Absolutely nauseating...Toddlers and Tiaras

[golfgal]

An athletic scholarship doesn't have to be about tearing your body apart.

I would rather know that dd earns one by doing something other than "being pretty". As long as the girl who gets the pagent scholarship doesn't set her whole world on her looks and knows she can accomplish things because of her abilities--good for her and I think the scholarships are great. But some of these little girls on this show, because of these idiot mothers, are going to grow up thinking everything they can do is because of their looks.



Are these band members told that they have to do these things to "look better"? or is it so that they all look the same? And I would have to ask the band director what hair extensions had to do with performing in the band.

For me, its not just what these girls wear. Its the thought process that they NEED flippers because their natural little girl teeth aren't pretty enough. That a 3 year old NEEDS a spray tan. That these children are at these pagents crying in the back because they are tired and they don't want to do this and these "mothers" keep pushing them. At that point it ceases to be something for the child and starts to be for the mother.


All of my kids have stayed involved in something from the time they were very young. And everything was a choice for them, not for me. And at no time would I have ever let someone push dd to do something to change her looks. A little glitter or heavy lipstick so that they shine on stage is one thing. Something that makes a child look years older is completely different. IMHO, there is no reason for pagents that change the way the child looks.

Yes, the band kids are TOLD they need to look a certain way for continuity in the band. These are some of the top bands in the nation, it happens and just because YOU didn't do it doesn't mean it isn't done.

YOu picked trhe absolute worst examples you can find of dance costumes. Those are HORRIBLE. Here are some my DD wore this year. These are what they are SUPPOSED to look like:
http://www.weissmansreadytoship.com/tiny_ballet/4956.aspx
https://curtaincallcostumes.com/products/product-page-t.php?prodid=1693
I don't see much resemblance to pagent dresses. Our studion would NEVER use most of what you showed. TACKY.

Like I have been saying, my problem with pagents is NOT the makeup, dresses ect though I do feel they are too much and not at all like dance costumes. My problem is that it teaches little girls that you have to be pretty and fake to be a winner, or to accepted and like. Dance, at least the way we do it, doesn't do that.

The key word is SOME recitals. Far from all of them do this, in fact , I can only think of one studio locally who pushes that kind of thing. All of them compete but there is only one that uses the over the top costumes.

In my expereince, very few parents in the pagent world can "do it right". The very quickly get caught up in that world and become some version of what you see on TV. Yes, those are the most extreme example, but typically, if you spend any time at all in that world, you end up going there. The only poeple I know wo don't only do 100% natural pagents where no makeup ect is allowed, and there are no glitz dresses.

I don't know of a single competition dance or cheer mom(and I know MANY of them) that tans her DD. ONE cheer gym uses a small hairpiece, and the parents really don't like it so I doubt it will be in the cards next year. For most of those girls, the curls ARE their real hair. You can tell the difference if you know what to look for. We recently watched all star nationals on ESPN, and I only spotted one team with hairpieces. Tanning never even entered my mind so I wasn't looking for that. Several of our local gyms make nationals every year. So no, not everyone that competes on a ntoional level does those things.

I did cologuard in high school and college along with dance. I have NEVER heard of weigh ins or height checks for cologuard. We didn't do tanning, fake hair, or anything other than normal stage makeup. Neither did any squad we played. Dance teams did, but college dance teams are NOT something I want DD involved in. They are way to cutthroat. I watched friends starve themselves and use laxitives to make weight to dance. THAT atmosphere is destructive, but a well run studio that takes kids as threy are is not, and most dance studios that compete are just that. Very few actually exhibit the over the top behavior you are talking about, but those are typically the ones you see, becuase everyone is talking about how over the top they are.

Again, just because YOU didn't do it, doesn't mean it isn't done. Also, you are talking about a local dance studio that does ballet, other posters are talking about competition squads at the regional and national level. Like I said, turn on ESPN for nationals and you will see exactly what we are talking about.

 

[goofy!]

In my expereince, very few parents in the pagent world can "do it right". The very quickly get caught up in that world and become some version of what you see on TV. Yes, those are the most extreme example, but typically, if you spend any time at all in that world, you end up going there. The only poeple I know wo don't only do 100% natural pagents where no makeup ect is allowed, and there are no glitz dresses.

