Seriously effed up! Tootie scares me.


tootie
So I was watching Toddlers & Tiaras today for the first time ever on TLC and was freaked out but amazed at the same time and ended up watching the entire episode.
The “toddlers” ranged from itty bitty babies that could barely walk on stage alone to full fledged diva’s like Tootie, (that’s her stage name! Her real name: Madison) who has all the snarl and attitude of a Hollywood A-lister.  Tootie competes in the age 10-12yr old category but looking at her face and how she acts you would never guess she fits in that age group.  I watched in fascination as she pouted and primped in front of the mirror before the pageant… she was like a mini adult with her eyeliner, fake tan, french manicure, lipliner, lipstick and everything else required to become a pageant girl.  I knew her mom had created a monster when Tootie b*tched (not yelled, not whined, b*tched!) at her hairdresser for being a dimwit/not knowing how to braid her hair.
Now, I’m not one to say that pageants are stupid.  I was in many baby beauty contests myself when I was younger (and won them thank you very much) and would continue to participate in pageants at my current age if I had the time.  However, I just think it is so completely wrong to have these girls who are at such an impressionable age competing in pageants.  These girls are worrying about how they look, their weight, makeup, tanning and that is just not right for someone so young.  I think it’s ok to put your child in pageants when they’re younger if they show an inclination to performing and they actually enjoy it (some contestants were hiding behind their mothers on stage – clearly they’re not into it, don’t put them through hell like that! geez), but if they’re at an age where they will remember this for the rest of their lives and understand what is going on (around age 7/8) I think it’s time to stop.  Women are already bombarded with images and pressures to look our best and we are already insecure about looks as it is.. I couldn’t imagine being brought up in a world where my looks were my number one priority since I was a little girl!  It is also so damaging for their hair and nails and skin.  They’re constantly being hairsprayed, spray tanned, made up with pounds of makeup and false eyelashes..etc.  How can a mom put their child through that?
Being in pageants when you’re at an age that can remember it forever is wrong, plain and simple.  Your kid might enjoy being in pageants when she’s 8-12 years old because she’s been brought up her whole life in the pageant world but it’s your duty as a parent to stop it at one point and make sure she lives a normal life and worries about innocent things rather than appearance.  If she’s still interested in pageants there are many opportunities to join once she’s older and has more knowledge and maturity to handle the pressures of being in a pageant but for now, let kids be kids!  I shudder to think of what Tootie will be like as she grows older…or then again maybe she’ll be rich and super famous and laugh at everyone who made fun of her mom for putting her in pageants.