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How do you fight the constant campaign of TV commercials? How do you convince a little girl that her dady is not a nerd?

She doesn't watch much TV, but does a little. She does jump on the commercials with the "I want that" type of responses. We just deal with each one as they come up and make her understand all of the basics about life. It's amazing how, if you say things and back them up with action and example, how thier little sponge heads just kinda pick it up. It's a battle to keep the consistent message and make her "earn" the things that she gets, but it pays off in the long run.

When she goes to bed at night (at pretty much the same time), all of her toys are picked up. It's just part of the routine now, as much of the game as anything else.

It's much easier to spend the $1.99 in the store to make them happy than it is to say "no", but you just have to or you are doomed. I have to stay on my wife about it, but all is going pertty well. Average that all out with spending as much time playing and reading and just "being there" as possible, and all things work out.

I'm amazed at how many parents I see now that just let the tv and computer occupy their children, but I guess I'm lucky because I just actually enjoy spending time with her.

How do you do it?

Throw the TV into the garbage. [See John Rosemond's web page or pick up a book on how to do this.] Cancel all the teen magazines. Start doing things together as a family instead of separately. [Meaning, cancel your weekend time with the buddies or your golf game or whatever.] If your children are still relatively young they will just enjoy the time with you and as the relationship strengthens they will not rebel just because they love you.

There are other obvious steps. Join a church or become more actively involved. Volunteer to build houses or go on mission trips to Mexico so your children can see how unimportant clothes really are. Homeschool your children. Get involved with other families who share your beliefs (thereby subtly changing the children who become your children's friends). Have a faith-centered family life that includes prayer and Bible study.

Sorry, philo -- I probably gave you more than you wanted. But raising children in today's world takes active work with a focus to keep them away or separate from the evil out there.

I'm not sure you can convince a little girl that her daddy isn't a nerd, but you can make darn sure that if she dresses trashy her nerdy father (and mom) will make sure no one ever sees the outfit out side the house. Really, how do kids get the clothes if the parents don't let them?

How do you convince a little girl that her daddy is not a nerd?

I'm quite happy to assume the role of a nerd with my daughter-- a strict and overbearing nerd.

My wife and I decided long ago that while we would always shower our kids with love and attention, we would make sure they understood that we were their parents and NOT their friends, until the time they became independent adults.

Our 10-year-old has had to come home from sleep-overs where the other girls are watching PG-13 movies. The other parents (especially the slutty skanky moms) look at us like we're escapees from Dogpatch, but my daughter's true friends know she can't watch inappropriate movies movie and don't embarrass her by asking her to.

It is liberating for a kid-- whatever temptation is being offered, they can always say, "I'm sorry-- I'd love to but my dad is SO strict and SO mean if I don't do what he says!" I don't mind being the ogre if it means my kids are protected.

-ccm