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Ask Homedaddy -- The Readers Speak Out

Dear Homedaddy,
I am trying to be consistent, just like the parenting books say, but I keep running into problems. Recently I convinced our 8-month old son to eat his food by demonstrating that it smelled good. Later that day, while taking him for a walk in his stroller, I let him smell some roses which he then wanted to eat. In fact, he became extremely upset when I would not allow it, and no amount of explanation seems to satisfy him. He's been giving me dirty looks for the past three days. What should I do?
Eager To Please
Dry Fork, Iowa

Dear Eager,
Forget it. You cannot hide your true self from your son. You are a hypocrite of the lowest order. Take a good long look at yourself.

Dear Homedaddy,
Personally, I work for a living like any self-respecting Real ManÃ, but recently I took the day off to watch the kids just to see what all the hubbub is about. I was shocked and disgusted by the television shows kids are exposed to these days. Hour after hour of PBS programs about fairness, diversity, and sharing. And if that wasn't enough, a furry purple dinosaur singing about his feelings, for Pete's sake. In my day, it was a treat to see a cartoon character drop an anvil from a tremendous height onto the skull of his adversary. But not anymore, no, nowadays they all have to have a group hug at the end and sing a song about love. It's no wonder this country's a mess!
I say, bring back the classic tales of survival. Blood and Guts
Fort Benning, GA

Dear Blood and Guts,
I agree. I miss the cartoons of yore, and sometimes I still get the urge to settle a dispute by offering someone a stick of dynamite disguised as a cigar, although I rarely follow through. Those old cartoons were fun, but you have to admit they had a negative side. For many years I thought I could thwart a point-blank shotgun attack simply by sticking my fingers into the barrels, which would cause the gun to backfire in the face of the aggressor with no risk to me.

Dear Homedaddy,
My one-year-old son thinks that breaking wind is the funniest thing in the world. Whenever he does it, or worse yet, hears someone else do it, he laughs himself into a state which I could only describe as religious ecstasy. What can I do to teach him that this is a normal bodily function and not a source of entertainment?
Aghast About Gas
Portland, Oregon

Dear Aghast,
What do you mean, not a source of entertainment?

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