Kids earning money in TV

[momathome]

Both my girls are absolutely adorable and would make wonderful TV stars. I'm thinking about hiring an agency to represent them to get into TV commercials and TV programs. I think this is a viable way to make a lot of money and will also make it so that my kids are set for life when they get older.

The problem I'm having is that the kids aren't as enthusiastic about this project as I am. What can I do to show them that this will be a good opportunity for them, a lot of fun and also help out the family financially?

[Joan.of.the.Arch]

Are you serious? How old are these kids? I don't think they need to be enthusiastic about this idea.

[DebbieL]

Are you for real? Everyone thinks their own kids are adorable - trust me. My daughter was beautiful and adorable too. There are millions of adorable kids out there, and no shortage of pushy showbiz moms that want to get their kids into the business. They can't all be stars. Why not just let them be kids? They're only kids once, enjoy them. Don't push them into fulfilling YOUR fantasies.

PS - Look how screwed up most of the child stars became as adults. Is that REALLY the life you want for them (and by the way, the odds of them making it in the business are positively miniscule no matter how adorable I'm sure they are - there is no shortage of adorable kids).

[gamecock43]

I go back and forth reading this posting. I initially was a bit taken back at the idea of putting kids to work, making them do something they dont want to do, and having them support the family. Not to mention- like Debbie said, having pictures taken, going to auditions, ect will likely cost more than the child earns. Plus its a big up front investment of money.

But...if the wording of the post was different, I could see benefits.

Kids helping to support the family was never a terrible thing as long as they lead a balanced life. Kids quitting school to work is not good. But a child working in off time is not bad. I think its a luxury that "kids get to be kids" in America nowadays and it's still not a privilege for everyone. I can think of worse ways to put a kid to work.

And if a person does 'make it' modeling or acting- the money does have the potential to allow them other opportunities down the line that they might not have. (college, travel, security, ect.) Mom in the post seems to have good intentions to save earnings for the kids.

I guess it's the vague statement of both intending the kids to "make money for the family AND saying the kid will have money for later" that leaves a person uncertain about this mom's intentions. Sometimes it sounds like the mom is putting her needs before her child's needs. (Although for the record I think this is a perfectly rational, normal and loving mom who just posted a bit quickly without considering how the post might read to others. ) With no real concrete plan laid out (in the post), there is so much room for the kid to wind up working long hours doing something they dont like to support their parents spending habits.

But there are other pros to this idea, such as teaching a child professionalism, public speaking, and work ethic. There are cons too- like self esteem issues, self respect issues, and pressure. I guess this moms post also offends some because she does not address any of the cons (and there are many)- only focusing on the positives in this potential situation.

[moneybags]

Plus its a big up front investment of money.

I have experience in this area. First my story, then my advice. My 2 kids modeled & did a few commercials when they were young. DD15 "worked" from age 3 through 8, DS12 worked from 6 weeks until he was 5. All the money they made was invested for them. They each have a SMALL retirement account & other savings. They enjoyed working, but when they were older & more involved in kid activities (i.e. sports), they had no interest in going on jobs, etc., so they were done.

1. You need to live in or near a big city like NY, LA, Chicago, etc. That's where most of the work is.
2. It does not require a big investment to for a child to work in this industry. If someone wants money up front or money to take your kids pix, run as fast as you can. We worked with pix I took, except for when my DD was older, and even then, the cost was minimal. Agents get paid only when your child works.
3. It can be a lot of work on the parents part - scheduling, driving, etc.
4. Don't plan on making a lot of money. Competition is huge and there are not a ton of jobs.
5. Kids are picked to work based on personality, ability to follow directions & cooperate, and looks. Looks don't always mean "adorable". Regular looking kids are more often the look, not beauty as in the adult world.
6. Most important, if your child does not want to do this work, it is not for them. It can be a huge time & energy committment. I would only let an older child try this if it were truly their passion, and I mean their passion, not the passion a parent has convinced them of.

[momathome]

1. You need to live in or near a big city like NY, LA, Chicago, etc. That's where most of the work is.

Yes, we live near a city.

2. It does not require a big investment to for a child to work in this industry. If someone wants money up front or money to take your kids pix, run as fast as you can. We worked with pix I took, except for when my DD was older, and even then, the cost was minimal. Agents get paid only when your child works.

This is good to know. I have a lot of photos of them, but I thought I might need to get professional ones done as well. Thank you.

3. It can be a lot of work on the parents part - scheduling, driving, etc.

I realise this and I'm more than willing to put the time and energy in to make them a success.

4. Don't plan on making a lot of money. Competition is huge and there are not a ton of jobs.

I'm sure that my kids will do well. They just have the right qualities that I know TV talent scouts will be looking for.

5. Kids are picked to work based on personality, ability to follow directions & cooperate, and looks. Looks don't always mean "adorable". Regular looking kids are more often the look, not beauty as in the adult world.

I'm sure that my kids will do wonderful at this. They are adorable and cooperative.

6. Most important, if your child does not want to do this work, it is not for them. It can be a huge time & energy commitment. I would only let an older child try this if it were truly their passion, and I mean their passion, not the passion a parent has convinced them of.

I just want to give them the chance to try before they dismiss it outright. Sometimes they don't know what will and won't be fun and you have to give them the chance to try it before they realise how much fun it can be. That was my original question. They seem to be a bit resistant, but they have never tried it so how can they really know? I just want them to try it to see how fun it can be.

[Joan.of.the.Arch]

Okay, I was a little taken aback and judgemental. I'm sure some parents and some children would handle this just fine.

[Inkstain82]

Okay, I was a little taken aback and judgemental. I'm sure some parents and some children would handle this just fine.

Very few will. It's bad for them, it really is.

Someday, people will learn that fame is bad for you. It is psychologically bad for most human beings, and even moreso for developing minds. But we never learn

Make a list of child TV stars, then make a list of how many of them end up happy, well-adjusted people. Those aren't odds I'd risk my kids on.

[neatdesign]

I think this is a viable way to make a lot of money...

If you're planning on socking their income away into long-term savings for them to access once they're 18 (or 21), then great. However, it's unclear from your posts whether that's what your actual plan is. If you want to put your kids to work so that their income will supplement your family income, then personally I think that's wrong.

They seem to be a bit resistant, but they have never tried it so how can they really know? I just want them to try it to see how fun it can be.

Have YOU ever tried it? Did you do commercial and/or modeling as a child? No disrespect, but if you didn't, then I don't see how you're in a position to tell them that it will be fun.

[moneybags]

but if you didn't, then I don't see how you're in a position to tell them that it will be fun.

From experience, most jobs my kids did when they were little were "fun". Not all were. Some were tedious & boring. I think if they went back to it now, they would not find it fun, as it is not their passion. My son would be thinking "I could be out playing soccer".

I think this is a viable way to make a lot of money...

A more viable way is for the parents to get a job. There is no set paycheck or consistency in acting.

[davrobins]

Really?? wow I dont think you should be wasting on stuff like that.

[spicy14lingo]

If your kids aren't into it -better left alone. Pushing them into something so demanding and judging lifestyle will only make them resent you. Not to mention the other post was right about every parent thinking their kids are extraordinary - when truthfully only a few make it big.

[Seeker]

I just want to give them the chance to try before they dismiss it outright. Sometimes they don't know what will and won't be fun and you have to give them the chance to try it before they realise how much fun it can be. That was my original question. They seem to be a bit resistant, but they have never tried it so how can they really know? I just want them to try it to see how fun it can be.

I'm sorry... but it's not "fun".

There's bright lights, heat from those lights, and constant demands. There's too much repetition.

If they aren't interested, then you should not push them.