More on the Princess theme. So you do the best you can with what you have. The fight against mainstream, corporate ideas like Disney, can be lonely. Is it a battle I need to wage? I think it's in my daughter's best interest that I do, but does it encourage a possible rebellion later, by not accepting her fantasy play? While we are dressing for dinner, she is in tears because she wants to be as "pretty as me." Where does the comparing come from? Before Auntie gives the gifts that are already wrapped to my daughter, she asks me, in front of her sister-in-law, "Is it okay if I give her the Minnie the Mouse dress and the Ariel dress as a gift?"
I answered, "Well...okay." They were already wrapped. I felt like the evil mother.
Later, she brings out a coat for her, unwrapped. "Can I give her this?" The asking permission stems from already knowing the answer, but wanting to pursue the answer she wants to hear.
"Yes, I'm sure she will like that. Then maybe give the coat instead of the dresses, or just one of them."
"I asked you earlier."
"I know, but that is a lot of gifts, she will just be overwhelmed."
"Okay, well I don't know which one is which, so we will just flag them when they come up."
"Okay."
So, my daughter opens up the package, and it's the Ariel dress. She lets out a cry of joy. But doesn't put it on all day, thank God. I think this is my problem. I can't stand up to the pressure, and I can't let go of my belief that she is being spoon fed empty, uncreative play. I am mushy all around and this makes me very unhappy.
As far as the comparing herself to me and others with how she looks, I hope this is not the beginning of an issue we will have to be contending with later.
Is this what clients do, compare themselves to me, is there something I am exuding that creates this response?