Back in the ‘olden days’ when I was Calvin’s age, there wasn’t and ‘daytime’ television. My friends and I would leave our houses after breakfast, our Mothers would see us for about ten minutes at lunchtime then we would show up for supper. This went on until sixth or seventh grade when ‘soap operas’ made the migration from radio to television. Then, of course, there was ‘Queen for A Day’ and ‘House Party’ with Art Linkletter to fill in the vacant hours !!!
Raised both of my children outside the pablum that constitutes 97.2% of television viewing. They weren’t allowed to have the tube on until all their homework (remember that idea) was completed, thereby missing most the crap pointed toward their young impressionable minds. Both went on to excel in college and are now involved with great careers in their chosen fields of interest. Today, having children of their own, they too are extremely selective as to how that medium is allowed into their lives. In my opinion, television viewing robs children of their inherent creativity— stifling imagination—as does the gaming industry. Although, I suppose that the diligent practice of manipulating a joy stick might be a precursor to a career in the military.
Raised both of my children outside the pablum that constitutes 97.2% of television viewing. They weren’t allowed to have the tube on until all their homework (remember that idea) was completed, thereby missing most the crap pointed toward their young impressionable minds. Both went on to excel in college and are now involved with great careers in their chosen fields of interest. Today, having children of their own, they too are extremely selective as to how that medium is allowed into their lives. In my opinion, television viewing robs children of their inherent creativity— stifling imagination—as does the gaming industry. Although, I suppose that the diligent practice of manipulating a joy stick might be a precursor to a career in the military.
The time to teach them manners and socialize them is when they are too young to resist. It’s too late when they are eighteen and not protected by ‘juvenile status’ any more.
Kids used to be self sufficient. They used to be competent. Mostly they used to be reliable. Now they are supervised 24/7, until they get old enough to escape, whereupon a substantial number of them go haywire.
Calvin’s parents aren’t abusers. They are effective parents.
Just lie down on the grass on the front lawn and stare at the sky, Calvin, it’ll accomplish the same thing. Perhaps one of your neighbors will come by and see you and go in your house and offer to help your Dad bury the body…life is such a gas…
For summer time children in town with neighbor’s can be hard if their are no other children to play with.For us I remember we had to leave town as my dad got transferred to a different state. We got stuck in a small town. Stayed in a hotel bored. We did watch aTVv show and we laughed very hard Red Skelton. For us my mom was not and still not interested in reading books. Us kids never had a book to read during summer time. We either ride our bikes in our neighborhood or play outside watching out for stickers. Summers got very boring. We did get to watch some TV by then reruns. After I finished HS and went to a technical college then over a year of job hunting I did get one, non union. I then started buying my books. Then after married went and purchased more books. I had to stop working since non-union pay wasminimumm and would not pay for daycare. For me when we had our children I gave lots of time, went to parks and played with them. I also encourage reading during summer time going to a library they could check out books. Books are still important to me. When they were toddlers I would read at least to my son, my daughter I did not need to when nap or bed time came she was ready.
Now in my age taking on-line classes. Never applied for student aid as I hope employer will hire my age.
And of course the drawings in a comic strip are meant to be taken 100% literally. Especially a comic strip that is generally told from Calvin’s point of view.
Nabu..if we are talking about an Islamic terrorist hell bent on self destruction as well as that of others, “blowing yourself up” has a literal meaning as well…
rentier over 11 years ago
Going out is fine!
legaleagle48 over 11 years ago
Nice drop-kick, Dad!
ratlum over 11 years ago
Dad was going to explain that you dont have to sit there,but changed his mined .
margueritem over 11 years ago
Quick, lock the door, Dad!
favm over 11 years ago
Calvin, There is a world outside, and it is better than TV
in.amongst over 11 years ago
the filament has ignited…
leftybjb over 11 years ago
I know the feeling Calvn. I’ve turned tv off for evening and feel so desolate.
NormanBates over 11 years ago
Now he understand that dad meant.
Timberwolves88 over 11 years ago
Calvin’s answer reminds me a character from The Big Bang Theory (don’t remember the name).
curmudgeon68 over 11 years ago
I’m sure there will be comments from the self righteous types that brag about never watching TV, or even owning one.
Linux0s over 11 years ago
There’s surely a cellphone parallel for this today…
battle of plattsburgh over 11 years ago
He’s sitting there, watching TV….and his father wants him to get up and go outside?? Doesn’t he know to leave ‘well enough’ alone?
dustspecks Premium Member over 11 years ago
Calvin, you’re welcome to come over and watch “nothing good on TV” anytime. Oh, Hobbes too.
GROG Premium Member over 11 years ago
I never had to be punted outdoors. I had friends to play football, baseball and road hockey with.
orinoco womble over 11 years ago
The more channels we get, the less there is to watch.
Puddleglum2 over 11 years ago
If Dad wanted Calvin to ‘take steps’ toward initiating another activity, he precluded that possibility by kicking him out.
arye uygur over 11 years ago
This isn’t the first time I’ve seen Calvin bodily thrown out of the door.
