For Better or For Worse by Lynn Johnston for January 24, 2025

Elizabeth has totally forgotten the conversation.

Elly. Your hair is still long. You only had your bangs cut and a strip of hair in front of your ears cut. That was all. You basically look the same – just new bangs. That’s ok. You’ve learned that you’re not adventurous.

Last Saturday (Jan 18th) I posted how a wise husband knows there are no good answers to some questions. Today? A parent learns the futility of trying to impress their teenager!

It ain’t “cut”—it’s in a bun in the back—making Elly look look like even more of a frump! Maybe if she put on a bra…

Now she looks like her son.

Elizabeth’s question is inconsiderate and thoughtless.

I don’t recall Elizabeth stating she wanted her mom to change her look. Just that she’s always looked a certain way.

That hairstyle makes your butt look big.

Or, in other words, ‘Hippy’.

Very good change, Elly! This was good for you, if not for any of your family, who are not very good at compliments right now.

All she had cut are her bangs.

If you’re living your life by the opinions of your kids it will be a very hard road.

Having been through an emotional whirlwind typical of an 11 year old, Ellie takes the plunge and gets her hair cut. Good for her! Then she asks the stupidest question, ever: “What do you think?” Ellie, if YOU like it, that’s what matters. What’s unattractive here is your neediness for the approval of others.

WHAT THE FLARG IS WRONG WITH YOU?! Your mom was only doing what you’ve suggested!

Style is not a serious matter; it is a hoot!

Get rid of the bun. Bun = Frumpy.

A few months ago our 17 year old grandson decided he would rather have short hair. He looked up “Locks of Love” – a foundation that accepts donations of natural hair at least ten inches long for hairpieces for hairpieces for those who have lost their hair to chemotherapy or alopecia areata. His was long enough so he washed it and we took him to a barber. I am proud of him beyond words.

Elizabeth needs to stop being a brat!

In a teenager’s mind, parents are supposed to look old.

“Everything comes and goes. Marked by lovers and styles of clothes” Joni Mitchell

“Life without change is death” Redd Panda

Elizabeth forgot. For me I keep my hair short all the time, easier to maintain.

I’m surprised Elly still has the urge to look “cool” in front of others…and for some reason her daughter’s acceptance is of paramount importance.

Will Ellie slam Liz with “Because you said I looked like a ’90s leftover” or be aloof and say “Because I wanted a new look for the new year”?

Teens!

is she ever happy?! not that my family is much different. :J

No matter what you do Ellie, it’s wrong.

Men are usually credited with not noticing any change in a woman’s appearance. I can think of at least one time I noticed my wife’s hair cut. She used to have long black hair all the way down her back, and then one day, she had her hair cut with a length that was above her shoulders!

I worked with a lot of women in the office I used to work for a while when I was working in the jail. As a matter of fact, I was the only man in that office. I might’ve noticed someone’s hair looked different but I kept quiet to keep from setting a precedent. Well, one day, there was male deputy that made a humorous remark about one female clerks hair out loud. If women had lasers for eyes, he would’ve been fried.

I hate Elizabeth, but (spoilers ahead), future April is much worst

(WHAP!)

Or she comes home and everyone says “Hi, Michael”.

Well it isn’t as though Elizabeth said she should change. Just that she has looked the same forever. We all get in ruts. And honestly, there is little Elly can do to look much different. New wardrobe, new hair, all well and good. But if you are a frump by nature you are just dressing a frump. Elly looks like a harried mom and as she is at that stage in life it’s fine. She has no time to spend on it anyway

Most people have no idea the impact their statements have.

Why Elizabeth, I’ll tell you why. A good boob job costs in excess of $5000, whereas a hair cut at a stylist only costs $150. That’s why.

Never make changes for anyone but yourself!

The of the best compliments I got was when I was sitting in my living room playing my Stratocaster through a small Fender Champion amp, quietly, while watching TV with the sound off. My older son’s friend stuck his head in the room, said hi, and as they were leaving I heard him say, “Allen, you dad is a badass!” So you can be cool to teenagers.

And her husband says—-“Let me guess,you got a manicure!”

People will notice your new tennis shoes before they notice your new glasses, which you paid much more for

Face Slap..

So she can better show off her dangling earbobs, of course!

Seriously though. This is a lesson in the perils of casual cruelty. You may not remember the hurtful thing you did or said without a second thought, but someone else can’t stop thinking about it. Let’s all be more careful about these things.

Good thing Elly did not get that infamous “covered wagon” hairdo of April’s. This strip is already in enough danger of getting a citation for obscenity.

My daughters are 32 and 40, they are still like that. My son is 34, one of the most supportive persons you could ask for in your life. They say he’s immature.

Actually, the look suits her.

I am glad that Elly finally got a hairstyle that was popular in the 50s. The 1850s that is.

No one disrespects you like family ! ;-)

What’s wrong with being an aging hippie? Wanna pass that joint this way.

The question is, will John notice, or say hi, honey, how was your day, as he’s on the way to flop in front of the TV without waiting for an answer. Then Ellie will say, Notice anything different? And he’ll hem and haw before saying, oh, new blouse, nice….

She looks really good.

Yesterday, there were several comments wondering why all the references to old hippies. Here’s your answer today, right in the second panel.