Reply #89: it's the same with the arts and sports and entertainment, etc.

[TorchTheWitch]

Moms that couldn't make it as a dancer or musician or actress or model or cheerleader and a host of other various arts, sports, entertainment, etc. Same goes for dads, yet with dads it's almost always some kind of sport.

The kiddie beauty pageant thing is just another in a very long line of various things parents try to do vicariously through their kids.

Bless my parents for allowing us to become interested in various things on our own and try things and discard things or stick with things on our own while also encouraging us to give each new interest an honest chance before getting frustrated because we weren't really good at a thing immediately (kids have little patience at the learning phase) and throwing in the towel. As a result all of us not only have a very wide variety of talents and hobbies that we enjoy without obsession we also learned to approach a new interest realistically and give it an honest chance before deciding it wasn't what we really wanted.... and we're always quick to jump on something new with confidence yet acceptance without regret if something doesn't work out the way we'd hoped. I feel very sad for people who weren't encouraged as kids to try new things that capture their interest and not be too quick to quit while being supported if it isn't working out... they always seem to grow into adults that don't have any hobbies or talents or even any interests at all or believe enough in themselves to try something and to not care if it ends up not working out. What a very boring and narrow way to experience life and one's own abilities.