I LOVE Disney movies. My goal in life is to own every copy of every Disney movie ever made so I will often add one to the kids' birthday list, Christmas stocking, or Easter basket whether they really want one or not!
I realize that there are people that have issues with the early movies, specifically those that involve a princess, because they make it seem like a woman needs a man to help solve her problems. After watching Cinderella with my daughters, I realized that these stories really do get a bad reputation.
As I was watching the 2015 version of Cinderella (which is one of my absolute favorites!), I came to the conclusion that this story is so much more than poor Cinderella finding her Prince Charming. It is a story of a young girl suffering a tremendous loss of her parents at such a young age. It's about her ability to see the good in every situation, even when she is left with an angry, jealous step-mother and two step-sisters that she has nothing in common with.
It's about finding friends in the unexpected, in this case the farm animals, and offering protection to those that cannot protect themselves, no matter how silly it may seem to others.
It's about getting her jobs done without complaint because she knows when she finishes her chores, she finally gets time to dream. And what's so bad about a dream? She doesn't run away from her problems but faces them the best way she knows how with kindness and courage.
And yes, she does meet a dreamy fellow during an exceptionally hard day. And yes, she is attracted to him as he is to her. She doesn't throw herself at him. She doesn't divulge all personal information to him. She keeps conversation light, making him want to know her more. This, I feel, is a great lesson to teach our daughters. Keep some things a mystery.
The story continues and she is able to go to the ball with a little magic from her fairy god-mother. No, I don't want to my daughters to think they have to give into magic to get what they want, but I do want them to know there is someone they can count on when they find themselves in a particularly emotional moment.
She gets to the ball and there's the Prince. They dance. They talk. There are no suggestive moves or sexual tension. They are just happy to be in each others' company. Then she's gone. And what does the Prince do? He fights for her. He searches high and low. He doesn't give up even after it's been weeks and no one has shown up to claim the iconic glass slipper. He doesn't stop until he finds her. No matter how many people say it's a hopeless mission. This my dear, is what true love is. It's not the happily ever after part. It's knowing that you have found someone that will never stop searching for you, physically or metaphorically.
Finally. My favorite part. Cinderella forgives. She forgives her step-mother for being so cruel to her. She does this with grace. She does not offer to give her a space in her home because she does not deserve this. She gives her forgiveness but she is not all obligated to give her step-mother anything else. This is another lesson I want my daughters to understand. To forgive is a special gift and it is not meant to be used. It is not meant to have to go any further, you do not "owe" someone just because you were able to forgive their past transgressions. You are free to cut the cord to that person.
So next time you think ill of those "silly princess" movies, really think about the lessons they are teaching and you could be surprised to find beautiful life lessons to teach both your daughters and your sons.
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