Disclosure: Diary of a First Time Mom is proud to be a member of the Netflix Stream Team! Each month, we’ll share our stories about the shows we’re watching and how we’re making memories.

Dear Diary,

When I was pregnant, I knew I was having a boy. People would agree, commenting on the way I carried my baby. I wanted a boy. I convinced myself of it. Mostly, because I had two nephews, and my sister claimed they were much easier to raise than little girls. She didn’t have to wake up extra early to braid and curl hair. She didn’t have to find matching ribbons and bows for frilly dresses. So I desired the same. Then the doctor announced the gender of the little person growing inside me. For a moment, I was shocked. Then, I was elated! Because after all, girls rule, and boys drool!

Sofia the First

One of the best things about raising a little girl is playing pretend. We dress up in fancy clothes, put on high heels and apply makeup that we wouldn’t dare wear outside our kingdom. We get ideas for imaginary adventures from our favorite Disney characters and pretty princesses. We can watch Sofia the First on Netflix day or night. Sometimes, we attach an activity to the episodes, and…

Sofia the First (Watch with a Friend)

Watch With a Friend

Invite friends over to watch a mini-marathon. At first, I didn’t think little boys would want to take party in a princess party. Surprisingly, in the ever becoming gender neutral world, the boys grabbed the crowns and waved the wands.

Sofia the First Princess Cake

Make a Royal Recipe

My sister has a baking business and whipped up a Sofia the First cupcake cake and Caitlynn castle cupcakes. Caitlynn insisted that my sister put flags at the top of the ice cream cone castles.

Sofia the First Game

Play a Game

Stage a royal race with stick horses. If you don’t have the toy, you can create one with a broomstick. The episodes even inspired us to plan a princess themed birthday party.

Hey DFTM family—What other prince/princess themed activities can you come up with?

About The Author

Vlog Mom/DFTM Creator

Not long ago, Heather Hopson hosted a television show in the Cayman Islands. Today, she's back home writing a different kind of story as a new mom. In her 15 years working as a professional journalist, this by far is her best assignment! Growing up, she dreamed of becoming Oprah Winfrey. She was the features editor for her school’s newspaper and a teen talk show host for her city’s most popular radio station. She went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in Journalism from Michigan State University. After graduation, she worked as a television producer and reporter at CBS, NBC and Fox affiliates throughout the U.S. Instead of heading to Chicago to join Ms. Winfrey on her set, she bought a plane ticket to the Cayman Islands instead. She arrived five days before a category five hurricane! She lived in paradise for seven years, hosted an award-winning television show and traveled the globe with a government delegation. She also served on the board of directors for Big Brothers Big Sisters and spearheaded a Send a Kid to Camp campaign. Then, she relocated to Washington, D.C. to obtain a teaching certification and instruct 8th grade reading at a high needs middle school. She later returned to her hometown of Pittsburgh, PA to raise her daughter Caitlynn, now 4-years-old. During her 10-month-stint as a stay-at-home mom, Caitlynn inspired her to create this blog, and Diary of a First Time Mom was born on Mother’s Day 2012. Two years later, she expanded the family to include 20+ writers. Currently, Heather serves as the communications director at Allies for Children. In addition, she is the owner of Motor Mouth Multimedia, which ranked #49 in Startup Nation’s Home-Based 100 Competition sponsored by Discover Card and Sam’s Club. Recently, The Pittsburgh Foundation and The Heinz Endowments selected Heather to receive an Emerging Black Artist award to develop Diary of a First Time Mom.

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