Today that question would be, “What’s that machine? Why is it so loud? What if you make a mistake? Do you use this when the electricity goes out? How do you save it to finish later?”
Some of you are way too overprotective of kids’ feelings. While I understand that you should answer a child’s questions, they should also recognize when adults are busy and be respectful. Yes, maybe Elly should have told him to go play before he drove her nuts, but he seems too comfortable with interrupting and being disruptive for me to understand his behavior either.
The kid is a KID, NOT an adult with the mind of an adult. He is lonely and crying for attention…from YOU, mom. He loves you, mom. Best to take a little time out now, so you won’t wish you had sometime down the road.
Nancy … computers were around $5000 when this strip was written (some even as much as $20,000!) lshe can’t afford that… and type writers aren’t all THAT bad.
That being said … I agree with lightenup – a child who is Mike’s age SHOULD recognize that “oh, mom’s busy, I’ll leave her alone for a while.” BUT as Lynn mentions on her site, kids have a habit of wanting our undivided attention ALL the time.
Someday Micheal will be doing the same thing Elly is, with a kid doing the same thing he is doing to mom. And a little " Go away and let me work, please" teaches independance (Just remember, there is too much of a good thing though)
Just because one is a mom, doesn’t mean that she must be a mom to the exclusion of all else. My kids ask me LOTS of questions. I’m happy to answer them, up to a point, but eventually Q&A time has to end. And dangit, parents are human. Sometimes the endless questions drive you bonkers, and you don’t always need to follow up with an apology. I apologize to my kids if I snap at them excessively, or out of proportion to the situation. I don’t, if my kids have been given ample mommy time, and gentle reminders that mommy has to do mommy work, too.
There have been plenty of strips where Elly has apologized to her kids.That’s why I like this strip. Far too often all we see of parenting is this beautiful, photoshopped fairytale. Lynn gives us a plain, unadulterated snapshot of both the good and the bad.
thirdguy over 12 years ago
It’s the twentieth simple one that really gets you!
hsawlrae over 12 years ago
Careful, mom, you just hurt him. Not good.
lfanterickson over 12 years ago
Today that question would be, “What’s that machine? Why is it so loud? What if you make a mistake? Do you use this when the electricity goes out? How do you save it to finish later?”
Elaine Rosco Premium Member over 12 years ago
Wow…a typewriter…haven’t seen one of those in years!
lightenup Premium Member over 12 years ago
Some of you are way too overprotective of kids’ feelings. While I understand that you should answer a child’s questions, they should also recognize when adults are busy and be respectful. Yes, maybe Elly should have told him to go play before he drove her nuts, but he seems too comfortable with interrupting and being disruptive for me to understand his behavior either.
Wuthering09 over 12 years ago
I hear ya, Elly.Also take into account whatever John has said about her working.
nancyroy2 over 12 years ago
No wonder she’s annoyed – she’s using a typewriter ..in the next strip, we’ll probably see her apologize.
hsawlrae over 12 years ago
The kid is a KID, NOT an adult with the mind of an adult. He is lonely and crying for attention…from YOU, mom. He loves you, mom. Best to take a little time out now, so you won’t wish you had sometime down the road.
Allan CB Premium Member over 12 years ago
Nancy … computers were around $5000 when this strip was written (some even as much as $20,000!) lshe can’t afford that… and type writers aren’t all THAT bad.
That being said … I agree with lightenup – a child who is Mike’s age SHOULD recognize that “oh, mom’s busy, I’ll leave her alone for a while.” BUT as Lynn mentions on her site, kids have a habit of wanting our undivided attention ALL the time.
hippogriff over 12 years ago
I still use one for typing addresses and such. But then I can still set type from a California case (never learned Linotype).
coffeeturtle over 12 years ago
One day you’ll probably say: “I wish this family would take some interest in my work!” Just remember this day, mom. :-)
iced tea over 12 years ago
That’s the price you pay Elly for having an intelligent son who asks so many questions. That’s how they learn.
shewith5 over 12 years ago
Someday Micheal will be doing the same thing Elly is, with a kid doing the same thing he is doing to mom. And a little " Go away and let me work, please" teaches independance (Just remember, there is too much of a good thing though)
ilazria over 12 years ago
Just because one is a mom, doesn’t mean that she must be a mom to the exclusion of all else. My kids ask me LOTS of questions. I’m happy to answer them, up to a point, but eventually Q&A time has to end. And dangit, parents are human. Sometimes the endless questions drive you bonkers, and you don’t always need to follow up with an apology. I apologize to my kids if I snap at them excessively, or out of proportion to the situation. I don’t, if my kids have been given ample mommy time, and gentle reminders that mommy has to do mommy work, too.
There have been plenty of strips where Elly has apologized to her kids.That’s why I like this strip. Far too often all we see of parenting is this beautiful, photoshopped fairytale. Lynn gives us a plain, unadulterated snapshot of both the good and the bad.