The Prince Pitfall

The Prince Pitfall

by, Diana B. Thompson

I was attending a book event, and the tall 30-something man stopped at my table. Alone.  He just stood there, as if waiting for something.

“This is the most important Cinderella story you will find.” I told him. “CinderSilly doesn’t need magic or marriage to solve her problems.”

The man suddenly became very animated, as if he’d been waiting for his cue.

“Do you know how hard it is to be the prince in shining armor?” he ranted. “I can’t sweep a girl off her feet.  I have a bad back.”

“I wrote this book for you,” I laughed.

With all the talk about the Cinderella trap for girls, it’s easy to overlook the prince charming pitfall for boys. Girls who buy into the princess scenario, may have unrealistic expectations of their male counterparts.  Just like Cinderellas are expected to be beautiful and helpless, Prince Charmings are handsome, wealthy, and strong.

While testing CinderSilly, I had the chance to read it for a group of adult women.  A near riot occurred when I reached the story’s end.  There was no romantic dance, no warm embrace, no happily ever after in wedded bliss.  They were horrified.  “Just what kind of fairytale is this?” They asked.  I replied, “The kind where girls can be strong and resourceful.  And, where boys can just be friends.”

Where Do Dreams Come True?

Where do dreams come true? 

by, Diana B. Thompson

I recently had a chance to share the story of CinderSilly with a woman who grew up and traveled extensively outside the United States.  She told me, “the idea of dreams coming true is a uniquely American concept.” I imagined it was a Disney invention.

Of course we want our children (as well as ourselves) to have fantastic dreams and reach for glorious goals.  But, there is a delicate line to be drawn.  This concept could suggest that little or no effort is involved.  It could insinuate that ‘dreams coming true’ means every wish is granted.  A lottery is won. A child might imagine that all dreams should come true.  If they don’t, something is terribly wrong.  We don’t have to look far beyond Christmas morning to imagine such a scenario.

We would be better off to talk about specific dreams with our children in the form of very tangible goals and desires.  Instead of waiting for fate to fulfill our wants, what can we do to achieve them? Worthwhile dreams can always be saved for another day.  Life is a journey – of inventing dreams, then working towards them, and adapting if they don’t happen the way we imagine.


Photo credit:

The Truth about Happily Ever After

The Truth about Happily Ever After

by, Diana B. Thompson

And they lived, ‘happily ever after,’ is a typical fairytale ending.  As parents, teachers and storytellers, we think nothing of wrapping a story with this nice little bow.  But, think about it, ‘Happily ever afters,’ in stories are a product of ‘true love’;  as if  finding the perfect companion means marriage will solve every problem.  WRONG!  After the honeymoon, the real work begins.  Marriage is an opportunity to continually develop relationship skills and mutual problem solving techniques.

‘Happily ever after,’ suggests that if your marriage has problems, there is something fundamentally wrong with the relationship.  As if to say, ‘if this is the right person, there will be no problems.’ That’s where the fantasy begins, and gives an unrealistic understanding to listeners.

CinderSilly doesn’t live happily after.  She lives ‘happier ever after.’  Once she discovers her own creative capacity for solving problems, happiness is always within her reach. It does not rely on magic. It doesn’t rely on romance.  CinderSilly’s happiness is dependent on her ability to manage the challenges at hand.  Her happiness is always within her control.  Whether she marries her prince…or not.