I would have loved to have been able to be a SAHM. As it is now, I’ve got the next best thing: I work the same hours my daughters are in school, so I’m home when they are.
People forget that the concept of a nuclear family living in their own separate dwelling apart from other family is very, very recent in terms of human evolution. Prior to the past couple hundred years or so and for 2.5 million years and beyond, humans raised their children within kinship groups, so there were many hands to share the work (and keep each other from “going crazy”). Modern day care centers probably aren’t the ideal substitute for that, but neither is one parent being home in a box with little kids all day while the other works….
One of the consistent running themes of this comic strip is the idea that staying at home with the children will drive you crazy.-————-So, speaking as an authority on child care, just how long did you stay home raising the kids, how?
What about the parents that make the decision to slaughter their own children?-should everyone butt out there too?————That’s got to be the dumbest, most whacked out comment I’ve read all month.
There was a great sit com in the late 50’s, “The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis,” about a high school kid who is always falling for the wrong girl.“Father Knows Best,” “Ozzie and Harriet,” and “Leave it to Beaver” had loving, doting dads.Dobie’s dad, Herbert, would often say, “Someday, I’m gonna kill that boy.”
You lived near a town and all the people knew all the others and the ‘village’ helped in raising the kids.-————Good point. When I was a kid, everyone in the neighborhood knew each other (even if they didn’t like each other), and would watch over each others’ kids, even when they were outside playing.Now, people move so frequently, the trust in each other doesn’t get a chance to develop.
groovebilledani: Between WW-I and Korea were the only times the census reported a majority of nuclear families in the US. Before that time, families were at least three generations and after, no form had a majority.
lightenup Premium Member about 9 years ago
Sigh… when are people going to realize that parents make the decisions that are right for their family and everyone else should butt out!!
sbischof about 9 years ago
Her kid will prefer her when she misses it versus when she hates it. Kids are sensitive.
Wren Fahel about 9 years ago
I would have loved to have been able to be a SAHM. As it is now, I’ve got the next best thing: I work the same hours my daughters are in school, so I’m home when they are.
groovebilledani about 9 years ago
People forget that the concept of a nuclear family living in their own separate dwelling apart from other family is very, very recent in terms of human evolution. Prior to the past couple hundred years or so and for 2.5 million years and beyond, humans raised their children within kinship groups, so there were many hands to share the work (and keep each other from “going crazy”). Modern day care centers probably aren’t the ideal substitute for that, but neither is one parent being home in a box with little kids all day while the other works….
summerdog86 about 9 years ago
Spoken like a true, loving mother, Jean….
coffeemom88 about 9 years ago
You’re right — I think that’s a pretty sad commentary of how families are portrayed.
coffeemom88 about 9 years ago
“Out of the way”. . . . wow. So if kids are such a bother, why go to the trouble of having them?
Can't Sleep about 9 years ago
One of the consistent running themes of this comic strip is the idea that staying at home with the children will drive you crazy.-————-So, speaking as an authority on child care, just how long did you stay home raising the kids, how?
Can't Sleep about 9 years ago
What about the parents that make the decision to slaughter their own children?-should everyone butt out there too?————That’s got to be the dumbest, most whacked out comment I’ve read all month.
Can't Sleep about 9 years ago
There was a great sit com in the late 50’s, “The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis,” about a high school kid who is always falling for the wrong girl.“Father Knows Best,” “Ozzie and Harriet,” and “Leave it to Beaver” had loving, doting dads.Dobie’s dad, Herbert, would often say, “Someday, I’m gonna kill that boy.”
Can't Sleep about 9 years ago
You lived near a town and all the people knew all the others and the ‘village’ helped in raising the kids.-————Good point. When I was a kid, everyone in the neighborhood knew each other (even if they didn’t like each other), and would watch over each others’ kids, even when they were outside playing.Now, people move so frequently, the trust in each other doesn’t get a chance to develop.
hippogriff about 9 years ago
groovebilledani: Between WW-I and Korea were the only times the census reported a majority of nuclear families in the US. Before that time, families were at least three generations and after, no form had a majority.
Sailor46 USN 65-95 about 9 years ago
Not going Crazy is expensive!
Asharah about 9 years ago
She needs some outside contact or she’ll forget how to speak in complete sentences.
westny77 about 9 years ago
You may be able to deduct this as child care expense.What is the IRS in Canada called?
hippogriff about 9 years ago
JennyJenkins: Back in my day (1970s), it was called Inland Revenue, to distinguish it from customs. Did they merge?