A couple of weeks ago I shared the story of my 5-year-old granddaughter who's enthralled by the Disney Princesses, and totally buys into the whole Pretty-Woman-All-I-Need-Is-A-Prince-To-Rescue-Me crapola.
June Freaking Cleaver and Maggie May recommended a children's book with a very nice twist on this story, The Paper Bag Princess, by Robert Munsch, wherein the princess rescues herself AND her prince-boyfriend.
I found a copy on Amazon for three bucks, so I bought it. Kylie and her mom dropped by the night it arrived, so I wasted no time in sitting down and reading it to her. She was absorbed, listening carefully to every word, and when I finished she peppered me with questions:"Why did the dragon destroy her castle?" "Why was she wearing a paper bag?" "Why didn't the prince like her anymore when she was wearing the bag?"
Once I'd answered every question she sat very still. I could almost see the wheels whirring behind that sweet little face as she sorted out what it all meant. Then she said:
"From now on, I'm only going to read the part of the book where she has pretty clothes and a boyfriend."
So, my bloggy friends, do you have any more ideas?
I am afraid it may take time...and a couple of frogs.
ReplyDeleteI am still going to look for that book though! :)
LOL, how funny. I'm afraid I have no suggestions ... (I'm very helpful like that!
ReplyDeleteMaybe it's time to read some books that don't have princesses in them, like the Bearstein Bears?
ReplyDeleteToo funny.
i LOVE princess stuff!!!
ReplyDeleteLet this illusion runs it's course! Soon she'll meet so many crappy princes that the light will turn on ALL BY ITSELF.
xoxox
Come on now, are you already trying to ruin Santa Claus and the Tooth Fairy too?
ReplyDeleteShe's hopeless! When she grows up and has her first heartbreak, her story will change.
ReplyDeleteOr see if she's inspired by a woman astronaut or fire person.
You could read her Despereaux.
ReplyDeleteThe movie was terrible compared to the book. The book had much better overall lessons in it.
Plus, the chapters are short and fairly-well compartmentalized. Which I found to be very useful for my four-year-old when we were reading it.
You, me, your grandaughter, everybody- all need our fantasies! It seems most adults get to have daily reality screw up their fantasies...
ReplyDeleteBut this is so Kylie. I'd suggest accepting that Kylie is Kylie and at five she wants to believe in "Prince Charming and Happily Ever After". Didn't you at that age? (yes! you did). Conscious raising will come with time and life experience.
ReplyDeleteI bet by the time she gets to 8, she'll understand why the princess dumped that horrible prince - and know that she doesn't need a prince to feel pretty.
ReplyDeleteI still love that book - I'm glad you bought it for her.
She's a very, very smart little girl!!
ReplyDeleteaileen, how many blogs will you visit today and post exactly the same spam comment?
ReplyDeleteIt's too late. The pods have already taken over her body. She is now a slave to the advertising industry and the beauty biz, big hair and heels.
ReplyDeleteBest of luck to you.
M.
The kid's going to be a top-of-the-class golddigger. All you can do now is make sure she keeps her sights set high enough to get that prince, not some banker/footballer/lawyer...
ReplyDeleteOh Bless! I am with her 100% Let her remain in her dreams as long as she can. Don't we all secretly only want to hear about the pretty clothes and the boyfriend??
ReplyDeleteNope. I'm with her. She has got a great head on her shoulders.
ReplyDeleteAwwww cute little story! She's a sensible girl by the sounds of things :)
ReplyDeleteLOL, not a one!
ReplyDelete