Once upon a time long, long ago, I was babysitting some kids who lived up the street from us. It was just for a few hours in the afternoon but it felt like a short eternity in hell. I ended up calling my mom, and she came over and laid into those kids, then when their mom got home, she informed her I wouldn’t be babysitting for her any more. Fifty cents an hour was definitely not enough to put up with them! (Like I said, a long, long time ago…) This strip re-awakened that trauma.
The throwaway gag with Calvin and Hobbes putting on their army helmets reminds me of an early Rosalyn story arc which appears in “Something Under The Bed Is Drooling”. Rosalyn arrives at the house and two rubber darts narrowly miss her once Calvin’s parents leave. “Right, kid. Bedtime for Bonzo!”
The suggestion is that both Calvin and Hobbes fired a dart at Rosalyn at the same time although one reader suggested that it was really Calvin firing a rubber dart gun in each hand. Watterson left it to our imaginations. Rosalyn, of course, blamed it all on Calvin.
I used to babysit for a “Calvin” – got $5 an hour when the going rate was .50. Until the day they came back to me having a black eye. I should’ve let the brat fall off the roof……..
BE THIS GUY over 3 years ago
I don’t believe Calvin would surrender so easily.
Mr_Cool over 3 years ago
……and the legendary Rosalyn makes her appearance……
ImDaRealAni over 3 years ago
I have classes that start after 6:30 !!! Swim practice was like 7:30-8:30 or 8:45…
Renatus Profuturus Frigeridus Premium Member over 3 years ago
Calvin finds one’ s match.
codycab over 3 years ago
She should be getting more than 8 bucks dealing with Calvin.
Ahuehuete over 3 years ago
8 bucks a night? Wow, this strip really is old.
Crann Bethadh over 3 years ago
Buckle up, Rosalyn. He’ll soon figure out ways to be more challenging!
Bilan over 3 years ago
This looks like the beginning of a beautiful friendship – NOT!
Kali over 3 years ago
Welcome, Rosalyn!
Susan00100 over 3 years ago
I wonder what became of Rosalyn in later years. Probably joined the US Marine Corps. and asked to be deployed to Afghanistan.
mwest over 3 years ago
Once upon a time long, long ago, I was babysitting some kids who lived up the street from us. It was just for a few hours in the afternoon but it felt like a short eternity in hell. I ended up calling my mom, and she came over and laid into those kids, then when their mom got home, she informed her I wouldn’t be babysitting for her any more. Fifty cents an hour was definitely not enough to put up with them! (Like I said, a long, long time ago…) This strip re-awakened that trauma.
pathfinder over 3 years ago
Wow eight bucks a night? I was getting more than that in 1956. Of course I was babysitting 4 children and one of them was still in diapers. I was 14.
Richard S Russell Premium Member over 3 years ago
Most convincing explanation I ever heard about anything: “Because I’m the mom, that’s why!”
uniquename over 3 years ago
Calvin should have eaten the note and then said, “Now what!?”
TSRaman over 3 years ago
An inspired speech in Frame-5, with rhyming words: … ANYTHING YOU SAY …SO STAY OUT OF THE WAY
A Hip loving Canadian... over 3 years ago
The babysitter has a note with emergency numbers from mom and she’s not afraid to use it.
vaughnrl2003 Premium Member over 3 years ago
Apparently, back in the day, child abuse wasn’t really all that bad if the child started it first.
gmu328 over 3 years ago
and i’m surprised calvin didn’t tear up the paper and swallow it …
Calvinist1966 over 3 years ago
The throwaway gag with Calvin and Hobbes putting on their army helmets reminds me of an early Rosalyn story arc which appears in “Something Under The Bed Is Drooling”. Rosalyn arrives at the house and two rubber darts narrowly miss her once Calvin’s parents leave. “Right, kid. Bedtime for Bonzo!”
The suggestion is that both Calvin and Hobbes fired a dart at Rosalyn at the same time although one reader suggested that it was really Calvin firing a rubber dart gun in each hand. Watterson left it to our imaginations. Rosalyn, of course, blamed it all on Calvin.
mountainclimber over 3 years ago
I wonder how baby sitters are doing during COVID?
WCraft Premium Member over 3 years ago
Would this be the earliest appearance of Rosalyn?
momkastner over 3 years ago
I used to babysit for a “Calvin” – got $5 an hour when the going rate was .50. Until the day they came back to me having a black eye. I should’ve let the brat fall off the roof……..
hagarthehorrible over 3 years ago
Love mom’s call to the young lad. The desperation in her voice is poignant.
Scoutmaster77 over 3 years ago
She’ll do well as an NCO, someday…
Ka`ōnōhi`ula`okahōkūmiomio`ehiku Premium Member over 3 years ago
Clever girl.
elliott.manning over 3 years ago
Back in the 1960s, I sat for three little Boys like Calvin for a total of 50 cents total!!!
lindz.coop Premium Member over 3 years ago
Sweet Rosalyn…
CHAD OCHOCINCO JOHNSON about 3 years ago
102nd COMMENT!