I am a preofessional face painter. I recently started having issues with parents, especially moms who want their child's face painted when the child clearly does not. I have come up with some polite, humerous responses to discharge the situation but parents who want their child painted against the child's will seems to be escalating. Most children love it and can't get enough but how do i deal with the parents who won't listen to their kids? I definately don't want to upset any future clients.
One idea is that if the child does not want their face painted you can suggest that you paint the parent's face and if they say yes then perhaps the child will change their mind...at least that way the parent realizes how it feels to be put on the spot!
Ev
It is a lot like parents forcing their children to sit on Santa's lap because it is about the parents getting what they want, not their child having their needs met.
What you might do is let the parent know that it is obvious that the child doesn't want to have their face painted now and that it might be good to come back later as it is very difficult to paint on someone who doesn't want it. Or you could say that you have worked with a lot of children and it really is your philosophy not to force yourself on a child who doesn't want their face painted.
I think we are at a time when parents must walk the razor's edge and be an advocate for their child at the appropriate times and at other times, give up what they want and allow their children to do what they want and to have a say when it is appropriate.
All parents should take heed at what C. is telling us. Where is it that we are this selfish with our children and where is it that we should change our way of thinking about how we parent.
Thank you for this, C..
I'm not sure at what venues you are painting, but is it possible to post some 'policies' when you are painting? Since you are geared to kids these policies should be a mix of serious and comic. Serious, being 'Face painting is meant to be fun. No one will be painted unless they are really happy about it!' Comic being, 'Requests for animal faces must be accompanied by your best animal imitation!' By posting these policies you will be reminding parents that this is not about them, but all about the kids. Ultimately we all know this, but sometimes we just get a little too caught up in making fun FOR our kids instead of having fun WITH our kids. A friendly reminder will ultimately be respected by parents. As for anyone that would be upset by such a policy, do you really want future clients that have no respect for their children?
