Generation of Broken People: Toddlers in Tiaras

I am not referring to the TV show of a similar name. I am refer to the generic insanity of pageant parents and tiny tots faking themselves on stage to win something.

I was searching for a YouTube video and noticed something on the related sidebar. It was a multi part program which followed 3 little girls who were competing in a statewide "beauty" contest. I think the state was Florida.

THE COMPETITORS

I'm pretty sure the featured contestants were chosen ahead of time because they represent three different layers of socioeconomic reality. The oldest girl looked to be about in 5th or 6th grade and lived in a mansion. Her parents were not short of a buck, that's for sure. I inferred that the dad inherited hugely because he didn't seem to have a job, but had time to get manicures and pedicures with the wife and daughter. Being a pageant dad is his raison d'etre. The girl took home the biggest crown of the day. She seemed like a poised and reasonable child.

The three year old was SUCH a brat! She had tantrums and lipped off her Mom while screaming the place down. She's a kicker and a hitter, too! She lived in a modest home, but apparently it was some sort of farm because she had a miniature horse that they dyed purple. Part of the show involved prepping the little horse for its own beauty competition which involved applying temporary horse hair dye with food coloring. Who knew? The shade du jour was lavender. And to my great surprise, they used a hair straightener on the horse's mane as well. Back to the contestant: this child was completely unmanageable off stage, really a diva, the kind of child you just wish someone would take in hand and give the mother some decent parenting lessons before it's too late. It might be too late already; however, on stage this one was amazing. She actually loved playing to the audience and is an absolute 'natural'. She won some minor crown. Man, I would hate to be her teacher when she gets old enough to attend school!

The tiniest competitor was about 2 years old--a natural fair redhead who played the part of Pebbles from the Flintstones. Well, she was supposed to play that part: in fact, all she really did was suck on her drumsticks. Her family represented the lower strata on the socioeconomic ladder. On stage, Pebbles was a puppet and didn't seem to have a clue.

BROKEN PARENT BROKEN CHILD

This show was, in miniature, showcasing much of what is wrong with people in today's world. Rich parents with nothing better to do with their money than promote their daughter's so-called beauty. My opinion of the oldest girl was that she had many unnamed talents. She seemed to have an excellent memory, be musical, could dance well, and seemed to have high social intelligence. Why, in God's name, would well-meaning and loving parents choose to focus on outward beauty when their child is a complete package? That girl could easily excel, and be noticed/rewarded, in many more worthwhile endeavors.

As for horse-Mom: omg. Someone needs to force that lady to learn a harsh reality lesson in parenting. The little brat was certainly a mirror of the parent. Get some values, like really. Invest in parenting lessons already. Again, the child--for all her brattiness and very unattractive personality traits--showed that she, too, has an excellent memory, is well-spoken, intelligent and probably athletic. She seemed very well coordinated for her age. She DESPERATELY needs to be interacting with her peers in a noncompetitive atmosphere. She needs to learn how to cooperate with others, take turns, play games, have fun so that her life and values are not entirely self-centered. Going to school will be a series of heartbreaking downers for such a self-centered child.

And lastly, Miss Pebbles. She's an ordinary looking child who is still very much a baby. Why, oh why, would her Mom set her up for a lifetime of failures starting at such an early age? This one needs to live a normal life starting right now. It's definitely not too late for her to give up on such a superficial nonlife and get real.

VALUES FOR LIFE

Little kids need fun times to socialize and learn social-interaction strategies. They don't need to be placed into forced competitions where they learn to focus only on their fake appearance. Each child wore hair pieces, heavy makeup and one wore a "flipper" (like fake teeth). Can you imagine false eyelashes on a toddler? Don't just imagine it because it's their reality.

Life Lessons Learned Via Beauty Pageants

• you are not good enough as you are
• in order to win, you must be more fake than the next girl
• there is value in crowns, ribbons, and statues

Diversity for the ten year old. Parenting lessons and preschool for the three year old. Playschool and an ordinary life for little Pebbles. All those Moms and Dads need to see a psychologist to deal with their own issues. Along the way, I'm going to apologize ahead of time to the rich parents. Their daughter really does seem like a complete package and for all we know, does participate fully in extracurricular activities involving sports, music and art. She probably socializes very well at school and does have a peer social group. If beauty pageants are a small part of her life, so be it. 

I'm Outdoorsy -- I Like to Drink at Outdoor Patios

Yeah, pretty much I hate being outside and allergic. But still...we have this cute little patio that gets summer morning light from about 11am onwards and would be perfect with a 3 piece Bistro set. The problem? Can you guess?

It's that green grunge that accumulates on the cement and outdoor furniture. Ewww.

When I get myself motivated to either use the compressor-thingy to wash it or the 30 seconds stuff, finally we will be able to sit out there and drink. Coffee of course during the day. Wasps and stuff might keep us inside at twilight, though. 

Today we went to visit our friend Rick. We've known him for more than a decade and he's always been such a good guy. He got married last fall--they bought a new house not far from us--and we popped in for coffee this morning to see the final results of all the hard work they contracted out. Painting. Lots of electrical. Some drywall. Many new cabinets. A complete new kitchen and laundry/bathroom on main floor. We were planning on visiting on Friday but Rick's wife works one day per week and this week it was Friday, so Saturday was agreed by all. We narrowed a half hour time window.

They already  had beautiful outdoor shrubs but I thought a good housewarming gift might be an innocuous little and delicate mini rose. Went to the nursery to pick it up on our way. I was pretty sure that Rick's wife might have her own ideas of decorating since I had seen the walls painted in their bare state a couple of weeks ago and they were many shades of taupe. Greyish taupe. 

I was so happy to see another old friend, Dave the water guy, there at Rick's when we arrived. Nice to see him after about 5 years or so. In the meantime he's now married and settled down. Good for him! He looked well and very contented. 

The house? Immaculate. Looks like everything was chosen and placed to perfection by a professional decor diva; even though I know that Rick's wife decorated all on her own. Great job, lady! I wasn't prepared for such perfection. 

I also wasn't prepared for the fact that SHE wasn't even home when we arrived. Especially since ... well, with Bob's illness, we kind of have to plan our outings to coordinate with his health issues. She was out buying plants. Did I  mention that they have enough plants--already in the ground--for about 2 or 3 homes? 

Not sure. Maybe I am just being weird here but I actually felt insulted that she wasn't there.