I’m watching the latest episode of Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List where she and her Mom are guest judges at a little kids pageant.

We normal people know how sick and twisted it is to dress and make-up your 2-year-old and parade them like they are dolls. What are you teaching your child? Fake everything and maybe someone will think you’re special enough to win a trophy. And if you don’t win, then you’re JUST NOT SPECIAL ENOUGH. Beauty isn’t something a kid can practice and work on like sports or grades. You either have it or you have to fake it.

I’ve seen bits and pieces of these pageants on other shows. I tend NOT to watch because it’s all so… makesmesquickyinside. But about halfway through this episode they show the 4-6 year old little girls dressed up in their finery and egads… the look of unhappy desperation in their eyes as they stood there to be JUDGED by strangers! Just that 10 seconds is all you need to see if you’re EVER planning on putting your kid through this crap. Look at those kids eyes. It’s all there.

You might convince yourself that your child wants to do it, but in reality all your kid wants is your approval. Children perform for approval, and acting like they want what you want is part of that performance. If you really want to know if your kid is happy, watch them when they don’t know you’re watching. Better yet, have someone record your interaction with your child and watch it later. You’ll see truth when you’re not looking.