Fairytale Printables

Prince & Princess Toilet Tube Craft Printables

Download these toilet tube characters now in the shop!
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​I've always been a big fan of fairytales especially some of the old original stories by Hans Christian Anderson, have you ever read one of them? They are very dark and twisted, very different from the Disney adaptations. The original stories didn't often end happily, they concluded with death and despair actually. When fairytales were changed for movies, their stories became more appropriate for children, although some dark issues remained the overall themes were made more light and happy. Whichever you prefer these stories are timeless but what do they teach our children?

Prince & Princess Toilet Tube Craft

I do think that it's important for our children to believe in "happy endings" after all, it's a parent's dream to have healthy, successful children. Happy endings in the modern sense that our children go to school, become educated, follow their dreams and live fulfilled lives. I know that having all of these things isn't always the case which is why the obstacles that the characters face is the important message not so much what happens in the end.

​ There's often a ton of problems characters in fairytales encounter and this is the important part that should be emphasized. Hate, fear, betrayal, loss, the coming of age and discovering yourself are the challenges a storybook character must overcome and it's here that the teaching and learning take place. Overcoming fears and taking a chance, working towards a "happy ending" is the goal and it's only when we mourn our losses, learn to forgive and conquer the beast that we find our happiness. No it's not about a princess in distress, no there isn't going to be a Prince to save her, these are metaphors and we can all replace these images with our own personal life trials.

So next time you read a fairytale remember to point out all of the situations that lead up to the "happy ending", persistence, bravery, kindness, respect, the power of love and friendship are all important qualities that have to be taught in order to reach the "happily ever after".