For Better or For Worse by Lynn Johnston for March 09, 2010

maybe the kids play there because they want to! because it’s such a nice place for them to play at!

Way to put your foot down Elly.

Perhaps it’s because the kids like the way Elly leaves them alone to play and the other mothers want to interact.

My house was always the playgound also, but I KNEW where my sons were.

It is tiring sometimes to host everyone, but at least she’s a better mom than Connie and she knows what’s going on.

My sister was like that, always a house full of kids, and she loved it, seven of them were hers.

My son is only 2 right now, but I think I would rather have them come and play at my house, at least then I would know where they were, what they were doing and that they were safe! And, Ellie should take it as a compliment that the kids want to come to her house. I remember there was a house that none of us ever wanted to go and play at, because the mom was way too grouchy!

And, while I defended Ellie on Sunday, today I can definately sense the air of martyrdom that so many comments speak of. Poor Ellie, to be invaded and compromised by those unfeeling, demanding children. I hope she’s not on the PTA!

Ugh, I know the feeling. I have all the kids while the other mothers are free and clear to do what they want, plus their kids are in school all day while we homeschool. Thing is, I don’t blame them for wanting to come here, lol! I just need a break once in a while (but my kids don’t like going to their friends houses).

What a horrible mother for wanting peace and quiet once in a while. If she can’t be cheerful and happy everyday maybe she can get a prescription for valium so she can be like the other perfect moms. She also hasn’t learned to give and give and put herself second. Honestly all the kids needs and wants have to be met so they learn that they are the center of the universe and that others don’t matter. What’s wrong with her?

fbjsr said, “My youngest starts the Coast Guard Accademy in a few months, she plans on being a pilot”

Congrats fbjsr!

They come to your house Elly because you’re the mom that says yes!

elly, this just means they like your house better than theirs. you should be flattered!

Psshaw people – lighten up – If you’ve never had that same feeling (“not my house, again!”), then either you’ve never been the house that the kids liked to hang out at or you’ve never had kids.

Intellectually I knew I would rather have the kids playing at my house; but every now & then, I would think – Not my house, again!

And then, when they leave for college, you realize you miss your kids’ friends almost as much as you miss your own kids! And that’s when it’s all worth it! (Except for the college tuition … but that’s another post)

Did you wish for rain, Calvin?

I have two boy and girl when both or either went to others kids houses to play with other kids didn’t bother me any or the other parents. I guess the other family had different toys for the kids to play with and they where active. On SS the strip is different.

Never knew when I got up in the morning who would be eating breakfast at our kitchen table. My 2 and whoever from down the street. Loved every minute and wish I could go back to those days:-)

I come from a big family, at dinner in the evening we set the table not for the 10 who lived there but for 12 in case extras showed up. Most nights the two extra places were taken.

We still like to tease one brother-in-law about his first dinner with the family as a teen. He did not eat a bite he was too fascinated watching all of us.

He has gotten used to it in the last 40+ years.

Our house was always the place to play we had cool stuff like truck inner tubes and a 50 gal drum of cold water on a hot day.

Many extras lived with us over the years.

So many siblings growing up, and somehow my mom always knew when there was an extra friend or two around.

I grew up an only like Lawrence. I can only look back and wish for the comaraderie of a large family. My folks did’nt mind kids over but also didn’t mind if I went down the street. Some parents were grumpy but not always and most were happy to see us, but not always. To this day, I like my alone time. I guess that’s one of the outgrowth’s of being an only. Now as an adult, my wife and I raised three and a few strays from the neighborhood. Never was a child turened away at mealtime and many of those kids come by or call us today.

Elly doesn’t want to be “climb up the wall” while those kids play in the room wildly and crazily.

I don’t know that she is but …

If Elly’s the only stay-at-home mom in the neighborhood, she might as well either get used to all the latch-key kids hanging out there while the other parents are at work or she can grow a spine and actually learn to say the words “No, not today. They’ll have to come over another time when I’m not quite so busy.”

Alright. Everyone’s going to keel over with this comment from me. You may not like me, but I AM FAIR, even though I never get any credit for it.

I know exactly how she feels, and what else was she supposed to do? Tell them no they can’t come in, stay out in the rain?

Must be something good about the place if all the kids love to come there.

mrsflaggedtokingdomcome, lol :D

All the kids used to come play all the time at our house and especially our yard when I was a kid - all the other yards were off limits, too fancy flowers and things, probably same with the houses. Loved it - but well, I’m pretty sure my mom sometimes felt like Elly in this strip.

With my kids now, the balance’s quite good, the kids come here to play or go to their friends’ houses basically equally much. Fortunately…

I agree Mrs Walker. It’s nice to be the neighbourhood mom but if it’s not reciprocal then I’d get very upset after a while. Grocery bills and household repairs can get very hefty after a while.