Comments on: Child Stars: Are We Mentoring Heroes or Narcissists? [Updated 2021]

By: Judy Rodman

Judy Rodman — Thu, 05 Sep 2013 16:50:45 +0000

Susan… your comment illuminates the very important issue of the double-edged-sword-nature of the highly creative mind. All the more reason the village around your child needs to be informed, empathetic and connected to her. I believe she needs to know that though she may feel 'different' but even as an 'eagle' (instead of a bird that fits easily into flocks) that she is not alone and that her contributions are in fact quite valuable. Thank you for bringing up this vital component of mentoring these children. And may God organize a great village for your sweet girl!

By: Susan Passi-Klaus

Susan Passi-Klaus — Thu, 05 Sep 2013 16:42:47 +0000

Sometimes those who have a talented child also have the added challenge of nurturing a son or daughter who feel like they are different—not so much because of their talent and gifts, but because of many of the quirks creative people are saddled with…high sensitivity, perfectionism, low self-esteem, anxiety issues, addiction issues, introvert vs. extrovert issues, etc.

I have a beautifully talented daughter who has great potential to be a very special artist—but she feels and actually is, misunderstood, has always been held back, is out of place as an introvert in an extrovert’s world, being forced to make a living instead of make her true life, and has to work extra hard every day to manage the emotional rollercoaster that is her life.

Please those kind of “talented” kids in mind too. – See more at: http://blog.judyrodman.com/2013/09/child-stars-mentoring-heros-or.html?showComment=1378402884722#c6881016314769678041

By: Judy Rodman

Judy Rodman — Thu, 05 Sep 2013 16:40:46 +0000

Many thanks, Lynn, for all you do for children. There is no telling what your efforts have done for them, and will continue to do as they grow up. It is my great pleasure to have contributed my small part. You rock!

By: Lynn Bryant

Lynn Bryant — Thu, 05 Sep 2013 16:33:36 +0000

Since 1999 I have been active with children's education through my non profit, The Learning for Life Foundation. You have supported our efforts, Judy, in helping the children build a strong personal foundation by speaking to the children about song writing, the importance of lyrics (motto we wrote for the children: Your Voice has a Heart, Your Life is Your Song), giving them voice lessons and giving of your time and extraordinary talent in concert to benefit the kids. You touched their hearts and minds!

As you are aware, my motto to elementary school age children has been and is DREAM BIG, LOVE BIGGER. The children understand this to mean: As you go for your dreams, reach out and help someone else along the way.

It is so important to teach children the importance(what you state in your article) of giving while striving.... Not taking while striving for your dreams. It has been a personal mission of mine and through the Foundation to teach young children the importance of building a strong personal foundation, teaching them skills and the importance of choosing friends who build you up, not tear you down. The strength that comes from a positive attitude and the defeat that can result from a negative attitude and so much more...

Your article is needed, your points very well made and written by a wise woman who has already impacted countless lives with more to come!

By: E. Don Harpe

E. Don Harpe — Tue, 03 Sep 2013 17:38:51 +0000

Very good blog, Judy. Some great points here. I think, more than anything else, we need to somehow get away from the "whatever makes you feel good about yourself," mentality, and get back to the "here are some guidelines you need to follow," way of thinking. I don't believe this will stifle anyone's creativity, and I actually believe that when a child understands that there are boundaries, not to their creative selves, but to their moral selves, they will find a way to become more creative, simply because they must work within the confines of good taste and age appropriateness. Coloring outside the lines is much easier than coloring inside them, because it doesn't matter what you do. It is much more difficult to show that you can do something inside the lines that makes you different from the rest who are also in there. And at least as good is not better than those who are outside, because they are, more often than not, just making lines and not creating anything at all. I am all in favor of allowing a talented child the room to become what he or she actually thinks they are, however, I also know that not everything a child wants to become is what they should be allowed to do. The fact is many of them have not reached the maturity to understand that much more than feel good emotions go into making us the person we will eventually be. Guidance and love from the adults in their lives often means the difference in the world they will influence in the future.