Luann by Greg Evans and Karen Evans for August 22, 2016

You know your future wife and future brother-in-law pretty well, Brad DeGroot.

… and Shannon is behaving as predicted. And Brad only needed one guess.

Jeez I hope I am not first, but I need to go to bed, so I will comment before I go. I just want to say that Shannon’s reaction is perfectly understandable for a 6 year old who has been promised one thing by her father, but because of his selfishness and lack of responsibility she finds herself in a situation where her aunt, Toni, has to take do something else. It’s a tough situation for her, and she is a child so she is reacting nornally for her age. Saying she is a brat though is not only intellectually lazy, but also does not characterize what is happening. What will happening is all the fun though. There, and trust me I did not plan to be first if it turns out I am. That is just silly.

Brad did refer to Shannon as a brat once – or he was about to – but he changed his tune after Toni provided the “backstory.”

Jonah is the one acting (and reacting, and manipulating) below his age level. Shannon is kind of normal.

Alright, alright – I stand corrected! And as a sorta sixty year old, I guess I have at least pouted a few times when I could have taken a higher road… ;)

okay, I guess ’96 Shannon is daughter of Mrs. Lewis sister http://www.gocomics.com/luann/1996/01/08 as explained in her intro

She’s a child. What’s her father’s excuse? He’s the brat, not her.

Jonah can’t blame his art for his flakiness. Auditions are posted well in advance. He could have planned with Toni and Brad so that they could schedule the wedding-planning at a time when he wasn’t auditioning. There’s no excuse for springing it on her at the last minute.

IF she is a brat compared to her peers, it is because what she has been taught by Dad…………………….. most “bratty kids” are born by examples or because they want to get attention of someone who really does not take time to know them (either by complete neglect or think it is enough to give them lots of toys but not actual love ) like Tiff ………………. in Shannon’s case is mostly example but at same time he does not take time to be part of her life

RE: Shannon. She’s bounced around between two homes with two different sets of rules. How could she know how to behave? Shouting no no no might work with her Dad, until he simply ditches her. And he wouldn’t teach her self-control, having none himself. Anything that Toni teaches her would bet blown out the window as soon as she switched hands again. Come to think of it, Toni raised Jonah, so she might not know how to set the boundaries a child needs. Brad would, though. Brad might break the dysfunction in this family., from the stability in his own backgrounds.

Apparently, there’s still a little of the old Shannon left.

I note Toni doesn’t explain to Shannon, "Your father lied to you about taking you swimming. Now Shannon blames Toni instead of her dad. Nevertheless, Toni & Brad need to learn how to handle a tantrum. Something like handing out ice cream is not always the right way – and often doesn’t work.

“Yes… And No.”

Yesterday several of you replied to exoticdoc2 who seems to have vanished, deleted her/his post or got deleted by gocomics.

In my opinion Brad puts the blame exactly where it belongs. Not with Shannon, but with her utterly irresponsible father.

GASP!Discipline?In today’s PC comics?They can’t discipline the child,joey.What about the lawsuits?And Shannon may not like Toni and Brad anymore.I am totally dismayed now.

The obvious direction this is taking is that Shannon will become immersed in the wedding planning and begin to picture herself as part of their family after they marry.

Another gret job by greg and karen today. Shows reslly well the tension of thr daytona family

What happened to “hello”?

Some day Shannon will understand howHer father is always a flakeAnd though she throws a tantrum nowThis is the best for her own sake.

It’s hard to generalize accurately about any school system Frank, but beating children is wrong period. No public school district would touch that with a ten foot pole. I went to Catholic schools as a child, grammar and high school, and they used corporal punishment then but do not now, It was wrong then, and its wrong now. As to this arc, you must not understand the strip. This is all part of a lead-up to a wedding, which those of us who faithfully follow the strip have been anticipating for probably 2 years now (I know I will be corrected to the exact time by our strip doctors). Her story is central to that story. Not only that she is the flower girl in the wedding when it occurs. There is so much significance behind all of this, but then that is what makes this strip such a pleasure. So can I advise to be patient, and let Luannverse progress on its slow but steady path?

Hey, I got an Idea:

Just Grab the ‘Wedding Planning Person.’Then EVERYBODY put on Their Bathing Suits.And Conduct the Wedding Planning Meeting from the POOL!

