Guest Author - Heather Davis

The Learning Channel (TLC) is taking viewers into the lives of tiny pageant princesses and their parents with the show Toddlers and Tiaras. There is a stereotype for the "pageant mom" that comes to mind and this show certainly focuses on that aspect. It follows the little girls during their pageant preparations, backstage and onstage.

The pint sized participants are judged in the same fashion that their adult counterparts are. There is a casual wear and evening gown competition as well as talent and a bathing suit competition. The children who win the crown get all the glory, move on to another competition and even win a cash prize. A lot of these little girls have won more trophies in their few short years then all the members of my immediate family combined.

The show gives you and inside look into the preparations for various pageants in various parts of the country. Pageants appear to take a lot of time and preparation if your daughter is going to have a shot at the crown. The little ones practice their talent as well as their little walk and most importantly their pretty little smile.

There are two different approaches to toddler pageants. There are the "glitz" girls and the "natural" girls. Natural girls do not wear a ton of heavy make-up or hair extensions. The "glitz" girls are made up just like little dolls with make-up, hair extensions and even a little spray on tan. On one episode, a mother was attempting to apply a fake tan to her little two year old which appeared to quite a challenge.

Some of the little girls appear to really enjoy pageantry and all of the hard work that comes with it. Their mothers are very enthusiastic and supportive and do what it takes to see their daughters succeed. Then there are other mothers who tout how much their daughters love being in pageants as the little girl screams at the top of her lungs over who knows what.

Pageants are always subject to much criticism and adding little girls to the mix heats things up even more. Toddlers and Tiaras has sparked a bit of controversy that has led to a group on Facebook that wants to see TLC drop the show.

Toddlers and Tiaras makes for really entertaining television. You have to have a certain personality type to love and enjoy pageantry. While I'm not interested in it for myself or my daughter, I find the world of toddler pageants quite intriguing and enjoy getting an insider's view.