For Better or For Worse by Lynn Johnston for October 01, 2010

  1. Silverknights
    JanLC  about 14 years ago

    I thought today’s parents all used the ‘go to your room’ time out thing. Why is Ellie so upset about it?

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    cdward  about 14 years ago

    ^Yeah, I did too, and I swore I would never do that to another human being. I’ve kept my promise, and my kids are turning out to be great people.

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    gobblingup Premium Member about 14 years ago

    @JanCinVV – I think Elly is wondering why he didn’t talk to him instead of sending him away. For me, the time I send a kid somewhere (for us it’s the stairs - less to do there), it’s so that one or both of us can calm down. The timeout isn’t the punishment, it’s to calm down and think of what a rational person should do so you don’t smack the kid.

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  4. What has been seen t1
    lewisbower  about 14 years ago

    Both my folk were child psychologists, but when it came to punishment the Bible ruled. They raised a federal judge, a municipal planner, and a daydreaming commenter on Gocomics.

    Er, wasn’t “Rats!” Charlie Browns line?

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    arsmall  about 14 years ago

    ^ that’s what rules in my house. When it comes to kids, especially when you choose to use corporal punishment, you have to deal with each kid at their own level and personality.

    One should never use their hands and punishment should be administered in a certain order.

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    ZorkArg  about 14 years ago

    So much for the knotted rope… What about stun guns?

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    pschearer Premium Member about 14 years ago

    I studied psych undergrad, back in the days when you were either a behaviorist rat-runner, a Freudian, or some bizarre hybrid. I understand the rat-runners have gone away, replaced by cognitive psychology, which holds the mind is real and has an effect on our actions. Who knew?

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  8. Willy wonka factory
    dsom8  about 14 years ago

    @Ji2m LOL!

    Actually, isn’t the labyrinthine “meditation garden” a new tool for “calming the soul” or some such thing?

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  9. Tarot
    Nighthawks Premium Member about 14 years ago

    oh, well , then dissect him then

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    summerdog86  about 14 years ago

    John has a degree in psychology and treats members of his family, from time to time, like he doesn’t.

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    georgiiii  about 14 years ago

    I’m in favor of any method that convinces kids the world is real and has real consequences. When that doesn’t happen you get… Lindsey Lohan, Paris Hilton, etc. The exact method depends on the kid and the circumstances. Corporal punishment - there’s usually a more effective way, but it’s not off the table. Although they should never be hit in the head and it should never be done in anger.

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    mistermike1  about 14 years ago

    I’m glad for this comic, it outlines a disparity between typical psychology and real leadership. True religion, good leadership practices, and positive psychology all surpass typical psychology in truly helping people.

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    Comic-Nut  about 14 years ago

    I’m in favour of deep conversation with your child … and when that doesn’t seem to work, bringing out the wooden spoon (for Mom’s) or the leather belt (for Dad’s).

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    LindainOregon  about 14 years ago

    I had a lab rat in college… I named him Rodney. I trained him by either giving him food (reward) or an electric shock (punishment)… doesn’t work too well with children! ;-)

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  15. Crazycat
    LindainOregon  about 14 years ago

    I was sad to find out that after the psychology dept. was done with them, the rats were turned over to the biology dept. I had sorta become attached to old Rodney!

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  16. Gedc0161
    gofinsc  about 14 years ago

    Rats are predictable.

    Not sure about the self-revisionism, but the author owns the product and can do with it what she wants. Times change, so I suppose the reflections of them can change as well.

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  17. Mountain lynx
    Shikamoo Premium Member about 14 years ago

    Lynn is just going with the flow and what’s acceptable in today’s society. Hitting and beating are out.

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  18. Webspider
    WebSpider  about 14 years ago

    Oh PLEASE! Lynn should give people more credit. We KNOW these are repeat strips. AND there is nothing wrong with spanking, done correctly.

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    Gretchen's Mom  about 14 years ago

    Under “Meet The Pattersons”, John’s life story doesn’t mention anything about him getting a degree in psychology.

    Because I haven’t been reading FBoFW since the very beginning, I’m just wondering … how did someone with a degree in psychology end up as a dentist?

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    marvee  about 14 years ago

    I was wonderng that too, GretchensMom. Maybe it was just an undergraduate major, which I have also and it didn’t help me much in raising children. My husband went on to a Ph.D. and practiced clinical psychology. I’ve known a lot of psychologists and psychiatrists and it doesn’t always transfer to personal lives. I can see someone with an undergraduate degree in psychology going to dental school and he’d probably forget a lot of the psychology. Some use of psychology priniples can help patients with the stress of visiting the dentist which in turn helps alleviate the pain. I still want the novocaine.

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