For Better or For Worse by Lynn Johnston for February 20, 2011

That pretty much sums it up, Michael.

And you’ll continue doing what a she says for the rest of your life.

And they’ll cooperate by continuing to feed you, do your laundry, pay your medical, educational and recreational expenses and buy your toys and clothes..

Keep it up Mom, you’ll make absolutely sure he’s out the door on his own first chance he gets.

That’s the problem with the world today, FixStix - we’ve turned it all over to the children!!

FishStix, you Southern birds see with keen sight from left eye.

Yup!

If Elly were a better parent, she wouldn’t need to nag…

The 4th. commandment is Honor your father and mother .

I agree, Kis. Children should contribute to the household as much as they can handle. As with most, if you don’t expect them to be responsible, then they won’t be. I think that the commenters who think that she’s nagging aren’t taking into consideration that we’re only seeing snapshots of their day, and it’s probably not non-stop “nagging” as you call it.

The people that bug me are the ones who do everything for their kids and say they want to “let them be kids”, and when it’s time for the children to leave the house and be responsible, they have no idea what to do and go running back to mommy. They are doing them a disservice in life. It’s a parent’s job to raise responsible, contributing members of society, not lazy, self-centered “buddies”.

I agree, Kis. Children should contribute to the household as much as they can handle. As with most, if you don’t expect them to be responsible, then they won’t be. I think that the commenters who think that she’s nagging aren’t taking into consideration that we’re only seeing snapshots of their day, and it’s probably not non-stop “nagging” as you call it.

The people that bug me are the ones who do everything for their kids and say they want to “let them be kids”, and when it’s time for the children to leave the house and be responsible, they have no idea what to do and go running back to mommy. They are doing them a disservice in life. It’s a parent’s job to raise responsible, contributing members of society, not lazy, self-centered “buddies”.

Just today, I sat down with 3 kids from church, in the sanctuary. They LOVE to run around it, it’s big and has lots of places to run … but I said, as I pointed at one of the older ladies … what happens if you hit Mrs Porter, by accident, she falls and breaks a bone? You’d be sad right? all three nodded solemly. I then said also knocking on the pew very hard … what happens if one of you hit your head on the edge? We’ll have lots of tears, and blood. I didn’t nag them (I have for a year L) but they all understood what I said, and, for today at least, they didn’t run!!

Nagging is necessary so when you do the ‘nice talk’ , they listen and understand.

Who said anything about nagging, lightenup? I was simply looking at the situation from Michael’s point of view: To him, “cooperate” means “just shut up and do as you’re told – or else.” Granted, that’s not what the word REALLY means, but since Michael is only seven years old, and everyone around him (except for Elizabeth) is bigger and older, and he can’t really fight back, it takes on that meaning based on his perception.

Believe it or not, Michael, someday you’ll understand that all this “nagging” is for your own good … and your future wife will really love and appreciate your mother for having done it too!!!!!

;-)

Parenthood is not a democracy; it’s a benevolent dictatorship.

Michael, that’s the short definition of both Mother and Wife.

Yes, we should honor our fathers and mothers, but I believe that is the 5th commandment.