When I discovered I was expecting a daughter, I made a few commitments to myself. My first thought was to create a wardrobe for her that steered clear of pink, opting instead for a rainbow of colors. I envisioned her space filled with gender-neutral toys like building blocks, train sets, and puzzles. I even vowed not to compliment her on her looks, fearing it might tie her self-worth to appearances. And the one thing I absolutely promised myself I wouldn’t do? Call my daughter a princess. Just… no way.
Well, spoiler alert: I’ve completely failed on that front. The term “princess” has become a bit of a loaded word, often associated with notions of entitlement, tantrums, and sometimes even passivity. For many, it seems to contradict feminist ideals. But here I am, calling my daughter “princess” every single day. What on earth am I thinking?
The Influence of the Princess Culture
Let’s be honest: the world, with its barrage of princess-themed toys and movies, has swept away my careful plans like a gust of wind through Rapunzel’s hair (which, by the way, was never that tangled). My daughter has developed a genuine fondness for all things royal. To her, being a princess means twirling in fluffy dresses, befriending woodland creatures, and living in a castle—complete with glitter showers for her loyal subjects (that’s me, her dad, and her wonderfully patient older brother). For her, being a princess signifies being cherished. Calling her a princess feels as meaningful as telling her I love her.
Is It Unfair to Let Her Think She’s a Princess?
But isn’t it a bit unfair to let her think she’s a princess? Wouldn’t that just spoil her, making her feel superior? Not at all! We’re fostering a sense of playfulness; she is the princess of our little family kingdom, and she’s not wrong. We even held a coronation ceremony—very official stuff, I assure you!
Now, I’m aware this phase isn’t forever. As much as she believes she’s a princess now, I doubt she’ll stroll into her college orientation wearing a tiara. By then, she’ll likely realize she’s not a part of an actual monarchy. And even if she does show up dressed as Princess Belle with a squirrel on her shoulder, who are we to judge? If that makes her happy, let her sing to animals all day long.
Balancing Fantasy and Reality
At five years old, she doesn’t quite grasp the difference between her fantasy of a princess and the reality of actual royalty, which can sometimes be just a figurehead. I don’t feel the need to burst her bubble and compromise her delightful imagination just to uphold my feminist ideals.
Recently, she expressed that she doesn’t want a job when she grows up because “I want to take care of my babies.” Before I could respond, her brother piped up, insisting, “No, you should go to college and earn your own money!” To which she shot back with, “It’s my choice. You can’t decide for me.” So there you go—my little feminist in action! (And I’ve still got plenty of time to teach her about the importance of financial independence, thank goodness.)
More Than Just a Title
We call her plenty of other names too: sweet pea, monkey, darling, and goofball. “Princess” might not even be her top pick (just kidding, it absolutely is!). But we also highlight her most cherished qualities—her kindness, creativity, resilience, thoughtfulness, and intelligence—traits that truly make her our princess.
Resources for Parenting and Family Planning
If you’re interested in more insights on parenting and home insemination, check out one of our other blog posts at Intracervical Insemination Blog. Also, for those looking into artificial insemination, Cryobaby At-Home Insemination Kit is an excellent resource. Plus, if you’re navigating the IVF journey, What the IVF Process is Really Like is a fantastic read.
Conclusion
In summary, while I once vowed to avoid calling my daughter a princess, I’ve come to embrace it. It’s a term filled with love and imagination, celebrating her unique spirit and the qualities that truly matter.