Don't Let the Crown Fool You

 We went to Disneyland last week, and our time there was very princess-filled.

There were many princesses to meet and princess things to buy.

 There was even a princess makeover.

 Anyone who knows Orelia, would know that getting a princess makeover and then getting to immediately meet the princesses was just about the pinnacle of her life thus far.

Orelia loves princess dresses, makeup, and crowns.

 She loves everything about it.

And we embrace that about her.

Which is why we made her an appointment at the Bippity Boppity Boutique to begin with.

 Cinderella is her favorite princess, so she of course chose a Cinderella gown and was downright giddy to meet her and show off their matching dresses.

 They spoke of the prince, Jaq and Gus, and the Royal Ball.  It was so sweet to watch the excitement in her eyes and to see her starstruck.

 I often describe Orelia as a "princess fairy," since this love of glitter and tiaras is central to her world right now.   It's the way she was made, and she's always been drawn to this type of thing.

I don't expect her to idolize Cinderella for much longer, but while she remains enamored, I will continue to chuckle on the sidelines as she wobbles around the house in glass slippers.

I see all kinds of posts on Facebook that are essentially ragging on traditional princess adoration by young girls.  While I agree that the concept of a damsel in distress is not what I want Orelia to admire, just because she's wearing a tiara doesn't mean Orelia is the type of girl who would ever need, much less want, anyone to save her.

 Don't let the crown fool you, this girl is full of fire and tenacity and strength.

Just because she chooses to put on a gown instead of a fireman costume doesn't mean she isn't bound for the Oval Office (or even a firehouse for that matter).

Often it seems to be the people without kids, or at least without a princess fairy of a child who love princess shaming the most.

I am all for giving kids - boys or girls - the choice of what to play.  I think girls should be given the opportunity to play with trains and trucks and fireman costumes, for that matter.  I am all for more modern movies and shows where the female characters are strong and leaders.

 I just want my kid to be happy and be herself.

 And this kid is a Cinderella-loving, saucy, smart, funny princess fairy.

She doesn't need to play with trucks or trains to be strong.

She might be a princess today, but one day she will be a queen.