A/N: These one-shots have already been posted, I know, I'm simply compiling them into one big collection. I'll probably add more as I write them, but since I've already got several stories going, don't expect regular updates.

Disclaimer: I do not own any of these movies, Disney does.

Parenting 101-Mother Gothel

I never realized raising a child would be so much work. I had always despised children, and ever since I had started using the magic flower I had avoided people altogether in order to not raise suspicion. But once I kidnapped Rapunzel and spirited her away to my tower, everything changed. I no longer had to take care of myself, but I had to raise Rapunzel to think she was my daughter!

And the fun was only just beginning.

I can remember very clearly the first time I ever left Rapunzel alone in the tower. I was only stepping out for an hour or two, just to gather some parsnips, and I was certain that I could trust the five year old to stay out of trouble for that amount of time.

"Now Rapunzel, flower, Mommy needs to go pick some fresh parsnips for dinner, and Rapunzel needs to stay inside where she's safe. Will you stay inside and look at pictures like a good girl?"

"Yes Mommy," said Rapunzel. She scampered off to find her picture book, already beginning to trip on her hair, which was beginning to be quite long. I smiled at her then quickly squashed any feelings of affection for the girl. She was only here for her hair, her hair and nothing more!

I was literally gone for an hour. (Maybe two, I was never good with the passing of time since I began using the flower.) As I headed back to the tower, I could faintly hear Rapunzel singing inside, no doubt entertaining herself through any means necessary.

I'll never forget how right I was.

As soon as I climbed the stairs inside the tower and opened the trapdoor I gasped in shock.

Rapunzel was covered entirely in paint. From her head to her toes, and completely soaked into her beautiful, life-giving hair, she was covered in paint! Sitting in the middle of the room, singing at the top of her lungs and obviously enjoying herself, sat Rapunzel, slowly smoothing out the pink paint into her hair.

I shrieked and clambered out of the trapdoor, scattering the contents of my basket everywhere. "RAPUNZEL!" I started panicking, what if the hair didn't work anymore?

Rapunzel looked up at me and smiled. "Look, Mommy!" she cried. "Paint!"

I was panting in my rage, ready to hit something. But I slowly calmed myself down, trying to get a grip on myself. The child is young, I reminded myself. There is time yet to teach her how to behave. All the time in the world.

"Rapunzel," I said in a strained yet calmer voice. "Let's get you cleaned up, alright flower?" Rapunzel nodded, and walked in the direction of the bathtub.

"Are you mad at me Mommy?" asked Rapunzel in her sweet little voice. Don't get attached, Gothel, I scolded myself.

"No, flower," I said sweetly. "Let's just get you cleaned up, then maybe you can sing for Mommy, how does that sound?"

"Ok, Mommy."

I didn't think parenting was going to be this hard, but it would all be worth it in the end. Right?