Calvin and Hobbes by Bill Watterson for August 17, 2016

Silly Calvin, tantrums are not only for kids.

A table at the TV.

Where I live many people have the TV right in front of the table. It accompanies all their meals; for older folks, if they’re at home the TV’s on, even if there’s no one in the room. They shout over it rather than turn it down/off.

Don’t mess with family togetherness at dinnertime.

Calvin-at-the-table-eating is another secret identity that alternates with Spaceman Spiff, among others.

Hah, eating at the table. My entire family watches television while eating. The table us just for putting stuff on.

What we had there was a failure to communicate.

Another disgusting meal Mom?

Calvin’s watching TV, but the TV’s surprisingly blank.

Just last night my 7 year old had one of those misperceptions. It was 11 PM and he told me, "Dad, I’m going to watch “Sitting Ducks” on my computer." Taking my inspiration from Augie’s dad I said, “Son. oh my son you are mistaken. You are actually in bed trying to sleep.”

“it’s all in the mind”. ~ George Harrison

These days having meals as a family may not seem important, but it remains important. If you want to have an actual family, rather than just a group of people living in the same house, you need to have some time together, without distractions.

At least Calvin has learned to recognize the tone of deatth.

Calvin’s mother sure knows how to persuade.

That’ll change, 3 most musical sounds a man could ever hear:

Breakfast is servedLunch is servedSupper is served

oh btw: Score from today is Calvin 548 Mom: 23423342344

I think.

“Family togetherness” would be less of a problem if people learned to talk about things that interested other family members.

That was before their TV started floating in the air.

A 6 year old’s alternative of “Yes, dear”

xxx

There is your reality, and then there’s mom’s reality.

Let him watch TV and when he comes for dinner, don’t let him eat any. A few times of having a growly stomach will teach him to listen.

Calvin’s TV must be off. Doesn’t it jump and shout when it’s on?

In our house, we eat at the table and TV is usually off. Having it blaring in the background drives me crazy, especially when I am trying to write..Hubby watches TV after dinner, I rarely do. When our son was still living at home, he played video games. It could be a challenge to pull him away. Now, as an adult, he rarely watches TV at all. He is more interest in ‘doing things.’.My table rules – Cellphones, magazines, newspapers are okay at breakfast or lunch (if we actually sit down for those meals.) But, no TV, no screens at dinner. We usually manage a conversation and take time to enjoy our food.

Dinner was always ready in the middle of the TV show so you did not see the ending.