Why Are You Pursuing an Acting Career for Your Child?

A question you really should ask yourself is: “Why am I looking into an acting or modeling career for my child?”

There are a number of reasons people do this, and some of the reasons may not be good ones.

First and foremost, be sure you are doing this because your child wants to do it and NOT because you want to do it.

If you always wanted this for yourself or if you are doing this so your child will be rich and famous, you should re-examine your goals.

If you coax or push your child into acting or modeling when he or she is not interested, the child will not be happy and so will probably not be successful. In any case, it may result in resentment and anxiety.

Successful child actors and models typically have one thing in common: they love it.

It is important to discuss your child’s feelings regularly. Your child might find it fun at first but may lose interest at some point down the line. There is no shame in taking a break to refresh or even in quitting if your child does not want to continue.

It can be hard work going to auditions (acting interviews) and go-sees (modeling interviews), especially since it often means a lot of time traveling and waiting. It also can mean a child will miss birthday parties or other fun activities with friends, and the whole process can be very tiring.

While it would be nice if your child could make a lot of money and become famous, the chances of this happening are slim. Many actors make little money, and only a select few become rich.

Some children put away enough money to pay for college, but others make no money or make some money but not even enough to cover their expenses.

It is hard to know whether a baby or toddler wants to be an actor or model. I’ve heard parents say they are doing it because their baby wants to, and that makes me chuckle.

If your baby or child has many of the characteristics I mentioned in “Is Your Child Right for Showbiz?,” and you want to give it a try, then go for it. Just be sure to watch your baby’s or child’s responses at auditions, go-sees, and jobs to make sure that it is fun and not stressful.

Be sure to subscribe to Your Young Actor’s Newsletter for tips on pursuing a show business career for your child.