Before actually raising a Little One, I’d thought a lot about parents raising girls and, with that, princess culture and pink and purple and tea parties and make up and accessories and, essentially, how – if I were so lucky to have a girl of my own – I would steer clear of these traps. But then I got pregnant and, while I won’t say all of those concerns went out the window, they sure seemed a hell of a lot less important to me than making sure I had a kid who was healthy and happy. And then actually knowing and understanding that I was going to be a parent – the idea that I was going to be trusted to raise a PERSON – suddenly made it seem infinitesimally insignificant whether or not this little child thought being a princess was cool. In fact, I had to admit, that when she came out and started blabbering about it, she was right: being a princess is sorta cool. And I know what being a princess means and my daughter doesn’t.
Anyway, so I have a little girl who now asks to wear nail polish and bracelets and even earrings (and that last one is a no for now) and I largely give in because I can’t really think of a reason to say no. I see all of it as her genuinely exploring color and textures and her own taste. Here’s the thing: I can talk till I’m blue in the face that “looks don’t matter” but Molly, like me, cares what things look like. Other people may not share our taste – God knows my mom doesn’t often like my home choices – but we make our picks because we do care about how things look. And we can’t change that. And I don’t think we should have to, or be encouraged to. Even commoners have their tastes.
life and puppies 
Amen to what you said. I care that my daughter is safe, respected, kind and curious. I pray she will have a Supreme Court that won’t wreck her life and deny her choices. It doesn’t hurt that she’s attractive. What I don’t worry about is whether her taste is the same is mine.
Molly always looks wonderful in her colorful clothes and accessories. They are awesome. And she is such a joyful child and she is a bright, kind, and an interesting human. I say bring on the color.
Erin is a princess through and through with painted nails, earrings and tutus over her jeans. But she would have made her grandpa beam with her fishing acumen, and just let someone suggest that she might not be tough enough to do something. Oh boy!
Someday both Erin and Molly will finally settle on who they really want to be, and in the meantime every experience, be it princess or tomboy, will add to their charm. And isn’t it fun to watch!
Amen!! What great mom, to let her explore and play with colors, and textures, and her style, and expression of her personality. I know nothing about parenting but I do know letting anyone, child or adult, be themselves and like whatever they like, has to be the most loving thing a person can do. There is no doubt she is brilliant, and well-rounded, and has fabulous taste, just like her mama.