The hilarious thing is that kids do stuff like that and are gobsmacked when parents get angry. “Whaaaat? why are you mad at me? All I did was bury the car keys in the woods and now I can’t remember where.”
I was never spanked as a child, nor was it an option my parents were willing to use. I am 37 and am a kind, respectful human being. Never spanked my kids, and they are turning out just fine.
The last time I got spanked, I honestly did not do it. I told Dad later and he said, “Well, you probably deserved that for something.” I had to agree on that one.
There was another single panel cartoon where you see Calvin’s mom, dripping wet in a bathrobe with shampoo in her hair and a look that said “KILL”, and Calvin is standing there with his hand on the main water valve. He had a look that said “What??…oh…crap, I’m dead…”
Many times i can relate to Calvin or at least find his actions somewhat plausible for a 6 year old boy (such as throwing snowballs at Susie or locking the babysitter out of the house), but not this time. I’d never ever have considered doing something like that to my mother. Nor i think would any of my friends have done it, even those much more rambunctious than me who were always getting into trouble. We’d have literally feared for our lives if we’d done that, but it wouldn’t even have crossed our minds in the first place. Maybe with a friend or sibling, but definitely not with a parent.
Thinking more about it, maybe this is one of those strips where Calvin isn’t really meant to be seen as a 6 year old. Watterson oftentimes doesn’t let Calvin’s age get in the way of a good joke, but usually it goes in the opposite direction: such as having him do book reports or getting a history question like what was the name of Poland’s capital before Warsaw. Not to mention him sometimes deploying big words that would put many a high school student to shame. Here though i think the age ambiguity goes in the opposite direction and it’s more like we’re seeing what a 3 or 4 year old Calvin might have done.
Both my parents spanked/beat all their many kids. I was never close to them or my siblings as an adult. Spanking did not make me a better person at all.
I tried really hard to use a swat only to get the kid’s attention… which might involve breaking a cycle of loud angst. That in turn implied that I shouldn’t swat ‘em when I was angry. Didn’t always manage, though.
My friend Randy was very persuasive about the idea that sometimes an immediate whack is a natural consequence of behavior; and that natural consequences are the best teachers. I have to admit that his kids only bit him on the leg once each.
A 5 years old I got spanking with a hair brush whenever I did some “creative”. It stopped when I said: “careful, I’m fragile”. Cracked up my father. He couldn’t go through with the punishment.
BE THIS GUY almost 5 years ago
It’s sad when mothers don’t appreciate their children’s sense of humor.
Sugar Bombs 95 almost 5 years ago
In before the debate over whether or not spanking kids is okay.
codycab almost 5 years ago
You had it coming, Calvin…as usual.
Watcher almost 5 years ago
So Mom gets dressed up to go out, Dad is at work I assume, who’s going to watch Calvin?
Templo S.U.D. almost 5 years ago
Mom can’t go out looking nice, Calvin without you jokingly thwarting it?
weatherford.joe Premium Member almost 5 years ago
I think this may be one of two or maybe three comics that have ended with Calvin getting spanked.
californiamonty almost 5 years ago
Hey, Calvin could’ve fared worse. I give you: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZMoB6ms2mE
JohnFarson19 almost 5 years ago
The hilarious thing is that kids do stuff like that and are gobsmacked when parents get angry. “Whaaaat? why are you mad at me? All I did was bury the car keys in the woods and now I can’t remember where.”
jpayne4040 almost 5 years ago
Gee Calvin, I wonder why she’s so grouchy?
cubswin2016 almost 5 years ago
That is the only time that I remember Calvin getting spanked. It is a shame.
chris867 almost 5 years ago
I was never spanked as a child, nor was it an option my parents were willing to use. I am 37 and am a kind, respectful human being. Never spanked my kids, and they are turning out just fine.
Tentoes almost 5 years ago
The last time I got spanked, I honestly did not do it. I told Dad later and he said, “Well, you probably deserved that for something.” I had to agree on that one.
donwalter almost 5 years ago
…but SOMETIMES…it’s totally worth it…
vaughnrl2003 Premium Member almost 5 years ago
Never a good idea to squirt Mom with a hose, but still, funny.
