I never had sympathy for those parents who blamed “the school” or “the other kids” for their children’s behavior. Surely parents had more control over their children than their peers did, at least until adolescence began. And when a parent would assert that little Johnny had never kicked anyone before entering my first grade classroom, I would grind my teeth together, secretly blaming Johnny’s kicking on his father’s rumored drug use. Sure my classroom was purely a force for good, I was thrilled to find a preschool with a similar philosophy.
And then Ironflower actually went to preschool.
It’s not that she became aggressive. If anything, her behavior got better. But my smugness lessened when she began talking about the Disney princesses. Up until then, she had played princess like she had played other imaginary games. “Princess” was a character like “doctor” or “paleontologist”. Then she learned about Cinderella. And Ariel. And Sleeping Beauty. And Belle. And. . . . .now it’s become an obsession. Just like it is for every other girl in her class. A not very imaginative obsession, at that.
And it’s not like the Princesses send out a great message. In fact, I despise the whole idea of The Little Mermaid (think about it, she gives up her VOICE for a cute boy. If that ain’t a metaphor for a tragic female adolescence. . .). But they’re all over my house anyway. Because I didn’t want her to be an outcast.
At least Lovebug discovered Thomas before he discovered school. At least I know it’s his passion. Because I’m not so sure about Ironflower and her princesses sometimes. Of course, that could be wishful thinking.
(During this writing, ChunkyMonkey managed to army crawl all the way across the family room to get to his brother’s Lego train. I see more Thomas crap in my future.)
Anyway, I feel like such a sell out. I never intended to purchase all this character crap. Of course, we also weren’t going to watch TV and we were only going to eat organic.
Note to self: Stop making parenting pledges ahead of time.
16 responses so far ↓
WordVixen // June 9, 2009 at 5:03 pm |
I’m a Disney geek, so I’d be cheering on her new found good taste.
Although, I do agree about Little Mermaid. Never could stand the movie, and always felt more or less the same “But, if I become human, I’ll never be with my father and sisters again!”. Yes dear, give up your family, friends, and, as you said, your voice in exchange for a CHANCE at winning Mr. Hot Prince whom (who?) you’ve never even talked to. Gah! So stereotypically teen.
It’s not even like she was eyeing up his crown, either. Not moving up in the world, except literally, since she was already a princess!
Jen of a2eatwrite // June 10, 2009 at 9:37 am |
Oh, those parenting pledges will bite you in the butt every time!
And by the way, some children DO become more aggressive in the school setting simply because it’s overwhelming for them. Especially in the pre-school setting if they’re not ready for it, yet.
Catootes // June 10, 2009 at 12:09 pm |
Parenting pledges get flushed pretty quick once the sleepless nights take their toll on our over stressed brains.
I swore no Barbie would pass through my doors, as Barbie is after all the Anti-Christ. A friend, or maybe not, gave Giggles her first Barbie on her 4th Birthday and that was it, Barbie obsession. 24/7, barbiebarbiebarbiebarbie. Gack.
And then one day, the fresh wind blew, and Barbi was relegated to the bottom of the toy chest for art supplies. I was saved.
The princess overload shall pass and one day you will breathe again.
hopefully.
Aunt Becky // June 10, 2009 at 3:25 pm |
Parenting pledges are the pits. I make no pledges whatsoever.
Jasmin // June 10, 2009 at 4:27 pm |
I feel exactly the same way – I vow to not buy any pricess crap for my Isabel. But then I might fall into the same exact trap you did. At least I can postpone it since she’s only 7 months – her biggest concern is trying to fit her foot in her mouth.
mountainmomma18 // June 10, 2009 at 9:20 pm |
Agreed! I think about all the things I was definately going or not going to do and laugh because I have broken almost all of them. My new low is bribing my daughter with an oreo to finish her green beans. I figure they balanve each other out.
http://mountainmommachronicles.wordpress.com/
Leslie // June 11, 2009 at 2:44 am |
Julia is all about the princesses, too.
And parenting pledges? I think I’ve broken just about every one I’ve ever made. Parenting is so humbling.
Mimi // June 11, 2009 at 3:24 pm |
I hear you. Nora’s just started the whole “princess” semi-obsession and it makes me want to buy her toy dump trucks and paint her room blue. I HATE PRINCESSES.
silken // June 11, 2009 at 4:40 pm |
oh, those “my kids will never…” ugh! I learned not to make those either…of course, only after my kids did exactly what I said we would never do!!!
Karly // June 11, 2009 at 5:39 pm |
I HATE all the licensed character stuff. ESPECIALLY on clothing. That is the one place I put my foot down. If I have to trip over it all day long on my floors, I’m certainly not going to start dressing my children in the crap as well. Gah. Hate.
Jaanvi // June 13, 2009 at 8:32 am |
First time on your blog.. well children do show different behaviors when they go to school but your are right, most of the onus does lie on parenting and not schools.
Lisa // June 13, 2009 at 7:44 pm |
It’s funny, because part of why I said I’d never buy my kids licensed character clothing was because when I was growing up, I think some of that stuff was more expensive than the plain stuff. Nowadays, at a place like Target, sometimes the character stuff is cheaper or the same, so that was a parenting surprise! I have just been trying to encourage Cars stuff lately because McQueen is on the PullUps
and a mathbox-sized Lightning McQueen can keep Craig quiet and happy for HOURS.
Lisa // June 14, 2009 at 1:47 pm |
Follow-up — gave Craig a new coloring book while at the grocery store this a.m. Has all different fairy tails and stories, and at some point he looks at a character in a dress and says, Ooooh, a princess. CLEARLY MOMMY NEVER WEARS A DRESS
And neither do any of the other women he knows in real life, I guess. Ha! Had to mention it.
Jen // June 16, 2009 at 2:59 pm |
O ya those parent pledges. Those get me is such a ruffle sometimes. The old saying think before you speak man does that bit me in the ass… I feel ya
Elisa // June 16, 2009 at 3:58 pm |
LOL – I’m with you on the parenting pledges! I think we should stop being perfect and settle for being good, and then work at improving without obsessing. Now if I could only follow my own advice, I’d be golden.
Cuz // June 30, 2009 at 11:55 pm |
Amen cuz. She is still a bit to young but maybe she will eventually get into for Buffy or Charlies Angels (tv show not the movie) or maybe even Wonder Woman? A princes still, but she’s not thinking about no Prince. Do little girls now days even know who Wonder Woman is?
I think what annoys me about some of the Disney characters is their faux feminism. They talk tough and act independent but at the end of the day their actions are still defined by some dude who may or may not live happily ever after with her. Voice? Shmoice! I need a MAN! sigh