I've seen the stories floating around social media.
Don't Have Your Daughter Be A Princess!
The Anti-Princess Movement!
Having Your Daughter Be A Princess Sets Us Back 50 Years!
Don't Call My Daughter A Princess!
I don't understand.
From a young age my daughter gravitated towards princess stuff. Her eyes would light up at the wands, the crowds, and the dresses. It never once occurred to me to tell her no.
There's nothing wrong with being a princess. There's nothing wrong with calling your daughter a princess.
I asked my daughter what being a princess meant to her and she told me, "Princesses are strong and smart." She's proud to be called a princess. In her eyes, you're calling her strong. Smart.
I know to some people being a princess is synonymous with being helpless. Depending on a man to solve the problems. Weak. But my daughter has never seen this. In her eyes, Cinderella was strong because she didn't break when everyone was mean to her.
In her mind Merida doesn't tolerate any nonsense.
Rapunzel was brave and left the tower--and saved Flynn.
Never in her response did she use the word "helpless." Or "weak."
It seems to me that it is the adults that are putting this sort of mindset into our children. And it's a shame.
Some parents lament over the cost of princess dress. "Who would fork out all that money for a silly dress?" But at the same time, their daily frappuccinos would probably cost the same amount within a month. Their purse might even be triple the cost of a dress.
Why do I buy the dresses? Because my daughter lights up when she sees one. Because soon my daughter will be a teenager and will be into makeup and boys that might make me nervous.
Look, my daughter loves being a princess--but in the next moment, she's Rey from Star Wars:
And then she's a fairy princess.
If she were ever told that princesses were weak, she'd laugh.
"But Anna traveled through the snow to find her sister!"
"Elsa ran away from the people she loved so she wouldn't HURT them."
Girls CAN be princesses.
And in the next moment?
Darth Vader.
Posts
Just goes to show it's a matter of perspective! I love the viewpoint that princesses are smart and strong!
ReplyDeleteI love this! If our daughter wants to be a princess more power to her! I don't know why it is seen as a negative.
ReplyDeleteOmg I hate all this new politically correct crap! She can be a princess if she wants!!
ReplyDeleteIf you asked my daughter what it means to be a princess, she'd probably give you a mix of the feisty stuff with wearing fancy dresses and having to attend parties. And ruling a country, which is actually her favorite part.
ReplyDeleteSome of the stuff people say is way too over the top and, in effect, takes away choices for their daughters.
It is a matter of perspective! Whether your daughter wants to be a princess, an astronaut, a surgeon, The President, a mother, a baker, an aerobics instructor, or any other thousands of choices, the important thing is that she is what SHE chooses to be. Not what anyone else tells her that she has to be or that she can't be.
ReplyDeleteScarlet is so like that. I think it's just in her DNA. She always loved princesses, and they have gotten better and better in my opinion. I love it and I am actually sad she'll outgrow it! I think, anyway.
ReplyDeletePrincesses kick serious booty. I never looked at any princesses as being weak!
ReplyDeleteThank you love this post. Your beautiful Princess is going to go far.
ReplyDeleteI love this! There is nothing wrong with looking up to princesses. Just like there is nothing wrong with looking up to a race car driver! My daughter will dress as a princess while she jumps in a puddle and yells, "I'm a superhero!".
ReplyDeleteI love this! There is nothing wrong with looking up to princesses. Just like there is nothing wrong with looking up to a race car driver! My daughter will dress as a princess while she jumps in a puddle and yells, "I'm a superhero!".
ReplyDeleteI love this post! Disney has done an amazing job at showing young girls that they can be anything they want to be! As a mom of a 16 year old & 2 year old daughter (and a son in between), I can tell you I'd rather buy a princess dress any day than something from Justice! My oldest loved that store & I'm soooo dreading shopping there again! Embrace the Dress Up stage!
ReplyDeleteLove this!! My daughter tends to be tomboyish, but she loves her princesses and loves to dress up as them!
ReplyDeleteLove this!! My daughter tends to be tomboyish, but she loves her princesses and loves to dress up as them!
ReplyDeleteI'm with her on this!! Princesses are strong and smart and you most definitely can be one!!
ReplyDeleteYes! I think I wrote a similar post awhile ago... because I don't care if my daughter loves princesses or wants to be one.
ReplyDeleteFinally someone speaking some sense. The only thing wrong with people thinking they are a princess is when they think this gives the the right to be spoilt and look down on other people. All I see is a kid using her imagination and having a whale of a time and that's what's important!
ReplyDeleteI am in love with this post! Thanks for sharing! My daughter LOVES dresses and although her current obsession is Minnie Mouse, I know the princesses are not far behind. <3
ReplyDeleteI still believe I can be a princess. I hope she never loses the love of princesses. There is nothing wrong with that. I call my girls princess and when they were little they had all he dresses too.
