So how do we fix it?

Well the past few days have delivered a terrible blow to the pageant industry.  Unless you've been hiding under a rock, you have heard about the truly sad situation involving the Sacramento 8-year old, whose mother was giving the beautiful little girl Botox injections as well as waxing her legs.  According to reports, she's since been removed from the home.   Of course this has started a flurry or comments, blog posts, tweets and Facebook statuses about the dangers and pressures of children in pageantry.  Of course in all of this outrage, no one is looking to find out about and promote the responsible individuals, companies or systems in children's pageantry.  I mean who wants to hear about a bunch of do-gooders!

This argument is decades old and is never ending. For every horrible thing or experience you hear about in pageantry, there are reputable, fun and great pageant systems like National American Miss, American Co-ed Pageants, Pageants R Fun, International Junior Miss and Beary Special/Dixieland Dolls and Darlings. 

 

Equating every children's pageant or pageant mom with crazy Botox lady or "Toddlers & Tiaras" is just like saying everyone who goes into boxing will end up with Parkinson's disease or every football parent is Cam Newton's dad - it just doesn't make any sense and it's a reach.

If you love pageantry the way I do, you are realizing that recent activity has really brought a negative light to something that has provided a valuable outlet, numerous scholarship opportunities and plenty of self-esteem building activities to young girls and women the world over.  My question now is how do we fix it?  How do we turn this positive into a negative, how do we remind girls, moms and dads that pageantry offers the highest payout of scholarship dollars to help women attend college annually!  

How do we remind the world that collectively "pageant girls" probably spend the same amount, if not more, hours on community service each year as the Junior League!

How dear pageant friends, how????

Eliminate the stress

If there's one thing I know for sure, 80% of the stress you feel when preparing for a pageant is brought on by ......................the competitor !!!  Yes, I said it and I meant it.

Yes, most pageants, whether local, state or national come with deadlines.  Yes, most pageants come with some financial requirements (ticket sales, ad pages, sponsorship, charitable donations). And yes, you want to go to a pageant and do your best.  But, there really is no need to stress to the point where you make yourself sick, loose weight or worst yet.... scour the internet to find and post damaging information on your competitors.

The single most important thing that you can do to prepare for your competition and put your best foot forward is plan!!!  It sounds simple and it really is.  Take a look at what you really need to do, the time frame you have and the resources you already posses.  Then ask yourself 1) do I need help?  2) Can I afford outside help or is this a D.I.Y. project?  3) If I don't ask for help, what's the worse that can happen?  4) Am I confident enough in myself to believe that I am doing my absolute best!?

Once you've answered those questions, move forward with your plan.  If you've decided to seek out help - make sure you give your resources PLENTY OF TIME TO HELP YOU!  Nothing says bad business like you rushing due to P.P.P (piss poor planning).

Finally, the most important way to eliminate stress.  ALWAYS remember, judges are people too - different judges, different day, different outcome! You never know what's going on in a judges' head.