Princess Darcy

Aloha Sprinklerinos,

Darcy is 3 and 9 months and in love with all things Princess.

She wants to dress as them, twirl as them, be like them and over and over and over, watch them!

We are big big BIG on Disney in this house so I'll never say 'no' to a Disney film or five and are counting down the days to our next big Disney trip!

Something I think about a lot though are the implications of reinforcing the idea that being a princess is something to aspire to to little girls. She is only small and so to her, what I say is gospel and whilst her mind is so impressionable, it leaves quite an imprint. 

Whilst a lot of the early princesses were depicted as pretty with sweet singing voices but very much the damsel in distress waiting to be rescued, I have enjoyed that in the last decade or so, princesses have had a lot more about them. 

When I tell Darcy she is like a princess I tell her she is smart and brave and strong and kind. I want her to grow up valuing her mind and her ability to think and plan and solve or to love and give and care. I think it will be wonderful if she has long blonde hair and a beautiful voice for singing to woodland creatures and bluebirds that land on your fingers but I know it will be even better to have that alongside the aforementioned qualities. 

I allow and encourage Darcy to dress up and dance and pretend to be a princess, but as I do, I remind her how that being a princess means more than just a perfect face and swirling dress.

Next time you see a little lady and tell her she is a princess, remind her exactly what that means. She'll thank you for it one day. 

Toodlepip!

xx