ReplyDeleteLove that she thinks princesses are strong and smart!
ReplyDeleteShe gave the perfect response, and she is strong and smart, I would be more worried if my daughter wanted to be like some shallow socialite.
ReplyDeleteLOVE, LOVE, LOVE!
ReplyDeleteBrilliant post. Our daughters would get on so well! Princesses don't have to equal weak, especially if you're teaching your kids the right values. I buy my daughter the dresses, no different to the mums who buy their kids computer games, or expensive trainers!
ReplyDeleteYes, exactly!
DeleteYour daughter is just too dang cool!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much.
DeleteI love this because I'm all for allowing kids to choose what THEY like instead of the parents forcing their opinions on them. Sure, I would love for my daughter to be interested in the same sports, etc. that I am... but in the long run, it's totally up to her what she pursues, and I will support her either way. :)
ReplyDeleteKids need to play dress up. There is nothing wrong with being a princess or a super hero for a day, it helps their imagination.
ReplyDeleteAmen!! Our daughters are very alike in that they are creative and independent. They know what they like and enjoy it to the fullest. If it's a princess or Vader, let them be themselves :)
ReplyDeleteI agree 100%!! I have never told my kids that they couldn't be whatever and whomever they wanted! I love the pics! Especially the ones at Disney!!!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful. The pics are awesome, too. It's funny, I don't think of being a princess as a weakness, more so, just luck.
ReplyDeleteSo true! People shame anything they're not comfortable with. Playing dress up is a healthy part of a child life.
ReplyDeleteSo true! People shame anything they're not comfortable with. Playing dress up is a healthy part of a child life.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful princess! My little one loves being a princess and I don't knock it. I just wish their was more princesses for her to look up too. I still want to be a princess as well, but that's another post :)
ReplyDeleteLovely pics. She is beautiful. I especially love the one in Rey costume.
ReplyDeleteShe is so adorable. She can be a Princess if she wants to, and a strong one too. Or she can be something else, I love her response, strong and smart!
ReplyDeleteEnjoying your Halloween posts! All girls have wanted to be a princess at least once in their life. :) Your daughter is adorable!
ReplyDeleteI love this post, what you say is so true! I loved pretending to be a princess when I was a kid, but I also loved pretending to be a power ranger. And even though I enjoyed the princess fantasy, that had nothing to do with how I feel now about gender equality etc.
ReplyDeleteI don't have a daughter. Two boys. But I loved reading your post. Girls are precious, no?
ReplyDeleteYes! Exactly what I believe! I think if we let our kids be kids, and let them explore and let their imaginations take over, then we'll have kids who love themselves and love having fun!
ReplyDeleteI agree. There is nothing wrong with being a Princess. Girls should learn from a young age they need to be treated well.
ReplyDeleteall of our daughters are princess and so we can all be ok
ReplyDeleteShe is an angel..lovely pics. I loved them lot. And there is nothing wrong with being a Princess. All of our daughters are princess.
ReplyDeleteI love when girls dress up as princesses. They are so feminine and girly and truly bring out some of the cutest personalities. The haters of princesses should be ignored in my opinon.
ReplyDeleteSo sweet! My daughters will always be my princesses. :)
ReplyDeleteAwwww, those pictures are so lovely! She is beautiful and of course she is a princess and that is really ok!
ReplyDeleteI agree , I don't see why it's not a good thing that she would want to be a princess or anything else. There is nothing wrong with it.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful little lady! I have two daughters, both love being princess'.
ReplyDeleteLoved reading your post! Your daughter nailed all the outfits of princesses. I read few articles where people blaming Disney's princesses to be vulnerable and always needed prince charming to rescue but from Frozen, Disney has empowered all her princesses and yeah Rey from Star Wars set a benchmark for all the princesses that she doesn't need any man to support her! She can achieve everything whatever she desires!
ReplyDeleteLove your daughters definition of a princess. Your right to many people view princess as a bad thing. I am going to ask my daughters what their definition is of a princess and see what they both have to say.
ReplyDeleteshe looks so beautiful, love this.
ReplyDeleteCute outfits. Have you thought of getting her to act in YouTube videos? She looks like she'd have the personality for online video.
ReplyDeleteYes, she's thought about doing it. But she can get shy.
DeleteI think nowadays, people are associating princess to being a brat. Well, continue encouraging your daughter to be a strong and brave princess. You're doing a great job!
ReplyDeleteAn interesting post, I must confess to never having seem anything anti princess but yes, it is all rather silly and myopic. I have 2 girls who went through their princess stage, nothing wrong with it at all!
ReplyDeleteYes, I totally agree with that statement. It is also totally okay if your son wants to be a princess too!
