First of all, man are you angry! Who cares if people call their daughters "princess"? Your eye rolling at the mom who called her daughter "princess" at Target was uncalled for, and unnecessary. Stop judging other mothers. You have no idea what is going on in her life.
Do you really think calling a girl "princess" will make her grow up entitled and selfish? I am pretty sure that takes some serious indulging and lack of punishment. It sure as hell isn't because the word "is loaded with meaning."
Although I am not calling my daughter "princess" as a nickname, I do use it to my advantage. I ask her, when she tries knocking down her brother: "Is that how a princess acts toward others?" If she get's too rough with the dog, I remind her that princesses are kind to all animals.
 |
| She takes princess lessons seriously. |
Our adult world is not magical, it can be ruthless and callous. The years our daughters want to be a princess are so short, and I (and without question, Grandma) will indulge Kenzie with a wardrobe full of lace and frills and satin. Complete with heeled shoes, tiaras, and big gaudy jewelry.
If you knew my daughter, you would know that she loves to wear these wonderful costumes while skate boarding, biking and snowboarding. She doesn't let the word "princess," or the fact that there are no snowboarding princesses, hold her back. She is making her own style of princess, and I think Disney would be proud.
Does that mean that she can't do her chores? Snow white, Cinderella, and Aurora (sleeping beauty) all were shown doing chores while growing up. This made them kind, gentle, and gave them really good practice at singing.
 |
| Cleaning her spot after dinner. |
Does indulging the inner princess bring about little entitled diva's? It could, but only if you allow that kind of behavior.
 |
| She has to sit in a time out and watch the bubbles. |
I grew up obsessed with Disney princesses. My neighbors and I would act out Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty with our Barbies. When I was 9, the holy grail of Disney movies came out: The Little Mermaid. (To a 9 year old, this was the be-all end-all of princess movies.) I knew there was nothing in this world I wanted more than to be a mermaid. My neighbors and I would act out every scene, sing every word, we even tried to write the piano music to all the songs.
I would say that as an adult I don't have delusional thoughts about magical kingdoms, princes, and some fairy tale ending that leaves me feeling depressed. In fact, I would say I have a pretty healthy attitude about reality, hope, and fantasy. I can't even describe how I feel when I watch her, watch a classic Disney movie for the first time. To see her smile and squeal when a song comes on she already knows. To see her dance and sing along with me while we play a certain song over and over until we fall down laughing. To sing songs and act out parts of the movie she loves the best. Of course I am always the villain now, which suits me pretty well since becoming a parent.
 |
| Belle "shopping" with her Cinderellas. |
If my daughter turns into a spoiled, self indulgent adult one day, I won't blame it on the word "princess". It will certainly be my fault, for not teaching her about kindness and helping others. So the next time you want to be pissed off, go watch a Disney movie and lighten the hell up.
Follow our Kenzie on instagram @instaprincessdiaries.
 |
| Seriously? How can you roll your eyes at that? |
