The word “princess” has a bad reputation. I see. For too long, the word princess has only been associated with spoiled girls and actual royalty, and the idea of ​​your little girl saying she wants to grow up to be a princess is cringe-worthy. But princesses, both in history and in Disney movies, have proven themselves time and time again. They are strong, brave, and smart – every child deserves to be called “a child.” This is the entire premise of 1995A little princess Starring Liesel Matthews and Liam Cunningham (Sarah often shares with the world that “all girls are princesses”), I can’t wait to rewatch this movie with my own three daughters. It has social justice, “Good Trouble” stuff… It’s a movie that I hope they watch and realize that “princess” is actually synonymous with bad guy.

But what they really got out of the movie—and what I realized when I rewatched it as an adult—surprised me.

I watched this movie over and over again as a kid. I have a video of it, and it has a locket on the front like Sarah’s locket (which I then had to destroy to get out). This is definitely one of the major movies that shaped my childhood and completely thrust me into being a girl with a big bow. It’s filled with adventure, tragedy, and love, not to mention a bunch of pretty lace outfits. This is one of those movies that just says, “Hey, girlhood isn’t dead, in fact, she’s thriving and ready to take over the world.” This is the perfect type of girl power movie we needed in the 90s! Sarah’s determination to remain kind and lovable no matter her circumstances remains extremely inspiring.

My girls get it all. They loved the film and were so invested that my six-year-old burst into tears when Dad left Sarah at school. If my 10-year-old heard a part of it wrong, she would ask me to rewind the tape and try to guess the fate of Sarah’s dad and how the neighbors affected the whole thing. (My two-year-old seems to be walking around in circles a little bit.)

But what shocked my girls even more was the way Sarah relied on her imagination to get out of dark places. They see how she teaches a grief-stricken, screaming Lottie to imagine her mother being with her forever, and how she builds Ermengarde’s confidence through her stories. They noticed before I did that Sara was not just a princess—like all little girls are—or that she was confident or brave because of it.

Her imagination and creativity make her bold, strong, and kind. She has empathy because she can see other people’s lives. She was happy because she could think whenever she wanted. She loves because she creates magic for those around her.

By imagining that her doll Emily is real, she believes that Emily can actually receive the messages she whispers to her dad. By pretending she wasn’t hungry and actually eating a nice meal, she acted like she had a feast (thanks to a helpful neighbor). By sharing a story with her friends and classmates over the course of several weeks, she kept them all refreshed and energized.

In a world where my daughters are told over and over again to grow up, to be serious, to act their age, to be ready for whatever life throws at them, to do everything and nothing at the same time Do, a little princess Remind them (and me) that our imaginations are tools. How many times have I thought about changing my perspective on something to make it easier to deal with? Or talk yourself out of sadness by focusing on happy things? Being creative in some form always frees me when I feel lost, dissatisfied, and restless, and knowing that I always have this magic inside of me – just like Sara and her story – is such a huge relief. A gift.

a little princess Remind me that our imaginations are not something to be created in a vacuum or ignored. Even in your darkest moments, your deepest despair, your imagination and dreams can save you. You are your own hero. You are your own princess.

As all little girls do. (Even us adults.)