Ever wondered what happens after ‘happily ever after’ in fairy tales?
You know, the ones where the prince kisses the princess, and they ride off into the sunset? Many Disney stories wrap up with “and they lived happily ever after,” right? That dreamy finale is supposed to let our imaginations run wild with visions of an idealized future. But has anyone ever wondered what their “happy” life looked like a few years down the road? Did they have kids? Because if they did, let me tell you—that’s a whole new fairy tale waiting to unfold!
Picture Cinderella, still waking up with a smile and singing birds around her—except now, it’s after a night of zero sleep, dealing with crying babies and dodging diaper disasters. She’d probably chuck things at those birds for waking her up.
Forget those glossy Disney illustrations of her hair; in reality, Cinderella’s hair would be more like a mom’s real-life messy bun, complete with baby spit-up as an accessory. Disney should hire a real mom—those illustrations would be less pretty, but way more authentic!
Remember when Cinderella had to dash from the ball at midnight? Should we really feel sorry for her? That night, she looked stunning! Everyone talked about her beauty—when was the last time someone did that for you? Long before the kids, right? And dancing with a prince for hours? Moms today are lucky if they get a quick shuffle under the shower for one whole song! Let alone dream about parties without someone walking behind you, yelling or needing something every two minutes.
Now, let’s fast-forward a few years. Think Cinderella’s stepsisters’ demands were tough? Try competing with your kids’ non-stop requests for snacks, water (but not in that cup!), and finding their lost toys. Everyone pities Cinderella for sweeping those ashy floors—but sweeping up a mountain of crumbs and spilled cereal three times a day? No one talks about that!
We all felt for Cinderella when she had to pick out lentils from the ashes. Well… that must have been tough, actually. But what about picking up those tiny Lego pieces from every corner of the house? Don’t get me started—I think we all hate that! And stepping on one in the middle of the night on the way to the bathroom? Oh yes, I would love to see our pretty Cinderella losing it at 2 a.m. That’s a pain she couldn’t handle!
Meanwhile, where is Prince Charming in that whole mess? Let me guess, taking his 45-minute bathroom break—with his phone, of course! Or maybe he is dancing with another Cinderella? Life is unpredictable, and for some of us, more demanding.
Don’t think for a second being a rich princess is any easier. Well, maybe a bit; they have the money to afford sitters and cleaning ladies. Nevertheless, nothing releases them from the responsibility of being a mom. That’s universal. We care so much that we forget to care for ourselves. That’s the real magic of our story—life with kids is tough because we love them fiercely, and despite the chaos, we endure the pain and grow stronger every day.
In the end, our ‘happily ever after’ isn’t about idealized perfection or fairy tales. It’s about discovering love and joy amidst the mess. So, take a deep breath, keep sweeping those floors and picking up those Legos, because one day—very soon—it will be our turn to enjoy the Ball! And our kids will make sure those shoes fit so we can dance all night long!!
Wolverine Lily 