Comments on: I’m Giving Into the Cartoon & Princess Merchandise, So What?

By: Amy

Amy — Tue, 19 May 2009 13:21:02 +0000

We did great. I guess it was important to me not to buy into all the commercial stuff because I didn’t want to get into the “But I don’t have THAT one now, Mommy!” fight. Ugh. So it was a rule and we stuck to it.

No Mickey Mouse, Power Rangers, Sesame Street, Cars, or Thomas the Train stuff at all with our big one. All his toys, clothing, and books are neutral.

He did get a Tickle-Me-Elmo one year for Christmas from an aunt, but we got lucky on that one (he was terrified of it, so we he was fine with us throwing it away!).

Now we’ll see if we can be as good with our new little one…

By: Jennifer Conant

Jennifer Conant — Mon, 18 May 2009 17:23:01 +0000

Great post Amanda! We have moved into the next phase…I really don’t mind the princesses…it’s what comes next that I am not crazy about! There is just way too much “teenager” themed merchandise that is being marketed to little girls Mackenzie’s age (5yrs). I am actually continuing to encourage the princess/strawberry shortcake stuff for as long as I can. I don’t love the clothes, but last year I gave in and she had a couple of outfits and a bathing suit…she LOVED them!!

By: Amanda

Amanda — Mon, 18 May 2009 17:13:27 +0000

@Alexandra – I think I something Wuzzby at Target once. I agree I do wish that Ariel and Jasmine wore something more modest! I probably wouldn’t let my little girl wear those costume and encourage Belle. The article I mentioned also that we see Mulan in a kimono-type outfit in marketing, but the character in the movie hated that outfit and preferred her warrior clothes. It’s interesting!

@Gina – Thanks for sharing your insight as a mom whose job is Marketing! I think it is a great idea to to encourage other princess type dress up items. My dollar store has fairy wings and a wand for a buck. It is nice to hear that you can point out to your daughter the good parts of being a princess. My daughter is only 2 and I can’t reason with her yet, but I look forward to explaining all of this to her.

By: Gina

Gina — Mon, 18 May 2009 14:53:01 +0000

I love this topic and learning about how other families handle this. My perspective is slightly different. I grew up in Disney’s back yard and with all the hype, merchandise and fantasy that comes with it. My parents let me take the princess role all the way and, as hard as I fight it, there’s still princess in me. As a working mama who has had a successful career, traveled the world and made a real impact all on my own, it was the motivation to shun that princess role that motivated me through my late 20’s & 30’s.

While I don’t want that burden for my daughter,I don’t fight her love of fairies and princesses. We just don’t give into the brands (I’m a marketer so I know what “we” are trying to do with marketing to kids).

So we have brand-free dress up with boas, shimmery things, wings and tutus. We have homemade wands, a “pixie hollow” out front and dance around like fairies with pieces of silk. We talk about the good things that pixies and fairies do like help others in need and how to be good friends. So it’s not about Disney in our house. But she has just as much joy and delight when we pretend.

By: Natalie

Natalie — Mon, 18 May 2009 14:01:38 +0000

My son isn’t into Princesses, but he sure does LOVE Thomas The Train and Spiderman. We have underwear for both…I won’t give into his whole room being decorated like that. I think it would be creepy to walk into a room full of Spiderman! LOL. Growing up my Mom never let us buy every single “princess” item, but she did give us sheets the hit under our comforters. Ha ha.

All in all, I think it’s neat to see their faces light up. Girls will be girls and boys will be boys! There is not stopping that!