I’m torn between wanting to write a full critique of The Princess and The Frog, the way I have for the other films in the Disney Princess Culture. You know, deconstruct the whole thing and look for meaning, obvious and subtle, relate it to the Feminist Promise of Past and today’s Working Mother Reality. I want to at-once say this film was accurate in terms of teaching our daughters to dream and warn poor Tiana that dreams get exhausting and perhaps less fulfilling or important when you throw a baby  or two into the mix.

And seriously, Tiana do. not. marry. a. man. who. does. not. see. the. value. of. an. honest. day’s. work. A spoiled, poor prince playboy? Oh, my goodness. One could an entire doctoral thesis on today’s Hip Hop Pimp culture, current African American demographics and family crisis and the gender/work theme in this film.

But, unlike the rest of the Disney Princess Genre this movie just came out.

I don’t want to ruin it for you or your children. Really, I don’t.

Instead, I’ll say “hurray” for Disney. They finally have an African American Princess in Tiana.

The plot was fun. The story was creative. The themes and romance was appropriate for children. The cast was darling. It was super-colorful and interesting and fun. The film even poked some fun at its own genre with one character insanely obsessed with marrying a prince at any cost. Its setting is in New Orleans, a town with a rich and colorful heritage that could surely use the boost.

Both my son and daughter enjoyed this film equally, and frankly, so did I.

Take your kids to the movies during Christmas break. They don’t make a new Disney Princess movie everyday. As much fun as it is to deconstruct them an, it’s equally fun to go see them and experience them with your kids. Disney Princess films are, after all, an integral narrative to our love stories, for better or worse.

Belle, Battered Codependent

Cinderella Should Have Saved Herself

Ariel, The Little Mute

Related posts:

1. Empowering Girls: Princess Bubble Review
2. Shrek the Third, Princess Confrontation
3. Empowering Girls: Princess Culture Examined

When I was 16 years old, I was stark-raving mad boy-crazy. Promiscuous, extremely provocative. My parents, my whole family, were fundamentally religious and I simply could. not. be. contained. I was hyper-sexual. However much my parents, my religion, my school pushed for purity and abstinence I resisted.

I wanted to attract. A mate. Boys. A boyfriend. I wanted to be hot. I was hot. I loved being hot. It was wildly exciting to attract boys. It was a total adrenaline rush to feel super . . . attractive  and sexual. It was extremely stimulating to dress in a way that made my mother shudder.

At 16 years old Miley Cyrus’s Teen Choice performance seems . . . On Time.

Inappropriate, to say the least, from my current parental perspective. Inappropriate for my seven-year-old daughter and three-year-old son for sure.

Which is why I did not sit down with my young children and partake of The Teen Choice Awards. My kids are not a teens and they are not ready for this. I’m not ready for this.

In case you think the world has just ended because Miley Cyrus danced provocatively in front of other stark-raving mad, hormonally charged teenagers  – just remember, girls generally come off this type of sex-crazed high once they get married and have children. Granted, this did not prove true for Britney Spears (yet). Still, most of us tend to come to our senses during motherhood.

I still love Madonna. A love born as a young teenager watching her be powerfully provocative and sexually experimental in the ’80s. Loved her then and love her now. How is this different? Like a Virgin, Papa Don’t Preach, anyone?

Just think of it as a Law of Attraction. It’s part of biological law that 16 year old girls are going to be intent on attracting attention to their sexuality. Once they’ve fulfilled their biological drive and reproduced they’ll see the whole mating-dance thing . . . as inappropriately as we do now.

What’s different about her sister Noah being photographed on a pole and her older sister Miley’s?

Noah is 9 years old.

Miley is 16 years old.

Seven years.

Related posts:

1. Bored with Being Incensed
2. Brilliant Choice for Procreation: A Dad
3. Empowering Girls: Teen Sex Opera Pop Up

My daughter, like every five-year-old girl loves the Disney Princesses. I mean, we can’t really walk through any store without seeing clothing, dolls, books, backpacks, flash cards, puzzles, games, dress up clothes, videos, bed spreads or shoes that aren’t logoed with these girls.

Since banning the princess paraphernalia we like to play a little game. She tries to think up a princess who was an empowered girl and I explain to her why that princess is not an acceptable role model.

What’s wrong with Ariel, The Little Mermaid? Ainsley asks.

First, Ariel made a deal with the devil, Ursula is pretty much the evil devil character in the story. You must never assume the devil will look a certain way. You should never believe anyone who tells you they can give you something you desire if you give up your talents. Because most likely they are lying.

Second, Ariel had the gift of a beautiful voice. That’s a talent given to her by God. When God gives you a gift or a talent you don’t ever trade that for some guy. I don’t care who the guy is, if he loves you, there will be room for your gifts and talents to flourish.

Third, Ariel fell for the first man she saw. Smart girls date and have a few boyfriends before they settle down and get married. See, it takes practice and trying different boyfriends out before you really know what kind of man will be best for you. Never marry the first man you see.

Fourth, Ariel gave up her family for the prince. True love will never require that you abandon your parents or siblings or friends or life. If a man wants you to give up family or friends to be with him, then he doesn’t really love you.

Fifth, Ariel gave up her voice. No man worthy of your love will want you to give up your voice. You have important things to say, valid and worthy things. Any man you marry should encourage you to say what you think and voice your opinions. Don’t ever, ever let a man silence you.

Give a girl you know an alternative to Disney’s version of girl. Try something likeThe practical princess, and other liberating fairy tales or missing piece meets big o where the messages are you can save yourself and you’re already whole and complete.

Related posts:

1. Princess Ban
2. Belle – Battered Codependent
3. The Princess and The Frog Review

We so loved Linda Holmes’ letter to Pixar, we decided to support her with a petition. Here it is:

Dear Dr. Catmull and Mr. Iger,

We read Linda Holmes’s wonderful letter to Pixar (link below) asking you to create a feature film with a girl or women as the main character. We’ve had enough of Disney princesses with doe eyes and Barbie doll bodies. We love your inventive, brilliant movies. We know you have it in you. We loved feisty Princess Atta in A Bug’s Life and Shrek’s Princess Fiona was our kind of girl, but the stories weren’t theirs to tell, nor the journeys theirs to take. We want a female LEAD character, a nonprincess LEAD character who is complex and interesting. While you’re at it, could you give her a passion for something other than fashion and shopping, and how about a realistic body type? Girls are 25% of characters in animated films and 52% of the population. Research tells us boys care less about gender than interesting characters. They’ll watch if she’s cool enough. Come on, give us just one. If you make it, we will come to the theaters in droves. Promise!

Sincerely,

Your concerned customers

Linda Holmes letter

Click Here to Sign the petition

1. Empowering Girls: Princess Culture Examined
2. Empowering Girls: Choosing Princess
3. The Princess and The Frog Review

Potty Mouth
June 30, 2009

I have a few questions:
1. How did the clothes pin end up in the toilet?
2. How did a kid without the proper equipment manage to send a stream of golden glory all the way across the room without hitting the toilet seat?
3. When the 3-year-old said, “So Mommy, go away now,” why oh WHY IN THE CHIFFON did I comply?

She had questions too:
1. “Mommy, why you not like wiping up pee?”
2. “Mommy, why you say !@”#$%&?”
3. “Mommy, you go away now again, okay?”

1. 1st Day 1st Grade