ReplyDeleteYes!!! I always tell my daughter there's no such thing as boy or girl things.
DeleteSo sweet! I would fork over the money too! (Mainly because I'm not creative enough to make the costumes like some of my other friends, haha)
ReplyDeleteEven though I was not prone to princess stuff, I still wanted to be a princess at an early age. I wanted the fairytale life and I'm so with you on this!
ReplyDeleteYour photos are so beautiful, Amber! I really love reading your stories about your family. My daughters are 14 and 3 and they both love princesses. Even though my daughter is 14, she still loves collecting princess dolls, books, etc. And she has passed on her love for princesses to my younger daughter. There's nothing wrong at all with being a princess!!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, I really appreciate that :)
DeleteYes!!! I have one girly girl fluffy dress wearing daughter. Then my other loves to go hunting and fishing. I love them both more than anything.
ReplyDeleteI think it's more about letting them be what they want. I too was always naturally more inclined to princessy stuff, but there are some girls who are not- and both of them should be okay! :)
ReplyDelete— DT | Here I Scribble
My daughter loved to be called "princess." Being an only daughter, she grew up pampered and protected but not like an over-bearing, demanding kind of princess. She was sweet and strong willed at the same time. In her pretend play times, she usually identified with Disney princesses, but the one she liked most was Mulan (even if she was not actually a princess)
ReplyDeleteI 100% agree with you on this subject. My daughter loves princesse's and she looks at them as being strong and powerful. I'm not sure why so many are against it.
ReplyDeleteWhen my daughter was little being a princess and having any thing princessy was our thing. But when she starts to grow older she is now shifting into a new love, wants and hobby which is how she will be building her personality.
ReplyDeleteI could not have said it better myself! I love this post and all the parents who are saying otherwise should read this. My twins love princesses too and they also have dresses of their own, currently the other one is Jasmine from Aladdin and the other one is a fairy princess! It's about us, empowering them to be brave and smart young women.
ReplyDeleteOh, c'mon! Who came up with stuff like "princesses are weak". You don't say that poop to children, or they will grow up believing that their decisions are stupid and that their ideas are impossible to reach.
ReplyDeleteAlso I have to say your daughter is awesome
Oh, why do other people say negative things about being a princess. It is lovely, once in our lives we dream of being one.
ReplyDeleteLovely message right there! Instead of telling them that princesses are weak, why not tell them what a princess can do instead. It's all about how you say it and how you try to make them understand. Empowering our girls is important and most parents don't realize that.
ReplyDeleteShe looks adorable! I love all her princess costumes, and that Darth Vader though. lols.
ReplyDeleteMhaan | www.mommyrockininstyle.com
The term should really be separated from being stereotyped or synonymous with being weak. The "saving" part is just part of the story and not with the character itself. That little princess up there is just so adorable, she reminds me of my nieces when they were little.
ReplyDeletePrincesses are strong and smart. I think it's fabulous. She is cute in her costumes playing make believe -- really what childhood is all about.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful and meaninful post. You have a smart and strong princess with great values and that is the important. Every little girl is a cute princess.
ReplyDeleteYour daughter is really lovely! My niece loves to be called a princess too! :)
ReplyDeleteThere is absolutely nothing wrong with being a princess. One of my daughters had a Cinderella wedding. You never have to stop being a princess! Your daughter is adorable as is all her costumes!
ReplyDeleteMy granddaughter has discovered the dresses. She is a Disney princess that is for sure. I don't mind at all she looks adorable wearing the dresses and outfits.
ReplyDeleteAaaw! How sweet! Your daughter is definitely a smart princess. I think I also lived in the "princess" world while I was growing up especially after having watched too much Cinderella and I find absolutely no problem with that!
ReplyDeleteI've never thought of Princesses as helpless, I didn't know that was a thing. I don't see a problem with giving a child a nice pet name.
ReplyDeleteNever stop being a princess! If girls want to be strong, smart, courageous 'princesses' then let them!
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteBeing a girl is so fun. Like you say we get to be princesses one moment and Darth Vader the next moment.
ReplyDeletekids should be allowed to be imaginative and creative in their own way...including being a princess! i think it is always fun to be able to express especially when one is young and carefree!
ReplyDeleteI think kids should be allowed to be what they want to be, if a girl wants to be princess then let her, if she wants to be a Spiderman then cool and the same with a boy. Let them play - they are only young for a short time.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this. I am fine with my daughter wanting to be a princess. I also tell her she's beautiful. I can't resist pointing that out.
ReplyDeleteAww!! Your daughter is so adorable and looks like a real princess. Her costume is really perfect for her.
ReplyDeleteI think that daughters should feel like a princess for them to feel special. I think Princesses are now headstrong now so it doesn't show a sign of helplessness.
