This is the only strip I know that seems to support the idea that Calvin is a bully. He is sometimes accused of “bullying” Susie but she can obviously beat him easily as she proves again in about two weeks’ time. He has even been accused of “bullying” the teenager Rosalyn although she actually scares him more than Moe does. Watterson has said that Rosalyn is a useful character as she is the only one that Calvin is REALLY afraid of. Calvin sometimes shows fear of Moe and of Miss Wormwood and sometimes he is afraid of a very angry Susie but he fears Rosalyn most of all.
He may not really be showing a bullying side as he may just be putting Mom off the idea of more kids as has been suggested in two earlier strips.
I’m not normally into shaggy dog tales … but this conversation was overheard.
“You don’t say, Katie!’
“Indeed I do. I’m pregnant again.”
“Jesus, Mary and Joseph,” Colleen put in.
“Saints preserve us,” her sister Megan added.
The sentiment was shared by all 9 women present. Among them they had nearly 30 children.
“I don’t know what to do about my Shamus,” Deidre lamented, “He can’t keep his hands off me, especially after he’s had a pint or two at the pub.”
“It isn’t his hands you have to worry about,” Anna said. The rest of the women got her drift and started to laugh.
“Well what are we going to do about it? I mean they are our husbands, but I barely get one of the wee ones out of his nappies, and the next one’s on the way.”
“You can’t use a rubber. The Church says using one of them is a sin.”
“I heard that Maureen O’Donnel’s husband went over to Liverpool on holiday and when he came back he was … you know! You can’t get that kind of an operation in this country.”
“‘Tis true, she hasn’t been pregnant for a couple of years. But I don’t think our men would stand for it.”
“I don’t think the fellows are standing when it’s done. It isn’t like going to the loo.” More giggles.
“That’s brilliant, Katie!”
“What’s brilliant?”
“Having our men get the operation.”
The women all nodded and agreed. This was a good thing to do.
The pregnancies stopped.
The moral of the story: A snip in time saves nine.
After our third child, I had that “operation”. It didn’t go as planned. I love telling the story to strong men. They always cringe and guard their “jewels”. Oh, I’m fine.
I went for mine and was asked to leave. Got three shots and still had feeling. Doc asked me, when you go to the dentist to you feel everything he does, I answered yes, all the time. Outcome, my body turns novacaine into water and has no affect on me. Now I either grip the handles and take the pain or I take the happy gas!
I had the snip years ago. Other than a bit of discomfort for 2 days, it wasn’t what I had been told it might be. The doc who did the cut was something of a jokester and said, “A vasectomy means never having to say you’re sorry or providing child support for 18 years.”
It isn’t all on the dad. There are 2 medical ways to end the line of succession wherever one decides. Of course, there are extra-legal ways also, but the outcomes are for less pleasant.
I got “fixed” decades ago, after my third. Gorram thing was dangerous. Got it in the morning, had to go into work for a couple of hours in the afternoon. I was the only mechanic there with an emission license…
I thumped my younger brother regularly. Not really but I did try to make his life uncomfortable. I’m not proud of it, it’s just what older brothers to. Older sisters make younger brother’s life miserable. my sister did.
BE THIS GUY over 2 years ago
I thought he got that by operation by the time Calvin was 2.
codycab over 2 years ago
Calvin will probably still get beaten.
Templo S.U.D. over 2 years ago
I failed to ask on today’s Baldo, but what would it be like if Gracie were Baldo’s little brother instead?
Sugar Bombs 95 over 2 years ago
More proof that this strip was never meant for children.
Renatus Profuturus Frigeridus Premium Member over 2 years ago
What you’d do, Calvin, if arrive a baby sister?
JudasPeckerwood over 2 years ago
Snip-snip, dad — it’s the only way to be sure.
C over 2 years ago
She doesn’t value honesty as much as she claims
Bilan over 2 years ago
They should both get an operation. Just to be safe.
Baarorso over 2 years ago
Calvin’s parents have INFINITE patience with him. I couldn’t handle the spitfire. :/
su43dipta over 2 years ago
At least Calvin’s being honest.
orinoco womble over 2 years ago
Having a vasectomy means never having to say you’re sorry.
BigDaveGlass over 2 years ago
Oh! Calvin IS my older brother!
SweetSinger over 2 years ago
Moe anxiety.
tremaine53 over 2 years ago
“Agreed. honey. Just to be safe, I’ll have a vasectomy even though you’re also getting your tubes tied.”
dflak over 2 years ago
We told our second son that if he were the first, he’d be the only.
Calvinist1966 over 2 years ago
This is the only strip I know that seems to support the idea that Calvin is a bully. He is sometimes accused of “bullying” Susie but she can obviously beat him easily as she proves again in about two weeks’ time. He has even been accused of “bullying” the teenager Rosalyn although she actually scares him more than Moe does. Watterson has said that Rosalyn is a useful character as she is the only one that Calvin is REALLY afraid of. Calvin sometimes shows fear of Moe and of Miss Wormwood and sometimes he is afraid of a very angry Susie but he fears Rosalyn most of all.
