Disney Princesses 2011

We are just back from a trip to DisneyWorld and had a great time! The kids didn’t want to leave.

While we were there, Sydney got a princess makeover at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique. She talked about it for weeks before we went. It was funny how serious she was in the chair while getting dolled up, just as serious as when she gets her hair cut at home. It was pure fantasy for her and a fun moment for me as her mom to celebrate this phase in her life.

But, according to Peggy Orenstein, author of the new book Cinderella Ate My Daughter, I am pretty much a bad mom for letting my Sydney participate in a princess makeover. Orenstein said in a recent Parenting magazine interview that “the Cinderella-Belle phase feeds them into the Miley Cyrus-Hanna Montana juggernaut–then Miley goes from wearing a promise ring to wearing a bustier and dancing in a cage.”

Huh. And all I thought I was doing was letting my little girl play dress up. Guess when she’s a pole dancer at 18 we know who to blame!

I respectfully disagree with Ms. Orenstein (and must confess that I haven’t read her book). I don’t think I’m a bad mom for letting Sydney indulge in a princess makeover. It was fun for her, and me, and not some gateway experience for self-esteem issues in adolescence.

Now pass me my tiara and fairy dust. I’ve got to get gussied up so I look pretty when Prince Charming comes home…