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Grandparenting

Disney Princesses

(66 Posts)
Foxgloveandroses Sat 01-Nov-25 22:15:37

Two of our granddaughters aged under 5 are obsessed with Disney Princesses and it drives me crazy! I feel that it could take their interest away from other interesting, educational things. Luckily our daughters are great at also including many other activities, conversations, toys, and books that steer them away from the subject. Hopefully they will grow out of it.
Does anyone else any experience of this?

Sadgrandma Tue 04-Nov-25 10:22:30

I miss those days now she’s eight 😢

ViceVersa Tue 04-Nov-25 12:16:51

keepingquiet

It isn't inevitable that all little girls like Disney Princesses. They just like Princesses- the Disney label is what we put on it, and because the merch is everywhere we buy it.

My GD also loves unicorns and mermaids, but they don't have to be Disney either.

No, it certainly isn't inevitable. As I said, my daughter was never a 'girly' girl and wasn't into anything pink or princessy. She was much happier mucking around in the garden, climbing trees or at the stables with her pony. She did like Disney films though. I'm hoping my new GD will be the same...

V3ra Tue 04-Nov-25 12:18:51

I used to look after a little boy and take him to preschool.
As soon as the doors opened he made a beeline for the fairy wings. If one of the girls got them before him his day was ruined 😓

He didn't particularly play at being a fairy, just liked wearing the wings 🤷🏼

His dad was quite twitchy about it all, his mum was totally relaxed and said just let him be.

BlessedArt Tue 04-Nov-25 14:07:00

Just follow their parents’ lead. No harm is being done to the children. No rule in life says grandparents have to approve of the interests and phases of the grandchildren. Go with the flow. It’s easier.

Boadicea Tue 04-Nov-25 15:29:08

kittylester

You will wish it was still Disney Princesses when the Taylor Swift phase arrives.

Oh yes!

Grandma70s Tue 04-Nov-25 15:56:50

The only Disney I saw as a child was Fantasia, which my parents quite approved of because of the music. The only Disney “Princess” I was aware of was Snow White. My childhood pleasure in pretty costumes etc came from ballet, not films.

My granddaughter, now 13, never really went through a princess phase, not even the ballet sort.

ViceVersa Tue 04-Nov-25 16:13:42

What's with all the Taylor Swift comments? Ok, so I'm not a particular fan of her music (not really my style) but there are far worse role models a girl could have. She's a top selling singer and songwriter, shrewd businesswoman, apparently very generous to her employees, loves animals and donates large amounts to charity, including things like food banks in the areas where she plays concerts.

kittylester Tue 04-Nov-25 19:45:19

It was me who first mentioned the Taylor Swift phase and I do really admire her and, actually quite like most of her music but it very wearing as a phase.

Two granddaughters are really obsessed but I remember their mother having a very trying Take That phase which is still ongoing.

Allira Tue 04-Nov-25 19:53:35

Grandma70s

The only Disney I saw as a child was Fantasia, which my parents quite approved of because of the music. The only Disney “Princess” I was aware of was Snow White. My childhood pleasure in pretty costumes etc came from ballet, not films.

My granddaughter, now 13, never really went through a princess phase, not even the ballet sort.

Shopping for a very young DGD in Disney store years ago, the young assistant told me that Snow White was their oldest Princess, born in 1937.
I said I thought she was probably quite a bit older than that. She looked very confused.

Grandma70s Tue 04-Nov-25 20:03:47

Allira - yes, I think quite a lot of people think Walt Disney invented these characters.

Onlymedea Tue 04-Nov-25 21:36:01

Deedaa

I never wanted to be a princess, I wanted to be a pirate. When my daughter was little she loathed dresses, so a princess was never an option,

I wanted to be Zorro, I had the mask, sword and cape. I had no interest in being a princess, much too boring.

Allira Tue 04-Nov-25 22:00:38

Grandma70s

Allira - yes, I think quite a lot of people think Walt Disney invented these characters.

Including their employees!

Esmay Wed 05-Nov-25 09:10:42

Wben I was small-I had to wear my jodhpurs and talk about horses all the time pretending that I had a stable-the colours of the horses were all based on those in Black Beauty !

I think that it's the norm for most little girls these days .
I made a lot of Princess dresses for one granddaughter.

I met a little girl in a cafe yesterday.
Her mother introduced her as Victoria.
"That's Princess Victoria,,"corrected her daughter.

Just enjoy it !

Mirren Sun 09-Nov-25 13:58:40

I think you'll find that today's Disney princesses are a far cry from the passive Aurora and Cinderella.
They're still pretty ( and I like them ) but they're generally a feisty bunch .
Boy , can they stand up for themselves...and they might get the man but he is no longer a gormless pretty prince who kisses them.
Today's heroes have to be kind, empathic and caring as well as supporting his princess in all her endeavours.
Princesses now come in " normal " shapes and sizes eg Moana and her beautiful sturdy legs
They're are multicultural and , gasp , there's even one who has glasses. ( Mirabel from Encanto ) .... Hope for me and my short sighted granddaughter's yet.
Yes , Disney has embraced feminism to some extent so I wouldn't be too worried that loving the Disney princesses is going to turn your little ones into traditional wives .

4allweknow Sun 09-Nov-25 16:02:06

kittylester So true!