Wow. When Lawrence was a wee lad, he wanted to do his toilet mess on the hall floor and he wanted to chew up the coffee table? Too much information overload that I really didn’t want to know!
I was the third child, ten years younger then the second. I basically could do anything I wanted so long as I took care of my responsibilities and got ok grades. Never grounded, no privileges taken away, even when I came home at 5 am after going out after school on a school night i went to school and out that night again with nothing worse than a lecture that i should call if i was going to be out after 2 am.
I really don’t know where I came in the birth order of my mother. My next younger brother (of the five of us who grew up together) has been doing research. We both knew about our half-sister who was sent away in her teens because she was dangerous to the rest of us, but he has turned up one half brother who died as a toddler, another in New York who wants nothing to do with the family, and recently one more half brother who he only knows by name. Instead of being third (second among those of us who grew up together) I guess I am sixth of nine even though I was second of five while growing up.
As the first of three, I was spoiled by the time #2 came along. Then I felt totally ignored, other than by Granny. Let’s not even start on #3 who was the only boy.
I started band in 4th grade, the flute. My sister started in 4th grade. She played clarinet. Then she wanted a piano, which appeared, along with lessons. Then an accordion. I got a guitar with NO lessons for Christmas one year. She got the ballet lessons I’d begged for, but it was “too expensive” for me.
Reading some of the comments here over the years, I am so grateful for my family. My parents weren’t abusive at all and my brothers, while a bother to me, their only sister when young grew up to be responsible men with great marriages and happy families of their own.
Enjoyed reading a dog-training book that advocated the newspaper method. You were supposed to keep a rolled-up newspaper handy, and every time your dog did something undesirable, you were supposed to whack yourself on the head while chanting “I forgot to watch my dog! I forgot to watch my dog!”
Templo S.U.D. over 2 years ago
as second-born myself, I bet I got off easy when awfully young
wjones over 2 years ago
Parents have to learn from someone. That where the first born comes in.
Caldonia over 2 years ago
Is it even remotely possible for a teen to be jealous of a new puppy, tho? I’d have been stoked.
AllishaDawn over 2 years ago
I’m the third child, and I’m still not allowed to have “relations” in the house. I’m 40!
Enter.Name.Here over 2 years ago
Lenient? No. By the time #2 comes along they are experienced. ;-)
P.S….The second of 4 brothers here. :-)
dcdete. over 2 years ago
Wow. When Lawrence was a wee lad, he wanted to do his toilet mess on the hall floor and he wanted to chew up the coffee table? Too much information overload that I really didn’t want to know!
Susan00100 over 2 years ago
My mother was NEVER lenient with me, and I was the second (and last) child!!
Susan00100 over 2 years ago
Lawrence pooped on the carpet and chewed the coffee table??
Well…
saylorgirl over 2 years ago
My parents were always lenient with my younger brother.
amanbe3 over 2 years ago
True. I was the first. The second, third and fourth got away with tons more stuff than I ever could.
theincrediblebulk over 2 years ago
I was the third child, ten years younger then the second. I basically could do anything I wanted so long as I took care of my responsibilities and got ok grades. Never grounded, no privileges taken away, even when I came home at 5 am after going out after school on a school night i went to school and out that night again with nothing worse than a lecture that i should call if i was going to be out after 2 am.
flagmichael over 2 years ago
I really don’t know where I came in the birth order of my mother. My next younger brother (of the five of us who grew up together) has been doing research. We both knew about our half-sister who was sent away in her teens because she was dangerous to the rest of us, but he has turned up one half brother who died as a toddler, another in New York who wants nothing to do with the family, and recently one more half brother who he only knows by name. Instead of being third (second among those of us who grew up together) I guess I am sixth of nine even though I was second of five while growing up.
brick10 over 2 years ago
More tired, or just lazier?
bwoodruf Premium Member over 2 years ago
It seems to me your take on kids this time round is treating them more like people than “teens.” I like it. I find them endearing.
mindjob over 2 years ago
My parents didn’t mind my table chewing. That way they didn’t have to feed me.
Bob Blumenfeld over 2 years ago
So true.
PammWhittaker over 2 years ago
As the first of three, I was spoiled by the time #2 came along. Then I felt totally ignored, other than by Granny. Let’s not even start on #3 who was the only boy.
I started band in 4th grade, the flute. My sister started in 4th grade. She played clarinet. Then she wanted a piano, which appeared, along with lessons. Then an accordion. I got a guitar with NO lessons for Christmas one year. She got the ballet lessons I’d begged for, but it was “too expensive” for me.
Yeah, we are still working on our relationship.
MIHorn Premium Member over 2 years ago
My parents found time to be emotionally abusive to all four of us.
kaycstamper over 2 years ago
My puppy chewed on the carpet in four places…I bought rugs and he never chewed anything again!
Yardley701 over 2 years ago
I understand completely!
paranormal over 2 years ago
It’s the truth!!! My sister was second and she was babied and ended up the worse for it.
chain gang charlie over 2 years ago
Dogs, Cats, Babies…they are ALL basically crap machines..You can have ’em…
William A Short Premium Member over 2 years ago
Maybe crate training is in order.
1JennyJenkins over 2 years ago
When we got our puppy, no one wanted to hear about its days or nights, unless it was another dog owner…
this is summerdog over 2 years ago
This one only reinforces the fact that dogs are better than people.
Jan C over 2 years ago
Reading some of the comments here over the years, I am so grateful for my family. My parents weren’t abusive at all and my brothers, while a bother to me, their only sister when young grew up to be responsible men with great marriages and happy families of their own.
cmxx over 2 years ago
Enjoyed reading a dog-training book that advocated the newspaper method. You were supposed to keep a rolled-up newspaper handy, and every time your dog did something undesirable, you were supposed to whack yourself on the head while chanting “I forgot to watch my dog! I forgot to watch my dog!”
MuddyUSA Premium Member over 2 years ago
Oh please,again!
CoreyTaylor1 over 2 years ago
WOW! So Connie, did you learn everything about how to be a cruel, unfeeling parent from ELLY!?
CoreyTaylor1 over 2 years ago
WOW! So Connie, did you learn all about being a cruel, unfeeling parent from ELLY!?
In two or three weeks’ time, you’re going to choke on those words!
howtheduck over 2 years ago
Second? I guess Molly and Gayle do not count.
sbwertz over 2 years ago
I remember the teething St. Bernard puppy. The cherry wood chairs still have the toothmarks.
finnygirl Premium Member over 2 years ago
Note that the pup has the phone cord in her mouth in panel 3!
198.23.5.11 over 2 years ago
And they’ll name the puppy—STITCH!!!
Be careful with the little angel.
feefers_ 8 months ago
I’m the baby. Got away with murder.