A Princess Who Knows Her Place

Most girls I know love all the fairy tales and princess stories.  They fantasize about all the ever afters and wonder at the ability to find true love and their very own prince charming. They want to dress up like Cinderella and to feel special.  But sometimes they also need the balance to understand that a princess is not in charge; the queen and king are still in authority over her.

My daughters are no exception.  They both want to dress pretty and wear fingernail polish and bows.  They love to wear crowns and rings and necklaces.  They love to twirl around in their dresses, allowing the skirts to flow fully as they spin in delight.

Recently, we bought a Cinderella dress up outfit for Gabriela.  She loves that dress with all her heart and never wants to take it off.  She dances and sways and swirls with unbridled joy and innocence to the tune that is playing in her mind.  At a young 2 1/2, this girl loves to accessorize and to make everything look absolutely perfect in her eyes; she even searches for just the perfect pieces and shoes to complete her look.

About a week ago, she tried desperately to sleep in that full dress.  But the lace in it was stiff and made it difficult for her to lay down comfortably.  She knew she was a princess and nothing was going to sway her from dressing like one, even in her sleep, regardless of the scratchiness of her clothing.  The problem was that there was no way she was going to be able to sleep in that beautiful gown, not even in the bed and arms of her beloved Grandma.

So I devised a plan that would hopefully allow them both to rest peacefully.  I went in her room and searched in her drawer for a special little nightgown that we had found on sale.  It was an adorable little piece that had a crown on the bodice and a long, flowing skirt that was soft as a baby's skin. It reminded me a little of Sleeping Beauty's dress.  I said a short prayer for help as I walked back into the room where she was trying desperately to get comfortable enough to sleep.

I said to her, "Gabriela, baby, you make a beautiful princess!"

"Yes, I do!"

"Princesses need to get a good night of sleep just like every other little girl."  She just stared at me, eyes rolling as she was so sleepy, but agreeing with me.  "So even though you love this blue dress, it was not made to sleep in."

"But I want to wear my princess dress!" she insisted softly.

"I know you do, sweet pea, but this dress is rough and hard to sleep in.  But I have a special little dress that is made for a princess.  But you can only wear it to bed.  It is not made to play in.  Would you like to wear this special princess nightgown?"

With baited breath, both my mother and myself watched Gabriela's face as she surveyed the soft material in front of her, uncertain.  Then, we saw the gleam in her eye as she noticed the little silver design right in front.  We knew the deal had been done.

"A crown!  It is a princess dress!  OK.  I can wear that," she said contentedly as she let us help her out of the blue gown and into the pink.  She was sound asleep within 5 minutes.

Now, I realize that even if she hadn't agreed, I would have had to insist that she take off the first dress and put her into her pajamas, but I was so glad when she readily agreed and put on the night shift.  Even though she was hesitant at first, I was able to coax her with kindness to get her to obey for her own good so my precious Gabriela would get a good night's sleep, not to mention my mother and I.

I do truly hope that both of my girls grow up to be the princesses that I see inside of them.  I want them to grow in confidence and maturity.  I want them to have a good sense of self worth, as well as an observant eye of kindness toward others.  I want them to be able to find their prince charming.  Part of that comes due to the positive character that they develop in life.  Part of that comes by learning obedience to that which is right, for only one who has been subject to, and submissive to those in good authority over her can truly learn to respect and move into the position of becoming a great queen one day herself.