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Early in the movie Tiana placed her faith in the wish upon a star and the other tale of you have to kiss a frog to get your prince. \u00a0Both betrayed her as all lies will.<\/p>\n
Too many of us place our faith in faulty places. \u00a0Then we regret the devastating repercussions that ensue. \u00a0But for the emotionally teachable, it serves as a great spring board into character development of which this movie is all about.<\/p>\n
Tiana, Naveen, and Charlotte all had common character flaws that many of us have. \u00a0Tiana characterizes the typical workaholic. \u00a0 It’s admirable that she’s willing to work so hard, but she’s out of balance with no time to relax and love. \u00a0She believes hard work will solve her problems and falls into despair when it doesn’t.<\/p>\n
Naveen falls on the other end of the spectrum is too selfish and lazy to work. \u00a0He feels entitled because he is special. \u00a0He is a prince, narcissistic one! Everyone else is supposed to solve his problems.<\/p>\n
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Charlotte believes the lie that marrying a prince will guarantee her a life of forever happiness. \u00a0 How many girls are raised to think that this will solve their problems?<\/p>\n
These characters set a great stage for teaching our children about the challenges of growing up.<\/p>\n
First, \u00a0consider fantasy verse real. \u00a0Dreams are great, but one needs to go about fulfilling them through realistic means. \u00a0Fairy godmothers or Mama Oddie in this tale may play with magic, but in real life one needs to create their own magic by developing their gifts and talents in emotionally healthy ways. \u00a0Those who sit around waiting to be rescued usually miss the train. Or they succumb to kissing frogs.<\/p>\n
Secondly, immature love doesn’t understand the value of honesty in relationships. \u00a0Those struggling with childish ways hide behind lies, distract, and manipulate others to get what they want. \u00a0Little do they understand that truth is what will set them free and enable them to experience the joy of living. \u00a0But truth hurts, especially when it reveals one’s own character flaw or poor choices. \u00a0One must muster up the courage to face the truth. \u00a0This is the first step towards maturity. But it is tough for many if they fear rejection from their peers and believe that the truth will alienate them.<\/p>\n
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Then dark lessons present. The shadow man entices Naveen with Voodoo magic, but he believes the real power in this world isn’t Voodoo, it is money. \u00a0How many people ruin their lives pursuing money at all costs? \u00a0Isn’t this what happened early in the movie, the greedy businessmen broke their contract with Tiana for a better deal? \u00a0 Not all business people operate this way, but way too many do.<\/p>\n
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Another challenging lessons presents as both Tiana and Naveen need to over come their fear of asking for help from someone they were taught not to trust, Louis, the alligator. \u00a0 How often is it that people are taught to fear the very people who are most likely to provide genuine help?<\/p>\n
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Next the little are dismissed as insignificant. \u00a0But where would they have been without Ray, the firefly? He might have been small, but numbers can make a meaningful difference. \u00a0He also represents light. And how often that light might be very small in the midst of darkness. \u00a0Demons hate light and cannot remain in its presence.<\/p>\n
Mamma Oddie’s sings great wisdom, but it takes more journey for Naveen and Tiana to understand.<\/p>\n “Prince Froggy is a rich little boy You wanna be rich again That ain’t gonna make you happy now Did it make you happy then? No Money ain’t got no soul Money ain’t got no heart All you need is some self-control Make yourself a brand new start You gotta dig a little deeper Don’t have far to go You gotta dig a little deeper Tell the people Mama told you so Can’t tell you what you’ll find Maybe love or grant you a piece of mind Dig a little deeper and you’ll know<\/a>…”<\/p>\n Often one hears what one needs, but more time is needed for one to meander through their personal odyssey. \u00a0They also must stand up and implement what they have learned. \u00a0Tiana had to overcome her fear and stay strong in the presence of the Shadow man. \u00a0Naveen had to find courage when his convictions of his selfishness made him feel unworthy of Tiana’s friendship and love. \u00a0 It is only then that both of them are released from the curse of being frogs and freed to be human again.<\/p>\n Hope Mucklow is the author of\u00a0Rojo, The Baby Red Panda at the Zoo\u00a0<\/em>available at most online retailers and published by\u00a0https:\/\/mascotbooks.com\/mascot-marketplace\/buy-books\/childrens\/picture-books\/rojo-the-baby-red-panda-at-the-zoo\/<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Movies may sell more than books, but they only do because they’re a story told visually through the work of many artists. \u00a0Stories are the best teaching tool. \u00a0Ask any student what they remember best about their favorite teacher. \u00a0It’s never the lessons they gave. \u00a0It’s the way they related to the students and the … Continue reading Lessons about growing up from “The Princess and the Frog”<\/span> ![\"\"](\"http:\/\/img.lum.dolimg.com\/v1\/images\/open-uri20150608-27674-1sth0bz_262d5e4d.jpeg?region=0%2C0%2C1580%2C880\")