SPENCE: 'Botox mom' an extreme example of unhealthy parenting
A couple days ago while vegging out with some bad TV, I came across a terrifying clip on "Good Morning America."
The clip was of a mother injecting Botox into her eight-year-old daughter's face to prevent wrinkles for a beauty pageant.
Since then, the daughter has been removed from her mother's care while the incident is under investigation.
This is just one of many examples of extreme parenting that forces children to grow up well before their time.
Another TV show, "Toddlers and Tiaras," follows young pageant contestants between the ages of 4 and 10. Viewers watch these girls spend hours preparing for the pageants and then competing in them.
What frightens me the most about these narcissistic displays is the parents' behavior.
At one point, a pageant dad was being interviewed and he explained why he lets his young daughter participate in the shows: "I think it's the best way for her to learn self confidence, because where else is she going to learn it, school?"
I promptly yelled "Yes!" at the television and changed the channel.
From my own experience growing up, the two biggest ways anyone can learn self-esteem seem to be at home and in the classroom, not parading around in sparkly dresses with five gallons of makeup on.
I don't understand why these little girls have to spend hours practicing, traveling and competing to be judged on beauty, because, let's face it, that's all it is.
When people are old enough to make the conscious decision to be in pageants, then they should go for it.
But parents should remember that children ought to spend their time reading in trees, scraping knees and playing tag. Parents should not live vicariously through them.
They should encourage their girls to be brave, strong, independent and imaginative through healthy activities. They shouldn't judge their children by their beauty, because then that is all their children will think they are good for.
So I would like to thank my parents, especially my mom, for encouraging me to be my crazy, goofy, imperfect self.