IndyMan over 11 years ago
Back in the ‘olden days’ when I was Calvin’s age, there wasn’t and ‘daytime’ television. My friends and I would leave our houses after breakfast, our Mothers would see us for about ten minutes at lunchtime then we would show up for supper. This went on until sixth or seventh grade when ‘soap operas’ made the migration from radio to television. Then, of course, there was ‘Queen for A Day’ and ‘House Party’ with Art Linkletter to fill in the vacant hours !!!
jack fairbanks over 11 years ago
okay, pie lover, time for righteous indignation
Phapada over 11 years ago
not nice…
Five boys over 11 years ago
I have a police scanner. Listen to it as much as I watch tv. New respect for law enforcement, they go thru a lot.
thirdguy over 11 years ago
I will bet that Calvin doesn’t even like tea!
DaynLarz over 11 years ago
Need more parents like this!
Supreme Comic Kid over 11 years ago
Not the active type, but Calvin asked for it.
katina.cooper over 11 years ago
Calvin, don’t look up. Hobbes has just pounced off the roof directly above you.
ttom2 Premium Member over 11 years ago
People, if you get tired of all the political comments, just flag the people doing it, and it will stop.
sundogusa over 11 years ago
Kids! Thanks Dad!
Thomas Linquist over 11 years ago
For the most part, tv is just background noise, turned low, while I"m doing other things.
cwizard71 over 11 years ago
When I was Calvin’s age, I would watch TV when there was nothing else to do. The rest of the time, I had fun doing other things.
StrangerCoug over 11 years ago
Not too forward-thinking, are you, Calvin?
charliedawg over 11 years ago
it’s a good thing Calvin and family don’t live in a mobile home, he’d go out to play and they have moved.
Number Three over 11 years ago
I hardly find anything good on TV so I read, listen to music or put one of my DVDs on.
Love the 3rd panel!
xxx
Pjbflyn over 11 years ago
Raised both of my children outside the pablum that constitutes 97.2% of television viewing. They weren’t allowed to have the tube on until all their homework (remember that idea) was completed, thereby missing most the crap pointed toward their young impressionable minds. Both went on to excel in college and are now involved with great careers in their chosen fields of interest. Today, having children of their own, they too are extremely selective as to how that medium is allowed into their lives. In my opinion, television viewing robs children of their inherent creativity— stifling imagination—as does the gaming industry. Although, I suppose that the diligent practice of manipulating a joy stick might be a precursor to a career in the military.
Pjbflyn over 11 years ago
Raised both of my children outside the pablum that constitutes 97.2% of television viewing. They weren’t allowed to have the tube on until all their homework (remember that idea) was completed, thereby missing most the crap pointed toward their young impressionable minds. Both went on to excel in college and are now involved with great careers in their chosen fields of interest. Today, having children of their own, they too are extremely selective as to how that medium is allowed into their lives. In my opinion, television viewing robs children of their inherent creativity— stifling imagination—as does the gaming industry. Although, I suppose that the diligent practice of manipulating a joy stick might be a precursor to a career in the military.
TrulyEpic0914 over 11 years ago
Hey son look you can go outside.
rentier over 11 years ago
I still don’t look TV very often !
Hawthorne over 11 years ago
And that’s why we’re in the mess we are in today.
The time to teach them manners and socialize them is when they are too young to resist. It’s too late when they are eighteen and not protected by ‘juvenile status’ any more.
Kids used to be self sufficient. They used to be competent. Mostly they used to be reliable. Now they are supervised 24/7, until they get old enough to escape, whereupon a substantial number of them go haywire.
Calvin’s parents aren’t abusers. They are effective parents.
titenbiswas over 11 years ago
uuups horrible reaction Of dAAd :D
khpage over 11 years ago
Just lie down on the grass on the front lawn and stare at the sky, Calvin, it’ll accomplish the same thing. Perhaps one of your neighbors will come by and see you and go in your house and offer to help your Dad bury the body…life is such a gas…
westny77 over 11 years ago
Take the hint Calvin. Tv is good at night or in bad weather.
kab2rb over 11 years ago
For summer time children in town with neighbor’s can be hard if their are no other children to play with.For us I remember we had to leave town as my dad got transferred to a different state. We got stuck in a small town. Stayed in a hotel bored. We did watch aTVv show and we laughed very hard Red Skelton. For us my mom was not and still not interested in reading books. Us kids never had a book to read during summer time. We either ride our bikes in our neighborhood or play outside watching out for stickers. Summers got very boring. We did get to watch some TV by then reruns. After I finished HS and went to a technical college then over a year of job hunting I did get one, non union. I then started buying my books. Then after married went and purchased more books. I had to stop working since non-union pay wasminimumm and would not pay for daycare. For me when we had our children I gave lots of time, went to parks and played with them. I also encourage reading during summer time going to a library they could check out books. Books are still important to me. When they were toddlers I would read at least to my son, my daughter I did not need to when nap or bed time came she was ready.
Now in my age taking on-line classes. Never applied for student aid as I hope employer will hire my age.
bizaker over 11 years ago
And of course the drawings in a comic strip are meant to be taken 100% literally. Especially a comic strip that is generally told from Calvin’s point of view.
Puddleglum2 over 11 years ago
Just for clarification, when Calvin literally was kicked out (over the steps), he lost the opportunity to take steps.
supersexyghotmew95 over 11 years ago
not really the sun is evil
khpage over 11 years ago
Nabu..if we are talking about an Islamic terrorist hell bent on self destruction as well as that of others, “blowing yourself up” has a literal meaning as well…