Happy Father's Day

A special Happy Father's Day T-shirt, to the special
daddy in our lives who loves T-shirts.

A special message from Mommy's Point of View to all the Dads, daddy's, papa's, father's, and pop's, today and every day, and to the single moms who are both mommy and daddy. With your help we have the most amazing children in this world that we are fortunate to parent and love incessantly. It's these qualities that a dad possesses that makes you a special personal indeed.

A DAD is someone who is...

Dedicated and helpful and actively participates in parenting duties and daily responsibilities, and who loves their children with all they have

Awesome and committed to making their kids lives fun, playful, and enjoyable while being supportive when life's daily stresses come about

Dependable and passionate with kids hugging and loving them, and of course, chasing them around the yard giggling, splashing in the pool, helping to keep them safe, and being active with them inspiring them to grow
 

There are also special Dad's out there who are not always able to be with their children who are either away for work, in the military, or not in close proximity due to other circumstances to be as much of an active participant. Most importantly, children just need to know that they are loved and cared for by these special individuals.

 

Therefore, on Father's Day and every day, let's reach out to the special men in our lives and hug them, Skype with them, send them special wishes, and tell them how much they mean to us.

Here are some haiku to commemorate these amazing individuals.

Happy Father's Day
To our amazing men
And single moms too

Awesome and loving
Dedicated and helpful
Cute, adorable

To our daddies
Those here and in heaven too
Love you very much

Dads, you are special
Love you with all our heart
You make (made) a difference
 

Hope you all had a wonderful Father's (Dad's) day!!!

Opportunity for The Crayola Experience

In our house we love to color with crayons, markers, paint and chalk.   We even love to exercise this activity when out to dinner, in the car and even at doctor's appointments where waiting time is inevitable.   So, when I was approached recently to write a blog as part of a sweepstakes to help promote The Crayola Experience, my curiosity was piqued.  To win a possible opportunity to take my daughter who loves arts and crafts to a place filled with color and fun, I was intrigued to learn more, and enter for a chance to be chosen.   I can only imagine what it would be like for my daughter to experience this incredible place where tools for creation are a big part of her life.    I will admit that before now I can't say I knew there was a place called The Crayola Experience.   This place has four floors of interactive and unique attractions, which is especially great for youngsters who learn best by doing and touching and exploring.  Even better is the fact my husband and I love science and the chance for our daughter to discover the magic of color while learning of the chemistry and technology behind it seems rather cool.    As a parent, now knowing this, I am certainly interested.    The costs for entrance are reasonable especially if you plan to be there for a full day.  I have already signed up on the website for newsletters and to keep an eye out for future promotions.   I would love the chance to customize an authentic crayon label and wrap of my daughter's choice color and then call it the family crayon.    Certainly with a preschooler the Color Playground seems like an excellent way for kids to get exercise and much-needed run around time.  Of course, it's always nice to be able to come home with something, and seeing that children have the opportunity to create art onsite is also appealing.

The first place that my daughter would likely want to venture into once onsite would be Marker Mania.  I mean, my kid is often covered in markers from tracing her hands and getting all consumed by this medium.  She would likely be in awe.   And, to watch this experience in the eyes of a child can be so rewarding for us as parents.   I am excited for the possibility of winning a chance to take my family to this unique, fun, colorful place and to share with you what our experience was like.  Should I not win, I can indeed see this being a future activity for us all to enjoy together.   Disclosure: "The Crayola Experience information has been provided by Crayola."

Raising a Strong, Confident Girl Without Labels

Don't mess with Power Ranger Sarah;
she has power

As a mother of a daughter I have always been hyper-sensitive and aware of not having my child be put into categories or having certain expectations of her just because she is a girl. 

If she wants to like princesses, go for it. 

If she wants to love Spiderman and other superheroes, I encourage her passion.

If she wants to like My Little Pony, so be it.

Loving her blue bicycle

And, if she wants to have a birthday cake with Power Rangers on it, then I support her interests, fully.

