For Better or For Worse by Lynn Johnston for November 27, 2019

makes me wonder how Michael reacted when Elizabeth was getting born

Elly, not all children appreciate their mother’s hard work gestating them – after all, none of us ever remember being in a womb or asked to be born. Not that means we don’t need to love or respect our parents but it is often when they themselves become parents that they come to appreciate their parents – biological, IVF or adopted – more when experiencing and understanding what parenting is all about.

My son’s daughter is turning two and she is a wildcat, just like he was. I am enjoying his education.

Not yet though….

Until they have children of their own, they will have trouble appreciating all you do. And certainly not as teenagers!

I was watching a TV show with my daughters. At one point, one character said to another, “I have to tell my mother; I tell her everything.” At that point, my older daughter turned and looked at me…kind of a “me, too” look. While I’m sure that my girls don’t tell me EVERYTHING, that look told me that she wasn’t afraid to.

That appreciation starts to kick in sometime between 35 and 60, Elly!

I suppose it’s always been this way but somehow it seems that today’s parents are more insistent than other generations that they will not raise their children the way we raised ours. They totally ignore the fact that they turned out to be fine members of society so that we must have done something right. No screen time. No finger jello. No milk. No processed sugar (cookies). Mine forget that they had access to computer and TV screens but made their own choices to be outside.

MUCH later!

Lynn, as usual your right on!

Lynn’s Comments:

After 9 months, I had drawn over 80 cartoons about pregnancy. My doctor talked me into doing 101 cartoons, and my first book, “David We’re Pregnant” was born. This was the first of 3 books about pregnancy and parenthood, which were eventually sent to Universal Press Syndicate. I received a 20-year contract, and FBorFW began in 1979.

Wait until they turn 18

Ellie will have her “revenge” after Michael has children ….

Someday just not today! ;o[

Spoil your children and you’ll raise your grandchildren. Raise your children and you’ll get to spoil your grandchildren.

I have always said there is no such thing as terrible twos. It starts at 18 months and ends at 18 years.

little boys: for 12 years they are so sweet, funny, engaging, and affectionate. then they turn 13 and you want to nail them to the wall for the next 8 years.

Elly, just go get a bucket of cold water and throw on him. He might be a bit more accommodating…

That is what happens when parents give their children everything. Take those computers and phones away for a month, make him pay for the privilege of living there by doing choirs. You want you phone, A’s and B’s boy, nothing less. You want all those snacks, extra choirs.

A US citizen would be worrying about the cost of delivery. (which is in the thousands of dollars here) Something unique for developed countries.

“No parent expects appreciation. Well, we may expect it, but we never get it.”—Nigella Lawson

Kids don’t appreciate their parents until the child is well into their twenties. If at all.

“Someday” does not include teen-age years.

For nine months, body and mind, you are dedicated to the welfare of someone else…

Technically not true. Most women don’t even know they’re pregnant for the first month or two.

Time for a smack in my book.

In the middle ages, parents sent their adolescents to other families to be servants and learn trades. I’ve often thought this was also a means of keeping parents from killing their offspring.

I think Mike could do with a stint in military school. He needs to learn a little respect and his parents aren’t going to teach him.

MUCH MUCH later…. right Lynn?

Yup, sir….