YippiKiAyMofo almost 5 years ago
Its all about Risk Vs. Reward. In this case, as it was with myself as a kid, the risk was certain. The outcome assured.
But you do it anyway cuz, gosh darn it, it’s just so much fun! And that butt won’t hurt forever. ;)
I was FRAMED!!!!!! almost 5 years ago
She is really steamed about having to redo the hour it took to put on all that makeup.
MichaelAllanBenson almost 5 years ago
No. It’s a debate over Spanking or beating! Obviously there is a difference, and the latter is totally wrong!
Ukko wilko almost 5 years ago
Been there, done that. I was younger than Calvin, only four. The “end” result was the same though.
gantech almost 5 years ago
There was another single panel cartoon where you see Calvin’s mom, dripping wet in a bathrobe with shampoo in her hair and a look that said “KILL”, and Calvin is standing there with his hand on the main water valve. He had a look that said “What??…oh…crap, I’m dead…”
BiggerNate91 almost 5 years ago
Calvin, you make people into grouches.
ahnk_2000 almost 5 years ago
The pure glee in Calvin’s face is what makes this one so memorable.
Snoots almost 5 years ago
She’s not that much of a grouch. Calvin still has his head on his shoulders.
ahem Premium Member almost 5 years ago
Many times i can relate to Calvin or at least find his actions somewhat plausible for a 6 year old boy (such as throwing snowballs at Susie or locking the babysitter out of the house), but not this time. I’d never ever have considered doing something like that to my mother. Nor i think would any of my friends have done it, even those much more rambunctious than me who were always getting into trouble. We’d have literally feared for our lives if we’d done that, but it wouldn’t even have crossed our minds in the first place. Maybe with a friend or sibling, but definitely not with a parent.
Thinking more about it, maybe this is one of those strips where Calvin isn’t really meant to be seen as a 6 year old. Watterson oftentimes doesn’t let Calvin’s age get in the way of a good joke, but usually it goes in the opposite direction: such as having him do book reports or getting a history question like what was the name of Poland’s capital before Warsaw. Not to mention him sometimes deploying big words that would put many a high school student to shame. Here though i think the age ambiguity goes in the opposite direction and it’s more like we’re seeing what a 3 or 4 year old Calvin might have done.
gobhiggins almost 5 years ago
Spanking is ok….taking all of your frustrations out on them is not
Troy Premium Member almost 5 years ago
The good old days.
hagarthehorrible almost 5 years ago
The missing panel must be amusing.
locake almost 5 years ago
Both my parents spanked/beat all their many kids. I was never close to them or my siblings as an adult. Spanking did not make me a better person at all.
Stephen Gilberg almost 5 years ago
Sure she didn’t kick him?
tad1 almost 5 years ago
Boy, a lot of controversy here. Relax, folks, it’s just a comic.
Concretionist almost 5 years ago
I tried really hard to use a swat only to get the kid’s attention… which might involve breaking a cycle of loud angst. That in turn implied that I shouldn’t swat ‘em when I was angry. Didn’t always manage, though.
My friend Randy was very persuasive about the idea that sometimes an immediate whack is a natural consequence of behavior; and that natural consequences are the best teachers. I have to admit that his kids only bit him on the leg once each.
Banjo Gordy Premium Member almost 5 years ago
A 5 years old I got spanking with a hair brush whenever I did some “creative”. It stopped when I said: “careful, I’m fragile”. Cracked up my father. He couldn’t go through with the punishment.
ComicsR4Fun Premium Member almost 5 years ago
Oh, Calvin…
shamest Premium Member almost 5 years ago
The only time Calvin has gotten spanked and I have to say the little earned it
Ahuehuete almost 5 years ago
We know why they only had one kid.
christopher.w.owen almost 5 years ago
No problem with smacking your kid on the behind. Deterrence is a good thing.
lindz.coop Premium Member almost 5 years ago
Madder than a wet hen….
chuckcork1 almost 5 years ago
I did something like that once, when I was around 5.
Sprayed a passing car with water from a hose, which wasn’t so good as the young guy driving it with his girlfriend next to him had the windows down.
Pretty sure I got a spanking too.
poopsypoo Premium Member almost 5 years ago
OMG, that is such a bad kid!!! I do love him though.
daynlarz almost 5 years ago
Yay, Mom!