Although I am not a fan of pageants, you are painting the pageant world with the same brush you are accusing others of painting dance. Really, very few parents in the pageant world can "do it right?"

I don't know of a single competition dance or cheer mom(and I know MANY of them) that tans her DD. ONE cheer gym uses a small hairpiece, and the parents really don't like it so I doubt it will be in the cards next year. For most of those girls, the curls ARE their real hair. You can tell the difference if you know what to look for. We recently watched all star nationals on ESPN, and I only spotted one team with hairpieces. Tanning never even entered my mind so I wasn't looking for that. Several of our local gyms make nationals every year. So no, not everyone that competes on a ntoional level does those things.

We do compete nationally. In fact, DD's team won the NCA nationals this year. In Cheer, there are hundreds of national competitions. Some are regarded as more prestigious than others, with NCA in Dallas and Cheersport in Atlanta being considered by most as 'the' competition to win.

We were at one of the ones featured by ESPN. I can guarantee you that on the senior teams, (the teens) more girls than not spray tan.

Fake hair is considered very out of date and out of vogue, so you usually only see it on small teams that don't compete very often.

You wouldn't catch my daughter dead at a glitz pageant, but it is unfair to say nobody else does it.

My daughter and niece are part of a very disciplined and very serious allstar cheer gym, with a ton of National titles. Our gym is so strict about kids' behavior, sportsmanship, etc, that we aren't even allowed in Disney when we compete in Orlando or Anaheim. Parents have to travel with their kids and be in the room with them, period. If you want to go to Disney, you can make it a family trip before or after the 5 days we have to be there for cheer.

But even in our very strict gym (which I love btw because they do focus as much on sportsmanship as they do on winning), one of the moms with a salon offerd a special before both Nationals for spray tans. The gym didn't forbid it, but they also didn't require it. They just passed on the info in case kids wanted to tan. I don't recall any of the little kids doing it, but a ton of our tweens and teens definitely took advantage of it and showed up with spray tans. And they weren't alone as there is no way all those kids were that tan in the middle of February.

Spray tanning is somewhat common in the competitive allstar cheer world.

There are also many parent in the cheer world that go overboard. Some states have a more competitive culture to it and 'some' (definitely the minority) of parents go way overboard. That is why it makes for good tv (lifetime movies of crazy cheer moms) because it is so over the edge.

DD was invited to be a "special princess" (she has Down syndrome) at the Miss Colorado Pageant in a couple of weeks. I was dead set against it, but after reading this, I may reconsider. Just for the record, she was invited by one of the sponsors, nothing to do with her cheer.

 

[luvsJack]

Yes, the band kids are TOLD they need to look a certain way for continuity in the band. These are some of the top bands in the nation, it happens and just because YOU didn't do it doesn't mean it isn't done.

uhhh, I do not have a child in band so I didn't say that I do anything. I said I would have to ask what fake hair has to do with playing in the band.

Again, just because YOU didn't do it, doesn't mean it isn't done. Also, you are talking about a local dance studio that does ballet, other posters are talking about competition squads at the regional and national level. Like I said, turn on ESPN for nationals and you will see exactly what we are talking about.

You answered my question in saying that "its for continuity" which is a much different thing than telling a little girl that her teeth are not pretty so we are putting fake ones in. Its not the costumes, the teeth, the fake hair or tan in of theirselves--its the reasons for them.

And as I said, I know several girls that have competed nationally and NONE of them get spray tans. They wear makeup with lots of glitter. No fake tans, no fake hair, no fake teeth. And again-if its about continuity of of the squad then its NOT about saying to a girl that her natural looks aren't good enough. There is a HUGE, HUGE difference there.

 

[princessmom29]

Yes, the band kids are TOLD they need to look a certain way for continuity in the band. These are some of the top bands in the nation, it happens and just because YOU didn't do it doesn't mean it isn't done.



Again, just because YOU didn't do it, doesn't mean it isn't done. Also, you are talking about a local dance studio that does ballet, other posters are talking about competition squads at the regional and national level. Like I said, turn on ESPN for nationals and you will see exactly what we are talking about.

I am not saying it isn't done., just saying that EVERY big name band doesn't do. I marched for Southern Miss. HUGE music program, top nothch band , and we competed agianst several SEC teams. None of them used fake hair or a weight standard for colorguard. So no, every top notch band does NOT do those things. Some very well may, but I have never encountered it. My point is that not every top notch college band does this.