HECK, Hugh Hefner Used to Do THAT Kinda ‘Meeting’ Stuff All the Time!

STILL Does!

With HELP…..,

It happens Frank, it does. On politics I am not going to touch that with a ten foot pole either (lol) even though I confess I am kind of a policy, political wonk in a way. I also try to be a spiritual as possible and that helps me in this advanced stage of my life.

Im hoping on the way to the wedding meeting they find out that Jonah wasn’t going to audition for a play but rather auditioning someone for his casting couch i.e. he’s having a date with a hottie.D

doesn’t matter ..kids don’t want explanations, they want what they want.

“Hey, a temper tantrum worked for my Dad! You have to give in to ME too, Aunt Toni.”

Even a 6-year old is usually better than this.

Time to call in reinforcements! LuAnne is good with kids, call her. Or, even TJ, that would be interesting

That nasty old realty has a way of messing up a good romance. Toni and Brad will become Nancy and Frank and the cycle will continue on and on and on.

Great. See what you’ve done Jonah?

5Predictable, today. But still interesting to me in the following ways:1. Shannon’s somewhat “shakier” upbringing is showing a bit today. She is starting what appears to me to be a tantrum. At least with my own kids, we did not tolerate tantrum behavior and were able to have it no longer occur by the time our kids were 3-4 years old…. they quickly realized that tantrums would have the OPPOSITE effect from what they were wanting. Our kids learned to talk and reason through their ideas and even if we had to say “no” to what they wanted, they were far better able to handle it because they COMMUNICATED in a reasonable way instead of having a tantrum or a fit. 2. I do not FAULT Shannon for her behavior, but I do feel it is unfortunate for a six year old to not have received good guidance in this regard. 3. To me, it looks like Brad and Toni are not going anywhere for this “meeting”. Could it be just a meeting of the two of them together to hash out plans further? Or, will they actually go and head out and meet some planner or other?

-I live in Florida, not the Southwest, but did spend a year in Arizona back during the Vietnam war days. Unless things have greatly changed since I was there, schools were not allowed to discipline children with any kind of physical punishment, just as they are not allowed to do that in Florida now.

Suspensions and expulsions are allowed, but not physical discipline.

Serious conversations re: wedding plans need to happen and you have a bratty child yelling NO NO N NO strapped to you. PERFECT!

nufalready said, about 5 hours ago@KymberleighPlease stop.

STOP WHAT EXACTLY? the FAQs? get over it. Scrolling is your friend.

Night-Gaunt49 GoComics PRO Member said, 1 minute ago@trilogyListen just scroll past, it is published weekly, so buck up and scroll, its not a marathon. See?

^^^^^^^^^^

I am NOT the one with the problem of the FAQs. I think they help a lot. I was responding to negative comments AGAINST them.

@ KymberleighI FOR ONE am grateful to you for posting and updating the FAQs weekly. You do a service that seems to go over the heads of some, or for some reason I cannot fathom upsets some, who have apparently not mastered the art of using a mouse properly.

I wonder, has the mother of the child died, has all four grandparents died, or are they all as flakey as the child’s father?

This is how 6 year olds act. If you don’t like this type of behavior, don’t have children. Toni is reacting correctly, saying No without getting all upset. Shannon is allowed to express her disappointment verbally. She is not hitting or kicking anyone. The would require discipline, but she is simply stating her frustration.

Simple question: What would this Flake of a Father done, had Toni NOT been home? Toni has become his “Classic Enabler”.

Good point on corporal punishment. An occasional boot in the butt as an attention-getter is not abuse. Our parents and grandparents used it. Abuse happens when that boot in the butt becomes a regular routine.

After the meeting, I wouldn’’t reward her by taking her swimming. She’s confused enough without an adult rewarding her bad behavior by giving he what she wants.

I have a feeling that Brad is going to tell Jonah off and I hope Toni backs him up.

Since the talent night at the Fuse, I see dissuasions and suggestions for Toni & Brad adopting Shannon. Of course, their marriage has to happen, first.

But what would Jonah have to do for T&B to have Shannon? Agree and then sign to relinquish custody? Probably not easy since courts tend to side with biological parents, especially if Jonah would reject the idea.Maybe even just for spite. To spite Brad?

