On Being a Princess & Haircuts. (by @TheMeFund)

You can find more of me at these fine establishments on the internet:
Tumblr:
bit.ly/MeFundTu...
Twitter:
bit.ly/MeFundTw...
Google+:
google.com/+Rob...
Facebook:
bit.ly/MeFundFB

[@amiradelal]

My first name means princess, but as a result I found myself fighting against that label as much as I could during my childhood. It is only as an adult that I have recognized all of those things you said about defining it to be more than what we as a society associate to mean "princess". All I think of is all the amazing things we can asssociate with Princess Diana (smart, brave, beautiful...). I'm slowly growing to love the term and own up to it as best I can because I'm trying to see it (and myself) as others do.

[@NeilSonOfNorbert]

when the video started I suddenly remembered that Pixel and I share a birthday, and I have neglected to wish her a happy one.

[@HannahEsty]

I'll repeat this here as well: I admire both you and Samara as amazing/fantastic parents/people and I love your autonomous little princess creature. Such a sweet buncha' people in general.

[@RobertJones]

[@AdamTheAlien]

Holy carp, a new video from *****! Very interesting parenthood musings, and looking mighty sharp all dressed up in a tie and whatnot (it's a great look and a sharp difference from the t-shirt videos I'm used to, Bobby; it really works for you). As much as elders want to guide the young'uns in their lives, be they direct spawn or not even related, sometimes those young'uns need to experience things to figure them out. As much as those with the wisdom and experience wish to impart lessons learned upon those without, sometimes lessons need to be learned first-hand. God knows all of us, at some point, learn some harsh lessons the hard way in spite of all the warnings we may have received throughout our lives. Plus, some experiences change with age. The connotations of identifying as a nerd have continuously changed over the decades, and the assumptions made about people describing themselves thusly can be radically different depending on where someone is from, how old they are, and what that meant to them growing up. And there are plenty far more serious identities that have fought or are fighting their way out of the negative stereotyping they've been saddled with in the past. So maybe she'll see some of the more badass princesses in pop culture (and hopefully that will become a larger percentage of princesses as she's growing up) and not even grow up associating the word to the connotations you speak of...or maybe she'll run smack into those associations and have to deal with what that means to her identity as a princess. Either way, while you can advise and guide her on her journey...as you point out, it's her journey. You can be there for her as she travels. You can offer help, and guide her, and sometimes she'll hate you for it, and sometimes she'll rebel, and sometimes you'll wish you could just force her to not make the mistakes you see so clearly...but you can't. The best you can do is be there, and do your best to offer directions and assistance and hope that, even if she doesn't listen now, she'll take your words and your wisdom and carry it with her when you're not by her side. And if she makes the wrong turn, you can still be there to help her pick up and continue on. And sometimes you'll do so while standing at her side, while other times, far down the line and after you're long gone, it will be the memory of your words and love that guides her.

[@nailin18]

It seems you're in the right track mate.

[@spiderplant3]

pshh we'll always be sticking around to watch stuff you post. Thought provoking.

[@RobertJones]

Thank you for your dedicated viewership. It makes my heart smile.

[@JesterAzazel]

Princess only has a negative connotation when they become a certain age. She'll grow out of it before it gets to that point.

[@lightanddarklove]

I have a niece and nephew (I know that's not the same as having a child of your own, but you still get some similar experience sitting for young children), and sometimes its really interesting watching them come into their own. Jayse used to just like cartoons and puppet shows, not caring about which gender these shows seemed to cater now, and more recently he's started to like mostly just boy shows. No one (that I know of) said, "you shouldn't watch Doc McStuffins, its a girl show," he just stopped being interested in it. Kids will grow and change and do as they do, its just our job to guide the, I suppose.

[@zlickDude]

long time no see, good vid (Y)

[@Killadog1980]

Just make sure she respects you enough to listen when you have something important to say...

[@helenzebcharles]

It is an interesting dilemma. Being a 'princess' may have negative connotations, but as her parents you also have a hand in how her perceptions are shaped and can therefore apply or emphasize positive connotations I.e. princesses are strong, kind, responsible for the welfare of people, gracious etc. I am sure by the time she is old enough to grasp these ideas fully she will have grown out of thr princess phase and want to rear dinosaurs for a living like my nephew.

[@michaelkrumbein5807]

You seem to have grasped what is often difficult for parents to digest; children are independent beings. Yes, they are malleable and influenced by rearing but they are also influenced by what they take in through sensory input and their own experiences. It takes a lot of energy to make indoctrination stick and results aren't guaranteed. Letting the child forge their own identity seems to yield happier humans.

[@altarflame]

Yeah. Totally, to all of that. You can name a daughter "Rapunzel" and she'll still just cut all of her own hair off before she even turns 2. And I think that some of it is very gender neutral... I was so attached to Elise's curls and they turned straight on their own. I was sooooo against it the first time Jake wanted to cut off his 'fro. I've been DYING from looking at Aaron's when it's hanging in his eyes and had to learn that it isn't just not *forcing* him to cut it - it's also not sighing and talking shit about it every day while it stays long, because that's not reeeally supportive (grumble grumble). I wish all parents fought the good fight to keep from attaching themselves to parts of their kids in ways that infringe on autonomy. It's a never ending battle.