And no, I am talking about nationally competitive studios in our area. These studios have managed to win best in show at national competitions without doing these kinds of things. It CAN be done, and DOES happen. Our studio doesn't compete, but the studio I attended was and still is nationally cometitive. My sister was on that team unti 2003, and i still follow them. The place is several major national competitions a year, and have for more than a decade. They DON'T do much of what you are describing. I am not arguing that it doesn't exist, just that all studios that are nationally competitve are not doing it.

Agian, I have watched nationals of ESPN. What you are watching there are football and basketball dance teams or allstar orginizations that do that type of dance, NOT dance studios. It is one specific genre or dance. There is a whole different circut of national competitons for studio dance, and they compete in all genres. They compete ballet/ lyrical, modern, jazz, tap, and hip hop on a national level. If you watch THESE types of competitions, very few of the dancers are wearing fake anything. About half use costumes you wouldn't catch my DD dead in, but it is defiinitely not every studio. That is ALL I am trying to say. Not every studio that is nationally competitive uses trashy costumes, fake hair, spray tan, ect and you do not HAVE to do these things to win. It is a choice bening made by the studios and parents involved.

Although I am not a fan of pageants, you are painting the pageant world with the same brush you are accusing others of painting dance. Really, very few parents in the pageant world can "do it right?"


We do compete nationally. In fact, DD's team won the NCA nationals this year. In Cheer, there are hundreds of national competitions. Some are regarded as more prestigious than others, with NCA in Dallas and Cheersport in Atlanta being considered by most as 'the' competition to win.

We were at one of the ones featured by ESPN. I can guarantee you that on the senior teams, (the teens) more girls than not spray tan.

Fake hair is considered very out of date and out of vogue, so you usually only see it on small teams that don't compete very often.

You wouldn't catch my daughter dead at a glitz pageant, but it is unfair to
say nobody else does it.

We are a very disciplined and very serious gym, with a ton of National titles. Our gym is so strict about kids' behavior, sportsmanship, etc, that we aren't even allowed in Disney when we compete in Orlando or Anaheim. Parents have to travel with their kids and be in the room with them, period.

But even in our gym, there was a special going before both Nationals for spray tans. I don't recall any of the little kids doing it, but a ton of our tweens and teens definitely showed up with spray tans. And they weren't alone, there is no way all those kids were that tan in the middle of February.

Spray tanning is rather common in the competitive allstar cheer world.

I said IN MY EXPERIENCE. I didn't mean to say that all pagent parents were like that, but it has been my experience through going to these things with cousins and cousins children that most parents I have seen do get "sucked in" to some degree. It was not meant as broadbrush statment about all pagents by any means.

We don't do competitve cheer, so I don't know all of the ins and outs there. I can really speak more to competitvie dance. We have done some tumbling classes at a local allstar gym that is pretty competitive and form what I see of that the girls are serious athletes with a lot of discipline and focus, but so are most dancers we know who take it seriously. At 7 my DD spends as much time at the dance studio as our friends that do allstar cheer are putting in. We don't compete, but our studio is serious about developing dance skills in girls who are interested in devoting the time and energy to doing so.

 

[goofy!]

I have to agree with Fred on this one, for the competition sect of dancing, the moms, costumes and the flaunting of the girls is no better then what you see in the pageants. The girls are heavily made up, the DO wear fake hair, spray tan, over do the make-up etc. Maybe not in your gym but all you have to do is turn on ESPN to watch nationals and see that this IS the case. IT is all about how you look. No one is denying the athleticism it takes to do this, but the focus is still on how you look. There is also just the "attitude" that goes along with this. For a real dance studio, ballet focused, no, you don't see this, but for the dance line/comp squad type cheerleading it is most defiantly there.

You are sooo wrong about it being how they look in competitive cheer. They are not judged on their uniform, their makeup or anything on looks.

Uniforms are designed to highlight moves, to highlight the stunting and tumbling of the group.

Some people cite the reason that they use crop top uniforms for safety. These kids are doing very intricate, very dangerous moves in the air, standing on people. Some feel the kids have a better grip on skin than taking the chance of grabbing fabric that may move even just an inch. Although this is not the view held by all, as those with full top uniforms seem to compete just as safely as those in crop tops. One of the top teams in the country only compete in full top uniforms. And they do very, very well.

