1. The over-involved mother: This mother picks her child's hairstyle, makeup shades and dress. She will ask if her child will get "the glitter" about 20 times, which the fairy godmother will reply, "we don't have any glitter here. If its anything like pixie dust, which she'll get at the end of her transformation, then I'm sure I would love it!" This mother takes about 1,000 photos, purchases the most expensive package available, even if the child "doesn't want the crown" and/or has a hand-sewn dress from home.
2. The under-involved mother: This mother is only here because her daughter is old enough to pick up the phone and make her own appointment. The child may pay for the transformation herself with birthday or babysitting money. The child savors every second of the experience, and the fairy godmother will work extra hard to make this child feel extra special.
Unfortunately, I've met (or haven't met) several parents like this. Two stories stick out - one was a little princess and her sister. Her parents only looked at her sister, and barely acknowledged my princess. When it was time for her pixie dust, it took about 5 minutes to get her parents to stand by the chair. When it was time to turn her around just seconds later, they were gone. The photographer brought the parents back, told them it was important, and that they needed to stay until she was done. It was so sad. A couple weeks later, I had an older princess. Her mom did not even bother to come - the princess was sent with a friend of the family, whose daughter was also having a transformation. The woman only took pictures of her daughter, and it was so depressing. I asked the girl if she wanted her photo taken, and I did a little photo shoot for her. At the end, she paid for the experience herself. She was so grateful, but my heart really went out to her.
3. The envious mother: Occasionally, there is a mother who wishes she was in the beauty chair. This mother often requests pixie dust for herself, and occasionally requests a selfie with the fairy godmother. While some may think they take away some attention from their child (for example, the woman who thought it was appropriate to take out her weave and comb it in the boutique), usually they are just moms who want some special magic, and I personally don't see anything wrong with that.
4. The "it is her special day" mother: This mother will respond to any question you ask with "its her day." I love these mothers! She will never guilt her child into getting a hairstyle she doesn't want. She takes photos of the entire process for the scrapbook, and often ask questions about the hairstyles so they can replicate at home, and touch up the next day. The parents of these children usually leave with the biggest smiles.
5. The misleading mother: This mother will tell you that her two-year-old just turned three, even though she just turned two. This princess can be spotted the moment she walks in the door. The fairy godmother is nervous to put product in her fine hair because she is so tiny, and the child struggles to sit in the chair after five minutes.
6. The magical mothers: This mother and princesses have treaded through rough waters together, and the experiences they have gone through have made them both stronger. This special mother/daughter duo brings more magic to you than you bring to them. Their stories are powerful, and their joy contagious. These are the princesses whose names you will never forget, and the smiles that leave an imprint on your heart. For mothers day this year, I wrote about some of these extra magical mothers that I met. I hope these stories bring you some joy, and encourage you to reach out and say "thank you" to any magical mothers that you know.
This Mother's Day, I spent the day transforming little girls into princesses all day. Before coming down here, I thought about how special the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique experience would be for all of the girls and how exciting it would be for them. It really is magical! But I didn't expect how much I would be affected by the parents, especially the mothers. The mom who had to deal with her 5-year-old going through radiation and losing all of her hair, then seeing her sit in the beauty chair watching her now long hair put into twists. Or the mom who started crying because she never thought her daughter would be able to have her nails done because she can't unclench her hands, only to see the sparkly gold polish being painted on. I think of the mom who had a daughter born 3 months early, tearing up as her 4-year-old had her hair and makeup done, never thinking she would see this moment. I think of the mom who recently adopted siblings who were abused, and was so afraid how they would respond, and the joy in her eyes when these children who had gone through so much were smiling and laughing the whole time. And the mom of the last princess I had today, who told me they quickly planned a trip to Disney World because her husband is being deployed for a year in a couple of weeks - and I think how hard that will be to explain to her 3-year-old who left the boutique in her daddy's arms.
This Mother's Day, not only am I so appreciative of my own mom, but I'm celebrating those mothers who fight battles that we all pray we'll never have to face.
The different mothers I met while working in the BBB have impacted me more than I thought possible. I am so grateful to have met so many powerful women, and so many special princesses.