If she wants a baking kit, tool set, dollhouse or blue Thomas the Train bicycle I will not question her desires and will aim to provide balance and reality in her life fully supporting her interests. 

Just because my daughter is a girl she should not be expected to just like pink and purple and wear only dresses.  If she wants to dress up as superhero I will be the first, along with her Daddy, to support her wishes. 

Spiderman would be proud
to have Sarah on his team

While she may have a pink room, she also chose blue drapes. Along with her stuffed animals of dogs, monkeys, lambs and fairies, there are a whole host of super heroes, and more.

Additionally, while my daughter likes to wear dresses, she will layer them with a whole host of colors that don't match, according to me, but she seems to like and miraculously makes it all work together.

It's this creativity and personal choice that makes me smile.

As her parent, I am responsible for her safety not her personal desires and interests. As a human being she has thoughts and ideas. Who am I to tell her not to dream and experiment?

So, you can imagine my annoyance when a piece of paper came home with Sarah today from school asking that the boys where button down shirts and the girls wear dresses for their preschool graduation.  While Sarah may wear a dress, I am disgruntled that this had to be included as a recommendation.  If my child wants to wear pants then she will wear pants.  I adore Sarah's teacher and intend to say something tomorrow during our parent/teacher conference.  However, I don't like that a teacher, especially, let alone others are categorizing our children.

It's the same thing as saying that a quiet child is shy or a loquacious kid is loud.  Putting children into categories closes their minds to a certain way of being, and they start to become what others "label" them as.

As parents, and teachers as well, we should be encouraging kids to be themselves, and discover on their own what that really means for them, including what they like, versus being told what to like. 

So, for example, when my child says she wants to get herself dressed in the morning for school, she knows that as long as her belly and tush are well covered and the outfit is seasonally appropriate,  she can wear whatever she wants. 


Happy child with messy
hair equals free spirit

I find this all rather ridiculous.  As I write this I think back to when Sarah was a little girl and her hair was short. Even when she wore pink people still called her a boy.  Some strangers would even have the audacity to ask me how come her hair wasn't long.

I mean...really?

What is wrong with people?
 
I could have willed Sarah's hair long but it just didn't grow fast.  There weren't enough bows or headbands to please Sarah and the natural messy look was her preference.  So, I went with it. I let my child do what she wanted and didn't force her to look the part others expected her to be.

The nerve of people to speak out on what they are thinking.  But, it doesn't stop them.  It's like an illness and a sick sense of responsibility that if they don't say something then they are doing a disservice. 

The reason...because there are incredibly ignorant societal standards that we have become victim to.

That, and people are just nosy and think they are right and want to be up in your business.

This is not far from the truth for celebrity fashion designer Rachel Zoe and her son. It just so happens that her son has long curly locks. Apparently a story that ran today says there are people criticizing her saying that she should cut his hair.

Enough is enough.

If my daughter wants to bake a cake, I will teach her.

If she wants hammer nails into wood and make a bird house, I will show her.

If my child wants to do what makes her happy I will fully support her and ignore the stupidity of labels.

Let's just let our children BE whoever they want to be and do whatever makes them happy.

Life has too many parameters in it.  As parents we can choose to ignore them and some of us have. 

Rachel Zoe, ignore what the critics are saying.

And, I will continue to expose my daughter to life's great experiences without gender parameters just because others says it's so.

Thanks to All Who Fought for and Protected our Country

Credit: Sarah

While many of us may be off from work today possibly going to a barbecue, going to the beach, taking advantage of shopping sales, or resting and relaxing with family and friends, it is most important for us to take time to reflect to remember and thank the millions of men and women who risked their lives to protect our country, which helped to give us the freedom we have today, and every day moving forward.

So before, in between, and after today's festivities, let's take time to remember with sadness, and pride, as Americans, the many souls who sacrificed their lives and continue to do so every day, and veterans who dedicated and continue to dedicate their time, energy, and attention for the love of their country, to help fight for our freedom.

