Raising Cinderella...or an Evil Stepsister (5 easy steps)

      Raising Cinderella...or an Evil Stepsister (5 easy steps)

If you ask, most people would hope they are raising a Cinderella. 

Let's look at reality.  
Go to Walmart and look around you...or go on the cruise I just finished.  

On that ship were more ugly, middle-aged, totally uninhibited stepsisters than I have ever seen. I suspect there might have been a middle-aged-white-woman-fool convention on board.  It was obvious these women don't possess a mirror or they would cover that old flab and wear their own clothes instead of their grandchildren's finest, but evil stepsisters are never taught to deal with their flaws or use discretion, or the importance of purity and modesty...and it just grows worse with age! Don't get me wrong, I'm not claiming to be as feminine or modest as I should, but, well, you've seen them too.

Raising Cinderellas:

1- Let her be Cinderella-

Creative outfit...

Come on, forget your pride and let the kid go out of the house dressed as Cinderella if she wants to...or even Pippi Longstockings.  She will grow out of it way to soon.  The worst that will happen is you will be asked if you're going to a costume party.  Just smile and answer "no", as though there's nothing unusual. I remember, though,  going into the local jewelry store (back when they had it all set up with china and crystal displays)  and feeling the air being sucked out of the room as I entered with a 3 year old daughter in a full bride dress with train and veil - and on roller skates, but air returned and breathing resumed when I sat her beside the door as soon as soon as we entered. Have fun!

2- Yep, Cinderella did learn a lot of character from working hard.  So work that kid!  She is a valuable, contributing member of the family.  Cinderellas don't develop from sitting on pedestals or fluffy beds...but from the  humble ashes. We could study the evil stepmother to learn how to do this, but since we don't really like her or hold her as the parent-example to follow, we might change the strategy a little teach the little cinder child by example- just start early to make work a normal part of life. This is SO important for a Cinderella!

3-Don't let her out of the house until the prince comes looking for her and bring her shoes...and then if the shoe fits, let her wear it.  Enough said.

4-Ok, we don't want her going to find a fairy godmother to replace us, so again, we should differ in strategy from the stepmother because evil stepmother in the story doesn't end up with the mother/daughter relationship we desire. Treat her like Cinderella the princess- a special, beautiful, gracious child. You can't praise a child too much...you can brag, gloat, and focus on appearance too much, but genuine praise builds her up.  Make special nights just for her...have a "Sarah" night for your Sarah.  Make her favorite meal, let her choose the activity, have a cape and crown and make her chair look like a throne...maybe Dad can bring her flowers.  Everyone share good things about her.  Later, she can help plan a special night for other family members.  And when she is older, she will probably plan a "Mom" night.  Cinderellas do learn to give back.

Abby teaching the girls about mud masks

5-Let her have mice-friends.  Take it how you want it. I think kids and animals go well together-but that certainly isn't a necessity  But, girls need nice, humble friends-and those that live within the same walls are great ones for them to have.  True, Cindy didn't have friendships with her sisters, but just think of how wonderful it could have been if she had!  There is so much for kids to learn from the humble settings of home and woods or yards.  No, my girls never had pet mice...dogs, raccoons, oppossums, rabbits, deer, pig, guinea pig, horses, goats, geese, ducks, cats, snakes, birds...but no mice that I can remember. Kacie did have a woodland fairy wedding and we asked the birds to make her wedding dress, but we had to redo it...they just weren't that good without the mice helping.


Raising evil step-sisters:


1- Make sure she is always dressed well -the very best attire available and frown upon those who don't. It may cost you more now, but that's ok, you will be used to it as spending on her will continue...forever.

2- Leave the cleaning to Cindy...you don't want those nails messed up or her hands to be wrinkled. Prince Charming won't like that...it is all about beauty.  The brain doesn't matter, just the bod!

3- Don't try to fix any of her flaws...she might become aware that her foot WON'T FIT IN THE SHOE!

4-Constantly brag on her even if it isn't sincere...and never let her fail.  If she doesn't think she is the perfect 10 and God's gift to man, she might be inhibited.  You do want her noticed don't you?  Remember my cruise.

5-It's all about reputation...make one up for her if you have too
 ...might be better than the one she makes for herself.