Parenting > General ParentingApril 02, 2005

ThriftyFun does not run any pageants or hire any models so this page is just for informational purposes. Please do not post your child's photo and email address here for help. There is a lot of good advice on this page and more in the feedback. And remember, all babies are beautiful!

Play Instead Of Display

Everyone's baby is beautiful. Yours too. My suggestion? Don't disPLAY her. PLAY with her!

By Dell

I agree with Dell! Don't put your child through the stress, cost, and potentially psychologically damaging process. She won't care if everyone else thinks she is gorgeous, the only thing they care about is that her parents love and adore her. Spend the time and save yourself the money (put it in an education fund) and take her to a playgroup or maybe swimming lessons, where she can be a child not a polished ornament!

By Bronwyn

Not Worth The Money

When my daughter was six, I entered her in a pageant. A friend loaned me a white pageant dress and she looked beautiful. She did win two trophies for Best Sportswear and Prettiest Smile, but believe me, I spent way too much for those cheap little trophies and she really didn't enjoy it that much anyway. She's a gorgeous 19 year old now, but you couldn't pay her to get into a pageant. You have a beautiful baby. Enjoy her now, life passes too quickly.

By Sharon, KY

Expensive And Too Much Makeup

I am taking my one-year old to a pageant in November, her pageant fees were paid when she won a baby photo contest. Really, I think I am just doing the pageant for me. Beyond the pageant in November, however, participating in any further pageants would just be too expensive! I also know they (judges) expect the contestants to wear a ridiculous amount of cosmetics, even the toddlers! That's not for my baby girl.

New Star Discovery Pageant

Hey, guys. My daughter Brooklyn was the current Miss Kentucky and Tennessee for 8-14 months for New Star Discovery. Pageants don't have to be all about competition. They are about having fun and meeting new people. Brooklyn was crowned on Sunday, May 29th 2005! New Star Discovery has no makeup and goes until age 6. They are very strict and just want to have some fun. So, if you're interested in doing pageants, do them to have fun and find ones with no makeup. I love New Star Discovery! And by the way, just because your child is in a baby pageant, they are not a polished ornament. And pageants are about fun!

By Jennifer

Do It For The Fun

I just started with the pageant thing. My daughter has gotten 2 First Runner-Up and Prettiest Eyes. I do it because it's fun and she can win savings bonds and stuff. The trophies and crowns will be something fun she can look back onto. She enjoys it because she meets other toddlers (she's 18 months) and she likes the attention.

I am not totally crazy about it, though. I'm not the pageant mom/freak. I refuse to spend more than $30 on a dress and she wears no make up. She's going to Internationals in Atlanta this August. It's an excuse to get out and travel, too. It's fun for us and Sunburst USA is really good about it all. They don't allow make up on the babies at all, not even to cover scratches. It's all about natural beauty and it will make a difference later on. I hate the fact that I only have 2 trophies at my parents house. Everything I got was in the form of plaques. My brother has tons of trophies. She now has more than me and my hubby combined. If she ever wants to stop, I'll let her.

By 'kiesha

Enjoy Your Child's Unique Wonderfulness

This is up to you, but all babies and children have a wonderfulness about them and when you put that on stage, it's "not" so sweet and wonderful anymore. Remember the laugh that no one made her do, she just did it. It was her! Please think about it before you take the "natural" out of her beauty.

By Mimi

Try Local Pageants Instead of Sunburst

Sunburst is not the place to start, they are a rip off and they're not even about modeling. At the Internationals in Atlanta, they only had about 10 seconds on stage. You can't judge a kid in that amount of time. There were 75 girls in my daughter's age group. That is awful, I will never ever waste my money, time or energy in Sunburst again. You would be better off at simple local pageants. My daughter currently hold the title for America's Most Beautiful Girls. They are in NC and SC. I recommend them if you're in that area.

By Jenn

Comparison Of New Star Discoveries And Sunburst

My daughters (2 and 8 months) competed in both New Star Discoveries and Sunburst pageants this year. They placed in both categories. I liked that Sunburst gave everyone trophies even just for participating, but I don't like the makeup and I found a lot of inconsistencies. The children who won the photo contest had pictures like Glamour Shots and frankly looked silly. New Star allowed NO makeup and it was more friendly and less stressful (and cheaper), but the judging was done by a woman, her daughter, and another young lady. I did not feel that the 2 girls were qualified to be judging, even though my daughter did win Prettiest Eyes, Most Beautiful Baby, and Overall Competition. So I am not just saying that because I didn't win. I can go to State in either and I am going with New Star. Ladies please, when your children starts getting stressed or cries over the pageant, it is time to quit. It is not worth the broken heart.