Words of thanks go to all the men and women who commit their themselves to protect our country, and for those especially who lost their lives in the war for freedom.

A special shout out to all of Sarah's grandfathers and Great Uncle who participated in wars doing various jobs from medic to enemy lines battle to keep our country protected and safe. And, even when the war was not won we know the effort to try was hard and intense.

My heart also goes out to the children, both young and old, whose lives were and still are especially impacted by their parent's bravery to fight for our country.  

Today, let's memorialize, and honor, all who risked a great deal for our United States of America. Here are some special haiku, and a drawing made by Sarah, to commemorate today.

Memorial Day

Credit: H.D.B Photography
(a.k.a. Sarah's awesome Uncle Harold)

Today, time to remember

Lives of many lost

To all men, women

Thank you for protecting us

Forever in debt

Thanks to those of you

Risking your lives to protect

Our USA

For red, white, and blue

Colors continue to sore

Time to remember

You're special people

With the biggest hearts of all

Thanks, infinity

Appreciation

To all the men and women

You mean a great deal

Much love and appreciation to all of you, men and women, and moms and dads, and everyone who dedicates their lives to protect our country. You are a special kind of people, selfless human beings who are looked at in the highest regard, for all that you do, sacrifice, and continue to risk each and every day, and we thank you to infinity.

Thermometer Conundrum

All I can say right now is, REALLY?

Can it be possible that for nearly a week maybe Sarah hasn't been sick with a fever?

This is unbelievable.

Last night I was on the phone with my mom, who has also been worried as well about Sarah, and she said to me, "is it possible that the thermometer is not working?"

In that moment I thought, is this even possible?

Then, I thought back to the days at the beginning of this insanity when Sarah coughed during the day and mostly at night for a few days. It was so bad that her daily allergy therapy wasn't helping at all. We tried a recommendation from the doctor since cough medicine is not recommended for children under the age of six.  We tried a natural liquid supplement called Zarbees, and it worked like a charm. The coughing stopped.  Some liquid honey and zinc did the trick. But, the fevers continued.

She was sick.  This was not her allergies.

I also remembered that I was somewhat out of it as well for a few days this week.  Adding to my allergy regimen helped initially but then my symptoms changed and nothing else I took helped.

I was sick.  Lightheaded and achy yet no fever.  This was not my allergies.

Flash forward, to our thermometer conundrum...our Safety 1st thermometer, our second after the battery went on the first, has been very reliable.  The reviews were excellent on the product and we relied on those numbers to treat Sarah over the years.  It's quick, and easy to use.

So, why should I think that if the battery is working okay to think that there should be anything wrong with it?

Well, it's possible.

Sarah is one of the few preschoolers still willing to get her temperature rectally.  If you can believe this, since we were been house bound for over two weeks Sarah would often drop her drawers every hour or so just to get her temperature taking in the hopes that it would be down, and she could go back to school, have play dates again, and going to birthday and graduation parties.

After seeing three pediatricians this past week it was decided that blood and urine tests needed to be taken.  When all but one of those results came back negative or normal, we were all stumped.  We are awaiting the Lyme Disease test results still.

A fourth pediatrician from the same practice then suggested that after the Memorial Day holiday should Sarah's fevers not dissipate, that we should pursue autoimmune testing.  I held my breath and said "okay" and left it at that again wishing and willing Sarah's temperature to go back to normal.

Sharing this news with friends and family, a friend of ours who is also a chiropractor, asked if he could see and treat Sarah to see if there was anything at all that he could do. He thought that maybe she might have inflammation causing the fever and maybe an adjustment would help. I was extremely skeptical about this approach but after sharing my concerns around this method of care Daniel and I discussed it and agreed that his approach, which did not involve cracking necks and pressing on muscles, was worth a shot.

