You never get to where you aren’t a parent. I was in my early 40’s and very sick after surgery, and my Mom called me every day for a month to see how I was doing. Likewise, my adult child and I texted each other almost daily when influenza struck!
As usual I am a little late coming to the party, but I feel I must add my two cents worth. I base this claim on sheer numbers; this avatar is myself holding our twenty-forth grandchild. We have helped our supersized family when needed, but truthfully we were not needed more than a handful of times. We’ve always felt it best to teach them to make their own way; make their own decisions, even their own mistakes. Things seem to work themselves out for the best, at least better than any bumbling well-meant effort on my part.
Post Script: I must give credit where credit is due. The success our children have is due in large measure to my wife. Simple fact, at one time our eight oldest went to seven different schools, with all the different daily schedules, and monthly calendars, sets of books, and uniforms to sort, and even dorms to furnish, and of course all the fund raisers to attend. Someone asked how I kept track of everything. Who could? I honestly could not, but my wife did. Today when someone says they’re too busy I just chuckle.
Nothing “wrong” with a well-off parent helping out kids, while the parent is still alive— instead of just having them get a big lump sum when the parent dies. BUT, on the other hand, it might be a good idea for their long-term future for Gene and Mary Lou (or “real” young couples in a similar situation) to learn what it takes to actually support themselves, make a decent living, at least be able to help send their kids or kids to college someday (or whatever other post-high school training they might want to get), and save enough money for their OWN retirements. Relying mainly on the well-off old man’s help for too long while they chase possibly unrealistic “dreams” might not turn out to the be the best thing for them. I’m not saying they should or have to “sell out” completely to hold jobs in corporate America or whatever it is they probably hate— but some realism is a good idea. Or else, at some point in the future, economic reality might come crashing down around them hard and suddenly.
whahoppened about 5 years ago
Feels like there’s more to be told.
Night-Gaunt49[Bozo is Boffo] about 5 years ago
So many hyper text links in their statements.
Nachikethass about 5 years ago
Both of the kids are only children. The parents have no one else to worry about! Let them do their job, Gene!
jarvisloop about 5 years ago
More and more, this strip mirrors my life. I am in the same situation as Arlo, and it hurts like Hell.
LadyPeterW about 5 years ago
You never get to where you aren’t a parent. I was in my early 40’s and very sick after surgery, and my Mom called me every day for a month to see how I was doing. Likewise, my adult child and I texted each other almost daily when influenza struck!
assrdood about 5 years ago
Still want to know what happened to the sailboat.
Tyge Premium Member about 5 years ago
Nothing of negative reality has entered A&J’s idyllic life since the Vince episodes from 1993 and 2016.
Ham_Gravy about 5 years ago
Panel Two – Spanish Moss ??
DCBakerEsq about 5 years ago
I wish my parents had too much money.
samfran6-0 about 5 years ago
Things got a little sticky for my son and wife. They live with me now. I am not in the best of health and I am grateful they are here.
Da'Dad about 5 years ago
As usual I am a little late coming to the party, but I feel I must add my two cents worth. I base this claim on sheer numbers; this avatar is myself holding our twenty-forth grandchild. We have helped our supersized family when needed, but truthfully we were not needed more than a handful of times. We’ve always felt it best to teach them to make their own way; make their own decisions, even their own mistakes. Things seem to work themselves out for the best, at least better than any bumbling well-meant effort on my part.
Da'Dad about 5 years ago
Post Script: I must give credit where credit is due. The success our children have is due in large measure to my wife. Simple fact, at one time our eight oldest went to seven different schools, with all the different daily schedules, and monthly calendars, sets of books, and uniforms to sort, and even dorms to furnish, and of course all the fund raisers to attend. Someone asked how I kept track of everything. Who could? I honestly could not, but my wife did. Today when someone says they’re too busy I just chuckle.
JAE in MN about 3 years ago
Nothing “wrong” with a well-off parent helping out kids, while the parent is still alive— instead of just having them get a big lump sum when the parent dies. BUT, on the other hand, it might be a good idea for their long-term future for Gene and Mary Lou (or “real” young couples in a similar situation) to learn what it takes to actually support themselves, make a decent living, at least be able to help send their kids or kids to college someday (or whatever other post-high school training they might want to get), and save enough money for their OWN retirements. Relying mainly on the well-off old man’s help for too long while they chase possibly unrealistic “dreams” might not turn out to the be the best thing for them. I’m not saying they should or have to “sell out” completely to hold jobs in corporate America or whatever it is they probably hate— but some realism is a good idea. Or else, at some point in the future, economic reality might come crashing down around them hard and suddenly.