There was a team this year that debuted some very sexy, very over-the-top uniforms this year. They were in tube tops, which are not conducive to the high degree of tumbling and stunting this team does. There were several incidents of uniform malfunctions of the Janet Jackson kind. These kids are mostly 16 - 18, but no kid should have to worry about exposure of their nipples while competing.

Believe me, they are being lambasted by most on all the cheer boards as sexualizing a sport that is trying so hard to be taken seriously for their athletic prowess. And the funny thing is that this is one of the top gyms in the country, and their ability is enough to make jaws drop. People crowd into the venue they are competing in just to watch them, they are that good. But now, all people are talking about is their "underwear" they came out and competed in.

Most girls want to tan, not that they are required. Cheer competitions start in the fall and end in the spring, making the most important ones in the dead of winter. The girls, being teens, want to look tan in those small uniforms.

Makeup can be over the top. But you are seeing more and more gyms going to the natural look. The makeup is designed to give a clean look on on the floor, thus everybody having the exact same makeup. Yeah, some gyms have bright orange and bright red glitter eyeshadow, but it is not the focus at all of the competition. The judges are so far back, they really can't see the glitter eye shadow.

Looks have nothing to do with it. Teams in full top uniforms with longer skirts and no makeup are judged equally as a team in a crop top uniform with glitter and bling everywhere. There is some component that they have to present a "clean" and uniform look so that the judges can focus on the routine and not the uniform and makeup. So everybody in something different would probably not do as well since the judges would have a hard time focusing on the ability and would be looking at the uniforms. Again, it is judged on the difficulty of the routine, not the hoochiness of the uniforms. The uniforms, makeup and hair are designed to give a uniform look, so everybody looks the same, so that the judges are looking at the routine and not at the individual kids.

 

[goofy!]

Agian, I have watched nationals of ESPN. What you are watching there are football and basketball dance teams or allstar orginizations that do that type of dance, NOT dance studios. .

Allstar cheer does not do the same thing as sideline football, basketball dance teams. While there is a 'dance' component in an allstar routine, they are not a dance squad like football teams. Tumbling and Stunting are the main focus.

 

[princessmom29]

Allstar cheer does not do the same thing as sideline football, basketball dance teams. While there is a 'dance' component in an allstar routine, they are not a dance squad like football teams. Tumbling and Stunting are the main focus.

I know that. There are 3 different things being talked about here, and I don't think everyone knows the difference. Allsatar cheer is stunt and tumbling focused cheer with some dance elements. Allstar dance is basically pom squad dance. Football and basketball sideline dancers with a focus on percision moves. They compete in pom, high kick, and jazz divisions. Studio competition dance is different fom both of these. Dancers compete in solo. duet/trio, small group and large group over all genres fom ballet/lyricalk to hip hop. We did studio competiton, NOT allstar dance.

 

[SeaSpray]

This! I really never even gave this show a second thought until I heard the latest commercial describe the kids as "sexy stars." Made my stomach turn.

When I read this comment the other day it really bothered me that they would call these little girls "sexy stars". I just saw the commercial and they actually are saying "sassy stars".

I'm not defending the show, but just wanted to clarify that because while I have seen a few episodes (I happen to LOVE Makenzie; I love her spunk, although if she were my child she wouldn't be in pageants, and I'd help her to control some of her outbursts, and I wouldn't tolerate the talking back), I had never heard TLC say "sexy" before and if they were now going to use that word, I would not continue to watch.

Some of the idiot parents have used the word "sexy" though.

 

[PolyndianPrincessJes]

When I read this comment the other day it really bothered me that they would call these little girls "sexy stars". I just saw the commercial and they actually are saying "sassy stars".

I'm not defending the show, but just wanted to clarify that because while I have seen a few episodes (I happen to LOVE Makenzie; I love her spunk, although if she were my child she wouldn't be in pageants, and I'd help her to control some of her outbursts, and I wouldn't tolerate the talking back), I had never heard TLC say "sexy" before and if they were now going to use that word, I would not continue to watch.

Some of the idiot parents have used the word "sexy" though.

They must have changed it (maybe due to complaints?). I have it on DVR (was taping Four Weddings), and I rewound it several times, and it was definitely "sexy." Saw the commercial again today, and it didn't say anything (was waiting for the remark). I was also turned off when I saw the new(?) commercial that showed the little girl in pink pushing up her "breasts." I mean, it wasn't even showing her face, just a close up of the bodice of her dress and her giving the top a little push.

