My 2 year old daughter doesn't seem to like the things other children her age are into. For example, she has no interest in Frozen and seems to be the only child in the world who doesn't have a Princess Elsa dress! She prefers animals, especially cats. Is this normal and should I be encouraging her to fit in more with the other children? I'm worried about what will happen when she starts school. - Katie
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Katie, if your child does not like Frozen what you need to do is fall to your knees and thank each and every deity known to man for the good fortune that has been bestowed upon you. I mean for reals, you must have been a martyr in a previous life or maybe a sewer rat? Stop playing the lottery because your chips have been cashed in. If your child does not like Frozen you are one of life's winners and I speak for all parents everywhere when I say, let it go.
This isn't just about Frozen though, this is about your desire for your child to comparable to other children. Some telltale markers to confirm that you are raising someone that will become a functioning member of society. I think this might be primal on some level. The sheep born with a hot pink fleece is gonna be the first chappie picked off by a mountain lion. Assimilation means safety and safety means your doing you're job.
I'm going to speak from personal experience but I think I also speak for a vast swathe of Generation Y when I say that being told that you must be the same as everyone else but also a very special snowflake is very confusing. It makes it harder to hold firm to an identity, you start searching for a sense of self in the wrong places. Do you want a child that watches too much reality TV and over shares on the Internet?
No I didn't think so. So no, you should not be worried about your child not enjoying the stereotypical pursuits society has tried to foist upon her, you should celebrate. Of course telling a parent not to worry is like asking a toddler to whisper - they'll claim they're trying but they're just shouting in a husky voice. Just worry away, worry all night if it fulfils some motherly urge but the mission is, under no circumstances let your daughter know that you're worried. As far as she should be concerned the fact that she has different tastes are just part of the wonderful tapestry of things that make her all the more lovable. Mold her into someone that values herself, not by comparison to others but by how true she is to herself. Who knows what will happen at school? School is The Hunger Games in woolly tights. There is nothing you can give her to arm herself but confidence and knowledge of who she is. And if who she is involves somehow managing to resist the crack cocaine in animation form that is Frozen, she sounds like a special little girl to me.
No I didn't think so. So no, you should not be worried about your child not enjoying the stereotypical pursuits society has tried to foist upon her, you should celebrate. Of course telling a parent not to worry is like asking a toddler to whisper - they'll claim they're trying but they're just shouting in a husky voice. Just worry away, worry all night if it fulfils some motherly urge but the mission is, under no circumstances let your daughter know that you're worried. As far as she should be concerned the fact that she has different tastes are just part of the wonderful tapestry of things that make her all the more lovable. Mold her into someone that values herself, not by comparison to others but by how true she is to herself. Who knows what will happen at school? School is The Hunger Games in woolly tights. There is nothing you can give her to arm herself but confidence and knowledge of who she is. And if who she is involves somehow managing to resist the crack cocaine in animation form that is Frozen, she sounds like a special little girl to me.
This question came from Katie Keith, who writes the blog Best Toys for 2 Year Old. She is also Operations Director at WordPress web design agency Barn2 Media. Head back over on Sunday when Katie will be guest posting about toys that help two year olds play independently.
Do you have a girl who doesn't want to be a princess?
Do you have a girl who doesn't want to be a princess?

photo credit: Frozen | Into the Magic via photopin (license)
Absolutely love this! I don't know why we worry when our kids aren't into the things all others are. I am frankly relieved when this happens because I hate the idea of them just all being clones of each other. A fab incisive answer. Thanks so much for linking to #coolmumclub lovely x
ReplyDeleteThanks for hosting. Happy to be a cool mum for once x
DeleteWell done that child for not liking the same things as everyone else. But, although you may had dodged Frozen there will be something that your child loves that will make you wonder what you did to annoy the universe quite that badly! Have a lovely week!
ReplyDeleteSo true! Your time always comes :)
DeleteMy daughter loves Frozen but also prefers trousers and getting stinking dirty at every given opportunity,damn it x #fridayfrolics
ReplyDeleteYay! Life's about balance
DeleteI think every child is individual and if they like something different then that's okay. They are obviously happy being their own person and not following everyone else. When I was younger I remember everyone hating the spice girls (I know) haha but I still loved them. I think it's always good to be your own person and it's great that your little girl is not following everyone else. Not everyone wants to be a princess. Great read xxx
ReplyDeleteWho were these people that didn't like the Spice Girls? Very strange x
DeleteI miss the days of no peer pressure. All I get from the big one now is "I want that because Joe Bloggs has got it" Thanks for linking up to #FridayFrolics
ReplyDeleteHa ha ha! I remember being the same and my mum saying, 'If Lisa jumped off a cliff would you?' And me thinking...probably.
DeleteInteresting read, let's celebrate our children as individuals and let them be themselves, encouraging them to enjoy what THEY want! My daughter loves Frozen, but I wouldn't care if she wasn't interested in it at all. #brilliantblogposts
ReplyDeleteCarolyn
http://www.stylishmemories.com
She is a child with good taste! ;) My daughter's still a bit young for it all yet, but it will be cool finding out just what she's into x #FridayFrolics
ReplyDeleteYes, it is nice uncovering who they are. I did try and steer my boy towards dolls though (I failed) x
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