I can't express enough, the importance of safety and, if possible, keeping the personal information of our children private. Under no circumstances would I post my real name, the names of my kids, where we live, where they go to school, who reps them, what jobs they've done, what auditions they are going on, etc. My children have been in the biz for just over a year. A few months back, a man from the other side of the world saw one of their posters in an international campaign and claimed he was their father. He went all the way up the corporate ladder of the company they modeled for, and insisted he was their legal guardian and made claims that they had been kidnapped. He was so convincing that the company contacted the agency that created the campaign and asked them to find the family (us) and get legal documentation/proof that the children were with their legal and rightful guardians. This incident was absolutely terrifying. I'm not even going to raise the questions of what kind of "human being" would do this. My point is, you can't be too careful. I still get shivers when I think about the incident and wonder what kind of animal would do that. Even scarier...our agency told us this sort of thing happens all the time, especially in international ad campaigns. Please be careful. The internet has made the world a very small place.

Thank you for sharing and sorry that you and your family had to go through something like that!

OMGosh, Kip, that is so scary. Thank you for sharing that! You are right, you can never be too careful.

Thanks everyone for your input and advice. Thats what these boards are all about.

So now I know a few things to keep my DD safe and out of harms way.

You can only move forward in life..that's what I'm going to do.........

Thanks for helping!!

Why on earth would Nathan list the child's name and location on his website?? Aren't you voting for the child's image not their personality or their story. I was not aware that he was listing their name and address.

To limit the votes to one per IP address... Nathan would just have to purchase and implement the software that is designed to do that.

My child has appeared in ads that list the model's name. Also, one of our happiest experiences was seeing our name in the credits on national tv.

keep your ss# private, your phone unlisted, and your address off of the property appraiser's list. If you are still paranoid use a stage name for your child. I don't know what else to tell you. I don't have the same worries.

On another note, I agree with the parent that mentioned this prize will not realistically launch the modeling career of any child that doesn't live in one of the cities where clients frequently shoot (NYC, Miami, L.A., Dallas, Atlanta etc.).

Of course, an all expenses paid trip to NYC, with a photo shoot is an okay prize. I think that is the only promise Nathan should have made.

I did visit Nathan's website when he initially released it. I thought it was a good resource for parents with questions.

But then you realize, the parents don't want answers... they want someone to realize how gorgeous their kids are and immediately book their kids for the next big Gap, Children's Place or Target campaign. No matter whether the clothes fit or how far they are from the production location.

I'm a little cynical, I know. But you, me and probably most of the parents on here, that have working kids, have been approached by parents begging you to get their child into modeling.
They don't really want to be told. What they all really want is for your to wave your magic wand and have your child's agent call them with a direct booking for H&M.

As for parents that have children that are new to the business... If you are confused about something... Ask your child's agent! That is my motto. They have the answers, the right answers. Plus, they are making a nice chunk of money off of your child, answering a question or two isn't too much to ask.