Sugar and Spice...

...and everything nice, that's what little girls are made of.

That and princess shoes.

Since college, i have developed very hardcore strong views on girls growing up and women. I came to call these views "The Non-Waiting Princess Rules" for women. Many of my rules stemmed from those Disney Princess stories...

You see, i was once one of those believers of those stories.

While i fully advocate "waiting for your Prince" (just remember, though, that Princes don't do their own underwear and often leave those dirty underwear on the floor....), i'm not for waiting to live your life till said Prince shows up.

Learned this MUCH later in life....

I sometime sigh when i hear that a young woman is getting married at a young age. I want to run to the young woman, take her out to lunch and tell her all of the reasons why she should wait. The truth is, the young woman could care less about my reasons when she is now planning "the" wedding and i never run to the young woman to try and tell her these things. She is in love, and well, i know that i didn't listen when i was in love, either.

The thing is, between the ages of 21-30 (heck, between the ages of 21 and death....) women change so very much. I know that it's growing up, but it's something more than that. It's life experience and learning about yourself. I'm in my 40-ish years now and when i look back, i'm stunned at how much my views, my personality and my passions have changed since i was 25-ish. Much of the reason for the change is being able to travel, learn to love photography, watch my sister have three amazing children, meet interesting people, buy my own house, find a job i loved, vacation alone, learn to garden, eat out alone, learn to try Thai food, and create friendships with folks.

I think that if i had waited for a Prince to buy my first house because that was the "order" it was suppose to be done in, i would have been sorry later. I haven't done things in an orderly fashion in my life, but that's been okay. In fact, it has turned out rather wonderful.

Here is my ""The Non-Waiting Princess Rules" for women:

1. Princess will attend at least 2 years (if not more of college) before she decides on her degree (if she doesn't start a business first). The college she will attend will be because it's an amazing college for her, not because boy friend is there.

2. Princess will learn to change oil in her car, learn to change flat tires, learn basic car maintenance so she is not stuck on the side of the road, prey for a yucky, mean, take-advantage-of-you-man dressed as a Prince.

3. Princess will travel alone on a few vacations. She will pick destination, plan trip, pay for trip, and have room service on said trips. Princess will also learn photography to photograph trip. (Photography knowledge is something Princess will be grateful for when she has little Princesses and Princes of her own later in life....)

4. Princess will join a community group to serve. This is completely up the Princess on which community group to join as to learn to be part of a community and serve. Church groups are most beneficial to be a part of. Bonus points if she finds a group that becomes her passion.

5. Princess will visit often with parents and grandparents. She will realize early in life that these folks may drive her to insanity on some visits are important to have relationships with and that they DO love her even if THEY act kooky.

6. Princess will learn to buy her own car, haggle a good price and make on-time payments on her car.

7. Princess will learn to do basic cooking or baking skills as to be able to throw a dinner party. Party must have a theme, and more than 3 friends must be invited. Otherwise, it's not a party. Bonus points for costumes.

8. If at all possible, Princess should buy her own first home. Roots and tradition of your own making (as well as keeping the roots and traditions she's been taught) garner extra bonus points.

9. Princess will foster life-long friendships with other women. These friendships can sustain her though her life, giving her hope on days when she has none, make her laugh when she needs to, and help her to offer her friendship to other women who may need her more than she realizes.

10. Princess will learn to sing joyfully, loudly and often to favorite songs, hymns, seasonal music and nursery rhymes no matter who is listening. Bonus points if she also dances with joy while singing.

11. Princess will find her passion, work on it and share it with those around her. She will realize that passions are what life gives her as gifts and will teach others her passion.

12. Upon meeting "THE" Prince, she will take him home to have family, siblings and friends meet him. She will get honest opinions about him, knowing, however, that the ultimate decision is hers. Choosing a Prince wisely is one of the most important decision that she will ever make. (Important note: If a mother/father/sister/brother or pet 'hates' the Prince, be respectful and do find out why with a level head. Remember that the Queen/King/Sibling/Pet love you more than you'll ever know....)

What? Oh. Well. hmmm....

Yes, these are the things that i want most to teach Emma.

Now if she will just listen.....but she's busy trying on her Princess shoes right now.