Like my own dad says, “Growing old is mandatory, growing up is optional” – I think I’ve successfully remained young at heart. I have no desire to return to a childhood where I had little to no control over my life, even if it was a good childhood.
My childhood was tough—because I have Cerebral Palsy (CP), I have had a least 7 operations. My latest was my left hip replaced over 2 years ago. I think I have a good sense of humor about it. For example, the only good thing CP is is for a parking space, when one can be found!!
If Calvin were one of today’s children, he would also be inside, playing computer games, or texting his friends, and not going out to just play. Calvin, these are your “good ol’ days”. Enjoy them while you can.
That may be beyond the point. Why should people with horrible childhoods refrain from being frank about their experiences? It happened. Just like people with great childhoods – it happened. This may not apply to you personally, but I think sometimes as a culture we expect people with bad experiences to remain silent . . . probably because it makes us feel uncomfortable to talk about it. The willingness to pipe up about a hurtful past does not necessarily mean that someone is still living in that pain – it can also mean they’ve moved out of it enough to be open about it.
Here’s what I picture about 25 years or so down the line from now (depending on dad’s current age, of course) . . .
DAD (to Calvin): “Hi, Calvin, it’s me, Dad. I just called to let you know it’s a perfect day outside. Too bad you’re trapped in a boring office while I’m running around free with no responsibilities! Have a good summer! Ha ha ha!” [click]
.
DAD (to himself): “Retirement is for spoiling your rotten son’s adulthood!”
It’ll take a little while for dad to get there but once he does . . . ah! Sweet revenge!!!!! ;-)
Calvin, your father works so you can have all those toys you own-especially that stuffed tiger. Plus your father works so you can eat and have a roof over your head.
Just to clarify for everyone, the article that Biltil posted is a humorous parody, not a true story. There was a whole lot of confusion on this site over that article previously, since some posters had never heard of The Onion (especially posters who don’t live in the U.S.).
Calvin’s dad’s reply to that will be “Wait till the day before your eighteenth birthday. That is the time when I empty your bank account, tax benefit!”
Linux0s over 12 years ago
No wonder your Dad antagonizes you in return Calvin.
rentier over 12 years ago
Happy childhood!
Gigantor over 12 years ago
Sorry, Calvin. You didn’t succeed. Those thoughts are always on the minds of adults at work anyway.
BE THIS GUY over 12 years ago
Adulthood is for remembering childhood.
Vandal00 over 12 years ago
I think the bulk of us would like to go back to childhood, knowing what we do now.
Unfortunately, that aging thing exists.
rogue53 over 12 years ago
Cheer up Dad. After childhood comes puberty. It’s only going to get worse. He’s just now starting to rake in the spoils of your labor.
arye uygur over 12 years ago
Calvin should never have been given his father’s work number.
King_Shark over 12 years ago
Unfortunately he didn’t get a wrong number. Like, say, his school principal’s.
moronbis over 12 years ago
Ahh!! that annoying moment when you are not the one who gets annoyed.
NE1956 over 12 years ago
Chronology says I’m an adult. NEVER judge the outter me.
watmiwori over 12 years ago
Pop,have you considered infanticide?
alan.gurka over 12 years ago
And adults are for spoiling childhood. It works both ways, Calvin.
battle of plattsburgh over 12 years ago
Having a grateful, loving family at home is what keeps him going.
BluePumpkin over 12 years ago
Like my own dad says, “Growing old is mandatory, growing up is optional” – I think I’ve successfully remained young at heart. I have no desire to return to a childhood where I had little to no control over my life, even if it was a good childhood.
lebron over 12 years ago
I always tell my children that insanity is hereditary- we get it from our children. Calvin’s dad is on his way to the insane asylum.
Puddleglum2 over 12 years ago
Someday, the chickens will come home to roost.Then the cackle will be on the other foot, as Crankshaft might say!