I like a lot of TLC shows, and I'm not even saying this one's horrible (never watched a full episode, just seen bits by accident), but the promos are icky.

 

[smidgy]

I agree with the OP. little girls should be allowed to be little girls, not "models".

 

[castmember19]

Am I the only one who actually enjoys this show? Not in like a condescending type way, but I actually usually enjoy it. Mostly because most of the little girls actually enjoy doing this. Not all the kids on the show are divas and the parents aren't all completely crazy.

That being said, some of them do give me the creeps. I remember there was a little boy in one episode who fell off the stage and I thought his mom was going to shoot him. Too much of anything isn't a good thing.

I do know pageant moms and they all seem totally normal though they admit that there are a few crazy parents. I do think the crazy ones are the ones who are featured the most, and that they are the ones who give the pageants a bad stigma.

I also know a girl who does pageants and she is the most beautiful person (on the INSIDE!) and totally modest. I do think that as the girls get older, the pageants become more about their character and ability to communicate rather than their looks. But what do I know? I'll never be inside the pageant world- I just know a few competitors.

Anyway, I'd still much rather have a parent shower their kid with affection like this than abuse them, IMO.

 

[SeaSpray]

They must have changed it (maybe due to complaints?). I have it on DVR (was taping Four Weddings), and I rewound it several times, and it was definitely "sexy." Saw the commercial again today, and it didn't say anything (was waiting for the remark). I was also turned off when I saw the new(?) commercial that showed the little girl in pink pushing up her "breasts." I mean, it wasn't even showing her face, just a close up of the bodice of her dress and her giving the top a little push.

I like a lot of TLC shows, and I'm not even saying this one's horrible (never watched a full episode, just seen bits by accident), but the promos are icky.

Sounds like TLC must've changed it. And I haven't seen the "breasts" commercial yet. Yuck! Not good. Like I said, there are a lot of idiot parents who see nothing wrong with wanting their little girls to look "sexy" and encourage them to portray that.

I agree with you that promos like that are icky! If TLC is going to play up the "sexy" angle with this show, then I'm not going to watch it.

To a PP who said that nobody should watch this show: I don't think that pageants are going to go away if nobody watches; pageants have been around much longer than TLC had the idea to make a show about them.

 

[SeaSpray]

Am I the only one who actually enjoys this show? Not in like a condescending type way, but I actually usually enjoy it. Mostly because most of the little girls actually enjoy doing this. Not all the kids on the show are divas and the parents aren't all completely crazy.

That being said, some of them do give me the creeps. I remember there was a little boy in one episode who fell off the stage and I thought his mom was going to shoot him. Too much of anything isn't a good thing.

I do know pageant moms and they all seem totally normal though they admit that there are a few crazy parents. I do think the crazy ones are the ones who are featured the most, and that they are the ones who give the pageants a bad stigma.

I also know a girl who does pageants and she is the most beautiful person (on the INSIDE!) and totally modest. I do think that as the girls get older, the pageants become more about their character and ability to communicate rather than their looks. But what do I know? I'll never be inside the pageant world- I just know a few competitors.

Anyway, I'd still much rather have a parent shower their kid with affection like this than abuse them, IMO.

I have a seen few episodes and have seen some parents who were really nice and weren't pushy stage parents. I think you're right that TLC is featuring the over the top parents.

I have to say again that I love Makenzie. LOL When you first see her, it seems like she is being forced to do pageants because of all of her complaining. But boy when she gets on stage, she LOVES it, and really knows how to "perform". And when I say "perform", I mean in the way that a child actor would behave once in front of the camera. She is VERY aware of what she's doing when she is on stage, and truly seems to enjoy it.

I have only seen her in 2 episodes, but she is a riot!!! I love her personality, and I like I said previously, if she is able to redirect some of her outbursts and learn some self-control, she wouldn't seem so extreme. Anyway, I can't wait to see her on Wednesday.

 

[LukenDC]

I've seen the commercials too and they are appalling. Last night I told my partner that the girls look like young sluts. So sad.

 

[JulyGirl]

I've watched the show a few times when I caught it in reruns. I think you can tell which kids really like to compete. I have no problem with that. The ones that irk me are the ones that obviously are only doing it to please their parents. Don't even get me started on the baby competitions!