ReplyDeleteAll the princesses in REAL life are pretty strong women, Diana, Fergie, Anne and now Kate and soon to be Markie. I would be honored if my child wanted to be like them.
ReplyDeleteIf your kid wants to be a princess, that's fine. It's only a problem if girls can ONLY be princesses. My granddaughter is in a tutu phase and it's super cute.
ReplyDeleteMy daughters both loved something different as kids. My oldest was Disney Princesses, my youngest female Star Wars characters. I let them choose, and never made that choice for them.
ReplyDeleteShe is one beautiful princess I would say. Nothing wrong at all of being one.
ReplyDeleteMy daughter is 100% a princess. She has loved the theme and attitude for as long as I can remember.
ReplyDeleteYour daughter is such a princess spirit! She really reminds me of a snow white; just full of innocence!
ReplyDeleteEvery daughter is a princess. Awesome article. Enjoyed reading it.
ReplyDeleteI have to agree with you! I think that being a princess can be empowering to a child. Just don't emphasize the need to be rescued. They should know that they can be beautiful and strong on their own.
ReplyDeleteSo often unreasonable and/or misinformed adults transfer their prejudices onto the youth of the world.
ReplyDeleteAll young ladies should be princesses and it's okay. I have to say after looking at all of your photos, your princess is adorable.
ReplyDeleteI personally agree to this! I know when we finally have a girl I'd let her be a princess. We have a boy and we are spoiling him with lots of loving and getting toys.
ReplyDeleteI believe that little girls should be encouraged to freely love whatever they want and not be judged for it. I have nieces who are princess obsessed and nieces who are dinosaur obsessed and I encourage both to just do their thing.
ReplyDeleteShe looks so cute If she wants to be a princess let her do her thing. Girl power!!!
ReplyDeleteI love how you encourage and empower your daughter to express herself and dress up how she pleases. This is such a lovely and important message for young girls. Love her costumes! She rocks!
ReplyDeletewho said princesses can't be strong??? They definitely can, it all depends on the perspective . bdw your daughter is so beautiful <3
ReplyDeleteSuch a cute post! My 12 year old definitely thinks she's a princess!
ReplyDeleteMy granddaughter is a princess while she is slaying some creatures. They can do it all and we should encourage them
ReplyDeleteWe have some princesses in our family and I am all for it. They want to be princesses for the same reason-they think they are brave and smart. It's all a matter of perspective. I say let her be a princess if she wants.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great post! My daughter loves to dress up all the time and she always feels she is one and I tell her all the time that she is.
ReplyDeleteAh I love this!! My girls are exactly the same and love to play dress up and use their imaginations! There is nothing wrong with being a princess, gorgeous photos!
ReplyDeleteThere is nothing wrong with kids being just who they want to be. Imagination is a great thing and something that people should let there children find joy playing with.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree! I think, as a parent, I have allowed my kids to be who they are. As they grew, I just encouraged their passions and interests. My youngest son loves pink and purple, who cares. LOL Kids should be allowed to be who they are confidently! Loved reading this and those photos are awesome!
ReplyDeleteI think we could all benefit from learning about Princesses from your daughter. She has a great take on what it means to be a princess and she is a good example for us all. Thank you very much for sharing this.
ReplyDeleteI think this is wonderful. I have two daughters of my own and they love being princesses too. I love it when kids dress up. It's fun for them and they love it.
ReplyDeleteSuch a cute little princess and very adorable. Love all the princess costume she wear and they all looks nice to her.
ReplyDeleteI agree 100% !!! Great costumes and dresses!!! My daughter has been into Disney Princesses, Star Wars and Harry Potter. Let the kids enjoy what they want to enjoy. She likes at her own preference the LEGO Friends toys over the "normal LEGO" playsets and my wife and I don't have a problem with her appreciating their "girl theme." In fact, they are doing some cool stuff with the LEGO Friends line that has my son wanting to play with those toys too.
ReplyDeleteGirl - I'm ALL about being a princess. They are not weak or pathetic... they are strong and self-confident and fabulous. Yass to being a princess!
ReplyDeleteMy kids loved to play dress up too. I think it is healthy and a great way to use their imaginations!
ReplyDeleteI'm all for encouraging little ones to follow their hearts. You're right - they don't stay young forever, so why not let them have as much fun as they can?
ReplyDeleteShe is a beautiful princess. I love all her outfits. My little girl always ask me to buy princess dresses and she often wear them on the weekend.
ReplyDeleteI never liked the princess thing when I was a kid, I really liked pretending to be a witch from harry potter. I think kids should be allowed to be given the space to pursue their imagination in whatever form that is!
ReplyDeleteShe is so dang cute! I had boys so never had a little girl to go through the princess thing, but my husband did. Now our girls are older and not into the princess thing. Hold onto it while you can. :)
ReplyDelete