to be wrecked after 'childhoods' like this :( Her mother is frightening. So sad that she had such a dreadful childhood herself. I can see that she wants everything to be perfect for her own dd, but this is absolutely NOT the way to try make that happen.
Rubiayat and Sharon seem like natural genii (is that right?) and don't need all the pushing and cramming and forcing the others are subjected to.

I have just been raging at the tv watching this

Those poor babies, Tudor just breaks my heart, he seems so terrified

It is a new series.

I suppose a lot of the parents, while academically bright are socially incompetent and they don't realise the damage they're doing to their kids. I feel very sorry for these children, it's not just cruel to deprive them of a happy, carefree childhood, stunting their social development will cause them lifelong issues that they may not be able to overcome.

The way alliyahs mum and step dad tell her she isn't grateful enough to then for sacrificing their social lives so that they can force her to constantly be studying. Her mum is crazy it was horrible to watch.

Watching Tudor & Hazel look up to their parents for support & all they get is disappointing disapproving faces was appalling. As parents we should be the ones scooping them up when they feel knocked down.
And Aaliyah mum & step dad need serious help. Mental help. Otherwise they are going to ruin that child life.
Heartbreaking to watch.

Oh right, I must have seen some of series 1 last year. Thought I recognised the piano playing kid and therefore thought it was a repeat. That they've made a second series is truly depressing.

No pressure kids!!

Poor mites

I watched series 1 but haven't seen any of this one. Judging by the comments on here, the parents sound more pushy in this series? Think C 4 are getting more and more exploitative if that is the case.

Alliyah's mum is just awful - all that crap about the sparkly place at the end and I couldn't believe it when she said, "do you forgive yourself?"

Agree that Tudor's parents - especially his dad - are the worst though. Vile.

Boffin I think these programmes should be banned

I totally agree. I think there should be very strict guidelines in place about the exploitation of children on television. I haven't seen this programme, but I feel tremendously sorry for the children used in reality-type programmes.
A child is not old enough to give informed consent.

I agree, they shouldn't make programmes like this. Those poor, poor children. I think it is verging on emotional abuse in some cases, and I don't say that lightly. :(

Member I think you might have recognised the piano playing child because he's been in the press before - apparently he twice got through on Britain's Got Talent and then twice was dropped before the live finals, and his mum kicked off. I don't get the white suit either but that's what he wore on BGT and so DP thinks his mum is trying to create (or continue) his 'brand'. Agree with what others have said about Aaliyah and Tudor's parents. Contrast the way Jocelyn's parents (the home educated child) comforted and praised her, with what Tudor's father said - scary and sad.

if you need to do research on how to make friends it's time to rethink as parents
Actually this is something many people with ASDs and ASD children do. I haven't failed as a parent.

I think Aaliyah's mother had a truely awful abusive childhood and she seems quite damaged to me. I think it's irresponsibility of channel 4 to allow her to participate in this programme

Totally agree they are treating their dd like some sort of zany cult, they have zany brain washed eyes...like they have nothing else in their life...

I really hope SS goes and tells her they are damaging the poor child....Ironic after all those hours wasted on that crap from her precious childhood and she only got to 6 cards!?

Tudors Father is insane, the look, the stoney hard look on his face....I hope SS are knocking at their door too.

I couldn't believe it when she said, "do you forgive yourself?"

yes I was spluttering to my DH at that too.

they are twisted.