More like… “I’m afraid she’ll wake up one day and realize she could have done way better than me. If we have no kids, nothing will stop her from easily leaving me”.
So Toni is not afraid of actually having a baby. She’s avoiding having one because SHE had a “bad childhood.” Well THAT didn’t stop your brother Jonah, did it, Toni? Sorry, but your argument is just a tad lame.
There’s an old saying that applies here: “YOUR mileage may vary.” Just because Toni had a bad childhood, doesn’t mean that any child you bring into the World will also have a “bad childhood.” Besides, Toni just now admitted that Brad would make a great dad, for cripes sake.
One MORE darn thing about this “bad childhood” stuff. Les Knox had a “bad childhood” and the guy living like a king, rent and consequences-free. If anything, having a “bad childhood” in this Strip is a plus.
So Toni, quit stalling grab Brad by the hair and get BUSY before Shannon shows up.
Now they re eating in their dress uniforms. Supper couldn’t wait five minutes while they changed into casual clothes? And Brad answering for Toni and vice versa is certainly weird. TJ asked Toni a direct question and Brad answered. Does Brad answer all questions put to Toni? Finally if TJ really were a bar manager he would know better than to gt into the middle of an argument between two drunks. When will the real “Luann” be published here?
Someone in here called it. S/he quoted quite closely to what both said about each other. Toni has not been able to move on from her past. It is too ingrained. Can she heal? That’s the question. Is she just too wounded to ever move on? Is she feeling that her niece is enough? As for Brad, can he love Toni enough to heal her? If TJ is wise, he would advise Toni to seek counseling for herself first then marriage counseling for both. Yes, it would be much easier if they just call it and part ways. It is much tougher to stay together and be committed to counseling. If their love is strong enough, their marriage might survive and possibly survive having children if that’s what they decide on.
There is no evidence that Brad will be a good father, For the first 20 years of his life he was a lazy slob, a couch potato par excellence. The time Brad was watching Shannon at the DeGroot house (And why was that) when Luann also said he would be a great father all he was doing was cleaning up Shannon’s messes one after another. He wasn’t trying to guide Shannon in how not to make a mess, or teach her to clean up after herself. He was a zombie father. If he became a father his neglect would create just another Shannon.
No instruction from TJ.but having them speak through the other about each other is brilliant. So Brad says Toni’s lines while Toni, Brad’s. The end seems to lean toward them trying. It’s not as if they don’t know how, but it’s Toni’s body, her choice.
I always thought the reason had more to do with her career. They are currently saving for a house. Yes Toni can still work as a fire fighter in the field for a while but eventually that just isn’t really feasible. So maybe she wants to be able to move out before thinking about adding another person under their roof.
TJ said that is not funny, but he’s smiling a little saying it. He loves his friends! Nice to see how Toni and Brad are understanding each other ♡. They are a great couple with a very strong bond.
Hmm, maybe TJ should get them to knock back a bit more the wine and perhaps bring down a top shelf bottle for some after dinner cocktails to get these 2 to lighten up and quit answering TJ’s questions for each other. Personally I think Brad could use a couple of doubles to loose up a bit.
Is TJ a bar manager? I thought he owned and operated a small, fine-dining cafe within a club that mostly caters to people too young to drink? I guess the ongoing redefinition of the characters’ occupations is hitting him too after we’ve moved Luann from “casual day care volunteer” to “full time teacher.”
Toni does have a valid point in her first assessment. Both her and Brad Love being fire fighters. while there is risk in everything, having two parents who are both running in to burning structures will little’s at home is a REALLY bad idea.
So TJ is now playing marriage counselor. However, he has succumbed to a counselor’s most basic error. He did not ask “Brad. Why do you think Toni doesn’t want to have a child?” He asked Toni.
If this were REALITY and the responses given were REAL. Brad’s answer for Toni makes no sense. She wants to WAIT to have kids because she comes from a hard life. Why would waiting to have kids change her view of her hard past; a past detrimental to raising children? Waiting will not change her past.
Given Toni’s understanding of Brad’s upbringing (per her statement) she says more about why she chose Brad over Dirk and not so much about a desire to start their own family together. If he’s such a great potential paterfamilias she should have no misgivings about starting a family.