By Cheap Pageant Mom

Consider It A Hobby

I can't say much about pageants, however my son did modeling when he was younger. We were approached by an advertising agency and things went from there. We did end up retaining an agent for him out of Chicago and she did an awesome job, however he did not land any shots through them.

The agency that approached us had him audition for quite a few things. He did end up advertising for John Deere, Ertl toys, Penford foods on a trade show flyer as well as an 8 foot lightboard. He also was on the box for Thomas the Train plus several other companies.

He did enjoy it, however he was about 5 1/2 years old when he told my husband and I that he didn't want to model anymore. We talked to him then notified his agent that we didn't want his headshots sent out at this time. He is now 16 years old and when asked if he ever wished he would have continued, without hesitation he says no. He enjoys being a kid and not having to wake up at 4:00 AM to travel to an audition as well as the uncertainty of plans for the weekend.

We never paid any money except traveling expenses and we looked at it as a hobby, not a career for our son. Please beware of forcing your child into doing something they don't want to do. I agree with Cheap Pageant Mom, if your child doesn't want to do it or is upset about it, stop doing it immediately and enjoy the time while your children are small.

By CRMom

Modeling Is Different From Pageants

My daughter was in a pageant (her first and probably only) over the weekend. She just turned a year and has been modeling for about a month. They are in no way the same and it isn't necessary to pageant in order to model. I suggest approaching local agencies if modeling is what you are really looking for.

So far, in the last month she has done shoots for The Picture People and Red Envelope's spring catalog. Right now she is up for Macy's Spring Catalog. She has also fit modeled for Pottery Barn Kids.

She loves it! It's like she is paid to be in a play group. There are kids there and a "teacher" and they are encouraged to play and have fun. Plus, she gets to add quite a bit of money into her savings.

Good Luck.

By Denise

The Dangers Of Pageants

The pageants are for parents/grandparents. They have the need, not the child. The child wants to be with their family, eating, sleeping, playing and not with a crowd of strangers. Besides parents, relatives and friends, do you know who else goes to these things? Pedophiles. It is your open invitation to pedophiles to find out who your agent is; what district you live in; where your child models, dances, etc.; everything about your child; and to follow you home.

By Anonymous

It's Fun But For The Parents

I get very tired of people knocking pageants. Pageants can be a lot of fun, it depends on the attitude of the parents. If the mom or whoever can go and have fun and does not over do on make-up and hair, it's OK. I do not think the make-up needs to be extreme, but remember, they are on a stage with different types of lighting. If they are in a "pageant dress", a bit of make-up is needed. You don't wear fancy clothes without doing something to yourself. Also little girls have fun with a little make-up. Babies do not need hair and make-up. The glamor type photos are not OK. All this said, just remember everything people do with children is for the parents. Case in point: football, soccer, cheerleading, and on and on.

By Rita

Pageants Shouldn't Have Fake Hair And Makeup

I have had my daughter in a lot of pageants in the past and never once have I had to put make up or fake hair. I personally think, with no disrespect to any one, that it will make the child feel that they are not perfect and why do they have to cover up their teeth, put makeup on and change their hair? In the long run, it will just cause low self esteem in the child and the need to be perfect! Maybe the parent has their own issues about the way they look and use the child to fulfill their own dreams. I don't know, that's just my opinion. I have seen on TV, including the Tyra Banks show, if they want your money, it's a fake! Again no disrespect to any one! Every one has their own mind and is allowed to put their own child in whatever they want.

By Heather, KY

Advice From Practiced Pageant Mom

I and my daughter "fell" into pageants by receiving a letter in the mail. After sending a photo and being accepted, she was on her way. She was 14 months old and won First Place out of 50! What a surprise! Best of all, we discovered how much she loved the stage, the action, camera lights. Now she soon will be 11 years old and pageants are still her thing. Not once in all those years (we averaged 2-3 a year), did I ever make her go, nor did she ever say she didn't want to go. She now holds many titles from her 30+ pageants, including a Supreme state title at 3 years old. Her goal is Miss Teen NY, Miss NY, and eventually Miss USA. She is a well rounded student and loves chorus and drama and would like to be a fashion designer. I believe pageants have helped shape her into the girl she is and not once did she ever have a "glitzy" dress, caked make-up, fake teeth or hair. All her dresses were from the mall. I support natural pageants! Good luck to all!

