For Better or For Worse by Lynn Johnston for July 15, 2020

that may work

You’re welcome, ma’am, for Mike quieting your kid by acting goofy.

In an episode of anime Clannad After Story, Tomoya was on a reluctant vacation with his estranged daughter Ushio. While on the train, he lashed out at some other noisy kid to be quiet; scared Ushio into hiding in the water closet.

One of the boy’s redeeming traits.

See Michael, you have learned some positive things by caring for your younger siblings.

Now, do that for the entire bus ride.

We’ve all been there, haven’t we? I think the reason some babies cry on planes is that their ears hurt with the changing air pressure. Feeding them helps, but that baby was still crying. Way to go, Michael!

ROFL! I can’t blame him! Drastic times call for drastic measures!

In my teens I was a hostess at a family-dining restaurant. I was also the unofficial “Toddler Whisperer”; waitresses would send for me if a little one was unruly or upset. One time a little girl had crawled into the coat cubby (it was right next to her family’s table) and wouldn’t come out. I went in & let her play with my hair until she was ready to come out…which only took about a minute or so. I would sometimes wear the top level of my hair in 2 high ponytails; kids would call me “bunny rabbit”. My mother was a waitress at the same place & would regale friends & family with those stories.

Mom doesn’t look too happy either.

Good on you, Michael!

Unexpected, that. I wonder if it works?

What Mike is doing is surprising the baby and that causes the baby to be startled and actually go quiet. It may even make him giggle and settle down.

Good for you, Mike!!

Atta person, Michael—you’ve developed skills while dealing with Elizabeth and April! Time to use them!

I’d be fussing too if I had to go to Fresno

He’s flying the Friendly Skies!

Awwwe! I’ve never seen Michael actually act like a sweetheart! It’s . . . bizarre but lovely.

Way to go Mike!

somehow – i think this is a coming of age story – not often told – responding to a difficult situation with humor and compassion i love it.

Drastic situations call for drastic measures.

Perfect; kids love funny voices and funny faces.

What is Lawrence doing with two kids? And why is he wearing glasses?

Once on a 3 hour flight, a toddler screamed the entire time, despite the efforts of stewards and anyone else who ventured to help. As we were waiting to get off the plane, the mother looked at the kid and said “stop it” and the kid did. I couldn’t help but think “why couldn’t you have done that 3 hours ago?”

Go Michael! Some years ago I discovered hand knit finger puppets from Peru. Very inexpensive, quite detailed, quite charming, and it’s amazing how much one of those will redirect an unhappy toddler and make the whole waiting room/shopping cart line/etc happy along with them. I always have some in my purse, and I always ask the parent first and tell them Happy Birthday to make clear that I never expect to see it again—it’s theirs. Seventy-five cents towards world peace (if you buy them in bulk, and I do). And the knitters can feed their families. Everybody wins.