So TJ has one day to resolve this issue, but more likely he’ll take the smart route and butt out. Maybe next week we’ll see Toni & Nancy have a good girl-to-girl talk about raising kids?
But anyhow, as they say, this is only a cartoon marriage in a cartoon strip with cartoon love. So hilarity will prevail. Eh? Luann1212?
I haven’t read all the comments, so I may be repeating something that’s already been said. Regardless of her deeper reasonings, Toni is being the smart one on this issue. Why is Brad in such a hurry when we all know what having children does for the intimate time couples have for each other? No More Nookie! Never mind the fact that BOTH of their careers are going to be affected, and should Toni decide to forgo hers to care for the child, their income is going to be cut in half.
From their replies it’s obvious they’ve had this discussion before. The question is who will cave? If it’s a typical comic strip Toni will find herself accidentally pregnant and Brad will find a way to gradually ease her fears and both will be happy with the outcome. Many women who have valid reasons for not wanting children do change their minds. If it is a fear of the past and trust issues, often this can be overcome. Not always. But often enough. In my case, my reasons could not be overcome so I was careful to find someone who’s values of a happy marriage reflected mine. I have been so blessed in this regard. To have or not have children is an important lifestyle choice and everyone’s feelings should be respected and taken seriously.
As a consulting hypnotist, I frequently get couples who want me to fix their marriage. I point out that nowhere on my wall does any of the certificates say “Drama Coach”. I explain that their money is better spent on a trained, marriage counselor.
why are they each answering for the other? Brad should let Toni speak for herself. I believe Toni thinks she would not be a good mother but she has already proven that she can be. I remember the time when she and Shannon built a maze on the wall for for the class hamster. She could have been the grumpy type who would say “No… we can ruin the wall… etc.”. be she just jumped right in and they taped cardboard tubes from rolls of paper towels (unfurled) all across the wall.
Having children is something that BOTH people need to be onboard with happening. Lord knows there’s enough peer pressure (when are you going to start having kids?), parent pressure (so when are you going to give us grandchildren?), and various nonsense (you’re not truly a woman until you have a child. B.S.!). You need to be true to yourself – don’t have a baby just because “well, I guess I should”. I’m 64 now, never had children (by choice) and I’ve never regretted my decision.
This just makes me cringe. TJ should not be involved at all, and one or both of those two should tell him so. Answering for each other is not loving or cute. Perhaps when I was 14 or so, I would have imagined this to be a scene of a caring friend helping out a loving couple, but as a retired former wife, I see nothing but trouble in this approach. As many have said, Toni and Brad should have had this discussion before getting married. (Maybe they partially did – and people can change their minds). But in any case, having it now by speaking for each other in answer to ANYONE outside the marriage, besides a marriage counselor, is asking for trouble.
The stronger the bond, the more easily one partner can speak for the other. It is something I hope everyone gets to experience at some point as it is very endearing and not the least bit rude within the context of a healthy relationship. Also, they trust their friend enough to be open with him like this, even if his “fun” is spoiled by the lack of any conflict he can help resolve. This strip was actually rather sweet, if you think about it.
Calliope over 2 years ago
Speaking of having children, I foresee this storyline being college-age before there’s any real movement on it.
AnyFace over 2 years ago
GOGOPOWERANGERS over 2 years ago
Making a baby isn’t fun..well a little
Miles VanDelay over 2 years ago
Take that, Brad haters.
lvlax over 2 years ago
More like… “I’m afraid she’ll wake up one day and realize she could have done way better than me. If we have no kids, nothing will stop her from easily leaving me”.
GreasyOldTam over 2 years ago
Why are they answering for each other?
Willow Mt Lyon over 2 years ago
Don’t you just love it when someone speaks for you? No!
Mordock999 Premium Member over 2 years ago
Okay.
So Toni is not afraid of actually having a baby. She’s avoiding having one because SHE had a “bad childhood.” Well THAT didn’t stop your brother Jonah, did it, Toni? Sorry, but your argument is just a tad lame.
There’s an old saying that applies here: “YOUR mileage may vary.” Just because Toni had a bad childhood, doesn’t mean that any child you bring into the World will also have a “bad childhood.” Besides, Toni just now admitted that Brad would make a great dad, for cripes sake.One MORE darn thing about this “bad childhood” stuff. Les Knox had a “bad childhood” and the guy living like a king, rent and consequences-free. If anything, having a “bad childhood” in this Strip is a plus.
