Jill loves all things The Little Mermaid.
She loves the songs, the fish, the crabs, the ride at Disneyland…but above all else, she loves Ariel.
That red headed princess is her favorite. It’s the princess she gets most excited about, the movie that makes her bounce up and down excitedly when we put it on. In fact, I will contend that there is just about nothing cuter than hearing Jill try to sing “Part of that woooooooorllllldd…..”
Also, she can do a pretty killer dance move when Under the Sea comes on.
The other day, I wandered into a Disney Store in the mall. I really don’t even know why I did. I mean, we have annual passes to Disneyland, so we’ve seen it all before…besides, let’s be honest, my kids need another ANYTHING like they need a hole in the head.
Even still, when I saw this little plush Ariel doll, I immediately gasped and clutched it to my chest as if I had found the lost treasure of Tutankhamen or something equally dramatic. As I stood in line to pay, I thought to myself “Why on EARTH am I buying this?” The girls have millions of dolls, gazillions of toys. In fact, if I’m being super honest with myself, if this was something Henry or Lucy was asking for, I would have said no without a second thought. And yet, here I am, waiting my turn to pay money for something simply because it’s Jill’s favorite. And I kept thinking this through…mulling it over…trying to figure it out…because, so you know, my brain is always and forever thinking and mulling over SOMETHING. It never stops. Ever.
Mama Guilt creeping in at the thought that not only was I not also buying something for the others…but I would tell them to take a hike if they begged for a toy. Was Jill secretly my favorite? What the heck?
And then it dawned on me. Jill is non-verbal. Truth be told, there’s a lot we don’t know about her.
In fact, we don’t even know what her favorite color is.
Henry adores all things green. And there is no such thing as Too Much Pink for Lucy. Actually, if Sparkle was a color, that would be Lu’s fave.
But for Jill, she can’t tell us which is her favorite color. And honestly, that realization, that I don’t even know what color my four-year-old daughter loves most…just killed me inside. Knife. Twisting. Heart.
Such a simple everyday thing that you take for granted. I about lost it in the middle of the Disney Store. I did that thing where you hold your breath, nonchalantly wipe tears, and recreate Lamaze breathing. It was a harsh reality to suddenly discover. It put her needs and disabilities in perspective in that moment.
Don’t even get me started on the fact that I have yet to hear her say “I love you, Mommy.” I know she does. And she snuggles and kisses in a way that is undeniably Love. But the words…I cannot wait. I hope I get to hear them someday. It will be an awesome day.
“Mommy I love you. And by the way, my favorite color is blue.”
But you know what? You know what we DO know? We know she loves Ariel.
Sebastian. Flounder. Scuttle. Even King Triton.
I may not know what my girl’s favorite color is, but I know who her favorite character is. And you know what else? Maybe that means I’m a sucker for all things Little Mermaid. Maybe that means I jump up and down, cheering and clapping, looking like a fool outside of the Ariel’s Undersea Adventure. Maybe that means I’m seriously considering buying the movie soundtrack and playing it on loud for my girl. I don’t really care.
Because this? These little arm gestures when Ariel is singing? Copying her movements. Humming along.
This grin. Rapt attention. Smiles. Ariel may have exchanged her voice for a boy…but my girl is showing us her voice in a different way.
And I love that we get to figure it out. Together.
* * * *
All of these things are true.
In fact, this was a post brewing in my brain for a few weeks now.
So imagine how quickly I jumped at the opportunity to tell my readers that Disney’s The Little Mermaid is being re-released for the first time on Blu Ray and HD Digital on October 1st. Planets = aligned. But there’s more!
Leave a comment in this post telling me “How do you encourage your children to follow their dreams?” (even if you have to interpret what those dreams might be!), and one winner will be selected to win a $50 Visa Gift Card and a Little Mermaid Diamond Edition Blu-ray Combo Pack.
I mean, really?
That’s pretty awesome.
Besides, if Jill loves it…it’s gotta be good.
Rules:
No duplicate comments.
You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:
a) Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post
b) Tweet (public message) about this promotion; including exactly the following unique term in your tweet message: “”#SweepstakesEntry””; and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post”
c) Blog about this promotion, including a disclosure that you are receiving a sweepstakes entry in exchange for writing the blog post, and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post
d) For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.
This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older. Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.
The Official Rules are available here.
This sweepstakes runs from 9/9/13 – 10/15/13.
Be sure to visit the Disney’s Little Mermaid page on BlogHer.com where you can read other bloggers’ reviews and find more chances to win!
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By encouraging them to try new things
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
tweet https://twitter.com/ChelleB36/status/388338068333150209
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
I support them, encourage them, and try to give them the best tools that they need to follow their dreams and interest. I encourage their creativity.
I tell them they can do anything they set their mind to do.
We let our daughter know there was nothing she could not accomplish if she wanted it enough.
I don’t have kids, but my parents encouraged and applauded my interests. And as an adult I did indeed follow my dreams.
