Many of the whimsical and lighthearted stories in books, television and movies that we force feed to little children are designed to do more than just entertain them and keep them sitting still for five minutes because they're bloodstream is pumping more sugar through them than Willy Wonka's candy factory.

Fairy tales and other children's stories were written to give children a more positive image of the world in which they are growing up and a false sense of hope about their future. The fact of the matter is there are no fairy godmothers that can solve all of our problems with a wave of her wand. There is no magic pair of shoes that can transport us to another place and time by clicking its heels together. And, once and for all, there are no dashing princes who rule in far off lands to sweep us off our feet and take us to a place where we can live happily ever after. Believe me, I've looked…never mind.

And the sooner kids learn this, the better off they will be. Filling their heads with a lot of nonsense about magical dwarfs, frogs or footwear won't really prepare them for the world that's out there. So instead of reinforcing these negative stereotypes about unachievable dreams and unrealistic goals, tell them what's really going to happen. Here's what I mean.

"Cinderella"
IN THE STORY: Her fairy godmother allows her to go to the dance by transporting a pumpkin into a beautiful carriage.
IN REAL LIFE: You are an hour late to your high school prom because your date's Yugo broke down on the Interstate.

"Rapunzel"
IN THE STORY: A fair maiden trapped in a tall tower sneaks her lover inside by letting him climb up her long, beautiful hair.
IN REAL LIFE: Every morning you wake up with a cowlick as tall as the Washington Monument and your "lover" just makes fun of it calling you "Alfalfa."

"Peter Pan"
IN THE STORY: Our hero saves Wendy and the Lost Boys from the clutches of the evil Captain Hook.
IN REAL LIFE: No one is there to save you from getting your prostate examined from the man the nurses call "Dr. Coldfinger."

"Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs"
IN THE STORY: A beautiful woman is awakened from a deep sleep by the kiss of an enchanted prince.
IN REAL LIFE: You're woken up at 5:30 in the morning to the sound of your kids screaming, "DADDY, I CAN'T FIND THE COCOA PUFFS! DADDY, I CAN'T FIND THE COCOA PUFFS! DADDY, I CAN'T FIND THE COCOA PUFFS! DADDY, I CAN'T FIND THE COCOA PUFFS!"

"The Three Little Pigs"
IN THE STORY: A big, bad wolf blows down the house of a pig that made it out of straw.
IN REAL LIFE: We call the big, bad wolf the "IRS."

"The Frog Prince"
IN THE STORY: A princess kisses an ugly frog that turns into a handsome prince.
IN REAL LIFE: When you get married, it’s the other way around.