I LOVE YOU, YOU LOVE ME

People say there is a reason to mistrust anyone above 65 years old who hang around with children 7 years and below. Especially flamboyant ones who don a mix green and purple, and who whispers I love you, You Love to just about every kid he meets in the park.

But I tell you, in all honesty, i trust Barney.

Barney helped us in making the education of our daughter Andie an enjoyable experience (for her and for us too). At two she's already capable of identifying the primary colors. She can count from one to twenty, but honestly with a bit of dagdag bawas. Barney is also crucial in the values formation of children, like encouraging kids to share, express their anger, taking care of animals, reading books, creating and being responsible.

The episode I'm most thankful for is the one that encourages kids to create. One time we were at the toy store, Andie decided to take home a finger painting set and clay doughs. I thought that was a one-time fascination of being able to copy what's on the TV. But it turned out to be something she loves to do. Now our regular mall day is highlighted by a visit to Powerbooks, where she paints plaster of Paris molds of butterflies, bears and hearts. She then takes home books that she wants us to read for her before we sleep.

All these thanks to Barney.

Barney is also credited for a lot of things, including an alleged part in the US campaign against terrorism. It is said that the Barney theme is used to pressure suspected terrorists to confess by locking them up in a room and playing "I love you, you love me", until the suspect reveals kept secrets or their ears bleed to death, whichever comes first.

Sadly there are parents who believe and publicly profess that Barney is evil, and they're not just trying to be funny. There are parents who claim that Barney is interfering with the way they are raising their children. Or that Barney undermines their own values and views of the family life. Some goes so far as criticizing the phony and robot-like attitude of the children-actors who they say will jump off a cliff if Barney sings a snappy song.

This is indeed sad. These views are likely coming from parents who have treated Barney as their high-tech nanny, parents who have assigned to Barney the sole task of raising their kids. How can they attribute so much evil to a mascot? How can they even make an issue out of the acting of the children performers of the show?

I ask of these parents: Please do not chart a lonely and paranoid childhood for your kids. Be there as they grow up. Don't leave everything to Barney and don't blame him for your own shortcomings.

And together let's sing: I love you, you love me. We're a happy family. With a great big hug and a kiss from me to you. Won't you say you love me too....