Precious Princess or Spoiled Brat?

Posted by jesstrump

March 2, 2007 |

“I’m a princess!” seems to be the motto among the girls my kids run around with. As cute as that sounds, it really has gone a little overboard. Disney has obviously caught on to the trend by marketing everything princess. There is a whole video line of new princess stories not to mention the old classics such as Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, The Little Mermaid, Cinderella 1-99 (actually they are only up to Cinderella III but it’s bound to happen, they have to give those interns something to do, right?). Even Barbie is catching on with their last movie, The Twelve Dancing Princesses.

Now I am all for make believe and letting girls be girly but sometimes it is hard to draw the line between pretty little princess and bossy brat especially when our girls are the targeted market for all the pink sparkly t-shirts with quotes like “Yield to the Princess”, and “You May Bow.” Um, I don’t think so.

My daughter’s 5th birthday party was a princess party and my girls are headed to their 3rd princess party this year this coming weekend. The toy and movie companies obviously know what they are doing. But how about we change things up a little bit and tell our little girls WHY they are princesses. The Bible says we are sons and daughters of God. It also says that God is King, therefore we are sons and daughters of the King! Our kids are princesses, they have royal blood. This entitles them to a life of freedom and blessing not a life of bossiness and getting everything they want. If we can help our kids figure out that difference than we are on the right track. Instead of teaching them to “follow their hearts” let’s teach them to follow the heart of the King. Their lives and the lives of those around them will be better for it.

Check out Beth Moore’s book for little girls, “A Parable About a King.” Here is a brief description:

“A slightly spoiled princess decides to disobey her father, the King, and run away from home. She thinks that it might be better to be like the peasant children in the neighborhood and play stickball in the streets all day. Surely those children are having a lot more fun than she is. Or are they?

If you ever thought it might be easier to be someone else, run away for a moment with the princess and see what she learns. No matter where you live or who you are, if you’re one of God’s children, then you too, are a child of the King. Discover what it means to be a princess, or even a prince for that matter! Recommended for ages 5 and up.”

Comments

4 Comments so far

Little Miss Know it All on March 2, 2007 1:44 pm
Yes, princess fever has struck our house too. I had little choice in deciding on Kate’ party theme–she’s been walking around for a month with a picture of the princess party, hugging and loving on it. But I agree, they should know just whose princess they are, and that makes all the difference in the world. She is not queen of the house, but yet still God’s beloved daughter, heiress of a part of the kingdom. The princess party is a bit of fun, but I will be glad when the tiara is put away for awhile and rule and order take back over the house.

Oh, and Rob, beware what little boys will do when you lock them in the laundry room. You may have quiet for a minute, but the havoc a quiet child can wreak is much, much worse!
francelong on March 2, 2007 6:19 pm
Great article!
Shannon on March 19, 2007 4:51 pm
Maybe that’s why we like Strawberry Shortcake. She doesn’t say “Follow your heart” She says, “Have some pie!”
Jessie on March 21, 2007 7:00 am
You couldn’t be more right, Shannon.