About 25 years ago now, my children and grandchildren all came over after church for a massive breakfast. A couple hours later, I was getting ready to pull a 2-11 shift as a grocery clerk and my 4-year-old grandson said, “Gramma, where are you going?” I said, “I’m going to work.” He said … “How can you think of going to work on such a perfect day?” And with a very heavy heart, I went to work.
This is one of my favorite strips with Calvin lecturing his father, but he can’t do or say anything about it! Another similar one is where at the end Calvin says “Boy, I’d hate to have a child like me!”
I was just commenting today with the guy at our ISP who was handling our upgrade… that my time was worth nearly nothing, since I’m retired. He groaned and told me he had too many years left before he could retire. But that he was happy I could enjoy myself.
I am amazed if Calvin’s Dad does not hit the drive through liquor store on the way to work or at least gets a liquid lunch and then hits Happy Hour before dealing with the kid again.
On the other hand, Calvin’s dad only has to deal with Calvin for a couple of hours after he comes home from work. And then theres Saturday and Sunday after which he can use the next five days away from him for most of the day.
We’re doing it backwards: my daughter is coming to work with me today. She comes in to stuff envelopes for billing, and my boss pays her for it. (My girls take turns doing this. Unfortunately there isn’t enough work for both of them at the same time.)
As usual, Calvin can’t comprehend anything beyond his own experiences. His father already experienced childhood summers. He’ll be enjoying retirement when Calvin is working.
Dad says, “Sure (they said), adopt the cute kid from the orphanage, the one with a stuffed tiger. He’ll be a lot of fun. You’ll tell jokes together, go to ballgames, build memories together. Piece of cake!”
I would love to have that kind of kid who understands the difference between childhood and adulthood before growing up. This boy sure knows how to enjoy the younger days.
For a short while at the end of my schooling, I invested in a get-rich-quick scheme, and for a fleeting 6 months or so, I had the dream of retiring right out of grad school.
“Hi Calvin, just enjoying my retirement while you work endless hours. As you know, medicare is in a lot of trouble, there won’t be crap waiting for you by the time you are old. However, you have to keep paying taxes where nothing is saved aside for you, it all goes to my social security!”
Auctioneer: Good evening ladies and gentlemen. On behalf of Mr. Moreau, Mr. Marcano and the Adults Union, thank you for coming out tonight. Might I remind you that all winning bids must be paid upfront and we are only accepting cash. Might I also remind you that the Adults Union will safely transport the products to a location of the winning bidders’ choosing for only a small extra fee. First up on the auction block, Calvin. However you can change his name to whatever you like. This specimen is six years old and healthy. Can be put to work doing heavy farm labor or housework. No scars, no visible injuries and examined personally by Mr. Moreau’s doctor. Opening bid to buy Calvin will be $1,000. Do I hear $2,000?"
Dad: Hi Calvin. I see you are enjoying yourself, under a roof and sitting on a piece of furniture that was bought from…my job!
Calvin is eating dinner
Dad: Why Calvin, you ate today? Food does not grow on trees, you know. Your mother bought this food and cooked it on a range. Food and the natural gas to cook it costs money…from my job!
Calvin is wearing pyjamas and just wants to go to bed
Dad: Had your bath and brushed your teeth? Good. You consumed water for both, I hope you know. Want a bedtime story? All these books you have…cost money. Remember when we got Hobbes at a toy store? If we tried to take Hobbes without paying we could’ve gotten arrested. That’s right, money! So tell me Calvin, where does all this money come from? The man in the moon, or my job?
BE THIS GUY over 1 year ago
18 and YOU ARE OUT!
codycab over 1 year ago
When Calvin abuses the power of freedom.
Prescott_Philosopher over 1 year ago
I’ve been retired since I was 50, and I don’t have time now for my personal interests, let alone goofing off. Well, I do take long European trips.
C over 1 year ago
Inciting filicide
JudasPeckerwood over 1 year ago
“If you don’t overwork yourself into an early grave that is. Toodles!”
Ivy Valory Premium Member over 1 year ago
About 25 years ago now, my children and grandchildren all came over after church for a massive breakfast. A couple hours later, I was getting ready to pull a 2-11 shift as a grocery clerk and my 4-year-old grandson said, “Gramma, where are you going?” I said, “I’m going to work.” He said … “How can you think of going to work on such a perfect day?” And with a very heavy heart, I went to work.
