Guide on How Not to Be a Overreactive Stage Parent

The producers don't take full responsibility for the idol contestants. The parents also need to play a part. This is what Jeff Archuleta did on season seven. In fact he overdid it to such an extent that he was eventually banned from set.

Jeff Archuleta is the father of David Archuleta the young absolutely adorable seventeen year old runner up on season seven. Many predicted that he will take the tile. Little Davis is blessed with a unique and brilliant voice. Jeff was very aware of his young son's incredible vocal talent and so continuously watched out for him on set. Unfortunately he became an over bearing stage parent.

There is a difference between being a parent and then being a stage parent. When you are assuming the role of of a stage parent, it is your responsibility to give proper guidance, advice and encouragement but you should also give your child a sense of freedom to make his or her choice with regard to the selected dong, performance, and presentation.

Jeff Archuleta became so overbearing that he started to meddle with the other contestants. There was a lot of tension off set and the producers were finding it very difficult to control him. There were many rumors but it cannot be verified as to which were absolutely accurate and which were not. When interviewed, David Cook was very gracious and said that David Archuleta is still very young and so his father was simply looking out for him.

Another decisive moment was when Jeff decided to change song lyrics even after the producers told him not to. This was very damaging towards American idol and certain compensation and penalties had to be paid towards the original artists. This caused a major drama backstage and it cost much money on the show.

A transition needs to take place from a home parent to a stage parent. This is understandably not too easy. Some parents adapt to this transition easily while some others find it quite difficult. This is what may have happened to Jeff. Jeff was hell bent on interfering in every little decision that David was making on the show. Later on he was also interfering with the other contestants which showed that he was definitely crossing the line too much. He wasn't able to just be only a loving and encouraging parent, he wanted to be in control of what David sang, how he sang it, his performance, his presentation and the list goes on.

A stage parent must not interfere with their child. Because this is simply not their child in their home. This is their child on the national stage. And every little thing they say and do is maximized and created into a major drama. It is most advisable to allow the child to follow the given rules on the show and let fate lead its course.