Princess obsession

I’ve become everything I hate.

I watched my daughter hike up the hill to her first day of preschool this week hauling a huge pink Disney Princess backpack behind her. This monstrosity of Disney marketing features Belle, Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty adorned with glitter and a banner saying, “Perfect for a princess.”

I loathe myself for buying this (and the matching lunchbox).

Despite my best efforts, my daughter has fallen into the princess-worshipping trap. I admit that before now, I judged other mothers whose daughters had princesses on their hats, shoes and bags. “Why would anyone let their daughter dress like that?” I would say to my husband. “Don’t they know they are instilling an unhealthy self-image and unrealistic romantic expectations?”

But I’m afraid I’m a pair of plastic high heels and a feather boa away from becoming the very mother I used to judge so harshly. I tried everything I could to steer my daughter away from this fate, but there I was watching her lug her princess paraphernalia to school.

And it’s not just the backpack. Oh no. We are also now the proud owners of a princess scooter, a princess sweater and pink princess pajamas. I also may or may not have just ordered princess shoes for Christmas this year.

My daughter has also become obsessed with a pink, jewel-studded tiara and Mardi Gras beads that she insists on wearing to fancy venues such as McDonald’s.

But I can’t help it. I love seeing her little face light up when she sees those darn princesses.

And while I’m embarrassed that my daughter is on a pretty steady Disney diet, I’m not so worried anymore about the deep psychological issues I predicted for tiara-wearing little girls. My daughter still digs in the dirt for worms with a tiara and can play soccer just as well in a princess sweater.

Have you dealt with the princess obsession with your daughters? Were you OK with the Disney takeover, or did you fight it?