Jonah telling Shannon that Toni would take her swimming was a lie. He can’t promise something like that without asking. I call it a lie. Jonah should have taken on the task of telling Shannon she can’t go swimming – and take responsibility for it. Shannon thinks Toni is the liar.

Looking back, it is clear Toni should have raised Jonah better — while she was growing up herself.Looking bck, Jonah shouldn’t have cruely created a child he didn’t intend to care for.Looking back is unhealthy while going forward.

Shannon behavior might be incorrect BUT at same time it is understandable …………………… can most of us agree to that?

Oh, i have known some young kids who behaved just as constructively as Pipe described. It is not impossible. In fact, i knew a kid who was even better, but his younger sibling had a very serious medical condition so he learned early on to help with very demanding needs. Amazing kid. I do not think i reached the emotional maturity he had in his midteens till i was out of my teens; needing to get away from my family and learn how to be on my own to get there. Most of us eventually do get there, of course, but circumstances alter our personal timetables.

You two write:trilogy GoComics PRO Member said, 14 minutes ago@slsharrisslsharris said, 1 minute agoAfter the meeting, I wouldn’’t reward her by taking her swimming. She’s confused enough without an adult rewarding her bad behavior by giving he what she wants.^^^^^^^totally agree!Agreed! If something good results then having it be something other than swimming will reduce confusion.

For all you people that keep advocating for Shannons adoption you need to remember a few things.

First of all, Shannon’s father (Jonah) would have to voluntarily give up his parental rights, something I seriously doubt he would do.

Secondly, it is EXTREMELY rare that a single person is allowed to adopt a child so Brad and Toni would first have to be married.

Third, since the courts are looking out for the welfare of the child, having both parents being firefighters, with their rotating schedules and time away from the home, it is somewhat doubtful they would be allowed to adopt unless one was willing to give up their career.

Fourth reason, this is a comic strip! Having Shannon in her present situation is important for developing different characters and the overall plot. Yes, there could be different plot lines with her being adopted but for the time being the current arrangement works well.

THIS IS NOT ABOUT SHANNON!!I am 50+ and a highly educated professional but if I get promised something that I want to do and it gets pulled away at the last moment, I feel the same way; even though I dont have a tantrum and suck it up; I tend to be grumpy

your “Stepford” insults aside, nothing you’ve said obviates IMO the points that both Pipe and I were making: that this, regardless of the origin, is misbehavior and should not be condoned or ignored, but corrected. There may be different paths to correcting it, but the point is it should not simply be swept under the rug as “expected” for a 6 year old.Yes, we all understand how she got there … now the question is how to handle Shannon moving forward for her own emotional and mental benefit.

They better realize that if they want to spend time with Shannon, there will be times—like now—that she won’t be in such a great mood. Because that’s life. It would be good practice for them to try having this meeting with her around.

I kind of think they have involved someone else to take charge of a lot of details, because the big wedding that Brad wants is not something that can be done with just the two of them talking about stuff.

Our sister married her hubby at his vets meeting hall, which took care of the ‘where’. But there was still a need to arrange for tables, waiters, a caterer, a DJ and a cake. Our sis took care of her own dress issues and the dresses of her maids of honor, and bro-in-law lined up ushers. But neither of them knew any DJs or wedding cake bakers or caterers. Most regular folks don’t get into that stuff, and both of them worked. So they had to hire a wedding planner….

I’m sorry but that little brat needs a good spanking and her father needs a punch in the mouth. No more giving in Toni. Enough is enough. The kids father is a flake. When you get married apply to adopt her. her father isn’t good enough to be a father. He will probably try to pawn her off when they go on their honeymoon and then get all upity. He needs a wakeup call. Where is the Mom?

Her father is a flake and he does these things on purpose. Promises something that he has no intention of fulfilling and then expects Toni to fill in because she always gives in. He knows this so that is why he makes promises he has no intention of keeping. he will try something at the wedding. just watch. And then get all mad when Toni and brad say no.

and I emphasized what tri said with added facts ;) in response to one who complained

Providing FAQ needed by multiple readers of the comic strip after problems w trolls altering wikis to be just plain wrong, and many not using links, has nothing to do with power – after all, there is NO power gained – but has everything to do with the gift of Kym donating time to help others.

