For Better or For Worse by Lynn Johnston for September 19, 2019

no one asked you, Michael, to be an only child followed by an older brother of one sibling (so far)

How do the Pattersons give really important information to their kids? Do they sit Michael and Elizabeth down as a family and explain a new baby is coming and what that means? Or does John casually mention it while Michael is standing near him when John is busy working on his model trains?

Michael I thought you knew the facts of life so you know how it happened! And why are you worried about how your mom will look in a maternity dress and how it reflects on you? What about the baby, haven’t you anything to say about that?

No, no don’t drop those trees!

Men aren’t ridiculed for having kids late in life but the women are and their children embarrassed about knowing their parents had sex with the pregnancy as evidence of the act, particularly teenagers who are beginning to explore/experiencing Sex Education 101. And April will be the most impacted because people will mistake her mother for her grandmother when she hits kindergarten. Elly will be 44-45 years old. For Elly, April would be mistaken for a granddaughter which would make Elly feel lousy. I know. I was April. My parents had me when they were 39 years old. I decided to lie to my friends that they were grandparents because they looked like their grandparents. Their parents looked quite young. A teacher told my mom and she felt bad but she understood. I was sent to the school counselor who told me some people have children late in life and there was nothing wrong with that although most children have younger parents. I came to terms with it eventually. But today more women are having kids late so it is not big a deal anymore. April was born more than 25 years ago in which time late babies were still frowned upon due to higher incidences of deformities or genetic conditions.

When the worst thing in the world is other kids poking fun at you, life is good.

I was 26 when my son was born but due to his developing severe alopecia in his late 30s, and my being blessed with a youthful appearance, when I was with him and his wife in public, people who didn’t know us looked confused about our relationship.

Ya Dad! How could you?

Your friends will know what your mama and daddy had been up to

Michael, he didn’t do it to you, he did it to your Mother.

So much double entandre there. However, creating a new life is often the end of your old life.

Typical teen, “it’s all about me!”

Yes, Michael, it’s all about you….

Oh lord, here comes Apwil….

Kids that age don’t even want to think about their old parents having sex!

Yup, Mike’s a teenager, alright.

Michael is so caring, considerate and thoughtful!

Geez, Michael, what would you do to Martha if you had the chance? Didn’t they teach that stuff in Grade 5?

Well Michael you didn’t pay much attention to the story aboutThe birds and the bees did you

My boys felt the same way. Had to drop them off 1 block away from school.

What do expect? He’s a TeenAger!!

my mom got pregnant when I was 16 years old.