Monday, September 12, 2011

Toddlers and Tiaras

I have a confession to make.  When my daughter was itty-bitty, just a couple of months old- I entered her in a baby contest at a small town fair.  She came in second for bluest eyes.  It was kind of fun.  But that was the end of that.

Recently, I had a conversation with a four year old.
FYO:  "Cheryl, do you watch toddlers and tiaras?"
me:  "no."
FYO:  "Why not?"
me: "well...because it is toddlers... and tiaras."
( I had never heard of this t.v. program.)
FYO:  "so?"
me:  "What can a toddler do?"
FYO:  "Lots of things!"
me:  "A toddler can't drive a car.
  A toddler can't even ride the merry-go-round by themselves."

Seriously, it was a hilarious conversation!
I have since tuned in ever so briefly to see what the fuss was about.
And, I was going to tell you all about this- but that was before the recent hub-bub which has given me even more fodder.
 What is this mother thinking?  Is this supposed to be a Madonna costume?  Why would you put your precious daughter in a get-up like this?
 And this costume...she said she made it herself for her daughter.  Oh, when my daughter grows up, I want her to be a streetwalker!
 And putting your daughter in a C cup padded bra and adding padded hips?  WHAT? 
 Who taught her to pose this way?
 Does this child look happy?
 And, this one...does she look happy?


I do not understand why anyone would do these things to any toddler.  Never mind, their own daughter!  Emphasizing appearance and clothes and make-up.  I think it is a huge injustice to the little girls.  I do not think this is about the little girls as much as this is about the moms, themselves.  They are living vicariously through their daughters.  I say "get a life."  If you want to spend time with your daughters, join Girl Scouts or soccer or choir or let them play an instrument.  Show up for them when they have a game or perform.  Let them know you care.  Get them involved in something that might enrich their lives or help them as they mature.  Basing self worth on appearance is only giving them a foundation that will crumble in time.  How shallow and sad.  What about emphasizing accomplishments such as cognitive skills or physical accomplishments like kicking a goal in soccer or learning how to play the piano or being in choir? 
Sick, sick, sick.  Sad, sad, sad.  And sadder yet is that people are actually tuning in to watch this crap.  People, get a book.  Get a life. 
Thoughts?

8 comments:

Kris said...

I have never seen the entire show, but I have tuned in to see what the hullabaloo was all about too. I was disgusted. It is criminal to air such a show, and criminal to allow it take place period. These mothers should not have children. Okay, that may be a little harsh, but come on. It is disgusting!!!
Still no eggs here. Harumph!!

Holly said...

It's disgusting! I've seen it and was horrified. What is wrong with these people?

Princess of Everything (and then some) said...

I have watched it before. It is like a train wreck....you just cannot look away.

It is all about the Moms...and some Dads. It has nothing to do with what the children really want.

I saw an interesting article that said that pageants have always been active but that it all blew up to amazing proportions after the death of Jon Benet Ramsey. People really got into them after that. Isn't that sad?!?!?!

Angela said...

Sigh.... You are so right Cheryl! That show is disgusting! I seen about 5 minutes of it and of course I've seen the commercials so I know what the show is and it is horrible! I feel so bad for those little girls. And if you notice their moms are usually dog @$$ ugly! There's no excuse for it at all.

My sister told me about a show called Dance Moms. It's just as bad if not worse and the instructor is a witch with a B! I couldn't even watch 5 minutes of that one. The sad thing was that those kids could actually dance and they were being belittled to think that they would a nothing. I was in dance as a kid and my instructor was worse than boot camp. I still hate her and she is dead! I think if she had let the parents she how she actually treated us they would have taken us out.

I have a daughter that would have been a great dancer. She had natural ability but I couldn't do that to her. She isn't interested in it either so I'm pretty happy about that. My daughter gets to be a kid and a teen now and have fun.

Whew! I hope my rant is over! lol
A heated topic for me! lol

Hugs,
Angela

Chatty Crone said...

I tried to watch it once and got sick.

I want our kids to stay kids.

These little ones were crying and so unhappy - don't like that at all.

Sandie

MamaMonki said...

I cannot for the life of me stand that show. It makes me furious.

Art From The heart said...

I can't imagine what goes through the minds of people like this.
Sad, very sad.
Hugs

Deb from WhatsInMyAttic said...

Just popped over to your blog from "ain't for city gals" and this post really caught my eye! When someone I know feels she needs to discipline her child, she has on occasion chosen to "spank"...she never does it in anger, always has a conversation first, tells the child he/she will get "2 swats", uses a little wooden paddle on the erring bottom, talks with the child calmly afterward, and prays with the child. To do this, she shuts her windows and doors so that no one hears and gets the notion there is "abuse" going on. YET these people feel free to put their children in ridiculously adult (read hooker) attire and situations (whose the prettiest?), and broadcast it on cable TV!? What is happening to us as a society that we tolerate this kind of stuff? Sorry...I don't usually rant quite so much, but it just makes my head spin!!

On a happier note...love your blog and I'll be back!

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