At the start of the session Sarah's temperature was taken, through an approach I had never seen before, in which thermal images are taken. Sarah's reading, to the right, of her neck and upper spinal column included some green coloring (cool) spots and several intense red (hot) spots that are considered moderate to severe.  As a result, she experienced her first-ever adjustment with a cool tapping machine that didn't bother her at all.  She was very good about it, which brought me relief. Something was up indeed. The red spots meant that something was off.

After coming home we wanted to gauge Sarah's temperature. To our chagrin, the thermometer displayed 101.

As you an imagine Daniel and I threw our hands up in the air and said, "What is going on?"

So, you can imagine that when my mom mentioned the possibility of the thermometer not working accurately I felt like an idiot.

How could I have not thought that the thermometer was wrong, or faulty?  Why?  Because it is still working?  There was no reason to believe that it was inaccurate.

I sent Daniel out to get another thermometer.  We were getting to the bottom of this, no pun intended here, as I was not letting this get past me now. We gave it a try, and no surprise, it was a full degree under where the Safety 1st thermometer was.  Still, it was telling us that Sarah had 99.5, which is not her normal body temperature. This means something is still brewing.

I then decided to get yet another thermometer as I was skeptical about the CVS brand. Sorry to say, but true. I picked up another digital thermometer that was solar operated called the SolarTherm Speed Thermometer, which was also highly recommended by a leading women's magazine. 

Both the CVS brand and the SolarTherm were a degree, at least, lower than the Safety 1st. They were not identical but closer in readings.

I wanted to rip my hair out of my head.

How, as a parent am I to rely on a product and find that I can't seem to trust any of them to do the job I need it to do?

As a result, today I decided to call a family member who is an infectious disease specialist and shared with him the saga we have been experiencing. And, knowing him, had he had any major concerns he would have been at our house right away or coordinated an appointment with a fellow infectious disease expert at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP).  Instead he said that it's likely that after two weeks Sarah is fine.  Because Sarah's demeanor was that of a healthy, active, and rambunctious child he was skeptical to think that there was anything serious going on. He didn't feel that it was necessary to take Sarah through more testing that could also be painful when it's possible that the virus she had has likely run its course.

At that moment I didn't necessarily feel clarity but I felt relief coupled with frustration.  While we are now going with the new thermometer's readings, which still show Sarah as 99ish, we are still stumped when the Safety 1st showed Sarah at 100.5 tonight.

At this point,  we are done with this so called fever and moving on to make the most of the rest of this weekend.  You can bet it included a jaunt to our local ice cream shoppe for a special treat.

Parenting is such a hard job. And, not being a medical expert makes it even more challenging. Because Daniel and I work from home we had the luxury of being extra cautious keeping Sarah out of school to prevent her from getting others sick and to get her on the mend with lots of rest and fluids.

I am throwing my hands up in the air with this situation.  What an incredibly frustrating situation.  I don't even know what to say. I still feel like an idiot.

What thermometers do you use and stand firm behind (not an intentional pun)?

Day 14: Mystery Fever Virus Continues

Today is now day 14 of the longest ever fever that Sarah has had. It's still the taunting type looming between 99.4 to 101. 

Just when it goes down, it goes right back up.

Sound familiar? 

She has been so incredibly good about all of this. And, we are just being extra cautious so as not to risk getting other kids sick. 

A few days this week I took her outside so she could ride her bike and scooter and run around, without any kids around, just so she could run off energy and steam.  I feel so bad for her. We had to cancel numerous plans over the past three weekends due to the mystery virus that has no known cause and minimal symptoms.

Thankfully Sarah is eating, drinking and sleeping well.  She is, right now, the happiest sick kid as far as disposition goes.  She's been loving the calls from her teacher checking on her letting her know she is missed at school.   

Thankfully, Daniel and I work from home so that we can enable Sarah to have the time off from school to rest, get lots of fluids and try to rid this bug as soon as possible.  She will likely go through computer and television withdrawal when she goes back to school but I think that will be okay as she will be so excited to see her friends she has missed so much.  It's gotten to a point where she doesn't even want to watch and just wants playmates.

