A princess life

The other day, one of my 2nd grade girls expressed to me her disdain in wearing a princess dress. "I don't do that because I'm not girly enough," she exclaimed. That statement brought a smile to my face, and for a moment I saw a little bit of myself in that 8-year-old girl.

Little girls read about princesses, and many of them strive to be one. What is it about princesses that appeals to little girls? Why do many little girls want to be treated like one?

I realized then that I would never have made it as a princess. Check out the list of reasons:

• Cinderella: my feet are too big. In fact, I probably would have been the big-footed stepsister in that story.
• Snow White: I'm allergic to apples, so I never would have agreed to try the poisonous one.
• Princess Jasmine: I am afraid of heights. I would have covered my eyes the entire magic carpet ride.
• Sleeping Beauty: apparently I talk in my sleep. I really don't think Sleeping Beauty did... otherwise, the prince might have shown up a whole lot sooner.
  

As a child, I didn't really the princess role either. The most I ever did was one Halloween costume (pink, with a pipecleaner tiara) or pretend to be Cinderella while mopping the floor. Even during play time with other girls, I ended up being the cook. (You know, that's actually pretty close to real life too!)

And then I realized that being a princess is more than just dressing up or feeling pretty. I think the attractive quality of princesses for most girls is the fact that princesses are waited on hand-and-foot - and they're the constant center of attention. That wouldn't have worked really well for me - I like to do my own tasks for the most part, and as for the center of attention bit... we're talking about me here! I never stand out in a crowd. In fact, I was described in high school as being inconspicuous! (Don't believe me? I still have the school newspaper article that says this...)

Don't get me wrong - I have absolutely nothing against "princess" girls. Ironically, I think "princess" girls are better understood by both men and women compared to us tomboy types!! :-) But hey, God wired us differently, and that's how it is. I'm not saying I completely abandoned the girl stuff - I just prefer to lounge around in a hat and t-shirt and workout shorts.

You know, in retrospect I think I would have made a pretty good cowgirl instead of a princess. If only I had fewer allergies... :-)