For Better or For Worse by Lynn Johnston for June 13, 2024

Maybe Elizabeth would be nicer to you if you didn’t go out of your way to annoy her.

It’s sad to see this change in April. She used to be the independent girl constantly playing outside with Farley. Now she has been turned into another Michael and Elizabeth, so lonely and desperate for attention that she interrupts Elly at the typewriter, just like her sister and brother did before her.

Mommies do not get private space from their little angels. Most don’t want any.

Elly is being so verbose. Amazing April understood her. I wonder…

Just wait until Elly sees how April ruined her typing by tinkering with the machine—will she shoot off her big mouth—just like she did when Michael and Elizabeth were little!

After marriage, a woman loses all rights to “personal space” and “sanctuary”.

Well, Elly, you wanted to have a third kid.

You’ll need a new typewriter ribbon very soon.

April is just a typical normal child. Her curiosity is no different than any other child.

Not much sanctuary for me right now – got a three year old daughter and a two month old son.

I didn’t have my own room until I graduated from college and got my first apt. I loved the privacy when I finally got it.

Good to see April growing and expanding her world, as well as beginning to learn that there are boundaries in that world as well. Keep reminding her Ellie as she needs it. She will learn and grow.

April is still morning the loss of Farley and is having trouble coping with her sadness.

Moms don’t have private space.

I disagree about all of us needing a personal sanctuary. I was often lucky enough to have a room of my own but for a whole lot of people that was never true until they were on their own. When we need to get away we can get outside… weather permitting.

Yeah, she’s normal. You may not understand that.

Love the mother-daughter duo.

Liz should also recognize that April greatly admires her… wants to emulate Liz and be close to her. But, siblings always torment each other, too.

It’s always that way. Little siblings annoy older ones. Little siblings are then mad and go to parents to fix it. April is being told that everyone is allowed their own space. April will be a teen one day and want people to leave her alone too. Then she will understand what Elizabeth was feeling. April is a pest and will continue to be one til she is a little older. Then she will realize how annoying she was and be glad SHE doesn’t have a younger sibling.

What’s stranger is the presence of a typewriter. Is this script from the 1980s? The characters of Michael and Elizabeth just seem to be growing up (in response to howtheduck). Of all the storylines, I like the Michael line—the reporting/writing/University line is pretty interesting.

Ho-lee Mo-lee…Yes, this is one of the most life-reflective comics I’ve ever read, but with all due respect to those here, some people are taking it really seriously, and/or reading an awful lot into it.

Elly’s private spot is the bubble bath.But not often