Will you let your daughter pretend she is a princess?

1. 88

   ThePracticalMommyposted 13 years ago

   Will you let your daughter pretend she is a princess?
   
   I have recently read several articles in magazines about whether or not to allow little girls to play princess, with the fear they will grow up to only be shallow, beauty is skin deep, prince charming seekers. Any thoughts about this?

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2. 60

   Dee aka Nonnaposted 13 years ago

   Of course.... pretend play is all about being a child.  It all in how a parents handles it because marketing to kids is so different than it once was parent have to be especially good as helping them no the different.... and help them learn other values.  It is all about balance and a lot of prayer hoping you are doing the right thing.  Peer pressure is a beast and parent must fight that too... but being a parent and not a bff to you child is needed.  There is a delicate balance between being a parent and being your childs friend and parent should always win out.  I wrote a hub about creative play where I addressed this issue because it is of great concern.

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3. 60

   duffsmomposted 13 years ago

   Yes, I have thoughts on this and I think it is ridiculous.  Children are impressionable but I don't think they are that impressionable by playing princess, or playing with Barbies.
   
   If she dressed up in her daddy's shirt, will she want to be a man or a dad?  No.  If she plays with GI JOE will she want to be a soldier?  They really are reaching on some of this stuff.
   
   If you urged her to play princess, and rewarded it with princess dresses, and told her she was wonderful because she LOOKED beautiful--then I could see her learning a lesson of good looks get good things or whatever.

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4. 60

   lovelife08posted 13 years ago

   Of course I will.  It is important for a child to be able to express herself and use her imagination.  And it is incredibly funny to watch.

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5. 68

   crazymom3posted 13 years ago

   Absolutely.  My daughter loves dress-up and not just as a princess. I think it's an experssion of their creativity.

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6. 0

   BentleyMomposted 13 years ago

   Yes, imagination is a wonderful and important part of being a kid.

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7. 60

   seoeverposted 13 years ago

   Why will anybody not say that. My daughter will be the princess of the world for me. Nobody can match her.

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8. 60

   Joan1posted 13 years ago

   I don't see the harm in it.
   I let them play pirate or indian.
   It is important that they learn to use their imagination and dare to dream.
   
   Especially with all the entertainment nowadays you should encourage every way of playing that is away from the tv.

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9. 92

   Docmoposted 13 years ago

   I don't think there is any evidence that children who play pretend princess grow up to be shallow in child psychology. Play acting is part of the child's growth and imagination and fantasy is vital to maturity and intelligence. This has to be encouraged rather than discouraged- as being able to put one in others shoes is part of mental development.
   
   It is when they grow older when peer pressure and media pressure dominate that they may begin to think its all about beauty and fame. Parents who are able to show, teach and model good values and ethics in a supportive, gentle, subtle way ( rather than preaching/nagging)  will help the child to grow into a well  balanced and confident individual who appreciates good character and principles.

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10. 54

    larry1987posted 13 years ago

    buy some clothes that can make a girl like a princess, just like baby doll dresses.

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11. 70

    Darknlovely3436posted 13 years ago

    when i was eight, I want to be a Genie, when i was  12, I was one of the Bosey Twins, when I was 15, children goes through stages,
    and every little girl i knew including myself wanted to be a princess,
    
    It does meant a thing to do a little pretending(

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