So Toni, quit stalling grab Brad by the hair and get BUSY before Shannon shows up.
angelolady Premium Member over 2 years ago
I just love Brad’s expression in the last panel.
Joe1962 Premium Member over 2 years ago
My main problem with this arc from the beginning that they were not speaking to each other i see progress being made.
beb01 over 2 years ago
Now they re eating in their dress uniforms. Supper couldn’t wait five minutes while they changed into casual clothes? And Brad answering for Toni and vice versa is certainly weird. TJ asked Toni a direct question and Brad answered. Does Brad answer all questions put to Toni? Finally if TJ really were a bar manager he would know better than to gt into the middle of an argument between two drunks. When will the real “Luann” be published here?
capricorn9th over 2 years ago
Someone in here called it. S/he quoted quite closely to what both said about each other. Toni has not been able to move on from her past. It is too ingrained. Can she heal? That’s the question. Is she just too wounded to ever move on? Is she feeling that her niece is enough? As for Brad, can he love Toni enough to heal her? If TJ is wise, he would advise Toni to seek counseling for herself first then marriage counseling for both. Yes, it would be much easier if they just call it and part ways. It is much tougher to stay together and be committed to counseling. If their love is strong enough, their marriage might survive and possibly survive having children if that’s what they decide on.
nesto49 over 2 years ago
Actually, it’s kind of sweet how they are answers for each other and are spot on with the replies.
beb01 over 2 years ago
There is no evidence that Brad will be a good father, For the first 20 years of his life he was a lazy slob, a couch potato par excellence. The time Brad was watching Shannon at the DeGroot house (And why was that) when Luann also said he would be a great father all he was doing was cleaning up Shannon’s messes one after another. He wasn’t trying to guide Shannon in how not to make a mess, or teach her to clean up after herself. He was a zombie father. If he became a father his neglect would create just another Shannon.
Caldonia over 2 years ago
Eating black food and drinking black wine is no fun, either. What went wrong, TJ?
Airman over 2 years ago
TJ the marriage counselor, parenting adviser, babysitter, cook, and do everything but breast feed the kid. Give me a break.
Robin Harwood over 2 years ago
C’mon TJ. You’ll have to do better than that to get a bit of fierce argument going.
luann1212 over 2 years ago
No instruction from TJ.but having them speak through the other about each other is brilliant. So Brad says Toni’s lines while Toni, Brad’s. The end seems to lean toward them trying. It’s not as if they don’t know how, but it’s Toni’s body, her choice.
butterfly_qvrs over 2 years ago
I always thought the reason had more to do with her career. They are currently saving for a house. Yes Toni can still work as a fire fighter in the field for a while but eventually that just isn’t really feasible. So maybe she wants to be able to move out before thinking about adding another person under their roof.
Brdshtt Premium Member over 2 years ago
On the flip side, Paul Anka had a song:
.
♫ Havin’ my baby, what a funny way of tellin’ me that we gotta get married… ♪
Rhetorical_Question over 2 years ago
Impasse; waiting for the fear to pass.
Rhetorical_Question over 2 years ago
At least they are listening.
Aladar30 Premium Member over 2 years ago
TJ said that is not funny, but he’s smiling a little saying it. He loves his friends! Nice to see how Toni and Brad are understanding each other ♡. They are a great couple with a very strong bond.
TampaFanatic1 over 2 years ago
Hmm, maybe TJ should get them to knock back a bit more the wine and perhaps bring down a top shelf bottle for some after dinner cocktails to get these 2 to lighten up and quit answering TJ’s questions for each other. Personally I think Brad could use a couple of doubles to loose up a bit.
Chrisdiaz801 over 2 years ago
Toni and Brad do have great arguments for becoming parents.
Ronnie Herpez over 2 years ago
Is TJ a bar manager? I thought he owned and operated a small, fine-dining cafe within a club that mostly caters to people too young to drink? I guess the ongoing redefinition of the characters’ occupations is hitting him too after we’ve moved Luann from “casual day care volunteer” to “full time teacher.”
leighabc123 over 2 years ago
They are answering each other’s questions!
