As a woman, I have mixed feelings on this. I know too many women who insisted on a house before their husband was ready, insisted on kids before their husband was ready, and then complain nonstop about their house and kids and that their husbands “don’t do their share.”
Plus, lots of stay at home wives (not necessarily mothers of young children) seem to think working is wonderful. I know the grass is always greener, but I would love to be able to stay home and not work!
Some things, such as quality of life, cannot be calculated by dollar signs. John needs to think of her more than the checkbook and together they make it work. Yes, I wish my wife had a job, but she is also available to friends in time of need, church volunteering and helping the kids. You just figure it out and make it happen because it is worth it.
@Snoopy_fan: unless you are in a marriage that has separate bank accounts (it works for some, but I never understood it), it’s not HIS money. It’s THEIR money, so that should be taken out of the picture. I worked until my youngest was 4, and have been home for 2 years (yes, I did it backwards than most) and my husband has never said anything about HIS money, MY money, OUR money. It has always been about what is best for our FAMILY. The logic about whose money it belongs to is very petty, and that should never belong in a healthy marriage.
Yup, my husband is 100% on the side of OUR money and OUR happiness coming from everyone being happy. Nobody is perfect, but you can definitely work to make everyone happy, and that takes sacrifices.
We’ve seen Elly sacrifice, and we see that it sometimes leads to her being a little crazed (she loved her class, though!). Now we’ll see what happens when they try something else. Isn’t that how most of us go through life? At least, she knows there is a problem and is doing something about it!
I have the impression that Elly (and John, for that matter) was happier overall later in the strip, and probably it started like this.
I have seen several stay at home moms go to work “just to get out a bit”, love it out there so much that they eventually ditch the house, husband, kids and dog for it. (have I mentioned that cute co-workers helped ease that choice?)
It’s HIS money going to pay for it, not hers. But I can understand her need for intellectual stimulation & getting out of the humiliating subservience of domestic service.
being a nurturing parent is NOT humiliating (as far as i’ve heard). and a marriage is supposed to be a partnership with all things held in common – no “his money” vs. “her money” argument, it’s all “theirs” (as was stated earlier).
Look, if she has been staying at home with the kids all this time, she’s been ‘volunteering’ already. I think if he knew how expensive that much baby-sitting, cooking, and maid service was, he would realize that he was getting off cheap. It’s not just ‘his’ f—-ing money if she’s been running ‘his’ household.
There is one strip where John remarks “It’s my money.” when Elly complains about something he bought. When she realizes that is true, she compensates by charging him for dinner!!
JanLC over 12 years ago
Sometimes it’s not about the money.
pouncingtiger over 12 years ago
Ain’t that the truth.
Snoopy_Fan over 12 years ago
John should be concerned… HIS salary is going to have to pay for the gas and the daycare.
janisil over 12 years ago
Happy wife,Happy home
Deezlebird over 12 years ago
As a woman, I have mixed feelings on this. I know too many women who insisted on a house before their husband was ready, insisted on kids before their husband was ready, and then complain nonstop about their house and kids and that their husbands “don’t do their share.”
Plus, lots of stay at home wives (not necessarily mothers of young children) seem to think working is wonderful. I know the grass is always greener, but I would love to be able to stay home and not work!
Allan CB Premium Member over 12 years ago
Love the last panel… it’s a psychotic look that John should run far far away from!
psychlady over 12 years ago
Good for Elly! She’s doing something for herself that she enjoys!
rugratz2222 over 12 years ago
Some things, such as quality of life, cannot be calculated by dollar signs. John needs to think of her more than the checkbook and together they make it work. Yes, I wish my wife had a job, but she is also available to friends in time of need, church volunteering and helping the kids. You just figure it out and make it happen because it is worth it.
lightenup Premium Member over 12 years ago
@Snoopy_fan: unless you are in a marriage that has separate bank accounts (it works for some, but I never understood it), it’s not HIS money. It’s THEIR money, so that should be taken out of the picture. I worked until my youngest was 4, and have been home for 2 years (yes, I did it backwards than most) and my husband has never said anything about HIS money, MY money, OUR money. It has always been about what is best for our FAMILY. The logic about whose money it belongs to is very petty, and that should never belong in a healthy marriage.
masnadies over 12 years ago
Yup, my husband is 100% on the side of OUR money and OUR happiness coming from everyone being happy. Nobody is perfect, but you can definitely work to make everyone happy, and that takes sacrifices.
We’ve seen Elly sacrifice, and we see that it sometimes leads to her being a little crazed (she loved her class, though!). Now we’ll see what happens when they try something else. Isn’t that how most of us go through life? At least, she knows there is a problem and is doing something about it!
I have the impression that Elly (and John, for that matter) was happier overall later in the strip, and probably it started like this.
summerdog86 over 12 years ago
PhoebeDog gets two paws up from me!
I have seen several stay at home moms go to work “just to get out a bit”, love it out there so much that they eventually ditch the house, husband, kids and dog for it. (have I mentioned that cute co-workers helped ease that choice?)
boydwest over 12 years ago
It’s just a comic strip….
rowena28 Premium Member over 12 years ago
It’s HIS money going to pay for it, not hers. But I can understand her need for intellectual stimulation & getting out of the humiliating subservience of domestic service.
yyyguy over 12 years ago
being a nurturing parent is NOT humiliating (as far as i’ve heard). and a marriage is supposed to be a partnership with all things held in common – no “his money” vs. “her money” argument, it’s all “theirs” (as was stated earlier).
Kyrrdis over 12 years ago
Look, if she has been staying at home with the kids all this time, she’s been ‘volunteering’ already. I think if he knew how expensive that much baby-sitting, cooking, and maid service was, he would realize that he was getting off cheap. It’s not just ‘his’ f—-ing money if she’s been running ‘his’ household.
lindz.coop Premium Member over 12 years ago
Go for it Elly — some of us understand!!
jenwithblueeyes over 12 years ago
There is one strip where John remarks “It’s my money.” when Elly complains about something he bought. When she realizes that is true, she compensates by charging him for dinner!!