What is Michael supposed to learn from this? Gordon’s suggestion is good, but what else?:
1. it is best not to imitate your mother’s habits, because Michael’s mother has decided to punish Michael for something that she does regularly.
2. His mother’s punishments are wildly inconsistent running the gamut from being sent to summer camp (for beating up his sister on a public street) to being sent out to stand in the cold (for yelling at his cousin after she stepped on him).
3. You should not have girl/boy birthday parties where you fight with your girlfriend and your friends. If Lawrence or Brian had been over at Michael’s house, he would not have been throwing a basketball with Elizabeth and would not have gotten in this situation in the first place.
4. Michael has developed a TV addiction so severe he is actually experiencing withdrawal symptoms and maybe it is a good idea for him to spend a few days away from it.
It works for me. If you’re going to swear, learn not to do it around children and any adults that you respect. My kids would warn their friends that I didn’t allow swearing in my house and we were all good with that. I like to think their friends respected our sons enough to abide by their parents’ rules.
My TV addiction was not as bad as Michael’s. When I was younger, my Mom had me reading more than watching TV, especially in the summer. Even when the TV is on, I’m listening to my Audible books more than watching TV. My computer addiction…that’s another story.
One summer we turned off the TV for the whole three month. Such moaning and whining you never heard… for the first ten days. After that, we sat together in the evening reading. You have to teach kids to take all such things as TV as amusements you can take or leave. We never did have cable. TV is an absurd way to piddle away so much life.
Occasionally I will quit watching tv, playing dvds, etc. and just work around the apartment or read a good book. (Yes, I do have hardback and paperback books). It helps to give my brain a rest from all the constant bombardment of bad news and the lack of civility.
Yes, Michael, and don’t you ever forget it: either curse only in your mind, while sounding out a very nice word; or make sure no one hears you when you let one out loud. It’s just like burping or tooting, one does it out loud only in private…
Templo S.U.D. almost 6 years ago
no very keen advice, Gordon… SOMEONE’S bound to hear it when you least expect it
Rosette almost 6 years ago
This is surely just the beginning of things being taken away, Mike. Wait until you have to drive places – she’ll use the car as leverage against you!
howtheduck almost 6 years ago
What is Michael supposed to learn from this? Gordon’s suggestion is good, but what else?:
1. it is best not to imitate your mother’s habits, because Michael’s mother has decided to punish Michael for something that she does regularly.
2. His mother’s punishments are wildly inconsistent running the gamut from being sent to summer camp (for beating up his sister on a public street) to being sent out to stand in the cold (for yelling at his cousin after she stepped on him).
3. You should not have girl/boy birthday parties where you fight with your girlfriend and your friends. If Lawrence or Brian had been over at Michael’s house, he would not have been throwing a basketball with Elizabeth and would not have gotten in this situation in the first place.
4. Michael has developed a TV addiction so severe he is actually experiencing withdrawal symptoms and maybe it is a good idea for him to spend a few days away from it.
Jabroniville Premium Member almost 6 years ago
Good advice, Gordon.
Auntie Socialist almost 6 years ago
No TV and the trouble I haven’t seen,
No TV and the sorrow
I am a man of sorrows
mkd_1218 almost 6 years ago
Don’t listen to today’s Eddie Haskel, Mike!
smokysilver.so Premium Member almost 6 years ago
I see I put my comment in the wrong place – oh well, it’s early
Grutzi almost 6 years ago
It works for me. If you’re going to swear, learn not to do it around children and any adults that you respect. My kids would warn their friends that I didn’t allow swearing in my house and we were all good with that. I like to think their friends respected our sons enough to abide by their parents’ rules.
GirlGeek Premium Member almost 6 years ago
My TV addiction was not as bad as Michael’s. When I was younger, my Mom had me reading more than watching TV, especially in the summer. Even when the TV is on, I’m listening to my Audible books more than watching TV. My computer addiction…that’s another story.
MeGoNow Premium Member almost 6 years ago
One summer we turned off the TV for the whole three month. Such moaning and whining you never heard… for the first ten days. After that, we sat together in the evening reading. You have to teach kids to take all such things as TV as amusements you can take or leave. We never did have cable. TV is an absurd way to piddle away so much life.
RonnieAThompson Premium Member almost 6 years ago
Occasionally I will quit watching tv, playing dvds, etc. and just work around the apartment or read a good book. (Yes, I do have hardback and paperback books). It helps to give my brain a rest from all the constant bombardment of bad news and the lack of civility.
Sailor46 USN 65-95 almost 6 years ago
That’s not the lesson she wanted him to learn, but that is what we all learned.
Linguist almost 6 years ago
Nowadays, taking away their cellphones and computers would be a greater punishment than no television.
Charlie Tuba almost 6 years ago
Micheal, why don’t you read “Breakfast of Champions” by Kurk Vonnegut. It has this symbol * which is supposed to be an a$$#0|€.
1JennyJenkins almost 6 years ago
Yes, Michael, and don’t you ever forget it: either curse only in your mind, while sounding out a very nice word; or make sure no one hears you when you let one out loud. It’s just like burping or tooting, one does it out loud only in private…