By Tracy

Positive Sunburst Experience

My experience with Sunburst has been very positive. My son won a state title last year and placed in the top ten at Internationals. The girls have a lot more competition that the boys. My son loves being on stage and just smiles and laughs up there. It has really been a positive influence on him. He is a lot more confident about himself than other children his age.

By Rosanna

Our Little Miss Pageant

If you want a truly natural pageant system, try Our Little Miss. Nothing fake or false allowed, very low key clothing, little to no rhinestones. They want "real children!" Current world Baby Petite winner was a non-walker!

By OLM Fan

Expensive Entrance Fees

My daughter Milan Lee has entered Sunburst when she was only 8 months old. I have discovered that in order to win this pageants, you have to pay an outrageous fee. It was $40 dollars for entering and extra (not quite sure) $25 more for Best Eyes, plus Best whatever. So the more you spend the more chances for your kids to win. Money talks when it comes to this events. Don't get me wrong I don't mind spending a little, but if the beauty pageants is really legit it shouldn't cost too much, an entrance fee is reasonable.

By Liezle

Natural Look Is Out

I have had my daughter in pageants since the age of 2 months old. I have really nothing bad to say about the pageants, but do want to stress that they don't want the natural look any more. I'm one that does not put make up on my "little" girl. She's 6 now, and has always placed at the pageants. It seems that it's the little girls with the big fluffy dresses and pounds of make up on that win. How can they judge beauty with all of that on their faces? My daughter enjoys them, and I like the fact that the pageants that I sign her up for give trophies to each contestant, no matter what. They should have more natural pageants out there that judge on beauty only. No make up allowed.

By Jo

Weblink For Georgia Pageants

I just entered my daughter in her first pageant and I am so excited! This might help some one who lives in Georgia, but maybe you could do a similar search for your state. This is a complete list of all the listed GA pageants and if we like this one, we are going to make our way down the list! http://www.brittanysbeauties.com/Upcoming%20Pageants.htm

By Jessica

Pageants Teach Confidence And Can Turn Into Modeling

My daughter has been doing pageants since she was 7 months old, she is about to turn 5. She loves pageants and so do I. We love the meeting new friends and traveling out of state. We do both glitzy and natural pageants. My daughter was scouted at a glitzy pageant by a modeling scout and now has a agent and does photo shoots for nationwide products.

Pageants have given her confidence and the ability to adjust to many different scenarios as well as meet interesting people. I am not living through her as some negative people may think because I also did pageants til I was 18. I want her to be happy and she is. If you want to do this sort of activity, you have to do it all the way and with a open mind. Every child is beautiful, but let's face it, some just don't work out on stage.

By Jeri

Look For Sponsors

I think if you want her to enter one, you should. Pageants are expensive, the sure way to get your entries paid for is sponsors. You will hear a lot of that word. What it is, basically is you going around to your local businesses, family members friends, etc. and asking for a sponsor donation to off set the cost of entering in whatever beauty pageant you want to enter. I would say start local as the big ones can be stressful even for experienced pageant winners. I am myself a beginner mom, however I have done a couple of pageants way back when so the cat and mouse game is the same.

Be confident, be fearless go beg. I hope this helps you. Just a hint, natural look for babies and little ones, make up doesn't do them justice. Oh yeah, have fun. Pressure is no fun, personality walks, and personality talks. Let her do what she is going to do, it won't be any fun for her if you don't. Sometimes crying on stage wins too, so keep it in perspective, kids are kids let them be kids. Have fun and good luck to you.

By Angel

Don't Get Caught In The Trap

Do not do it if you want to save money. We were approached by an agency at a parenting expo, and went for a personal interview with our daughter. Then they referred us to a photographer who, for the minor fee of $500.00, would make a portfolio. It was clearly a scam feeding off of the emotions of parents. We all believe our kids are beautiful, gifted, and above average. Don't get caught in the trap.

By George

Wait Until They Are Teenagers

It is sad that little babies are forced to do pageants when that puts a lot of pressure on them. When they lose, it hurts them and they get mad. When they win, they get big headed and they brag. I feel that if they do pageants, they should at least be in their teens. I myself have been in a couple. I won first place in every one, but I knew how to control my attitude. That did not mean I was better than anyone else, it just meant that I was reasonable. I feel that no one under the age of 14 should be allowed to be in pageants. That is just my opinion so there it is. I finally got it off my chest!

By Miesha

Reasons Why Not To Enter Pageants

Ask yourself why you want to display your child instead of letting her grow up as a child without those kinds of pressures to be beautiful, by standards set forth by the people in the world who think beauty is external. All babies are beautiful. Then consider all of the child sexual predators out there who prey on children. Patsy Ramsey said she would have never placed Jon Benet into pageants had she known about the great risk.