Those that are appalled by the makeup and clothing need to keep their daughters out of that Bibbity-Boppity Boutique! Sorry, but that place really tarts up the little girls.

 

[U2_rocks!]

I don't see a whole lot of difference with this and with Competition Cheerleaders, Competition Dancers, Competition Gymnasts.

All full of divas, momma divas, money, glitz, and being in the limelight.

Gymnastics is an olympic sport.

DD's gym won't allow them to wear any make-up, glitter, nail polish etc. - they wear their leotard and their hair neatly pulled back and that's it. Our head coach sees it as an athletic competition where there's no need for "pretty". I do know some gyms allow make-up and some have complicated glitzy hair styles - I guess they are somewhat into the showmanship aspect of it, whereas we aren't at all.

I do agree with you that there are still divas and diva moms, like any sport or activity ......

 

[DeluxePrincess]

Gymnastics is an olympic sport.

I do agree with you that there are still divas and diva moms, like any sport or activity ......

There were diva moms on my DD's T-Ball team! I love my daughter, but I didn't feel the need to make a shirt with her face and name on it to wear to a T-ball game. My family also didn't need to make up a special cheer for when DD came up to "bat". I also didn't complain about which "position" she played on the field. It was entertaining to watch though.

 

[eliza61]

Am I the only one who actually enjoys this show? Not in like a condescending type way, but I actually usually enjoy it. Mostly because most of the little girls actually enjoy doing this. Not all the kids on the show are divas and the parents aren't all completely crazy.


I do know pageant moms and they all seem totally normal though they admit that there are a few crazy parents. I do think the crazy ones are the ones who are featured the most, and that they are the ones who give the pageants a bad stigma.

.

Of course they are. Remember this is a reality show. And would we really watch it for long if we saw the normal, boring, harried mom? Nope.

It's like extreme couponers, diet reality shows, the bachelor/bachelorette, the apprentic or any other reality show. There is very little reality in it. It has to be over the top to get the ratings.

 

[goofy!]

Gymnastics is an olympic sport.

and a version of cheerleading will be an exhibition sport the next summer games from what I have heard. Although, it is being renamed 'stunt and tumbling' and is competing as another type of gymnastics event.

I guess they are somewhat into the showmanship aspect of it, whereas we aren't at all.

Glitzing things up to catch the judges eye has been going on for ages in all sorts of sports.

30 years ago when I was showing quarter horses, you couldn't have enough sterling on your tack or yourselves. You had to have a plate sized sterling belt buckle, sterling touches on your clothes and your show halter, saddle, headstall, reins, etc had to have as much silver as possible with as little leather showing as possible.

I do have a problem with young toddlers and young children being in contests where the main criteria of judging is "facial beauty" and how much your clothes cost. What are you telling your child? Looking for the Eden Wood video on the Talk (I am very, very, very open with what kids can perform, but O...M...G, no 5 year old should be doing that) and I came across a bunch of Eden vs ???, who is more beautiful videos. Really, at 5?

I think once the kids are older, say tweens and up, who understand that this is all about poise and how you carry yourself and they make their own decisions, then sure go for it.

This is the judging criteria for the Little Miss Glitz pageants. 50% of your score is how much your clothes cost, 25% is how much makeup, fake teeth, fake eyelashes, fake hair you have on, and 25% on personality - which is really the only thing the kid can control.

This is the section of our site where you will find information regarding the Judging and Prizes for our various Little Miss And Mister Glitz Pageants!

SCORING FOR AGE DIVISION BEAUTY TITLES WILL BE AS FOLLOWS:

Personality Scores: Stage Presence And Personality/Friendliness - 25 points

Appearance: Overall Appearance, Facial Beauty And Hair - 25 points

Dress: Appropriateness And Overall Beauty Of Dress/Formal Attire - 25 points

GlamWear/Outfit Of Choice: Appropriateness/Overall Appearance Of Attire - 25 points

This is a contest for the parents to outdo each other in glitz dresses and glamwear, and how much they can tart their kid up, not about the child nor what their ability is. That only counts for 25% of the score.

 

[FredinFL]

Oh heck, don't use the phrase "tart your kid up" people get all kinds of twisted over it!

Oh, wait...you only used it in relation to the PAGEANT kids, you'll be fine.