It is difficult to meet expectations when they are not communicated well. Glad to see that Micheal is living up to his mother’s expectation now if only he would meet her demands.
If letting your kids play freely yet making them finish their homework makes Elly negligent then a helicopter parent, then my old-fashioned Greatest Generation parents were negligent yet “helicopter” parents. Weird logic from duck, but I don’t expect anything more.
I find myself wondering if the people (funny, I think they are men) who criticize Elly so much have ever been married, much less parents. Parents are human, most of them do their best and spend a lot of time worrying about the mistakes they may have made.
No kid does their homework because it’s just something that they do.. They do it because of parents who made expectations clear that you were going to do it. Apparently your parents were smooth enough to let you think that it was your idea.Also, back in the 60’s when I was a kid, kids DID roam freely around the neighborhood with their friends. It was a different world then.. but kids were outside and staying fit. Now they sit in the house playing with video games, watching TV or their phones and getting fat.
And I know that it’s been said before, but geesh.. It’s a comic strip, it’s a function of Lyn’s imagination. Elly is NOT real.. and Lyn can put anything that she wants into her comics without trash talk from the peanut gallery.
Michael has only one person to blame for all this: Michael. He was the one who threw fuel on the fire, first by being lackadaisical in not picking up after himself and getting Elly to yell at him, then by not paying attention to his mother because he was so mesmerized by his headset, then having his mother ream him for not concentrating on his homework. He could have avoided all this if he had a little more self-discipline. For those who complain that Elly is being a helicopter parent, in this case it is warranted. Just as vicious dogs need to be securely kenneled and an immoral citizen needs a police state, lazy kids need helicopter parents. If Michael wants his mother to lay off him, he needs to lose the Walkman and start reading the books.
Since there will never be anything about Elly that will please you, it is a constant source of amazement to many of us that you continue to read the reruns of a comic that you so obviously disliked when it first ran.-Are you returning to it in the hopes that the cartoonist has read your comments and changed her characters to meet your expectations, or what?-I grew up in the ’60’s, and my parents expected us to play outside and get exercise. Staring at a television was a rationed activity. But doing homework was expected. If teachers sent home notes that homework was not done, there were consequences.
I’m not a parent myself, but I have taught middle school for close to 20 years and have been involved in youth sports for even longer. I’ve had plenty of experience with kids and parents of all kinds. Yes, I have found that the involved parent usually comes along with the more responsible child. But there is a limit, the over-doting (helicopter) parent often results in a child that has difficulty making decisions or is easy prey to unsavory influences when on their own.Parenthood is indeed a slippery slope – but it’s the only thing we have so we must carry on.
Duck, after a while of trying to respond to you, I am beginning to appreciate what you are trying to do here. You are very articulate, and open up dialogues that are actually fun to read and usually bring a smile to my face. Thank you for the fun.
@howtheduck-Once again, the reply function fails. Seems like GoComics doesn’t want us to use it.-your eternal refrain of: I can’t actually find anything good to say about this comic – Some good things about today’s comic: (1) Elly is taking an interest in her son; (2) Elly is concerned about whether he’s done his homework, which is what a responsible parent should do; and (3) Elly is talking, not yelling, at her son.-instead I’ll attack someone.-“Disagree with” means attack, to you. And not “someone”. Just repetitive Ellyhaters.-(blah-blah-blah)-See above comment on ‘repetitive Ellyhaters’, who keep on keeping on about their contempt, as if it was something brand new…
In a few hours, it will be sundown, and the beginning of a New Year to those of us who follow the Jewish faith. For everyone out there, best wishes for good health and happiness. See you next year, I hope….
Templo S.U.D. almost 10 years ago
Go back upstairs, young man. No, then finishing only the first question also doesn’t count as “almost finished.”
