For Better or For Worse by Lynn Johnston for August 28, 2022

sure, Lizzie

Just another version of “I’m fine”

I had a similar problem with my daughter who, in her teenage years, made me work for every answer. I eventually started asking her friends who were straight-talkers. I would say to the best friend of my daughter who was in band with her, “What time is band practice on Friday?” and she would say, “6:30”. It was so simple and it was over in seconds.

Elly should shop with both Elizabeth and Dawn, and then ask Dawn all those questions that Elizabeth dunno how to answer. Dawn is a good girl who will not play these games that Elizabeth is playing.

Cool shirt! What girl wouldn’t like that shirt? It kind of reminds me of the shirt Dennis the Menace wears.

https://comicskingdom.com/dennis-the-menace/2022-08-21

Fool! You said “school” supplies and her brain went into lockdown. Small wonder she replied “Dunno”.

The chill I use to get down my back at the end of summer vacations when I first spotted those 3 horrible words:

BACK-TO-SCHOOL.

Truly, I am much older now, but I still feel that chill.

Now we have Amazon

I was never this complicated

In today’s strip, Liz is reminiscent of Jeremy in “Zits”.

BTW, what teenager wants to go shopping with his/her mother??

How I hated shopping with my mother!!

She always picked out my clothes; they had to be “cute” or “adorable”—long after I had outgrown that phase!!

But it was either that or hand-me-downs from my older cousins.

How glad I was when I started working and was able to buy my own clothes—even if my mother wasn’t!!

I dunno.

Well, Mz Liz. YOU aren’t all that up on either, apparently, according to your answer when asked how to tell …

Lynn’s Comments:

This was a real dilemma for me. My daughter was around 13 when her answer to almost everything was, “I dunno.” (The 3 meanings, for which I decided there were, ended up in this strip.) Once I figured out which “I dunno” was the one she meant, we were good to go. She now has a 10-year-old daughter and I’m patiently waiting for her to start saying, “I dunno!”

I hated to ever take my children shopping once they became teenagers. They looked forever and never could decide on anything.My oldest grandson was different. He didn’t shop, he bought. He would look at the rack of shirts or pants or shoes, and within 2 minutes, at the longest, he would either be holding the ones he wanted or ready to move on. He was a joy to take to the store.

Must be a girl thing. I never had this problem.

I do remember adolescence, that was not a lot of fun.

Ellie, this is a simple problem to solve, don’t buy her anything. On the first day of school when she has nothing NEW to wear she will race to you begging you to take her shopping. When she says Elizabeth pleadingly asks “Can we go shopping for some new clothes?” you just reply, “I dunno.”

Okay, I have to admit, clothes shopping has always been a challenge for me. I just want to look like everyone else without looking exactly like anyone else.

That’s when you tell them that they can pick it out themselves or you will pick it out that usually gets them picking really quick

I dunno…I guess…..

Proof positive in panel #3 that the Lovin’ Spoonful look is timeless.

Kids that age don’t want to be seen with their parents at the mall, in case they run into someone they have a crush on

Nothing will be gained unless be embrace the unknown. THAT is the naked truth.

Which of thoze three meanings is applicable to the question in panel 8?

In the parent responsibility department, Honey took care of the garments and I took them shoe/sneaker shopping.

‘’I like these, whaddya think??’’ ‘’Gawd dad, they are stupid ugly.’’ Groan….

A woman enters a law office, and says “I want a divorce!”

Lawyer: On what grounds?

W: We have almost 3 acres.

L: Is there a grudge?

W: Yes. It had 3 bays. We use 2 for cars, and 1 for maintenence and yard equipment.

L: Does he beat you up?

W: No. I get up about 15 minutes before he does so I can prepare breakfast.

L: What I’m trying to get at is Why do you want a divorce?

W: It’s because he can’t communicate.

Works for many 4 letter words as well, it all depends on the inflection.

My mom refused to buy me jeans in Junior high school. I always had to wear what she picked out for me, which was her style. I was so mad at her because all the kids at school wore jeans. I was so embarrassed as a pre-teen. By the time I was in high school she bought me what I wanted to wear. Yes, jeans were on the list. Finally!

You are not helpful.

What a difference a year makes! The last time she went back to school shopping, it took weeks (including a detour through a Very Special Episode involving a kid who smoked and had an eating disorder).

Elly, you’ve known Lizzie HOW long!?

Elizabeth doesn’t know how lucky she is; throughout my school years I was never allowed to go shopping for school clothes with my mom or anyone else. I received them as gifts with no input from me at Christmas and my birthday (in January), like it or lump it. I in turn never realized how lucky I was until I learned about countries where children couldn’t go to school if their parents couldn’t afford the uniform or fees, or girls couldn’t attend because of their sex.

My parents took my sister out 3 nights looking for an 8th grade graduation dress and she couldn’t find anything she liked. Dad takes her out once alone and finds a dress. “You just didn’t know what she wanted.” Mom gave up shopping with her and would just give her money to go by herself. Although we always wore school uniforms so there wasn’t much “back to school” shopping.

I was spared the school uniforms, but I can see how they might have prevented Elly & Liz’s dilemma.

Brain damage.

My mother gave me a set amount of money and waited at the front of the store. Then she okayed or vetoed what I picked out. I was already self-conscious about my body, so she only tried to reject one slinky tank top that I explained was going to be an undershirt. She okayed the denim miniskirt though, I thought for sure we were going to fight over that one.

i seem to recall that my kids at that age knew everything.