SHIVA over 1 year ago
His mother should make plans to rent out his room, now!!
su43dipta over 1 year ago
This is one of my favorite strips with Calvin lecturing his father, but he can’t do or say anything about it! Another similar one is where at the end Calvin says “Boy, I’d hate to have a child like me!”
KA7DRE Premium Member over 1 year ago
Calvin sure is a bright ray of sunshine !
Erse IS better over 1 year ago
I was just commenting today with the guy at our ISP who was handling our upgrade… that my time was worth nearly nothing, since I’m retired. He groaned and told me he had too many years left before he could retire. But that he was happy I could enjoy myself.
Turnhandle over 1 year ago
That’s just cruel.
snsurone76 over 1 year ago
“The daily drudgery of making a living” is far preferable to those horrible camping trips—at least according to Calvin (and Mom)!!
hariseldon59 over 1 year ago
Consider yourself lucky, Calvin. If you lived on a farm, you’d be put to work.
ArcticFox Premium Member over 1 year ago
Dad gets it. And when he comes home, Calvin’s going to get it too!!!
Liverlips McCracken Premium Member over 1 year ago
It’s not polite to gloat.
minty_Joe over 1 year ago
If you want sublime, sit and listen to the following albums (in its entirety) throughout the day (not in any order):
1.) “Close To The Edge” by Yes
2.) “A Trick Of The Tail” by Genesis
3.) “Wind and Wuthering” by Genesis
eced52 over 1 year ago
Just think Calvin, ten more years and you will be me.
VegaAlopex over 1 year ago
I used to find summer boring until I began delivering newspapers and having intellectual pursuits.
MY DOG IS MY CO PILOT over 1 year ago
You’ve got it all to come Calvin, and when it’s your turn to do “the daily drudge”, it’ll be your dad’s turn to spend sunny summer days under a tree.
jagedlo over 1 year ago
And Dad’s thinking…“Wait until you have to start working and I get to rest under the tree with a stuffed animal!”
tremaine53 over 1 year ago
I wonder if Calvin ever develops filters.
TampaFanatic1 over 1 year ago
I am amazed if Calvin’s Dad does not hit the drive through liquor store on the way to work or at least gets a liquid lunch and then hits Happy Hour before dealing with the kid again.
lmuller7 over 1 year ago
Good thing, their Marriage is solid ! Otherwise ? ?
mrwiskers over 1 year ago
On the other hand, Calvin’s dad only has to deal with Calvin for a couple of hours after he comes home from work. And then theres Saturday and Sunday after which he can use the next five days away from him for most of the day.
pixiekitten Premium Member over 1 year ago
Reading this again as an adult makes me believe in karma
Wren Fahel over 1 year ago
We’re doing it backwards: my daughter is coming to work with me today. She comes in to stuff envelopes for billing, and my boss pays her for it. (My girls take turns doing this. Unfortunately there isn’t enough work for both of them at the same time.)
[Traveler] Premium Member over 1 year ago
As my weather man say, “it’s an AB day, absolutely beautiful”
A Hip loving Canadian... over 1 year ago
Nothing like a good pep talk to start your day.
DM2860 over 1 year ago
My mom has been retired for 22 years; a lot longer than most people stay kids. Calvin only stayed a child for 10 years.
Jhony-Yermo over 1 year ago
Killer cartoon! Such great work !
Zebrastripes over 1 year ago
You can be a smart*ss all you want, Calvin, but your day will come…☺️
Rotary12 Premium Member over 1 year ago
Those days never return, even when you are retired.
ladykat over 1 year ago
Enjoy it while you can, Calvin.
Rauderi over 1 year ago
What’s that, not enough to do. I’m sure your MOM has some CHORES for you to do while I’m out.
uniquename over 1 year ago
And when he does retire, you can expect some calls from him enjoying his summer days while you’re at work Calvin.
rhpii over 1 year ago
Here’s your summer chore list Calvin. Start with picking up the Tiger poo in the lawn then mow and trim the grass.
Count Olaf Premium Member over 1 year ago
Yes, but no snow goons in summer. No snowball ambushes of Suzy.
vaughnrl2003 Premium Member over 1 year ago
The Calvin brand of suntan lotion. The more he rubs it in, the redder you get.
The Pro from Dover over 1 year ago
It’s Summertime Summertime Sum Sum Summertime Summertime ohh…
unclemickysblog over 1 year ago
This one hurts a little too much. A little too close to home.
