We're going through the Wonder Pets (and Dora) fascination right now as well, with our 2-year old.... every morning it's 'PEZ! PEZ!' and 'DOWA! DOWA!' and they have to be in order. Then, if we're lucky, we can turn it off... if it's one of those mornings, then a chant of 'MAISY! MAISY!' (his favorite from a month ago) will be heard until the beast is satiated.

I hear you, brother. And let me tell you: The Wonder Pets is NOT better when you're high.

Neal,

We went through something very similar with our first. He HAD to watch Teletubbies every morning or the world would end. That show was SO bad, that listening to him cry was actually more enjoyable.

My daughter (Elijah's age) is now way into the Grease soundtrack (listening to her sing Greased Lightening is a riot, especially when she asks what a "pussy wagon" is...) and she's also completely addicted to the song "Barbie Girl", that bouncy happy song from Aqua that enters your brain like a maggot and won't let go.

Our Silver Surfer helps us deal...thanks for that suggestion. If you ever make it to Kansas City, I'd love to come to one of your readings.

Hope you had a relaxing vacation!

The show has been CANCELLED

I like the Wonder Pets. I'm not so sure you'd like me.

Oh no....I think it's sewious...we have to help him!

I would suggest some of the very odd Japanese Anime movies like My Neighbor Totoro, Howl's Moving Castle, or Spirited Away. They are adventurous, have very odd imaginative characters and yet they aren't likely to cause nightmares like the Justice League.

You know, I think I prefer the Backyardigans to the Wonder Pets. Sad.

My precocious 6 year old has been very interested lately in shows aimed at the much younger audience (i.e. JoJo's Circus, aforementioned Backyardigans and those damned Wonder Pets). It's driving me nuts.

I can recommend Zoboomafoo (on PBS). It's much more tolerable for the parent within ear shot ... and those Kratt brothers aren't bad to look at--relevant info for those interested (probably not you, Neal).

The Backyardigans are far better than insipid junk like the Wonder Pets. They have diverse, original songs, a different story architecture every time, they change up the characters, use actual dancers with motion capture, use lots of big words, have slow edits rather than the frenetic choppy stuff, aren't terribly repetitive, etc. I am happy to let my daughter watch it, in contrast to 99% of the garbage on the tube.

You folks are actually weighing the merits of pre-school TV programming, in accordance with what is "tolerable" for adults.

Leave the 'burbs for a moment and know that in too many places on this globe, other parents are wondering how much malnutrition they can tolerate as their childrens' bodies and minds gradually collapse.

You can handle a few years of children's television -- and better yet -- kid's books.

BTW: Tomorrow, try this:

1) cultivate appreciation

2) watch your child and share their wondrous (and unconditioned) delight as if it were your own -- and it shall be.

3) think on this: little time remains.