After our work days end we spend much time with Sarah reading and playing board games.  That has made her happy, at least.

As you can image, we are all getting batty and silly being cooped up all day every day for this long.

I am so thankful to my friends and family who have been so supportive and understanding of the situation and often checking in to see how we are all doing, especially Sarah. 

As of now we have seen three pediatricians, and spoken with another on the phone from the same practice.  A series of tests have been done to rule out mononucleosis, pneumonia, Epstein Barr, diabetes, and so much more. She had her red and white blood cell counts checked. Her hemoglobin is normal. Urine tests with no growth and negative results as well.  We are awaiting a Lyme disease test, but pretty sure that she doesn't have that as she never had any tell tale signs of the disease and she's not complaining that her joints hurt in her legs or arms.

Today, before leaving to go to Sarah's Kindergarten Orientation without her (bummer) she had no fever. An hour after returning her temperature went up to 101.  Ugh.

 

This is so incredibly frustrating.  I keep thinking that when her fever is down during the day maybe this will be the day it goes away for good and we can resume normal activity.
 

Let's hope for tomorrow.  Already had to cancel plans for a birthday and graduation party for her to attend. She will be missed.
 

I have been trying hard to stay off the Internet searching for some reasoning behind this bug in Sarah's body.  I start, then look, get scared, and then drop off. The Internet could be good if you know what you are looking for. This situation with Sarah is so unknown that it's better I stay off the web and not make any unnecessary speculations about her condition.

 

Several friends have called to tell us about mystery fevers their loved ones had experienced where there was just no answer about what their fevers were caused by, and they mystery remains for them as well.

 

Don't get me wrong, I am thankful that nothing serious seems to be wrong at least based on the tests that have been currently done to date.  The doctor said that if after the Memorial Day holiday weekend the fever continues we are to bring Sarah back in for autoimmune testing. 

 

The waiting continues...

 

 

Support and Prayers for Moore, Oklahoma

A raging tornado ripped through the small town, Moore, in Oklahoma, and took the lives of too many people including both adults and children. As of this morning, 91 people have been killed by this twisting natural disaster, which also plowed right through an elementary school while it was in session.
 
My heart and prayers go out to the people of Moore for their losses and the families still awaiting the fate of their loved ones. 
 
No matter who is at the hand of a tragedy whether it be natural or intentional does not make the pain any less.  Oklahoma needs our help and our prayers for the safety of many who are still missing and the hundreds of people who are injured from this catastrophe.
 
Moore, you are in our thoughts and we wish you peace from this travesty.
 
Ripping tornado
Took hold of little town Moore
Claiming adults, kids
 
Praying for safety
And to find missing children
Moore is in my heart
 
We'll donate to help
As you pick up the pieces
Life no longer same

We are so sorry
For what you are going through
Prayers for the town, Moore

According to the Chicago Red Cross spokeswoman Martha Carlos, "it's too early to tell how many are homeless. Once the area is deemed safe by first responders, then, [we can] begin to evaluate what needs are. While well-intentioned people might be tempted to donate food, clothing and others things...what is needed most is cash donations."

We can donate online at redcross.org or by calling 1-800-REDCROSS or by texting REDCROSS to 90999 for a $10 contribution.

Mommy's Point of View has just made a donation to support the clean-up and aid for families impacted by this unfortunate event. I encourage you, if you can, to donate. We may not think so, but every little bit counts, and it adds up. 
 

Marfan Syndrome: Remembering Angelina

A few years ago I learned of a disorder that I had never heard of called Marfan syndrome.

A new colleague, at a job I was interviewing for at the time, mentioned to me that her daughter was sick with this disease. When I started the job a year later her daughter had since passed away due to complications of the disorder.

As parents, we worry.  We worry a lot. That is what we do.  

I can’t begin to imagine what life would be life managing a child with a life-threatening condition that makes living challenging.

