One Big Happy by Rick Detorie for July 29, 2017

When I was a kid, the magic word was “Or else.”

There’s a difference between a polite request between friends and an order to a child. She should have had consequences for her behavior, not a conciliatory dad playing into her misbehavior.

No. Problem. I’ll pick them up myself…. and toss them in the garbage can.

Okay little lady you don’t like your house or your toys, time to go to Good Will.

My parents never ask us to do anything. Rarely even told us what to do since we all knew the rules and what chores had to be done.

I guess takes the magic word to get Ruthie pick up her toys. Maybe more parents should try “Please” see works on their children.

I want it done. Not later, not in a little bit, but now, and not just now but right now, and not just right now but right NOW, and not just right NOW, but right NYYOOOOOWWWWW!

I must be an odd parent – I know I hate being ordered about and treated like I do not matter and am less than so I did not treat my kids that way. We all used please and thank you. At some point that was considered good manners – even if it was a task that you were not allowed to say you were not going to do.

Meanwhile, in today’s strip at creators.com, Ruthie deals with another word.

Dialog from when my sister and I played in Legoland: “No way!” “Please?” “OK.”