Puddleglum2 over 12 years ago
Calvin will get his comeuppance for ‘needling’ Dad!As you ‘sew’, so shall you reap!
rroush Premium Member over 12 years ago
You’re going to pay for this someday when the old man is retired and you’re still working.
cookies333 over 12 years ago
Lucky Calvin! An lucky me,because I am on Summer vacation!
bvallinino over 12 years ago
My childhood was tough—because I have Cerebral Palsy (CP), I have had a least 7 operations. My latest was my left hip replaced over 2 years ago. I think I have a good sense of humor about it. For example, the only good thing CP is is for a parking space, when one can be found!!
Vonne Anton over 12 years ago
Calvin running around free??? I think Dad senses an emergency at home…
scrabblefiend over 12 years ago
If Calvin were one of today’s children, he would also be inside, playing computer games, or texting his friends, and not going out to just play. Calvin, these are your “good ol’ days”. Enjoy them while you can.
Number Three over 12 years ago
Oh Calvin you are a rotten little boy.
But very sweet.
LOL xxx
cheesehead over 12 years ago
Love the look on Dad’s face.
guy42 over 12 years ago
So he was a “blue light special”!
BluePumpkin over 12 years ago
That may be beyond the point. Why should people with horrible childhoods refrain from being frank about their experiences? It happened. Just like people with great childhoods – it happened. This may not apply to you personally, but I think sometimes as a culture we expect people with bad experiences to remain silent . . . probably because it makes us feel uncomfortable to talk about it. The willingness to pipe up about a hurtful past does not necessarily mean that someone is still living in that pain – it can also mean they’ve moved out of it enough to be open about it.
Popeyesforearm over 12 years ago
my dad sold guns for a living. We didn’t pull crap like this.
Gretchen's Mom over 12 years ago
Here’s what I picture about 25 years or so down the line from now (depending on dad’s current age, of course) . . .
DAD (to Calvin): “Hi, Calvin, it’s me, Dad. I just called to let you know it’s a perfect day outside. Too bad you’re trapped in a boring office while I’m running around free with no responsibilities! Have a good summer! Ha ha ha!” [click]
.
DAD (to himself): “Retirement is for spoiling your rotten son’s adulthood!”
It’ll take a little while for dad to get there but once he does . . . ah! Sweet revenge!!!!! ;-)
Konabill over 12 years ago
What really hurts is the thought of all those wonderful days that I did nothing. Not even enjoy the day as much as possible.
iced tea over 12 years ago
Calvin, your father works so you can have all those toys you own-especially that stuffed tiger. Plus your father works so you can eat and have a roof over your head.
Phapada over 12 years ago
Hello do you hear Me ? its from Thailand ..
ratlum over 12 years ago
IT is no time at all for your turn Calvin my boy.
Biltil Premium Member over 12 years ago
Interesting article
http://www.theonion.com/articles/bill-watterson-writes-illustrates-shreds-new-calvi,21240/
Hobbes Premium Member over 12 years ago
Just to clarify for everyone, the article that Biltil posted is a humorous parody, not a true story. There was a whole lot of confusion on this site over that article previously, since some posters had never heard of The Onion (especially posters who don’t live in the U.S.).
calvinsfriend110 over 12 years ago
True, true!
Hobbes Premium Member over 12 years ago
@JP Steve: I guess “humorous parody” is also somewhat redundant. And repetitious.
38lowell over 12 years ago
Life is what you make of it. Be healthy and be kind to one another, and your pets, regardless.
Puddleglum2 over 12 years ago
Pixie Jane is like Doubleup on Dick Tracy! :o)
Mihir Asher over 12 years ago
Calvin’s dad’s reply to that will be “Wait till the day before your eighteenth birthday. That is the time when I empty your bank account, tax benefit!”
khpage over 12 years ago
Next day, Dad may lock him in the closet until he gets home from work….
Hobbes Premium Member over 12 years ago
@bmonk: Sorry, could you repeat that?
【。_。】 CalvinHobbesFan2021 【。_。】 almost 4 years ago
Dads face in panel 3 lol