~Children Modeling?~

It could be fun, just make sure it is fun for her, not for you. I heard so many times that parents try to live out their dream through their children, putting children in the sad position of wanting to make mama/pop happy and feeling pressured by this. There are many stereotypes about the child modeling world, I am sure you will be able to discern the good and bad of it. Just be careful because not winning a contest (or not being chosen for a shot) could make feel the child unworthy and damage her self-esteem. And nobody (us adults too) likes being judged anyway, especially on something so superficial as our looks. I personally disapprove and would never put my child in that position, but again I do not know so much about it because I am not interested (even if my child has had proposals for fashion pictures since he is unusually handsome). I just don't feel good about exposing my child to adults' attention. The world we are in is dangerous enough for children and to make them more "appealing" to adults (in the contests they make the girls up to make them look like little Miss America, therefore small version of an adult, sexy, flirty woman) is very scary to me. You never know what's in the eyes (and in the head) of the onlooker. But, again, this is just my opinion.If they'll continue to look unbearably gorgeous when they grow up, they can choose to model then, surely they'll be much more capable to handle their feelings and protect themselves.

It is fine to send snapshots to agencies. However, spend NO MONEY. If someone likes your children, they will call you. DO NOT PAY anyone anything.

Now speaking from experience because I have modeled most of my life and my 15 yr old models as well. We do both photo, fit modeling, and a little runway.

It is a JOB and WORK. It is BRUTAL. Yes, it is rewarding as well but there is a lot of cut throat people out there. You must be able to take rejection and accept it. It does not mean you are not good, not pretty, etc. It just means you are not what they are looking for.

When you are called, you go at the time they tell you. It might be nap time so you might have a very fussy baby or child.

Keep in mind...if your children don't like it or enjoy it...it shows to the agencies. Do be upset if they don't like it.

That said, if you do it.....put all the money they make in an account for your children.

Kim Dawson and Campbell agencies in Dallas are good agencies.

Good luck!

How old is your daughter? I personally wouldn't do it. To me, it's almost like exploiting your child, unless she is old enough to say, "Mom, I want to model."

I was a child model and I think it was a horrible experience. I am too tired to get into it now, but models have to conform to certain standards of growth and physical nuttiness that your child might not conform to as she grows. The sad thing is it is a competition. You go to auditions, you get excited you talk about it, and someone else can win out and you have to explain to baby how because of her looks she's lost. Why put a kid through that? Celebrate your child's beauty but don't make a competition out of it. Modeling is a competition.

I worked until I was 17. I am short and to compensate for lack of height, I had to starve myself. I was told at 17 years of age that I would never be able to have kids because I'd missed out on a lot of the growing of puberty due to malnutrition. I have lost 5 babies. I have two healthy children, and maybe the others would not have survived anyway, but who knows?

I think that if a child wants to persue any dream when they are old enough to decide for themselves, then by all means support her. But pushing this on her can be really hurtful in many ways. Or who knows, maybe she'll have a lot of fun.

Good luck whatever you decide.

That is so sweet and cute! You really are "ProudMaMa" =-)
I don't have experience in this but one piece of advice I can give you is whatever agency you go with, try looking them up on the
Better Business Bureau On-Line. It's a great tool!
www.bbb.org
Good luck to your DD & have fun!