Lights, Camera, Exploitation?

I took my baby boy to a casting call for a national ad today.  Now I am in no way one of those stage mothers who force their babies into makeup, baby toupees, and false teeth.  "Toddlers and Tiaras" absolutely makes my skin crawl!  I just wanted to take him to see what it would be like because he's just the cutest thing I've ever seen!  What mother doesn't think that about her baby?  But before I took him, his father mentioned to me that he had mixed feelings about him participating in this industry.  His concern awakened some reservations I had myself, about displaying my child for all the world to see for what...bragging rights on how cute he is?  I decided to ignore my preconceived notions and let the experience speak for itself. 

This casting call was actually nothing like I'd pictured it.  There wasn't a ridiculously long line of unruly toddlers with full portfolios of their commercials, model shoots, and print ads.  No stage moms parading their children around like prize winning pigs at the county fair.  There weren't agents swarming around looking for new suckers (I mean mothers).  There wasn't a table to pay to have a "better", more professionally appropriate headshot of your child taken for a mere $400.00 (I'm being sarcastic here).  There were just mothers there like me.  Many that I spoke to were doing it for the first time as well, just for the fun of it.  It was actually pretty relaxed and easy for a rookie mom.  The company was pretty discrete about the casting so there were only about 20 babies there while we were waiting.  We got there early so he was baby#5.  They did a brief interview, took his picture, explained the next steps, and it was over.  The whole process took about 30 minutes, which is good because he had about 30 minutes of calm behavior in him this morning.  That was it!  He didn't even get a chance to show off any of his many talents.... making a "stinky face", bouncing on his knees, playing a piano concierto, driving a car, etc. 

My conclusion is that there is nothing wrong with babies modeling, as long as it's done tastefully, professionally, its conducted through a reputable agency, and baby is happy.  If he doesn't get hired on this job, I probably won't take him to another one.  It was just an experience to write down in his baby book....and on my blog!