BiggerNate91 over 1 year ago
Where’s the strip when Calvin states “childhood is all about spoiling adulthood?”
Robert4170 over 1 year ago
As usual, Calvin can’t comprehend anything beyond his own experiences. His father already experienced childhood summers. He’ll be enjoying retirement when Calvin is working.
mindjob over 1 year ago
I’m glad I never had to wear a suit to work, especially in the summer
Dr_Fogg over 1 year ago
You’re next shorty.
g04922 over 1 year ago
LOL… Calvin thinks being 6 years old will last forever…
wiley207 over 1 year ago
Like father, like son!
smsrt over 1 year ago
Dad says, “Sure (they said), adopt the cute kid from the orphanage, the one with a stuffed tiger. He’ll be a lot of fun. You’ll tell jokes together, go to ballgames, build memories together. Piece of cake!”
musicnut1986 over 1 year ago
Your day is coming Calvin, yes, your day is coming.
Bilan over 1 year ago
Dad actually prefers going to work … and we all know why.
hagarthehorrible over 1 year ago
I would love to have that kind of kid who understands the difference between childhood and adulthood before growing up. This boy sure knows how to enjoy the younger days.
Prof. Mementomori's Chamber of Methane Horrors over 1 year ago
Calvin: My work here is done. Again.
johnec over 1 year ago
For a short while at the end of my schooling, I invested in a get-rich-quick scheme, and for a fleeting 6 months or so, I had the dream of retiring right out of grad school.
Yeah, I lost my shirt!
coffeeturtle over 1 year ago
ugh… and it’s Monday!
willie_mctell over 1 year ago
I looked forward to retirement from about 4th grade on. It’s not so bad.
Angry Indeed Premium Member over 1 year ago
Later on, when Calvin slaves away to earn a living having squandered his opportunity to improve himself, his Dad will repartee with “Ah, retirement!”
edonline over 1 year ago
Any way Dad can have Calvin legally declared an emancipated minor?
The Great_Black President over 1 year ago
Adult Calvin gets a call at the office…
“Hi Calvin, just enjoying my retirement while you work endless hours. As you know, medicare is in a lot of trouble, there won’t be crap waiting for you by the time you are old. However, you have to keep paying taxes where nothing is saved aside for you, it all goes to my social security!”
Printer over 1 year ago
My dad left me with a list of chores before going to work. I knew I had better have them done before he got home.
kamoolah over 1 year ago
Bet Dad is thinking about this…
Auctioneer: Good evening ladies and gentlemen. On behalf of Mr. Moreau, Mr. Marcano and the Adults Union, thank you for coming out tonight. Might I remind you that all winning bids must be paid upfront and we are only accepting cash. Might I also remind you that the Adults Union will safely transport the products to a location of the winning bidders’ choosing for only a small extra fee. First up on the auction block, Calvin. However you can change his name to whatever you like. This specimen is six years old and healthy. Can be put to work doing heavy farm labor or housework. No scars, no visible injuries and examined personally by Mr. Moreau’s doctor. Opening bid to buy Calvin will be $1,000. Do I hear $2,000?"
rebelstrike0 over 1 year ago
Or like this…
Asian Dad: Carvin! You doctor yet? Why you no doctor yet?
Calvin: I am only six.
Asian Dad: I don’t want excuses. Summer is for studying, not goofing off! Speak to me when you doctor!
Chris Sherlock over 1 year ago
Led Zeppelin’s “Your Time Is Gonna Come” comes to mind here.
USN1977 over 1 year ago
Good one could be this…
Calvin is reading a comic book
Dad: Hi Calvin. I see you are enjoying yourself, under a roof and sitting on a piece of furniture that was bought from…my job!
Calvin is eating dinner
Dad: Why Calvin, you ate today? Food does not grow on trees, you know. Your mother bought this food and cooked it on a range. Food and the natural gas to cook it costs money…from my job!
Calvin is wearing pyjamas and just wants to go to bed
Dad: Had your bath and brushed your teeth? Good. You consumed water for both, I hope you know. Want a bedtime story? All these books you have…cost money. Remember when we got Hobbes at a toy store? If we tried to take Hobbes without paying we could’ve gotten arrested. That’s right, money! So tell me Calvin, where does all this money come from? The man in the moon, or my job?
Otis Rufus Driftwood over 1 year ago
When Calvin is of age, you just KNOW Dad is going make him get a summer job.