[redforever]

Well, this is what happens when children are not allowed to be children. No amount of money, no amount of fame is worth losing your childhood years. And you never recoup that either. Instead you see the Britneys, the Michael Jacksons, countless others melting down in their 20's, 30's, 40's, with no close childhood friends to lean on, with no coping skills, living life where everyone sees their every little action. Yeah, they have a big bank account, yeah, they have fame, but do you think this compensates for what they have lost?

So many parents live their lives and dreams through their children. So they see their child with some talents and have such high hopes and aspirations for them and think, well, let them make some quick money, then they will be set for life and can get back to normal type living. So they all think their little Johnny is the next up and coming Wayne Gretzky, they think their little Suzie is the next Celine Dion, they think their adorable little baby is the next Cindy Crawford and on it goes.

Yes, there are some very special people whose skills and talents will rise above others, but you know what? those skills and talents will still be there when they are older and better equipped to handle the problems that come along with having those special skills and talents.

And that is why I always try to advise young parents to let their children be children, let them play and act out their fantasies and dreams now, dont push them, let them set their own pace. Happy, well adjusted children make for happy and well adjusted adults. Money and fame is not the all in life, keep that in mind. It sure makes life simpler at times and there is no question there are many in our society that would be much better off with a larger bank account, but too much money and too much life in the public spotlight leads to many melt downs. Britney is not the first who could not cope with her fame and she wont be the last either.