For Better or For Worse by Lynn Johnston for April 17, 2018

Embarrassing children is part of the parent job, Michael… deal with it.

The best part of this is Michael’s grimaces, which make it look like he is being tortured or going through a surgery with no anesthetic. However the source of Michael’s embarrassment is weak, almost as weak as a few weeks ago when he was embarrassed by his mother’s playing folk music in public a decade before he was born. He has not experienced true embarrassment.

As a board-certified, professionally-licensed expert in embarrassing children with over 20 years of experience in the field, let me share with you the top 10 ways for parents to embarrass their kids:

1.Dancing in public.

2.Appear partially unclothed

3.Inappropriate swimwear

4.Send food back in a restaurant

5.Tell a joke in front of their friends, especially if it’s a dad joke (Mr. Howtheduck loves these)

6.Offer words of wisdom

7.Dress like you are much younger than you are

8.Hint every so slightly that you have had sex at some point in your life

9.Step Out In Some Stylin’ Mom Jeans (John could be doing this. We can’t tell).

10.Sling the Kid Slang

11.Document Your Fun on Facebook and Other Social Media

12.Show Your Love with Public Displays of Affection

13.Singing in Public

Are those uber-conservative dresses really what tween girls would wear to a boy-girl party?

They can be a lot meaner if you want, Michael!

I had to pass inspection with Mom before I left I would have already have to get permission to go and she would have spoken to my boyfriend’s Mom. At the time I thought it was like being in jail. I realize now it’s because she loves me.

I always told my boys “If you think I’m embarrassing now, just wait ’til I start trying!”

Lynn nailed this one. So typical of teens and their friends divergent perspectives of parental behavior.

Put on some Lawrence Welk music, and see if everyone can dance to that.

Come to think of it, how often were Lynn Johnston’s kids embarrassed by being shown off in this comic strip?

My mom always did stuff I thought was embarrassing but I found out later in life all my friends thought she was the cool mom.

I remember those sailor dresses I loved mine. We also wore dresses that came mid calf. My mom and dad had to approve of my attire before I left the house. Same thing for when my daughter was this age. She had to get me and my husband (her daddy’s) approval.

Martha does indeed look lovely. She always does.

Very unfeeling of Elly to mention “washroom”!

Kids can also unknowingly embarrass parents. One of my fellow Marines had several children. One day his wife called him up to report the youngest of his kids made it through the night without bedwetting, and he replied “Yes! No more shopping for those embarassing hygiene items!” However, his wife said not to boast just yet, as he had to focus on some of his elder kids. When he asked what she was talking about, his wife said

“Allison is turning 12”.

:0

I remember a Reader’s Digest article where Mom and daughter were at the shopping mall. Daughter was looking at shoes and Mom was going to look at something else. Mom casually calls out “I’ll meet you in lingerie.” Daughter gets mad at Mom for “announcing to the entire state” that daughter needs new underwear.

Ungrateful! Remember Mike, they’re paying for it.

Lynn’s Notes:

There were about a dozen of us at the party, all dressed up and giggling. What I remember most, besides being hot and sweaty and dancing cheek to cheek, was a burping contest. Pop was expensive. None of us had it at home very often and Carolyn’s mom had bought us a real variety.