Botox for Babies

Recently ABC interviewed a mother who was injecting her own 8-year old daughter with Botox so as to improve her appearance in the highly competitive world of kiddy pageants. 

This morning it was reported that the girl was taken out of the home by child protective services upon learning that this was going on.  The mother justified her actions by saying that this was routinely done by other mothers to their daughters on the pageant circuit.

We knew they were spray tanning them, dressing them in provocative clothing, putting on hair extensions, false eyelashes and veneers for their teeth.  But botox? This was a new low and a big blow to the commonly held idea that children are to be cocooned in their innocent little bubbles as long as possible. Where does a parent get the idea that using an injectable in the delicate skin of a child is anywhere near normal?

While the kiddy pageant world has been the subject of undercover investigations lately, it seems to have not gotten the attention it should from lawmakers so as to prevent these abuses. Why do we so rigorously check athletes who would inject themselves with steroids and not check children for similar substances that are being injected into them by their own parents?

What do you think should be done about this? What should be done to this mother and do you think her child should be taken away from her permanently?

Thalia Stamatelos is a Syosset Mom of 2 boys and owner & founder of www.nymomsworld.com.  Her company holds regular events. Check her site and facebook page out for details of upcoming events.