Don't ever fold to Political Correctness on this event as other towns have.

But have you thought about the little girl's who have grown up without their father's? My daughter is one of them! She went with her grandfather when she was in 3rd grade and came home crying because all the other girls were with their daddy's and she was not. I do not think they should stop the dance I just wished they would change the name! Maybe to The King and I Ball!

Lau - if your daughter came home crying because all of the other girls were with their fathers and she was not, I suspect she would have the same reaction no matter what the dance was called. She was upset by the situation, not the name of the dance. I too grew up without a father so I completely sympathize. I am just of the mindset that we have to help the child accept and adapt to the situation rather than worrying about what we call something. I am a proponent of supporting a child through adversity rather than shielding them from it. I would tell her that she had an extra-special grandfather who loved her very much and was happy to take his princess out for an evening.

I disagree. I understand children are sensitive. I lost a parent young too. It hurts to have a reminder that your parent is gone, however, that doesn't mean other children shouldn't be able to enjoy their time with their parents at events like this. I would have been honored to have a grandparent or uncle step up and attend something like this - if I CHOSE to attend it. Perhaps she didn't expect the sadness of the reminder her father wasn't there. Plus kids don't have filters and don't realize they should ask someone where there father is when they arrive with someone else. What if I don't have a daughter and I think there should be a mother/son dance? Should I expect the people who dreamed up this event to alter it for me?

In the end, I am sorry your child was sad however, these volunteers do a great job. It started as a small idea and grew into a tradition. It's a choice to attend or not. Perhaps your child should do something different with her grandfather instead of attending the dance that will provide her special memories that will last her lifetime.

I want to add that my daughter did have a great time. And she actually attended the following year with my boyfriend and again had a blast. I explained to her then that there will be others there with grandfathers even uncles. I think that she just had in her head that it was a "father" daughter dance. And at that time she dreamed about just meeting him. And I guess if you have been abandoned by your father like she was and never knew him then you'd understand. Plus it was her choice and I supported her. And why don't they something have something for the boys? They could call it a Prince Charming Ball? :) Something new to think about? Sorry I got a little personal.