Child Modelling - do you think its a good thing or bad?

[bosscatsroastingonanopenfire]

I ask because this is a topic i had absolutely no opinion on until yesterday. I had dinner with a cousin who told me her son (2) had been registered with a modelling agency. He has had loads of work etc and they are all over the moon. To say they were slightly obsessed about it would be an understatement. I found that I just could not be enthusiastic about it and I felt really uncomfortable. They feed him low fat food so he won't put on weight he gets dragged round every thursday to castings. I couldn't help but think to myself "what on earth does this child get out of this?". I'm sure they thought my silence meant I was desperately jealous that my two haven't been snapped up but I honestly felt really sorry for my cousins child and wondered if this was really a healthy environment for him to be exposed to at such a young age.

What do you think?

Well both my two have modelled since 5 months old & dd2 currently has about 1 job a week.BUT the modelling they do is not photographic,they work as fitting models at NEXT,so don't go to castings ect.They just go along,try on clothes,play with toys & go home again.It isn't glamourous,I find it boring,but the dd's love going.

I did post once,on THAT thread,in response to a question & said how time consuming & boring it could be,TBH I don't think people wanted to hear that & iot was pretty much ignored.

Most of the people I know don't know that the dd's model as it isn't the most important thing in our lives by a long chalk.

As for low fat food for a 2 year old.I'm speechless that anyone could be so dim.

I don't think you can compare modelling to dancing classes or any other class that teaches your child a skill and which has interaction with other children. Modelling teaches no useful skills apart from how to pose, and the only interaction with other children they get is to stand next to them, or perhaps compare looks or clothes with each other.

no jazz hands then

rhubarb .i didnt compare modelling to dancing.what i said was their is a lot of mums that push their children to do things they do not want to do like my daughters friend that has to learn the flute which she hates.my dd has other hobbies she loves .cubs brownies her football club she plays for.hope that ok with you that she also enjoys modelling.

I wasn't aiming my comment at any poster in particular MaryMay, it's just something that mums use to justify modelling, they say that it's like sending their children to dancing or ballet classes, it's an out-of-school hobby. But it's not really, it's a job, and the children learn absolutely nothing but bad traits from it. I'd like to hear from a mum whose kids model about what their children get out of modelling, what talent they learn, what skill, in what way does it expand their minds or social skills?

I think that is why I feel so uncomfortable about it. What is important about the way you look? what are you teaching a child if you encourage them that they are 'special' because they are the prettiest? Surely there are more important life lessons we can teach children? I've read the arguments why people do it but I'm not convinced its because their children love it. I think its more to do with the parents and the ego trip it gives them. Obviously not in every case, some of you are sensible. Sadly my cousin does not fall into that category.

they are quick enough to take your money but nothing ever comes of it my son has had nothing not even his graduation dvd that we paid for in advance just his pic is online but nothing else we had to pay £129.25 to be on the books for promos and advertising costs,also £150 for modelling course each sunday for 2 hours, for 6 weeks, then graduation when they said that there would be people from the likes of boss, etc from the industry!!!!!!!!!!! yeh there was the owner, her daughter, a bloke that did the camcorder and an old women? the place looks like it's been in a war, god knows what there spending gullable people's money on. Please beware, you may get lucky, but lots haven't. please let me know if anyone has had dealings with them.

they are quick enough to take your money but nothing ever comes of it my son has had nothing not even his graduation dvd that we paid for in advance just his pic is online but nothing else we had to pay £129.25 to be on the books for promos and advertising costs,also £150 for modelling course each sunday for 2 hours, for 6 weeks, then graduation when they said that there would be people from the likes of boss, etc from the industry!!!!!!!!!!! yeh there was the owner, her daughter, a bloke that did the camcorder and an old women? the place looks like it's been in a war, god knows what there spending gullable people's money on. Please beware, you may get lucky, but lots haven't. please let me know if anyone has had dealings with them.