Little Angelina was an angel.  She had a megawatt smile, as you can see here, and she impacted everyone who she came in contact with. I was told that you couldn’t help but fall in love with her and that she lived each and every day to the fullest.

I was not fortunate to meet Angelina in person but through others stories and pictures of this sweet little girl I can see why it’s hard not to feel sadness for this bright star that has since gone out.

Today is the day that Angelina passed away nearly three years ago.  She would have been five years old, the same age as my daughter.

In her memory, I asked her mom if I could share more about Angelina and use this time of sadness for her loved ones to educate others on Marfan syndrome.  She said, “That would be such a nice thing to do.” 

 

According to the National Marfan Foundation website, Marfan syndrome is a disorder of the connective tissue, which holds all parts of the body together and helps control how the body grows. Features associated with the disease are often found in the heart, blood vessels, bones, joints, and eyes and sometimes the lungs and skin.  Intelligence is not impacted by the disease.

The disease itself is caused by a “defect (mutation) in the gene that tells the body how to make fibrillin-1 -- a protein that is an important part of connective tissue…[resulting] in an increase in a protein called transforming growth factor beta, or TGFβ…,which causes problems in tissue throughout the body.”

Marfan can be hereditary in 3 out of 4 people where a person gets a mutation from a parent who already has the disorder. Other people have what is called “spontaneous mutation,” which means that they are the first to have the disease with no explanation of why. This is what happened with Angelina. Her disease was a mystery to all who knew her.

People with Marfan syndrome can also pass the mutation on to children with a fifty percent chance.

This disease is so small in that little Angelina was 1 in 5,000 people suffering from Marfan. It also does not discriminate and can impact men, women, children of all races and ethnic groups.

This disease does have varying degrees from mild to severe.  Not all people with Marfan’s will experience the same fate as Angelina.  Her condition was more severe. Interestingly, most people with the disorder are able to lead productive and satisfying lives, especially thanks to major medical advancements along with lifestyle changes such as limitations in physical activity.

Like many diseases, Marfan’s is not one size fits all.  Arming ourselves with as much information as possible is important along with teaming up with numerous medical experts to confirm an accurate diagnosis and next steps.

Angelina was a unique child, and her disease was no different.

In Angelina’s memory, and others who have lost their battle to Marfan’s, and those living with the disorder in need of ongoing research and support, Mommy’s Point of View is making a donation to the National Marfan Foundation here. If you would like to join in the fight against this disease I encourage it. All that we can do to help raise attention, awareness and funds for much-needed research for this important disease is a step in the right direction for Marfan.

The National Marfan Foundation is also taking action on June 11-12, 2013 for an advocacy day to engage with policy leaders to encourage more funding to support research for the disease. They are coming together to make a difference and fight for victory over Marfan's. If you or someone you know has a personal experience with the disease and wants to share their story please encourage them to do so and if they want to join in the fight they can.

While Marfan may not impact the same magnitude of people suffering from more known diseases, Marfan’s has a face too, and a great need for research and support.

The Longest Fever

Today is now day eight of the longest ever fever that Sarah has had.  And, it's the taunting type looming between 99.4 to 101.

Just when it goes down, it goes right back up.  She starts off low in the mornings and then the numbers climb throughout the day.

So frustrating.  

Being cooped up all day every day has been tough on all of us. Fortunately, Daniel and I both work from home so we have been tag teaming in her care.  This approach coupled with unfortunately lots of television have helped us to get Sarah as must rest as possible for the child who only wants to, and strangely still can,  run around, jump up and down, and cartwheel through the living room.  

Right now, she is an energetic sick kid, at least on the outside. Just wish her fever would go away so we can all get out and run around and let loose.

While for some people, 99.4 is not a fever. However, knowing Sarah for her entire life, and her body, we know that something is still brewing.  This is the child who can easily spike a fever of 104 and 105 even for the mildest ear infection.  Let's just say we have too much experience with Sarah and high fevers that we don't even balk at 103.5 as much as we used to.

So, why then is a low fever nagging at me?

