For Better or For Worse by Lynn Johnston for May 24, 2015

With Elly counting back at one, the kids better get their keesters in bed NOW.

The kids have such innocent, curious smiles, and Elly lives every parent’s nightmare – what to do when the threat isn’t enough.

When my mom got to three we got a spank, no exceptions.

So let me see if I understand. ( I won’t use a certain word, because that would be interpreted incorrectly.)

If a person types a list of numbers, along with the wish that a poster on this site would stop posting, that would be sufficient incentive to motivate the poster to stop posting?

Just trying to understand.

one, two, three….

I always moved by two

My dad gave this directive and countdown in a low and quiet voice. Very effective.

I read your response to me late last night, and wanted to address your misunderstanding:Sorry about the snarkiness at the beginning.I thought it was funny that you managed to tie the strip’s actions to a character who didn’t appear in it, and took it to the next exaggerated step. Too far, to be sure.Actually, I am here every day.I don’t come to attack anyone, and I’m not attacking you now, or yesterday.I asked a sincere question, which you quoted in your response, and didn’t answer.I really don’t understand your attraction to the strip when it’s clear you dislike much of it. I’m not trying to be difficult; I’m just trying to understand. (My grandmother used to watch soap operas three hours a day. She’d always complain about them, and say, “I’m not gonna watch it anymore,” and be back watching them the next day, and complain about them again. And on and on.)Sorry to disappoint, but I don’t spend a lot on antacids. (Comic strips I’ve given up on? "Pibgorn,” “Alley Oop,” and “9 Chickweed Lane” all move slower than a glacier.)My point was that life has plenty of stress that’s unavoidable, so I avoid things that I know will add to it (like cable TV news or anything involving a Kardashian).I am sorry for adding to your stress, and will try to not do so again.Have a good (and safe) Memorial Day.

I don’t remember Michael getting spanked, or Elly beaning John with a coffee cup.I must have missed those strips.

When a discipline routine has been established, parents rarely switch it for something else for a second (or third) child just because she is a girl. We may not have seen Elizabeth spanked “onscreen”, but, given Elly’s temperament, you can bet she was.

Lynn’s Notes:

Counting to three is a joke. Really. When kids hear you count to three, they, naturally, watch to see what comes afterwards. DUHHHH…We bozo adults are then left to find some nebulous consequence. This is such a dumb thing to instigate. So, why is it that we all do it? … All of us! All the time!!!

The other common punishment Elly has used is to send the kid to their room, but that won’t work because that’s what she wants them to do.-——————I really like that!“If you kids aren’t in bed by the count of three – I’ll send you to your rooms!”There’s a lot of comic strip logic to it.

Since you obviously dislike this strip, why do you continue reading it? Unless, of course, the only entertainment you have in the world is criticizing imaginary people and aggravating real people.

The other biggie is “Just wait ’til your father gets home!!!!”, or its variation “Just wait ’till I get you home!!!!” Most of the time nothing happened, but there WERE the occasional rare moments……. ouch………….. ;-(

If mine weren’t moving at 2, they were going to get it.

My cats understand and respond to 1…2…3 very well — usually reacting by “2.”

If my mom got to three and I hadn’t cooperated, my rear would be sore. So I generally complied when the counting started.Elly should have planned what she was actually going to do when she got to three. There has to be some sort of punishment, or it’s just empty words.