A recent experience showed me just how powerful the trend is toward materialism. My 3-year-old daughter and I were leaving the record store when I noticed she was carrying an unopened, unpurchased Sesame Street video cassette. In a firm voice I said, "Jessica, let's put that back where we found it."

"But I want it, Daddy."

Ever wise, I said truthfully, "But Daddy doesn't have enough money to buy it."

Pleased with my loving management of another parental crisis, I was shocked by her reply. She gave me that patronizing look known to all parents of three-year olds and said, "Daddy, just charge it, silly."

... My little girl is picking up the values of the consumer age in which she lives.