It’s a Dinglehopper!
Extra, Extra! Read all about it, and view below a picture of the unthinkable. A snapshot of Laylee and the Bean using their forks as Disney intended. It’s a good thing Grammy has extra forks so we can scrounge up clean ones after Bean and Laylee lose their minds and comb their hair at the dinner table.
The indoctrination, I tell you. It runs wild. My two-year-old’s voice saying, it’s a dingle HOPPer! Well, folks, I just can’t stand it, it’s that cute.
And to Catherine, who commented on my last post: Yes, I know that the Disney Princess mentality can cause some degree of unrealistic expectations for life. No, I’m not sure how to combat that. I came from a family where imagination and fantasy played a vital role. I don’t feel scarred by that experience. I feel blessed by it. But I can understand your concern. How to protect my child from future disillusionment and sorrow, I don’t know. I am taking your comment seriously. Does anyone have any suggestions?
The photo is too cute. I think that it is not that hard to balance enjoying the fairy tales and fictional princesses and understanding that real life doesn’t often work like that. And while I agree with Catherine that all of the messages sent by Disney through their princesses aren’t the best, there is a lot to be said for enjoying fantasy and dreams, especially as a young child. I mean really, is the message in Disney’s Little Mermaid the best? (Disobey parents, bargin with an evil witch, run away, entice a prince with “body language” and in the end daddy will make it ok just because?) That said, I grew up watching and enjoying Disney movies, and it hasn’t hurt my ability to deal with real life one bit. The movies are just so HAPPY! And they still make me happy. So, go for it, indoctrinate your princesses.
Comment by Goslyn — November 29, 2006 @ 9:50 am
Yeah, Aladdin’s message isn’t the best, either - steal, lie, use magic and deception to get what you want, and then in the end, the laws of the land will be refuted and they WILL let a street rat rule the country.
But I don’t believe in blue genies, either, so I think I made it ok out of that one.
That being said, I think that sometimes unrealistic expectations ARE created - yeah, real love is great, and it happens, but that doesn’t mean it’s EASY, or that it happens RIGHT when you think it should / will, and that doesn’t mean that there won’t still be uncomfortable, awkward or painful moments, and that doesn’t mean that there won’t be times when you just wish your prince, now that he has come, would please just LEAVE for a little while.
But I also think that “real life,” meaning the things that don’t always happen the way we want, WILL happen to everyone, in one way or another, at one time or another, and that is part of the growing up process. But it doesn’t need to start in toddler-hood - let ‘em dream!!
Comment by Margaret — November 29, 2006 @ 10:49 am
Well I may be totally off, because I have never raised a little girl, but I don’t think many people have completely raised a competent, full grown woman when they come to the time is their lives when they seriously ask themselves question regarding disillusionment and sorrow.
Here is what I think:
Tell the kids the difference. They can take it. They know animals can’t talk, they know carpets don’t fly, and they know what the “real” use for a fork is! One of the best things my mom did was make life realistic. From a young age we would enjoy watching stories of princesses and make-believe of all kinds, but that is just what is was “make-believe” and it was FUN! Not once did I expect to have a fairy godmother that would magically create a gorgeous gown for me and send me to a ball to meet prince charming and I don’t think watching a show like will make one expect that out of life. I think the girls will be just fine!
It really looks Bean and Laylee are have a great time!
Comment by Lisa — November 29, 2006 @ 12:11 pm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fanny_Ardant
Go there or type her name on google image to see how gorgeous this woman is. And she is sooooo educated and fine and whatever you can think of.
One day she said that some think that too much love given during childhood makes weak adults but she thinks opposites She thinks that all the love given during childhood makes an armor to face the trials of adult life. To describe the kind of love she has been surrounded according to her own words I would say that it looks like what the Bean is experiencing.
All this to say that if Walt Disney princess fantasies are part of all the love you and her dad give her it will make her stronger but if it is the place where she hides when she feels threatened then it is bad.
Some little voice is telling me that she is fine and does not feels threatened.
