I don't think I'll be watching, the kids just don't interest me that much. I thought I heard somewhere that there wouldn't be any judges critiquing a la Simon for the juniors though.

I agree with most of everything stated by all so far, about 7 post I think.

However, as a parent of dancers, cheerleaders, media tech, gymnastics, music, etc.... and whatever else they were interested in, I have to say that we did push our children to do the best they could do. If you bring home C's on your report card but we never saw you study, then we knew you were not doing your best. Our kids did not get it till about high school. When our oldest made all A's except for AP History where she got a D. and we did not ground her, she actually asked us why. We told her that we knew she did the best she could in that class. That we knew she studied every night, that other dance team parents, while waiting for practice to be over, would chat and we were told just how hard of a teacher he was. That rarely did anyone get an A or B in his classes. Our son, we were happy with C's and a couple of B's and the occassional A from him because of his reading disability that made reading the text difficult.

His seniour year in which he took some rough classes, he made all A's all year. He finally figured out how to read with speed. He had learned how to read through his problem but it had taken him forever to get through anything. I think what happened is we finally found some authors he was interested in and he started loving to read. That makes such a difference.

Sorry I ramble there, I am back. Point, it is one thing to encourage your child, push your child to achieve their best, and to make your child do something they do not want to or to belittle them. If these children really want to be little stars, then I feel the parent should aid in that, while maintaining a balance of scouts, soccer, school, other childhood things that make us well rounded humans. I guess what I am saying is that it is okay for a parent to help their child, just as long as they remember they are a parent and not some agent wanting their 10 or 15 percent.

"Now I will believe that there are unicorns..." William Shakespeare; "The Tempest"

The problem is that a lot of these parents don't really have a clue on whether or not these children are talented. They see their little darlings through rose-colored glasses.

Mr. Bebo teaches voice, and he gets really frustrated with the unduly inflated egos of a number of these little angels. Mommy and Daddy have filled their heads with unrealistic expectations and praise and turned some kids with real talent into unteachable monsters.

I was so pleased to read in Entertainment Weekly Simon Cowell's vehement opposition to this show. He firmly believes that no child under the age of 16 should be signed to a record contract, and that they're not old enough to face the treatment that they get.

I was a quite talented kid, and my parents encouraged me to take lessons and develop my talents in local amateur productions. But they didn't even consider anything further, even though we knew I had the potential for it, because they wanted me to take full advantage of all of the opportunities that childhood presents.

I say, let kids be kids and enjoy the wonders of childhood. If one is truly talented, there will be opportunities available once the child grows up enough to handle all that comes with them. But instead of pushing too hard, too fast, take advantage of the chance to nurture a child - and that child's talents - without putting unnecessary pressures. Kids have to grow up too fast today as it is.

Bebo says...919 beats 205 - I am your American Idol and the Baroness of Babedom.

Kids have to grow up too fast today as it is.

Totally agree Bebo. This is just a lame show put together probably more for the actions of the parents than the actual talent of the kids. I am glad that Simon his voicing his disapproval. I sure won't be watching it.

My daughter sounds like you Bebo! However, I feel the same as you and do not want to push my almost 6 year old on anything until she is ready. She is naturally talented and has been offered to do a little modeling but hubby and I are not ready for any of that. I want her to be a child and have fun.

I agree, let them get older. All I was saying above is that if a child wants something a parent should try to help. By help I mean lessons, guidance, a firm grounding in reality (that part when old enough to understand the difference in telling like it is verses just knocking down to keep from doing) like rarely do you "make it". It is hard to make it in the cut throat world celebrity world. Anyway, all have a good day.

"Now I will believe that there are unicorns..." William Shakespeare; "The Tempest"

I disagree with everyone for the most part. I have a 6 year old daughter that auditioned for AJ and made it to the second round. She was so excited and I did not "push" her at all. If she doesn't make the show, who cares, she knows she did her best. I do agree that kids need to be kids. I think thats why they did the show oer the summer.

My daughter wants to try again next year and I will back her in everything she wants to do whether it be auditioning for shows or playing T-ball.

Just my 2 cents.

Yes, but you wouldn't have made for good television. I'm sure your daughter can sing well, but you, as the parent, didn't throw a big enough fit. They reward the creepy, whacked-out parents by plastering their faces all over the t.v. I don't want to see that.

Have your daughter try out for Star Search. I'll watch her kick butt over there instead.

Femme
"All right Ramblers, let's get ramblin'."