Calvin and Hobbes by Bill Watterson for November 06, 2023

Why women should have careers outside the home

Mom, you just gave birth to Calvin. Everything else that happens is his fault, whether he likes it or not.

A never ending nightmare!!

This why some women keep a bottle stashed away in the kitchen.

Late onset postpartum syndrome

Sick.

I’m surprised she didn’t say “You did this to me!” to her husband.

They could always try for a second child and hope the next one turns out different. Of course Calvin alone is a handful.

Of course Calvin’s still young. He might go on to great things and make his parents proud.

Sorry, Mum……

Ha! Time to gloat about my daughter. I got to see her sing at the annual bi-county concert in Lowville, NY last Saturday. Seventeen high schools send their best band and choir students. Of all the students in her high school choir, only she and another got selected. Woot! BTW, child actor Peter Ostrum (who played Charlie in Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory) is now working as a farm veterinarian there. Also, they get an average of 250 to 300 inches of snow each year there. Glad we’re north of the lake effect snow bands!

Look, mom, oral contraceptives were freely available the year Calvin was born. You have no one to blame but yourself.

Mom, this isn’t a pop-em-out sport! It’s more like clay, and you knead them and guide them into what they’re able to become (never what you envision them, but, hopefully, close). Then they’re fired by experience and other factors to become people who you can become reasonably proud of. If you’ve done well, they will mold their own “clay” to become people who can continue to be worthy of your teaching (and maybe improve on what you’ve passed on).

PND lasts till they move out

Several commentators seem to think Mom is regretting having Calvin. The point seems to be that she doesn’t like to think Calvin (whom she seems to have given up her career for) is her greatest achievement. As Watterson says in The Calvin and Hobbes Tenth Anniversary Book, “Calvin’s parents have an ambivalent attitude towards him as I believe any sane persib would have.”

That would be depressing ! ! !

At least Calvin didn’t say he had been her biggest accomplishment in life.

Your accomplishment will be having done everything in your power to turn out a responsible, kind human being, and having secret identities prepared for the inevitable disappearance.

And he gets to select your Nursing home too !

Years ago, in a job interview, my prospective boss (female) asked me what I am proudest of in my life. I began to talk about my “serious” hobby of figure skating which I began as an adult, not having a chance to take lessons as a kid. I talked about competitions and testing. The interviewer was amazed and impressed. She said every woman she interviews talks about their KIDS. I said, “While I love my kids, their successes and failures are their own”. I was hired on the spot.

I’d be depressed too.

I’m depressed FOR you.

You know what they say about “The best laid plans”,,,

Aw, Mom, go find Hobbes. He’ll cheer you up.

Not too often do you see Calvin’s “happy face”…

The home IS a career; por empleo:“Honey, while you’re up would you bring me a beer?”

Oh, Calvin, that’s just mean!

Now now, mom, consider his potential …….. got you, try alcohol.

It could be worse in real life. In Phoenix we had neighbors who had a roughly 6 year old girl. She was always trouble; one day after being scolded and while her parents were in the back yard she dragged the garden hose into the house and turned the water on, doing thousands of dollars damage.

With good reason Mom…

HA! Love this toon!

She wanted the kid

The jury’s still out on that Calvin.

Calvin has a talent to put things in perspective.

Depression sometimes comes when it’s least expected.

Might as well go for a soda…..

“Hi, it’s me. Your gray hair!”

Mom cheer up, you have accomplished somthing all of us can only dream. A six year old having the wit to entertain millions across the globe.

LOL… poor Mom…

Poor Mum! Her child has been her whole love for years and years and everything she had on earth!

Try, try again!?

why women should get their tubes tied.

You should be.

Today if you backtrack there is a Sunday strip. Yesterday there wasn’t. Or is it because I’m in CET?

damm in one sentence calvin just destroyed her

Yeah, it’s best not to make another person the centerpiece of your achievements or legacy or whatever (assuming you’re interested in such things at all).

HAHAHA!

(oops)

Six years is HARDLY sufficient time to determine the success of child rearing. That’s barely getting started.

The valium is one thing, just don’t take it with whisky

Corral that horsey and break him in properly.

Mom is the more effective parent; but they both need to work harder on Calvin.

i wish i could get onboard with these discussions about calvin and what a handful he is and oh dear his poor parents, but it is hard for me because i was a female version of him and was misunderstood by almost every grownup i came in contact with. It wasn’t their fault that they didn’t know what to do but it was their fault that they didnt seek out folks who could have understood me. Their fault only a little bit because after all no one had really been there for them either as evidenced by their flaws. (i am talking mainly about teachers, here) : )

just saying. i know you all know this about calvin and his parents already and just having fun. but. just saying.

I would be too