Johnnyrico over 2 years ago
I thought they were having ribs for dinner? Last I checked, you have to pick those up with your hands and eat them…
akachman Premium Member over 2 years ago
Why is Brad answering for Toni? A sign of a controlling person.
Rhetorical_Question over 2 years ago
Brad Degroot was a total layabout slob (young adolescent) who belittled his sister. He became motivated and rehabilitated when he meet Toni.
Decepticomic over 2 years ago
You’re right. It isn’t. What’s Luann doing?
Ellis97 over 2 years ago
So they do want kids after all.
windfinder over 2 years ago
Tomorrow’s strip will go like this:
1st panel: Toni standing in the bathroom.
2nd panel: Toni looks at a pee stick.
3rd panel: Toni’s eyes are wide open
Monday we start a new story arc
comic reader 22 over 2 years ago
I hate it when someone answers for me. It’s rude.
6foot6 over 2 years ago
Toni does have a valid point in her first assessment. Both her and Brad Love being fire fighters. while there is risk in everything, having two parents who are both running in to burning structures will little’s at home is a REALLY bad idea.
OneTime59 over 2 years ago
Agree with TJ (via GnK). No fun. Only one more day to go.
Rauderi over 2 years ago
“Toni, tell me why you don’t want kids.”
…Brad answers. While it’s cool they know each other well enough to answer for each other, in a situation like that, let the questionee speak.
rugeirn over 2 years ago
Nothing to do with nine months of bloat and barf followed by labor and years of infant care as the default caregiver.
ctolson over 2 years ago
Hey, it’s what married couples do. Especially if they’re soulmates.
DawnQuinn1 over 2 years ago
If you wait til you can afford children before you have them…you never will.
YorkGirl Premium Member over 2 years ago
So they’re answering each other’s questions. Not exactly progress.
MuddyUSA Premium Member over 2 years ago
He got straight honest answers which he did not expect.
Tyge Premium Member over 2 years ago
So TJ is now playing marriage counselor. However, he has succumbed to a counselor’s most basic error. He did not ask “Brad. Why do you think Toni doesn’t want to have a child?” He asked Toni.
If this were REALITY and the responses given were REAL. Brad’s answer for Toni makes no sense. She wants to WAIT to have kids because she comes from a hard life. Why would waiting to have kids change her view of her hard past; a past detrimental to raising children? Waiting will not change her past.
Given Toni’s understanding of Brad’s upbringing (per her statement) she says more about why she chose Brad over Dirk and not so much about a desire to start their own family together. If he’s such a great potential paterfamilias she should have no misgivings about starting a family.
So TJ has one day to resolve this issue, but more likely he’ll take the smart route and butt out. Maybe next week we’ll see Toni & Nancy have a good girl-to-girl talk about raising kids?
But anyhow, as they say, this is only a cartoon marriage in a cartoon strip with cartoon love. So hilarity will prevail. Eh? Luann1212?
GaryCooper over 2 years ago
We’re at an impasse.
tidewaterscot over 2 years ago
Move on!
rickmac1937 Premium Member over 2 years ago
Getting boring
darcyandsimon over 2 years ago
How about how it just might really mess up her career as a firefighter?
StephenJokela1 over 2 years ago
I haven’t read all the comments, so I may be repeating something that’s already been said. Regardless of her deeper reasonings, Toni is being the smart one on this issue. Why is Brad in such a hurry when we all know what having children does for the intimate time couples have for each other? No More Nookie! Never mind the fact that BOTH of their careers are going to be affected, and should Toni decide to forgo hers to care for the child, their income is going to be cut in half.
eladee AKA Wally over 2 years ago
From their replies it’s obvious they’ve had this discussion before. The question is who will cave? If it’s a typical comic strip Toni will find herself accidentally pregnant and Brad will find a way to gradually ease her fears and both will be happy with the outcome. Many women who have valid reasons for not wanting children do change their minds. If it is a fear of the past and trust issues, often this can be overcome. Not always. But often enough. In my case, my reasons could not be overcome so I was careful to find someone who’s values of a happy marriage reflected mine. I have been so blessed in this regard. To have or not have children is an important lifestyle choice and everyone’s feelings should be respected and taken seriously.
