Question
My husband likes to watch television when he gets home from work. We have two very small babies (23 mo and 3 mo) who already love the tube. My husband doesn't believe TV is bad for kids at that age and will not change for his children. He doesn't seem open to discussing my feelings or our kids. What can I do?

Answer
Television can be a chaotic element in our homes as well as turning our kids into passive zombies. It sounds as if you are quite clear on how much television you want in your children's lives and I applaud you for that. We get nowhere begin vague and when we are specific with our "structure" for a nourishing home we manifest our image.

Perhaps you and your husband might plan an evening out for the two of you and talk about your family goals. Discuss what you would like your home to offer everyone, children and parents, and how you might create that. Would your husband consider cutting down on television -- say only 2 evenings a week and substitute music, games, or a family bike ride to wind down?

I found that my husband wanted to watch the news in the evenings. We discussed my concerns that our children not be presented with frightening images they weren't ready to absorb and came up with a solution. What worked for us was a television tucked away where he could catch the news then rejoin the family.

A wonderful support for you might be to get together with other like-minded parents on an ongoing basis. I call these gatherings Parent Groups but you could come up with your own idea for such a group. There is power in numbers -- individuals united in focused thought create a powerful force. When you have a support system of kindred souls you can often release a struggle or question into the group. Find people who are positive, reliable, and committed to parenting from a spiritual perspective. Stay open to the ideas and the people that are sent your way.

I send you blessings and light during this busy time in your life. Remember that you are never alone -- the universe is filled with loving guidance and energy awaiting you. All you have to do is ask.

Mimi Doe, M.Ed., a graduate of Harvard School of Education, is the author of 10 Principles For Spiritual Parenting - Nurturing Your Child's Soul (Harper- Collins, 1998) and co-author of Drawing Angels Near - Children Tell of Angels in Words and Pictures (Pocket Books, 1995). Her workshops have changed the way hundreds of parents interact with the children in their lives. Excerpts from 10 Principles is in the July issue of Ladies Home Journal, on stands June 15th.