How to Support Your Child Model (And NOT Be a Stage Mom)

Parenting comes with tons of challenges: it can be hard to let go and allow your kid to have independence in their own lives. As a parent to a child model this can be even more difficult as you help them navigate through the industry. You may feel yourself wanting to tell them how to do things, or getting upset at a director for critiquing them harshly. It’s important to remember that everyone may go through a ‘stage mom’ phase, but there’s many ways to avoid it.

Let’s define first what a stage mom is, a stage mom is the one you see screaming at casting directors for not picking their child. They may also have rigorous training sessions for their kids to keep their skills as sharp as possible. These are all mistakes of moms (and dads) whose dedication to their kids knows no bounds — that they will go to any length to watch them succeed, even at the detriment of their child. What you need to remember is that you don’t have to be overbearing in order to let your love and support show through. Here are our ways you can support your child model and avoid being the infamous stage mom.

Remember, It’s Not Personal

The hardest thing to remember is that your child didn’t get cast because the director didn’t like your child personally, they simply may not be the fit they were looking for. They are not passing judgment on your child, and it is key to keep this in mind. The more you understand that it is simply all business, then you will be able to relax more and be there for your child when they are down. Screaming and making a scene will only make things worse.

Support, Don’t Control

It may be very easy to start and try to control certain aspects of kids’ lives as they venture into the child modeling industry. What you need to remember is that, they have a lot of people working around them already to help their careers. The best thing you can do is be their rock and support system. There will be plenty of times where they are in tears because something went wrong, and they’ll need your emotional support in that time, not to make it all about you.

Give Them Space

Once you are able to be less controlling you’ll be able to give them more space when they are on jobs. You’ll feel more comfortable allowing them to soak in the industry and learn everything they can on their own. This is the hardest thing to do, but they will never grow as a model if they cannot figure things out on their own. Don’t worry, they’ll always need you, and you can make sure you’re right there when they do.

Always Be There

As cliche and simple as it sounds, being there matters. And being there is all about action — go to the rehearsals, take them from casting to casting, let them sleep on your legs in between shoots, and everything that comes with being a parent of a child model. It’s hard work, but being there is the best way you can show your support. They’ll never forget who was there with them the whole time as they worked their way through the modeling industry. 

All you can do is try your best to avoid being a stage parent and that should really be enough. A parent's first priority is their child, so it’s understandable that many parents fall into this trap. You want to protect them as much as possible, however in doing so you may do more damage than good. Be supportive, pick them up when they’re down, and raise them to the skies when they succeed, that’s the best thing you can do. If you’re interested in helping your child enter the modeling industry, get in touch with us at Bensimon Models & Talent.