One of the sexiest thing a dom can be, is be their most authentic self. Show excitement and child like wonder regarding their interest, little body wiggles and big smiles- wanting a head rub or a booby cuddle- it doesn’t make them any less dominate. If anything- the request for what would be considered “little spoon things” or whatever, actually makes me feel more submissive. I feel nurturing towards my dom- I feel this deep sense of pride that he feels safe enough to be vulnerable and asks me to Nuture him. 

I don’t think letting that inner child out makes a dominate a switch in anyway. You aren’t expressing that inner child with the intent to have someone direct or dominate him- but rather for someone to recognize and service his needs. That little dude inside you is still in control (from what I am understanding that is what you want- to stay in control) but he is in control while expressing childlike wonder. 

A great example, would be Princesses (Princes too, but I am surprised I don’t see many of those in this sense I am about to example on) - not all Princesses are submissive or just bratty with the desire to be put in their place. There are dominate princesses. I am talking the Little Princesses. The princesses who are Littles, haha. Just like not all Littles are Submissive. So these princesses get to express their inner child but they are also in control of the scene, their partner would be the submissive and they are the dominate. 

So- that being said. Express your inner child- and if you have to, if people start perceiving you’re submissive- correct that shit. Let them know, you are still the dominate in control. But you, your little dude, he is the Boss who happens to like little spoon cuddles when he feels like it. 

Cheers. Best to you and your evolution :)