By encouraging imagination and playing outside :) Get those creative juices flowing!! :)
rachelmarietravis at gmail dot com
I tell my kids they can do anything they put their minds to tanya2330@gmail.com
By allowing them to explore and discover life on their own.
I always tell my kids they can be whatever they want to be, even a doctor, astronaut, lawyer all in one
tweet https://twitter.com/hburmeister/status/388933658582589440
I like to get them out to experience art, music and history to expand their view beyond a computer screen.
I encourage them to give everything a try once and if they like it then we stick with it and try to help them reach their goal or dream.
by providing opportunities to try lots of different things and praising for effort
While my nieces and nephews are technically my kids… I still try to encourage them to follow their dreams. We talk. We draw (which sometimes if more telling than words). I find age appropriate media (movies, books, etc) for them on topics related to their dreams. I never tell them “no” or “you can’t” regarding their dreams, but sometimes I redirect them.
For example… one of my nieces said she wanted to be a princess, Instead of telling her no, we talked about what it means to be a princess. We read a book about Princess Diana. and watched the Princess Protection Program… and learned that you don’t have to have a title to be a princess, just a humanitarian.
Tweet https://twitter.com/mlcottingham/status/389263149041745920
Unlike my parents, I let my daughter join different groups and tryout for different events. My daughter use to be a wallflower and is now very outgoing. She got this way after auditioning and starring in several plays. I encourage her by working with her in these events and by praising her work.
https://twitter.com/smilekisses/status/389286236952612864
I encourage my niece to follow her dreams by encouraging and interacting with her imagination. She loves to play dress-up and want to be a princess! I don’t tell her that she cannot be one, instead I encourage her by playing too!
zuzu.wilson(at)yahoo(dot)com
Robin Wilson´s last blog post ..Life With Lupus: I am Exhausted!
https://twitter.com/Zuzuz_Petalz/status/389464223928963072
zuzu.wilson(at)yahoo(dot(com
Robin Wilson´s last blog post ..Life With Lupus: I am Exhausted!
I’ve always been her biggest cheerleader and supported her in her dreams.
I encourage her to follow her interests, she knows she can do anything she wants to through hard work. And anything that is truely something you want is worth it.
by cheering them on!
My daughter’s first and favorite disney movie- we sing to the soundtrack at the top of our lungs!
I encourage our children to try new things so they have the opportunity to discover what they really love.
i tell my daughter she can be anything she wants to be
I encourage my grandkids by giving them unconditional love and being supportive in everything they do.
I encourage them to try something new and always there to support them
I make sure both my kids know that we support them in life, no matter what, they will always have cheerleaders from me and my husband.
I hope that by homeschooling our kids, they will be more encouraged to follow their own dreams pryfamily5@gmail.com
tweeted https://twitter.com/pryfamily5/status/389821070561128448 pryfamily5@gmail.com
I encourage my children to follow their dreams by supporting them in all their in school and after school activities and helping suggest new activities to inspire them.
lisalmg25 at gmail dot com
I Tweeted: https://twitter.com/lisalmg/status/389838458581032960
I encourage my boys to follow their dreams by reminding them of all they have already accomplished and keeping their confidence levels high :)
I may not always agree with the choices my children make, but no matter what, I support them and they know they can always count on me to be their cheerleader!
To encourage my son I tell him he can do anything he puts his mind and heart too.
https://twitter.com/AliciaJennette/status/389926126602047488
I encourage my kids to follow their dreams by encouraging them to try new things and praising them.
https://twitter.com/susan1215/status/389946662736494593
We tell them they can do anything they put their minds to and encourage them!
just being supportive and helpful…
I currently have no children, although I very much hope that we will be blessed soon. In the mean time, I’m in school to become a teacher and plan to encourage my students to follow their dreams… I will encourage them to work on their weaknesses nicely and will definitely support them in their strengths and encourage them to truly grow within these strengths.
Lauren Harmon´s last blog post ..#Win 10 Free Lifetime Accounts to #TheDocSafe {Ends 11/1}
I try to encourage my boys through example. I always try to show them that the only thing that can hold them back is their own imagination. If they believe in something than their is always a way to make it happen they just have to want it enough to make that dream come true.
I basically let them know that they should follow their passion and when they really put energy towards something, we support and foster that interest.
I give them lots of support and encourage them.
https://twitter.com/SkyShyskyk/status/390088409554767872
I love to share stories of inspiring people with them. I let them know that even someone who is The Best at what they do, was not good at it the first time they tried. That doing something well, takes practice, and dedication.I make sure that when they start something, they give it a good try- But don’t push, or make them feel they have failed if their heart isn’t in it.I show them that everyone is different, and valuable. I expose them to as many activities as possible, and do all I can to further what interests them.
Tweet-
https://twitter.com/maxfate/status/390134373749514240
I have always encouraged our children to dream big and reach for the stars. When they find something they like we all focus our attention on it as to help them follow their dreams!
susansmoaks at gmail dot com
Encourage them to be themselves no matter what. Tell them that their dreams are worthy of sharing and following even if others disagree or don’t understand. Allow them to be individuals.
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