tinkslite
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- May 13, 2008
- Messages
- 318
A friends child asked me that a couple of days ago. I've been asked before now, but something about this little girl asking made me think hard about it........
My childhood SUCKED! I was adopted as an infant, by people who probably should have just remained childless. I was the only daughter (they also had 2 sons, one adopted and one NOT). It was not difficult to tell who the bio child was, based on the affection levels in our parents.
The home was violent, psychologically abusive and, frankly, emotionally toxic. I made it. I vowed to be a "good mom to my kids." I vowed it over and over again. As I got older I read everything I could get my hands on re. child development, parenting and abuse/neglect. I was determined to be different, you see.
When I was 8, we visited Disney land. I don't remember much about that trip. My mother was a shopaholic who spent too much on a regular basis, and my alcoholic violent father would take it out on us (the people she spent the $$ on). We learned not to ask for anything, when dad was around. Well, in Frontierland I saw an old fashioned doll in the window of a shop. I know it was in Frontierland because she was dressed in the costuming of that era. I tugged on Mothers Hand and when she finally looked down I pointed to the doll, silently. Mom shook her head and said something about it being overpriced, and something we could find elsewhere. I nodded and I remember fighting back tears (I was often ridiculed for being a baby, because I was quick to tears). A magical thing happened that day. The man who never ever bought us gifts and often beat me for receiving gifts I never asked for, went into the shop and purchased the doll! He handed it to me.
I remember it, not because it was Disney; but because it was the only time he ever gave me a gift.
Fast Forward. I was an ECE major for as long as I could afford college (Dad didn't believe women needed higher education). I worked as a preschool teachers aide, a camp counselor, a Camp Fire volunteer, and a nanny. I met my dh while working as a nanny. We've been together 15 years. The 2nd month we were dating, he surprised me by taking me to Disneyland for a weekend! When he asked me to marry him, 6 weeks later, how could I refuse?
As a family we served as foster parents for 6 years......... I wanted to help kids who had homes like mine to have a safe "out." We parented 30 kids over 6 years. I gave birth to 2, I adopted one. I took about 25 of them to Disneyland at least once. The ones who didn't go, weren't with us long enough for us to get them there.
I wanted to let them know that being a child is ok, even after you're big. That "magic" can be real, and dreams come true. I wanted them to feel like princesses and understand that the monster in the closet was really scared of human kids! I wanted them to imagine flying to outer space, and neverland.
Every time I walk down Main Street USA, I am reminded of the little girl I was. The 8 year old who wanted to feel like she was loved enough to receive a gift. When I walk down Main Street with my husband, I feel that I have finally come home to that kind of love, every day. He is my Happily Ever After. When I walk down Main Street with my 3 lovely kids, I feel like I get that gift over and over again.
The wonderful part about it is........The CM's who keep the magic going for me, and all of the kids we've visited with. Each one has been treated like royalty. It's funny how a CM smile and a Mickey Ice Cream Bar can help a battered and beaten little one feel like getting up, brushing off the emotional dust, and trying again.
Thank you, Mr. Disney. I really love sharing your Wonderful World!
My childhood SUCKED! I was adopted as an infant, by people who probably should have just remained childless. I was the only daughter (they also had 2 sons, one adopted and one NOT). It was not difficult to tell who the bio child was, based on the affection levels in our parents.
The home was violent, psychologically abusive and, frankly, emotionally toxic. I made it. I vowed to be a "good mom to my kids." I vowed it over and over again. As I got older I read everything I could get my hands on re. child development, parenting and abuse/neglect. I was determined to be different, you see.
When I was 8, we visited Disney land. I don't remember much about that trip. My mother was a shopaholic who spent too much on a regular basis, and my alcoholic violent father would take it out on us (the people she spent the $$ on). We learned not to ask for anything, when dad was around. Well, in Frontierland I saw an old fashioned doll in the window of a shop. I know it was in Frontierland because she was dressed in the costuming of that era. I tugged on Mothers Hand and when she finally looked down I pointed to the doll, silently. Mom shook her head and said something about it being overpriced, and something we could find elsewhere. I nodded and I remember fighting back tears (I was often ridiculed for being a baby, because I was quick to tears). A magical thing happened that day. The man who never ever bought us gifts and often beat me for receiving gifts I never asked for, went into the shop and purchased the doll! He handed it to me.
I remember it, not because it was Disney; but because it was the only time he ever gave me a gift.
Fast Forward. I was an ECE major for as long as I could afford college (Dad didn't believe women needed higher education). I worked as a preschool teachers aide, a camp counselor, a Camp Fire volunteer, and a nanny. I met my dh while working as a nanny. We've been together 15 years. The 2nd month we were dating, he surprised me by taking me to Disneyland for a weekend! When he asked me to marry him, 6 weeks later, how could I refuse?
As a family we served as foster parents for 6 years......... I wanted to help kids who had homes like mine to have a safe "out." We parented 30 kids over 6 years. I gave birth to 2, I adopted one. I took about 25 of them to Disneyland at least once. The ones who didn't go, weren't with us long enough for us to get them there.
I wanted to let them know that being a child is ok, even after you're big. That "magic" can be real, and dreams come true. I wanted them to feel like princesses and understand that the monster in the closet was really scared of human kids! I wanted them to imagine flying to outer space, and neverland.
Every time I walk down Main Street USA, I am reminded of the little girl I was. The 8 year old who wanted to feel like she was loved enough to receive a gift. When I walk down Main Street with my husband, I feel that I have finally come home to that kind of love, every day. He is my Happily Ever After. When I walk down Main Street with my 3 lovely kids, I feel like I get that gift over and over again.
The wonderful part about it is........The CM's who keep the magic going for me, and all of the kids we've visited with. Each one has been treated like royalty. It's funny how a CM smile and a Mickey Ice Cream Bar can help a battered and beaten little one feel like getting up, brushing off the emotional dust, and trying again.
Thank you, Mr. Disney. I really love sharing your Wonderful World!