Well, it's because she has had it for over a week and missed school. She has also missed out on her final two soccer games of the season among so many other fun things to do.  We even had to cancel plans in the works for a while so as not to risk getting others ill.

To think, I thought we sailed through winter without as much as a cold and here we are in the spring trapped indoors with a kid bouncing off the walls because a bug, of G-d only knows what kind, which has decided it does not want to leave her body just yet.

The real situation here is trying not to think that it could be something serious going on that we and the doctors cannot see without further testing, which we are slated to do if the fever continues through mid-next week.

We all know the Internet is a dangerous place filled with good information and also inaccurate information and lots of speculation.  I can't begin to tell you how many things could be brewing in Sarah's body, and I am doing my best to not focus on them and pray it's just another garden variety bug that needs to run its course. 

Just wish this one would finish the race and get on out for good.

Having been to the pediatrician twice now over the past week with two negative strep tests and an X-ray to rule out pneumonia, we are in a holding pattern.  

I am likely overreacting and trying to be calm about this as it is likely a bug that just needs time to exit.

So the waiting continues...

Help to Prevent Brave Princess Merida Makeover

I was saddened to read today that Disney is looking to revise the image of Princess Merida from the Pixar animated film "Brave" to appear somewhat more voluptuous with more defined breasts, hips and curves. She doesn't look like a young girl anymore but instead a mature woman.

Why the change?

There was nothing wrong with Merida the way she was. I even loved that she was no nonsense and not shaped like an unrealistic version of what society deems as beautiful.

Really?

Apparently, the change was recently unveiled to "coordinate with Merida's official crowning as Disney's 11th-ever princess" at Walt Disney World, according to Movie Talk on Yahoo.com.

It is a shame to turn a fun-loving, feisty character who has a lot of spunk and confidence into a person that is years beyond her age and with a more mature look and unnecessary sexuality.

"This one character may not do any damage to a girl's psychological development, per se," child development expert Dr. Robyn Silverman tells me. "But Merida joins a barrage of thin, sultry characters for girls, making her yet another facet of our sexed-up, thinned down messaging."

According to an official statement from Disney, “Merida exemplifies what it means to be a Disney Princess through being brave, passionate, and confident and she remains the same strong and determined Merida from the movie whose inner qualities have inspired moms and daughters around the world.” 

Merida is all these descriptions, then why does she need to physically makeover?

What we love most about Merida is that she is a fun-loving, endearing, funny and an engaging character who is ever more real than other Disney princesses, and she is relatable.  It's not all about relationships, finding love and looking a certain way.

I have no problem with princesses as my daughter loves them. However, when she starts to ask questions about why the new image of Merida looks different than what she is used to, how as a parent am I to explain without causing concerns inside her young, impressionable mind without her seeing her self only through physical attributes being considered more important?

As a parent, I focus heavily on the personalities, skills, mannerisms and interests when it comes to the princesses.  For example, we love Belle because she likes to read books and help others,  we like Cinderella because she is kind-hearted and cares for animals and we like Tiana because she is hard-working and dedicated to fulfilling her dreams.

To take action against this ridiculous change in Merida's image a blogger for a site named "A Mighty Girl" has started up a petition called "Keep Merida Brave." I have taken action and signed the petition to prevent this unnecessary makeover.  Please join me in this quest to keep beauty in the eye of the beholder and to take action and sign.

It's hard enough that our magazines are filled with models and celebrities in bikinis focusing less on their good deeds and endearing accomplishments but instead on physical attributes.  I want to make a shout out to companies like Dove who are taking women seriously and focusing on the woman inside and out.

Women are smart, funny, caring, loveable, compassionate and beautiful regardless of their dress size and you can bet that I will continue to be cognizant of this as I raise my daughter to become a strong and confident women proud of herself and her accomplishments and living out her dreams without focusing on her weight and body type.  What I will continue to do is instill in her health eating habits and a strong sense of self, as best as I am able to do.