<p>D loved Barney for a few years and I never made a connection between the show and awards/recognition, etc. I just considered it children’s entertainment.</p>
<p>I have noticed a few people on this thread (and have seen this elsewhere) say that their child never cared much about the rewards/recognitions received. Perhaps this is because their child actually received some. I am the mom of the child who many times received the highest grades in her classes but for years walked out of the award ceremonies empty handed. The head GC at her school claimed she was nominated for “several” awards every year, so it was somewhat odd that she NEVER won.</p>
<p>When the letters came out for the final award ceremony at her school, D tore into the mail eagerly looking and hoping for a letter. She was thrilled to receive one and I will be forever grateful to the teacher who selected her.</p>
<p>At my son’s 2 year birthday party, Barney came. We have a video of him waving goodbye, so happy. </p>
<p>Most parents at the time couldn’t stomache the relentlessly positive vibe on the show, but I loved it. I didn’t need adult-oriented humor slipped in to my kid’s show. It was 100 % geared toward toddlers & it was perfect in that way.</p>
<p>I guess I’m part of the “Barney generation”. My experience was that even the most spoiled and sheltered kids knew the difference between awards for participation and awards for being MVP or Most Improved or whatever once they were over the age of about six.</p>
<p>Mr. Greenjeans from Captain Kangaroo! I loved him when I was little. We had a neighbor who looked just like him and I was convinced he was ‘secretly’ Mr. Greenjeans. I’d forgotten about that. :)</p>
<p>We took our kids to meet Bob Keeshan (Captain Kangaroo) at a book signing years ago. It was one of the few times I’ve been speechless–I was starstruck!</p>
<p>When I was in college I knew a pair of brothers whose father was Dancing Bear from Captain Kangaroo. Every time he came to campus all their friends would just happen to drop by. We were all awestruck.</p>
<p>My wife and I used to hate Barney, even as our kids watched him daily. Now that my kids are too old for Barney, though, I kind of miss the relentlessly positive message and happy (if insipid) songs. Or maybe I just miss the joy of having kids of Barney-watching age.</p>
<p>One Christmastime when my son was about three, we went to a “winter wonderland” festival, and someone was there dressed as Barney. My son saw him and calmly and silently walked over and rested his head on Barney. It was about the sweetest thing I’ve ever seen. He obviously felt absolutely safe and comfortable.</p>
<p>^I am awestruck. The Dancing Bear?? WOW.
I have an autographed picture of the Captain on my wall and would KILL for a signed Dancing Bear pic. Mr Greenjeans would be sweet as well.</p>
<p>I guess that makes us the “Captian Kangaroo Generation” which Rocks!</p>
<p>I miss having Barney watching aged kids, too. Whenever that horrible “I love you, you love me” song would come on, both girls would run into whichever room I was in for a hug. Makes me misty eyed.</p>
<p>(Sorry to get that song stuck in your head, folks. :)</p>
<p>I liked Captain Kangeroo but esp loved Mr. Rogers & his calm, soothing demeanor (tho I know other people couldn’t take him!). My little brother had a crush on “PixAnn” which I think may have been a local thing.</p>
<p>My older kids watched Mr. Rogers and Sesame Street. I’m afraid I kind of banned Barney, Spongebob and the Power Rangers because I didn’t like them. I think the everyone gets a trophy thing went on a little too long for intramural sports in our area, but I agree with most posters, that it hasn’t warped the kids for life. They don’t think the world revolves around them and certainly don’t expect recognition in HS for not doing anything.</p>
<p>My fav tv shows growing up were Sally Starr, Captain Kangeroo and I have a vague memory of Pixanne. Oh, and Romper Room when I was really little.</p>
<p>Oddly, I was particularly pleased by the way the tv picked up the sound it made when he took pieces of tape from the tape dispenser, while making crafts. For no reason I can put my finger on, I loved that sound. One of the many reasons I fell in love with my H was that he understood when I explained this to him. </p>
<p>My mom had a heavy desk dispenser for tape that made a similar sound - not exactly the same, but close enough for me. It was one of the few things from my childhood home that I wanted, in a way that I can only describe as covetous, after my parents died. Fortunately, nobody else wanted it.</p>