by Charlie Brooks posted in Parenting

I?ve been inundated with Disney Princess movies lately, which probably makes some Disney executive somewhere immensely happy while he spends his days rolling around in his piles of money. Luckily, these movies tend to be at least tolerable, with a few of them standing out as really, really good.
The sheer level of inundation that my kids are getting from these princesses is going to teach them some life lessons, so I guess it?s my job that they learn the right ones. I?m definitely not the target audience, but that won?t stop my dad brain from looking critically at the princesses.
I have to limit my examination of these princesses to movies I?ve seen and remember somewhat clearly. That means Sleeping Beauty and Snow White are out, and Mulan and Tiana have to stay on the sidelines since I haven?t watched their films yet. Other than that, here?s my dad?s-eye view of the Disney Princesses.
(Leia would be the best on this list if Disney ever added her to the line.)
Ariel (The Little Mermaid): Yes, Ariel falls in love with the first guy she meets, gives up her natural talents, and almost dooms the world. But she?s also a teenager. I?m down with a film teaching my kids that they?ll make some really dumb decisions as teens. I just hope they don?t doom the world in the process.
Belle (Beauty and the Beast): Belle is definitely my favorite Disney Princess. It has nothing to do with her unresolved Stockholm syndrome, but that there?s a good cha...