Princesses
Little Belle has developed a love of the Disney Princesses. She has a pair of long-sleeve pajamas with one of the princesses’ picture on them and every day she wants to wear the shirt. She often chooses her princess book to read and sticks millions of princess stickers on paper a day. Yesterday we made a trip to the dollar store (the “real” dollar store where everything is actually $1.00) and I told her she could pick one prize. She found a princess puzzle when we first walked in the door and even though I showed her other toys she insisted on the princess puzzle.
While I appreciate that Disney has princesses in several colors and ethnicities I wish they came in a few other shapes, besides perfect. The social worker in me worries that such toys and clothes will teach Little Belle that she needs to look “perfect”. I want Little Belle to grow up knowing that princesses come in many shapes and colors. Still, what’s mama to-do? The stuffs everywhere even if we didn’t buy it she’s see it everytime we walk into a store.
Even with my reservations, deep down inside I really love princess stuff too. I’ve never been big on character clothing, but if Little Belle has to have it I’d rather it be Princesses than anything else. I guess the girly girl in me loves them too.
May 31st, 2008 at 8:13 pm
Just be glad you get to look at beautiful princesses and not Diego!
June 4th, 2008 at 3:26 pm
I definitely think it is relevant to think about what message our daughters receive from the toys, movies, and books they enjoy. Like you, I sometimes worry about the self-image my girls will have when they so admire the tiny princesses whose major source for happiness is winning the love of a man. Like you, I also love those princess movies! I think our responsibility as parents is to show our children a wide range of people types as they grow. Read lots of different books, and, when they’re ready, view lots of different kinds of films. Talk about them all. And then simply let them play!