He may not really be showing a bullying side as he may just be putting Mom off the idea of more kids as has been suggested in two earlier strips.
dflak over 2 years ago
I’m not normally into shaggy dog tales … but this conversation was overheard.
“You don’t say, Katie!’
“Indeed I do. I’m pregnant again.”
“Jesus, Mary and Joseph,” Colleen put in.
“Saints preserve us,” her sister Megan added.
The sentiment was shared by all 9 women present. Among them they had nearly 30 children.
“I don’t know what to do about my Shamus,” Deidre lamented, “He can’t keep his hands off me, especially after he’s had a pint or two at the pub.”
“It isn’t his hands you have to worry about,” Anna said. The rest of the women got her drift and started to laugh.
“Well what are we going to do about it? I mean they are our husbands, but I barely get one of the wee ones out of his nappies, and the next one’s on the way.”
“You can’t use a rubber. The Church says using one of them is a sin.”
“I heard that Maureen O’Donnel’s husband went over to Liverpool on holiday and when he came back he was … you know! You can’t get that kind of an operation in this country.”
“‘Tis true, she hasn’t been pregnant for a couple of years. But I don’t think our men would stand for it.”
“I don’t think the fellows are standing when it’s done. It isn’t like going to the loo.” More giggles.
“That’s brilliant, Katie!”
“What’s brilliant?”
“Having our men get the operation.”
The women all nodded and agreed. This was a good thing to do.
The pregnancies stopped.
The moral of the story: A snip in time saves nine.
jagedlo over 2 years ago
The problem is that “little” brother could end up being larger than you and remember all those beatings!
Zebrastripes over 2 years ago
All for the wrong reasons….
rossevrymn over 2 years ago
Wait until the Final Four.
klapre over 2 years ago
Isn’t that what little brothers are for. I know that was my role as the youngest.
azzofoggenlutely over 2 years ago
Maybe she was talking about a lobotomy.
azzofoggenlutely over 2 years ago
Maybe she was talking about a lobotomy?
Spence12 Premium Member over 2 years ago
Is his dad’s boss the same “Frank” who was shot by the deer in Calvin’s population control book report?
tripwire45 over 2 years ago
After our third child, I had that “operation”. It didn’t go as planned. I love telling the story to strong men. They always cringe and guard their “jewels”. Oh, I’m fine.
nathan.sheriff3 over 2 years ago
Put some on ice though. Just in case.
mckeonfuneralhomebx over 2 years ago
I went for mine and was asked to leave. Got three shots and still had feeling. Doc asked me, when you go to the dentist to you feel everything he does, I answered yes, all the time. Outcome, my body turns novacaine into water and has no affect on me. Now I either grip the handles and take the pain or I take the happy gas!
g04922 over 2 years ago
Hmm.. is Mom talking about an operation on her… OR Calvin (yikes !) ?
Just-me over 2 years ago
I had the snip years ago. Other than a bit of discomfort for 2 days, it wasn’t what I had been told it might be. The doc who did the cut was something of a jokester and said, “A vasectomy means never having to say you’re sorry or providing child support for 18 years.”
sandpiper over 2 years ago
It isn’t all on the dad. There are 2 medical ways to end the line of succession wherever one decides. Of course, there are extra-legal ways also, but the outcomes are for less pleasant.
Amra Leo over 2 years ago
I got “fixed” decades ago, after my third. Gorram thing was dangerous. Got it in the morning, had to go into work for a couple of hours in the afternoon. I was the only mechanic there with an emission license…
Daltongang Premium Member over 2 years ago
Better still have Calvin fixed so his line stops with him.
vaughnrl2003 Premium Member over 2 years ago
So, no puppy for Calvin.
mistercatworks over 2 years ago
It sounds like a good idea but sometimes little brothers grow up to be big and mean.
John Jorgensen over 2 years ago
Well this went dark.
jconnors3954 over 2 years ago
Calvin= birth control! Most of the time it takes kids becoming teenagers!
morningglory73 Premium Member over 2 years ago
I laughed at this strip until I read all the comments.
Bruce388 over 2 years ago
Calvin’s campaign to remain an only child is really paying off.
PaulAbbott2 over 2 years ago
I thumped my younger brother regularly. Not really but I did try to make his life uncomfortable. I’m not proud of it, it’s just what older brothers to. Older sisters make younger brother’s life miserable. my sister did.
Stephen Gilberg over 2 years ago
Calvin’s an idiot to think his mom would be fine with that answer.
Scott S over 2 years ago
I would think that after his dealings with Moe Calvin would be more empathetic.
locake over 2 years ago
The dad definitely had that operation. No way would he risk another child like Calvin.
wiley207 over 2 years ago
The only time we see the Dad’s boss at his workplace.
Otis Rufus Driftwood over 2 years ago
Finalist for this week’s bad timing award. Also another reason Calvin needs therapy.
paullp Premium Member over 2 years ago
Because my older brother used to beat me up, I briefly had the same idea as Calvin, when I was five and my mother was pregnant with my sister.
edeloriea14 over 2 years ago
Not a good time to discuss vasectomies. Some fathers just plain decide not to make babies any more.
WaywardWind over 2 years ago
It’s like the old Ban deodorant commercial — It takes the worry out of being close.