SchipLvr over 2 years ago
As a consulting hypnotist, I frequently get couples who want me to fix their marriage. I point out that nowhere on my wall does any of the certificates say “Drama Coach”. I explain that their money is better spent on a trained, marriage counselor.
w16521 over 2 years ago
TJ is a lousy marriage counselor. The first thing he needs to point out is that Brad and Toni are answering for each other. That’s never a good thing.
Ukko wilko over 2 years ago
Major accomplishment in any marriage – they understand each other.
percheronhitch6 over 2 years ago
because for starters, we can’t even speak for ourselves, much less negotiate whether or not to start a family and when.
RSH over 2 years ago
why are they each answering for the other? Brad should let Toni speak for herself. I believe Toni thinks she would not be a good mother but she has already proven that she can be. I remember the time when she and Shannon built a maze on the wall for for the class hamster. She could have been the grumpy type who would say “No… we can ruin the wall… etc.”. be she just jumped right in and they taped cardboard tubes from rolls of paper towels (unfurled) all across the wall.
TwilightFaze over 2 years ago
Fun for me! They both totally got where the other is coming from and haven’t gotten into a fight about it once.
Elaine1975 over 2 years ago
Having children is something that BOTH people need to be onboard with happening. Lord knows there’s enough peer pressure (when are you going to start having kids?), parent pressure (so when are you going to give us grandchildren?), and various nonsense (you’re not truly a woman until you have a child. B.S.!). You need to be true to yourself – don’t have a baby just because “well, I guess I should”. I’m 64 now, never had children (by choice) and I’ve never regretted my decision.
mfought over 2 years ago
keep em barefoot and pregnant
198.23.5.11 over 2 years ago
Toni is built like a brick wall and is absolutely fearless on the job.
So I think readers just don’t get it when she’s hesitant about ANYTHING.It looks like a split personality.
But it makes her more human.
Meanwhile,Shannon’s mail order package from Los Alamos has arrived…..
JPuzzleWhiz over 2 years ago
“Baby Talk”
“He Said ‘She Said’; She Said ‘He Said’!”
“Spoken For”
“Interest Of Conflict”
“Resolve For ‘Why?’ "
lawguy05 over 2 years ago
You have each other – neither of you forget that.
198.23.5.11 over 2 years ago
Let’s let Shannon make the final decision.Ask her if she wants a little brother.
Back to Big Mike over 2 years ago
Ok, I stand corrected on the “no discussion” comment yesterday.
StoicLion1973 over 2 years ago
As I stated when this arc started, Toni needs to see a therapist to address her crap childhood.
suelou over 2 years ago
Actually, I hope she doesn’t have a kid like he was!
oakie817 over 2 years ago
most excellent
bakana over 2 years ago
They know each other so well that they answer each other’s Questions.
finnygirl Premium Member over 2 years ago
This just makes me cringe. TJ should not be involved at all, and one or both of those two should tell him so. Answering for each other is not loving or cute. Perhaps when I was 14 or so, I would have imagined this to be a scene of a caring friend helping out a loving couple, but as a retired former wife, I see nothing but trouble in this approach. As many have said, Toni and Brad should have had this discussion before getting married. (Maybe they partially did – and people can change their minds). But in any case, having it now by speaking for each other in answer to ANYONE outside the marriage, besides a marriage counselor, is asking for trouble.
finnygirl Premium Member over 2 years ago
And I do know that it’s a comic strip, and that’s what makes it better! G&K can do as many “cringeworthy” stories as they like, and I’ll keep reading!
Sisyphos over 2 years ago
This is cloying, at best. TJ has no business in this strip!
mercat1 over 2 years ago
Draw a line on both sides of Brad’s chin and you’ve got Toni’s ventriloquist dummy.
David Huie Green LosersBlameOthers&It'sYOURfault over 2 years ago
How to envision the future:
The best possibility versus the worst possibility.
(There are other ways, but they are not in play here.)
Takagi-san over 2 years ago
The stronger the bond, the more easily one partner can speak for the other. It is something I hope everyone gets to experience at some point as it is very endearing and not the least bit rude within the context of a healthy relationship. Also, they trust their friend enough to be open with him like this, even if his “fun” is spoiled by the lack of any conflict he can help resolve. This strip was actually rather sweet, if you think about it.