blooming disney princesses

I think that the Disney fairies film is actually quite positive. Tinkerbell is a 'tinker' fairy, and is valued for her ability to make, mend and create a wide range of items, including many that are traditionally masculine forms of technology.

Although her appearance is odd, and she was originally based on Marilyn Monroe.

The Disney Princess phase is very shortlived, although I know it seems hellish and all-consuming if you have a daughter between the ages of about 4 and 6.

I loathe the Disney princess thing. I went to Disneyland/world (whatever) in Paris with some friends and their children before I had DD. At the Princess Parade I said rather more loudly than I thought "Oh yes, teach another generation of girls to have totally unrealistic expectations and that their lives are nothing until the Prince shows up." I do really believe this though. I think the whole thing is an anachronism.

My DD also knows I'm not keen on the princess thing but I'm fairly neutral about it to her. I try to teach her that they are just stories and that they don't reflect real life. DD is 2.7 however so I'm not sure how much she actually takes in!

While watching the Chipmunks sequel (groan), there is a scene where a group of high school girls are chatting with the chipmunks. A group of boys come up and say "private conference" and all the girls get up and leave the table to enable the boys to talk. WTF? Why couldn't the boys and chipmunks have gone to another table? I know that seems a bit over-analytical but it just sent the message that the boys were more "important" and in-charge to me. I didn't react well to that and said "Well, how rude." Now, every time it comes on, DD says "that's very rude". I hope this will sink in.

I know what you mean and for this reason (among others) was relieved when DC1 turned out to be a boy. I am pretty anti-pink and all it stands for as well, and strongly believe that all "Fairy Tales" with Happy Ever After endings should come with Govt Health Warnings. Balancing out the pink with lots of other stuff should help - George's Marvellous Medicine type books (well, most of Roald Dahl tbh) and general non-pink toys and activities to give a more rounded view on life.

You can always try laughing at the Disney Princesses and saying - look how silly they are, all they think about is clothes and boys, they'd never get on in life these days with that attitude!
Although of course some do...

It is hard to avoid all this isn't it. DD is 3 and has her fair share of tat from well meaning friends and family. I think you will be OK if you make sure that she's exposed to plenty of other ideas as well where there are strong female role models. A halfway house might be the Angelina books - although in truth I find these just as irritating but at least she's a 'strong' character in some respects and it's not just about clothes and handsome princes.

Someone bought my dd a Disney fairies thing and it was even worse! They've all got large pointy boobs and are drawn in what I can only describe as porn poses (an exageration, but they are posed in a sexualised way, sort of like Betty Grable or Marylin Monroe poses). It went straight in the bin.

you are not a loon. You are definitely not being unreasonable!!!!!

My strategy is to make sure I fill the house with lots of better stuff and generally to not have anything to do with the Disney shite. It's not forbidden but she knows I think it's crap. She has plenty given to her by friends/MIL but if she wants me to read her a story it's not going to be one of those!

You could always read her 'Princess Smartypants' as an antidote - I was delighted to find a book that reversed the pink effect!

Someone bought my 2 year old dd a tiara, jewellery set for her birthday. Horrified at her joy, we were later delighted when she put the tiara around her neck and wandered around being a 'doctor' with the tiara as a stethoscope! However, she was only two and, if her preference for pink clothes despite our neutrality continues, we too may have a misguided princess on our hands... Know what you mean about other people thinking you're a loon, sadly.

I think the best thing is not to freak and let your daughter see them as forbidden fruit. I just act neutral about stuff like this-neither enthusing wildly nor sucking teeth.

I'm not a fan of American kids' films but I did watch one of the Shrek films with them last night andwas gratified to see a bunch of princesses rescuing the blokes and generally kicking ass.