For Better or For Worse by Lynn Johnston for September 15, 2023

The bubblegum doesn’t help

It’s also your tomboyish appearance and the girlish bangs. Time to ditch them and go to a salon for a hairstyle change. Just don’t go too far as to transform into a sex kitten.

Get a perm. I think I got my first perm when I was in 6th grade. Of course, I went to a pool party the next day and washed it all out! But I still had rollers.

Your hair, yeah, that’s it. Well, for starters.

She’s only 13? And her first round with Anthony is already in the past!

Lose the dorky glasses, Liz.

I usually prefer comfort over fashion such as wearing jeans and a tee shirt but I’m an older lady now and it doesn’t matter that I be stylish. You’ll have to choose which you’d rather be. As for the hair, pull down the pony tail and wear it down, that’ll help. Add a touch of makeup but only a touch. Don’t go all clownish like I and my classmates did when I was 13!

Wow, why do kids want to be mature at 13? At 13 I was worried about playing outside and getting my chores done.

My how time flies! Since this was first published in September 1994 when she was 13, (29 years ago. More than double her 13 years!) Liz would be 42 years old today! I would think she has changed a bit in that time.

If it’s the beginning of the school year and she’s a high school freshman, she should be 14.

I was 13.

The age (13) isn’t quite right for the stage. At 15/16 girls are more into developing a more mature look and showing it off. At 13, everyone is awkward, embarrassed about what ever is developing or not, dealing with puberty in general, periods aren’t regular for a few years and can strike at any time, acne, and EVERYONE wears baggy clothes to hide it till things start to settle down a bit.

IMHO, at 13 years old, she looks just like she should. There’s plenty of time to “grow up” and get sophisticated, cynical, and too worried about her clothes.

Start smoking clove cigarettes

You know, that’s a good place to start.

Just stop chewing bubble gum…….

I taught tenth grade for ten years, followed by ninth grade for twenty. I had a great career because the students were great. However, both years can be extremely hard on high school children.

No, Elizabeth. It’s your magic pants that somehow manage to get filthy just in time for a punchline. If this is what clothes look like with your mother doing the laundry, then maybe you should consider doing your own laundry.

You look fine Elizabeth. Don’t rush into adulthood.

Among other things…..

“There is nothing more rare, nor more beautiful, than a woman being unapologetically herself; comfortable in her perfect imperfection. To me, that is the true essence of beauty.” ― Steve Maraboli,

Be yourself. Who gives a rat’s a $ $ what other people think?

First panel: Are they talking about her underwear?

She must get her fashion education from people that shop Wal-Mart .

lol she’s 13! but she doesn’t want to look immature! ha!

Calm down, Liz. It only gets more confusing from here.

LOL.. as she sits like a boy and blows bubbles with her gum…

♪. Everybody so different, I haven’t changed ♫