Comment by Gwennaëlle — November 29, 2006 @ 12:45 pm
Do you remember your post about how the Bean likes “la tribu de Dana”?
Well I have another cool song for her although it is not Briton music at all. this came out when I was barely 4 years old. Oh wait this is a new version but it is even better.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-Rrk7vidzw
Comment by Gwennaëlle — November 29, 2006 @ 2:19 pm
What there really is no Prince Charming? I got mine. You got yours. I know many people who did. My middle daughter thinks she is a mermaid, dog, cat, bunny, or can touch the sky most of the time. Do I need to take her to therapy because she is not learning to deal with life at 4 years old?
Life is all about what a person makes of it. At least that is what I try to teach my kids. We need to let our kids dream a little, pretend, and believe that they truly can become anything in this world they want to be.
Life comes at us full force eventually. I have never shielded my kids completely from the world but I give them what they can take when they can take it or when questions arise about the harsh realities of the world, I try to answer them in a way that they can understand. It is all about letting them grown into this world and giving them the tools to deal with life. Anyways . . . you are doing a super job. She is such a doll.
Comment by Carrie — November 29, 2006 @ 4:15 pm
P.S. Little Mermaid has never been one of my favorite Disney movies, but I love the picture of them combing their hair with forks!:)
Comment by Carrie — November 29, 2006 @ 4:17 pm
The pictures are precious. As to your question, I’ll have to think about it as my only daughter has no intrest in princesses, barbies or anything pink and girlie.
Comment by Gabriela — November 30, 2006 @ 7:44 am
I was showered with love, attention, and lots of encouragement to dream and imagine…and it grew me into a confident, self-reliant woman. It prepared me to learn that the true “princes” out there are the ones who take out the trash without being asked and clean up baby vomit. Indeed.
Comment by Shannon from Rocks in my Dryer — November 30, 2006 @ 10:56 am
I wouldn’t ever want to take away the beauty my daughter sees in her surroundings and playtime. The saddest for me if kids who surround themselves in realism and never use their imagination to dream up all the wonders of this world!
Great site; it’s my first visit!
Comment by Amber — November 30, 2006 @ 3:56 pm
I wouldn’t ever want to take away the beauty my daughter sees in her surroundings and playtime. The saddest for me if kids who surround themselves in realism and never use their imagination to dream up all the wonders of this world!
Great site; it’s my first visit!
Comment by Amber — November 30, 2006 @ 3:57 pm
I love the princesses. Spicey discovered “Sa-lala” last Christmas and it’s been Disney Princess bliss ever since.
Let her enjoy the fantasy and imagination of Disney and fairy tales. It’s what you teach her in real life that will help her discern truth from fantasy. I have a strong feeling that you’ll keep her balanced.
Comment by Karen — November 30, 2006 @ 4:27 pm
Hey Twinner,
What part of the city are you from? I was born and raised in Maple Ridge (S.E.); my folks still live there and we’re heading home for Christmas!
Comment by Amber — December 2, 2006 @ 1:02 pm
I think if you ONLY showed the Bean Disney movies — like, if she were in some sort of Disney-only-all-other-senses-deprived tank — you would need to be concerned about “indoctrination.” As it is, it’s one part of a well rounded life of family and friends and faith, and those are going to be her true influences. The movies are just the fun icing on the cake — a space to dream and imagine and pretend. And there’s nothing wrong with that.
Comment by Lauren — December 8, 2006 @ 8:22 am
Must preface by saying, dander is UP! Everyone relax…is your child loved, cared for, cherished, given many opportunities to experience all sorts of life experiences? Well then, a little Disney isn’t going to corrupt them beyond repair, it’s not going to create anorexic/bulemic, bipolar children. BUT if your childs main and only experiences revolve around a movie/cartoon, any movie/cartoon, then yes you have problems. And isn’t this a great opportunity to use these moments as teaching opportunities, beauty does matter…..and YOU are GORGEOUS!! Just the way you are, every wonderful, beautiful, yours and only yours part of you.
Comment by Ann — December 8, 2006 @ 2:47 pm