Baby Competitions- The Joy and the Heartbreak

In every community there are baby competitions being announced several times per year. Every year parents line up with their babies, convinced their baby is the cutest in the world and deserves to win. Is it the cutest baby who wins, and everyone else loses?

The first thing any parent needs to remember when heading to one of these competitions, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Your baby is beautiful. Beautiful to you, to your family, to your friends, and to most people who see them. Just because some arbitrary judge chooses another baby as most beautiful, or the cutest in town, does not mean his opinion is any better than yours. He just happens to be the judge.

There is another reason to enter the baby competitions with a little caution and skepticism. You will go line up at the big arena with possibly hundreds of other parents and their babies. You fill out all the papers, signing your name, working your way through the lines, and then your baby gets their picture taken several times. The photographer works really hard together with http://www.athenacreese.com/booster-seats/fisher-price-deluxe-booster-seat to make your baby look extremely cute, and most times succeeds.

Now starts the real fun.
One thing you should have noticed on every advertisement and the entry forms was who one of the major sponsors of the event is. You can be assured the photographer is working hard, because his company is one of the sponsors. Those beautiful baby pictures are how they are paying for the event. They are going to be contacting you about buying wallet photos, wall hangings, portraits, and complete packages. You may want them, which is great. You just need to be aware ahead of time.

Another thing to watch on those advertisements and forms is who is allowed to contact you, since you entered the baby competitions. Often those forms are giving permission for people selling infant life insurance and other products to start contacting you to sell you their products. Once again, just be aware of the facts.

The last thing you must watch for very carefully is what rights you are signing away. You may be surprised to learn that all of the photos taken can be used in any method the organizers see fit. This can include use in advertising, promotional photographs, or reselling through online sites. Make sure you read every word of the forms you are filling out, so you do not have later surprises. Most of the companies and organizers are very honest, and they are running a great program, just make sure you check.

Does all of this indicate you should avoid the baby competitions? No way! Go to them and have a blast. You can dress up your baby in their finest designer clothes, get some great pictures taken, and have a fun day.

You will see many other parents with cute babies, and possibly make some great new friends. Often these events have other sponsors who are handing out coupons, discount vouchers, and small gifts for your baby. Go ahead, have fun, just keep your eyes open and know what to expect.