For Better or For Worse by Lynn Johnston for May 11, 2021

How can anybody relax with bickering teenagers and a howling baby?

My house had those episodes once in a while where just everyone was cranky. Fun times.

Phil and Georgia never had kids, did they?

Music videos on TV? Now I know this originally came out when I was a teen.

Now we see the real reason why Phil does not come around to visit his sister very often, and possibly the real reason why Georgia was not there with him.

Follow directions on the aspirin bottle. Take two and keep away from children.

This first panel was a historical moment. When this was first published there were still music videos being shown on MTV. People read this very comic and thought holy cow this is so true. I don’t want to watch music videos! Give me movies! So MTV to stave off bankruptcy had to dump music videos and created boring reality TV! Which is still going strong today.

Whether you are used to kids or not, it’s never relaxing when around other people’s bickering/screeching bambinos. :P

Panel 4: All three kids get their face from mom.

I for 1 understand his feelings completely!

I often wonder how Lynn herself was as a mother to infants reading stuff like this- she obviously pulls the “Yowling Baby” stuff for comedy and to do the “chaos of normal life” an awful lot, but she describes the hell she went through with her firstborn and how it took them years to like each other. What I know of her second was that she was obsessed with candy as a kid.

But I don’t know many babies how cried THIS much.

The great part of being single, going home to peace and quiet!

That’s one of the greatest things about being single, and being an uncle… When the day is over, you can go home to your own house!

When you’re a family the relaxing time comes between the bleeding events. If it’s not bleeding you can ignore it for a bit.

I know Phil’s pain… That’s the look I get every time I go to my sister’s place and long for the serenity of my home!

As my dear departed mother used to say, “If you don’t stop crying, I’ll give you something to cry about”. Have a Covid free day my friends.

I remember those days when I would visit my high school friends after they were married with a crying baby. As I recall, I made myself scarce too.

Elly: Oh, well… can I call you a cab?

Phil: No, no, I’m pretty sure I’ll be running faster than any car can move…bye!

Adults with no kids have a low tolerance for relaxing in the presence of.. kids

Not easy, unless you remove your hearing aids!

I visited a friend one evening at his home with wife and 3 preteen daughters. Stereo was going and the TV. Everyone was at full volume. When I left later on into the open night, my ears were literally ringing. Wow!!!

No. I am looking forward to the long traffic jam…..

I saw the kids watching TV on panel one and the “YEAAHH” in panel two and thought they’d decided on a CSI:Miami show…

With the kids fussing is why Phil wants to leave.

There are many comments that Phil is lucky to have a barren wife. Keep in mind he is also going to miss out on the chance of having a son who will become a millionaire baseball player or a daughter who will be a movie star who will support him and Georgia in their old age. (Or if their daughter does not make it in Hollywood but still is pretty enough they can marry her off to some doctor or accountant, and as such she will have a secure economic future and provide for them that way). Also, being a childfree couple means no chance of having seeing your child grow up to become the President of Canada.

Sigh, April was NEVER my favorite kid.

How???

This is the moment where confirmed bachelors stop yearning for family life and start practicing “live alone and like it.” (Yes, I know Phil is married.)

My respect for Phil just went up a bit.

Ahem! Micheal! Elizabeth! while you are standing there with your mouths open, why don’t both of y’all entertain your uncle Phil. Entertain April with some toys or something? She looks so like lonesome. Or do she needs her diaper change. Elizabeth and Micheal take a walk.

Phil’s got to learn, this was a quiet day, for Ellie.

The peace and quiet of the open road.