Observer fo Irony almost 10 years ago
It is difficult to meet expectations when they are not communicated well. Glad to see that Micheal is living up to his mother’s expectation now if only he would meet her demands.
lightenup Premium Member almost 10 years ago
If letting your kids play freely yet making them finish their homework makes Elly negligent then a helicopter parent, then my old-fashioned Greatest Generation parents were negligent yet “helicopter” parents. Weird logic from duck, but I don’t expect anything more.
dsom8 almost 10 years ago
Just like what she complains about.
ladykat almost 10 years ago
I find myself wondering if the people (funny, I think they are men) who criticize Elly so much have ever been married, much less parents. Parents are human, most of them do their best and spend a lot of time worrying about the mistakes they may have made.
GoBlue almost 10 years ago
No kid does their homework because it’s just something that they do.. They do it because of parents who made expectations clear that you were going to do it. Apparently your parents were smooth enough to let you think that it was your idea.Also, back in the 60’s when I was a kid, kids DID roam freely around the neighborhood with their friends. It was a different world then.. but kids were outside and staying fit. Now they sit in the house playing with video games, watching TV or their phones and getting fat.
And I know that it’s been said before, but geesh.. It’s a comic strip, it’s a function of Lyn’s imagination. Elly is NOT real.. and Lyn can put anything that she wants into her comics without trash talk from the peanut gallery.
AVJ almost 10 years ago
My memories coincide with lightenup’s – we played on our own (I don’t remember making a mess, but I wouldn’t, would I?) but homework had to be done!
USN1977 almost 10 years ago
Michael has only one person to blame for all this: Michael. He was the one who threw fuel on the fire, first by being lackadaisical in not picking up after himself and getting Elly to yell at him, then by not paying attention to his mother because he was so mesmerized by his headset, then having his mother ream him for not concentrating on his homework. He could have avoided all this if he had a little more self-discipline. For those who complain that Elly is being a helicopter parent, in this case it is warranted. Just as vicious dogs need to be securely kenneled and an immoral citizen needs a police state, lazy kids need helicopter parents. If Michael wants his mother to lay off him, he needs to lose the Walkman and start reading the books.
Argy.Bargy2 almost 10 years ago
Since there will never be anything about Elly that will please you, it is a constant source of amazement to many of us that you continue to read the reruns of a comic that you so obviously disliked when it first ran.-Are you returning to it in the hopes that the cartoonist has read your comments and changed her characters to meet your expectations, or what?-I grew up in the ’60’s, and my parents expected us to play outside and get exercise. Staring at a television was a rationed activity. But doing homework was expected. If teachers sent home notes that homework was not done, there were consequences.
Fido (aka Felix Rex) Premium Member almost 10 years ago
I’m not a parent myself, but I have taught middle school for close to 20 years and have been involved in youth sports for even longer. I’ve had plenty of experience with kids and parents of all kinds. Yes, I have found that the involved parent usually comes along with the more responsible child. But there is a limit, the over-doting (helicopter) parent often results in a child that has difficulty making decisions or is easy prey to unsavory influences when on their own.Parenthood is indeed a slippery slope – but it’s the only thing we have so we must carry on.
JanLC almost 10 years ago
Duck, after a while of trying to respond to you, I am beginning to appreciate what you are trying to do here. You are very articulate, and open up dialogues that are actually fun to read and usually bring a smile to my face. Thank you for the fun.
Argy.Bargy2 almost 10 years ago
@howtheduck-Once again, the reply function fails. Seems like GoComics doesn’t want us to use it.-your eternal refrain of: I can’t actually find anything good to say about this comic – Some good things about today’s comic: (1) Elly is taking an interest in her son; (2) Elly is concerned about whether he’s done his homework, which is what a responsible parent should do; and (3) Elly is talking, not yelling, at her son.-instead I’ll attack someone.-“Disagree with” means attack, to you. And not “someone”. Just repetitive Ellyhaters.-(blah-blah-blah)-See above comment on ‘repetitive Ellyhaters’, who keep on keeping on about their contempt, as if it was something brand new…
Argy.Bargy2 almost 10 years ago
In a few hours, it will be sundown, and the beginning of a New Year to those of us who follow the Jewish faith. For everyone out there, best wishes for good health and happiness. See you next year, I hope….
lizilu almost 10 years ago
Boys will be boys. That’s the best case. And mom’s will be moms. That’s also the best case.