Kathy is scared to visit the doctor and get a shot. Barney immediately tries to convince her that there s nothing to be afraid of. Tina accidentally drops some records and they shatter on the floor. Tina asks woefully. Barney s instant interventions distract children from their pain before they have had a chance to examine it, respect it, stay with it and, ultimately, watch it evaporate.
Children can t learn to walk without falling.
Similarly, sugarcoating painful moments can diminish a child s ego strength. I can just hear two million parents coming to Barney s defense. Not at all. My children would never forgive me and, in all fairness, the big guy does offer age-appropriate laughter and love to millions of kids, many of whom crave the cuddling Barney dispenses so freely.