Huh? Wha? Sometimes I think the fantasy of Luannverse has nothing on the delusions of some commentators here. She is not on some kind of power trip, she just likes people to have a basis for their comments based on historical fact. We have a number of commentators here who are critical or humorously sarcastic, but they know what they are talking about. That makes the discussion so much better, which is the idea I would think, Besides seeking power is not a unique American trait. You must not follow ancient, middle, or current history very closely friend.

There is no such thing as a typical American.

You may have confused a politician with a so-called ‘typical’ US citizen.

You must not live in the US.

Shannon will teach her father a lesson someday.

I find Jonah to be frighteningly similar to a number of ‘child-adults’ I’ve encountered in life. These are people who go ahead and have children, and may even like them and want to be their ‘pal’, but they don’t understand what it means to be responsible for them, and don’t want to get them upset by saying ‘no’ to them.

Some of these child-adults do ensure that food is in the home and a roof is overhead, but not all of them do. The most frightening variety of this type of ‘parent’ is someone who is an addict, and is so wrapped up in trying to get whatever they are hooked on that they just forget about the child altogether. Sometimes they don’t even get back home for a few days, and the child is all alone.

Shannon’s situation is not that dire, but I don’t honestly think that Jonah ever intended to have kids. I think he likes the admiration he gets from her. She is an audience, and an actor who is not having success elsewhere can always feel better if he has an audience admiring him at home…

KL, remember what Abraham Lincoln said in a speech here in my state: “You can please some of the people all of the time, you can please all of the people some of the time, but you can’t please all of the people all of the time”. If he can dish that you should not have a problem if you have people who fall within the third phrase of that great saying.

“For all we know, the promise to go to the pool may have been made before Jonah found out about the audition.”

First, as someone noted earlier, auditions tend to be scheduled in advance, so Jonah’s “emergency” is likely self-made. Second, even if it is a true last-minute situation, a more considerate person might have anticipated that Toni might have other plans, and prepared Shannon for that eventuality. The need for last-minute care, and assumption that Toni will be available and free to conform her schedule to Shannon’s needs seems to be part of Jonah’s modus operandi.

As I recall, when last we saw the wedding planner she was trying to talk Brad and Toni into more elaborate wedding plans than they wanted. Shannon’s “No! No! No!” could come in handy! ;)

Not that I have anything to say after a rugged, chaotic day of work, but doesn’t Brad look terrific! Therein, we now have 200 comments for the day! (it was 199)

I am trying to come up with some positives about Jonah… .

He doesn’t seem to use drugs.Shannon adores him.He want to improve his situation by seeking out auditionsHe does provide bed and board for Shannon.He thinks of fun things – doesn’t act on them, but tells Shannon about them.He is quite good-looking, for what that’s worth… .

202nd !!!!!

Easier underlining, Kymberleigh: plus sign—plus sign, fore and aft….

Today, after so much negativity, a very negative-sounding “yes” from Toni….

Why are “Luann” readers so over-the-top nasty to each other? I have never seen anything like it on the many other entertainment comment boards I’ve seen. Expect for YouTube.

Yes – But the lie is making it look like it’s Toni’s fault that Shannon can’t go swimming. Shannon’s old enough to be told that Dad can’t take her swimming after all. Jonah doesn’t want to deal with Shannon’s disappointment. So he takes her to Toni – swimming gear and all. That’s a lie in my book.

The kid should have been given the back of the hand.

This plot line has worn me out.

I am waiting for Les to get his comeuppance.

"Under Jonah’s care, Shannon is fed and has clothing (and, I assume, a place to sleep with a roof over her head). I don’t think that counts as “not intending to care” for her.".Certainly looks to me like it is happening under other people’s care.

Spoiler: have a hero in the wings and Shannon swings!

SPOILER THE SECOND

Smiley to the rescue. Maybe. Or maybe not…

Mallet and mulletorIf i had a hammer

Thank you for the congratulations! Sorry your family sucks. Brad is not at the point of having a family yet. They aren’t married. Toni is not the only option. It has nothing to do with stepping up but making the best choice before you end up in a situation that after years will become a major issue that could result in a divorce and place your own child is shitty situation. Good luck with your sucky family.

(“Kind Of A Drag”:) Ha ha, first “Beinz”, now “Buckinghams"!