Why expose your kid to that? You baby isn't a doll to dress up and expose to the public. I think child pageants are horrible for children. A child's job is to play and grow and learn and be loved, and that's about it. If you're looking for your child to model to make money for you, then you ought to go out and get a job yourself, not make your kid work for you! Plus, just look at what you're doing. Posting photos of your babies on the internet.

By Guest

Miss Dazzling Diamond Pageant

Check out http://www.freewebs.com/missdazzlingdiamond that is an online pageant for those just getting their feet wet. It might be a good fit for you. thanks.

By Barbara

Modeling Is Better Than Pageants

My daughter is one and has modeled for both Boppy and Eddie Bauer and nothing satisfies me more then seeing her ads in the store. I wouldn't do pageants due to the cost and the fakeness, but there is nothing wrong with baby modeling. Just know there are a lot of agencies out there that will charge an arm and a leg. I paid $100.00, that's it. She has made it up in the ads she has done and more. Just be careful and look out for the baby's interest. If she or he doesn't like it, don't pressure them. You'll know because they'll cry and be quite fussy. Good luck.

By Niki

Wait Until They Are Old Enough To Decide For Themselves

First of all, I'm speaking as a mother, stepmother, grandma, step-grandma, and step-great grandma. All babies are beautiful. My own opinion is that just because the parents would like to enter them into a pageant or modeling, I (and as I stated, my opinion, to each his own) don't agree with it!

Why not? Just wait until these children are old enough to decide for themselves if this is something that they would like to do? Yes, I know if everyone shared my opinion, there would be no babies on ads, in parenting magazines, etc. If you want to enter them in something, how about just a beautiful baby contest like Walmart has at times where you "donate" money into the jar with their picture and the proceeds all go to a charity organization?

By healthaidefrog1959

Get Your Child On Stage With A Theater Group

If your daughter loves the stage, look for a children's theater group. In my area, there is one called The Growing Stage, but not sure if it is nationwide or just east coast. In my opinion, I think theater experience is great for children who enjoy it.

I think pageants are money makers for those who run them (nothing else) and modeling is very intense. With modeling, there is also the issue that some children start young and "outgrow" the "look" and then don't understand why they are not chosen any longer.

As other readers said, let the kids be kids and then make their own decision when they are in their teens. My daughter was called by a modeling agency to do an ad, but I turned it down. She was 5 at the time, now 29. I never regretted not doing it.

By Love to decorate!

Good Self-Esteem Boost And Can Lead Into Modeling

Pageants are the best way to get her started with modeling. Most people do not realize that you do not have to be a pageant mom or make your daughter look like Jon Benet to be in pageants. My daughters only do natural pageants and I have just joined a pageant system as the SC state director that does both natural and glitz pageants.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with making your daughter feel beautiful and pageants are good self esteem boosters whether she wins or not! It all depends on how you handle it. Even if my girls do not win the crown, they go home knowing that they are beautiful because we make such a big fuss over them. As far as putting the money in an education fund, most pageants offer savings bonds for their education. Anyone who says that pageants are wrong do not know enough about them these days to have an opinion.

Pageants Are A Long Shot If You Want To Get Into Modeling

If you want to get your child into modeling, then pageants are a long shot. We do pageants for fun and my daughter does not model, however my niece who is 9 months older does. She has a contract with Ford modeling agency and works quite a bit. She does pageants as well, but just as a hobby. My sister-in-law took her own headshots and sent them in to several agencies herself and choose from those who responded. She can use any photographer that she chooses so don't be suckered into paying a ton of money for a portfolio. She usually solicits photographers to do her daughter's shots for little to nothing and, in exchange, she lets them use the shots in their own portfolios.

I think almost any child can be a model. Most agencies don't prefer pageant kids, you never see kids on products in fake tans, make-up, and rhinestone dresses. I'm not bashing pageants, we do them, but be realistic and know that not a lot of kids do pageants, and out of that small percentage a very very small percentage get a modeling contract or job out of it. All kids are adorable in their own way and every client looks for something different! Good luck.

By Christy

Not Everyone Can Be A Winner

I just want to add that not everybody can be a winner. It's sad to go in with high expectations and to leave with nothing, as so many have to. Everybody is beautiful, but not everybody can win. To have a group of people telling children who is the most beautiful, or most talented, etc. Well, that may be great for the self esteem of the winners, but I can assure you, it's not so great for those who don't.

By meemee

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