Personally I don't see that dressing well, or in a 'girly' way, necessarily takes away from the girl or woman's ability to be independent, smart, professional, sporty etc. I think relegating the 'look' of a girl to the negative things associated with being a girl is a disservice to women.

I am happy to wear skyscraper heels, frilly dresses, petticoats, make-up whatever, so that I look as 'pretty' (for want of a better word) as I can be. That does not for one minute detract from my abilities outside of the way I look, and I believe that those are substantial. I think that that's the example I wish to provide to my kids - you are defined by everything you are, no, not just how you look, but that's part of it too. And, you know what? You can have it all if you want it. I'm not going to not call a girl a princess if I think she is one, any less than I would call a boy a prince.

My DP recently bought me (and Rouge's daughter) matching t-shirts that say 'self-rescuing princess'. I think that's pretty apt for both of us, actually!