Renee Chou: Embracing bows, glitter - and all things pink

About three years ago, we had a story on our newscasts about a girl who dressed up as a hot dog during Princess Week at a dance school in Holly Springs. Ainsley's bold fashion statement went viral — people praising the five-year-old for her individuality, her moxie... even calling her a “hero.” Ainsley showed up as a hot dog because that was her favorite costume. The hashtag “Hot Dog Princess” started trending.

It was a GREAT story.

That likely won’t ever be my daughter.

At five years old, Elsa is unabashedly, enthusiastically, ALL GIRL.

Pink has always been—and still is—her favorite color. It dominates her room and her wardrobe. Her playroom is filled with princess costumes, Barbies, and dollhouses. Her inner artist gets a spark with glitter paint, glitter pens and glitter glue. She's captivated by all the Disney princesses.

Elsa loves wearing dresses and refuses to wear jeans. She's rejected outfits because they aren't "fancy" enough. My little fashionista loves to add pizzazz to her attire with necklaces, bracelets and baubles. She never leaves the house without wearing a bow, barrette or headband.

Her favorite pair of shoes are an eye-popping magenta, covered entirely in bright pink sparkles. As soon as she saw them in the store, she fell in love with them. She gets comments about them wherever she goes. I must admit her "pinkalicious" kicks make me smile every time she wears them. They are quintessentially "Elsa."

She enjoys trying on my clothes and shoes the way I used to raid my mother's closet. She watches me put on makeup, asks me with intense interest about all the beauty bottles, jars and tubes in my bathroom cabinet. And she loves "Mommy-Daughter Spa Day"—when I paint her fingernails and toenails; she styles my hair with bows and then she rubs my feet (she's surprisingly a pretty good masseuse!)

There is no question I'm having so much fun with a girl who is very into "girl" things. But I often wonder if I am somehow, inadvertently or subconsciously, steering her into all of this. The cars, trucks and dinosaurs in the playroom go untouched. I present her all kinds of options and inevitably she gravitates toward the girly. If we play board games, it's usually Princess Monopoly. If she works on a puzzle, she chooses the ballerina or the Disney Frozen puzzle. She was only willing to take tennis lessons when she learned she could wear a skirt to play.

I suppose there's nothing wrong with knowing what you like. While I want to encourage her interests, I also want to make sure I'm not limiting them either — that my role is to show her there's a whole world of discovery out there.

What I also want her to know is that being a girl means being strong and independent. Time and time again she shows me she's pretty tough. When she takes a tumble, she dusts herself off and gets back up. "I'm okay!" she always calls out cheerfully, after I hear a thud when she's in another room. She's not afraid to get her hands dirty—whether it's sand, dirt, play-doh or glitter. In school and at the kids' sermon during church, she raises her hand to speak. I've also seen her display composure and confidence on stage or in front of a crowd.

To me, being a girl also equates to being thoughtful, kind and compassionate. For a five year old, Elsa is acutely aware of how others feel and often thinks about what to do to help others feel better. I see that thoughtfulness coming from my daughter's heart every day... a seed I'd like to say I helped plant, but in reality, is a God-given trait that my husband and I have watched unfold in awe and wonder.

Originality (like showing up in a hot dog costume for Princess Week) is wonderful — but there’s nothing wrong with femininity as well. Women can keep blazing trails and breaking glass ceilings while wearing lipstick and heels.

Recently I asked Elsa what she would like to do as a career when she’s older. She thought for awhile. “What about a princess?" I ask, knowing that's what she loves. She says, “Don’t be silly, Mommy. Being a princess is NOT a job!”

But it's perfectly fine — and fun — to embrace when you're five. I relish watching my little princess embrace her "girliness" — exploring the world with her beaming smile and those sparkly magenta shoes.

Renee Chou, WRAL-TV morning anchor, is the mother of one. You can find her monthly on Go Ask Mom and all of the time on her Facebook page.