For Better or For Worse by Lynn Johnston for July 27, 2024

What did the ol’ hippie expect??

Time for a wind-down walk.

Now you know why some motels don’t allow kids!

Should have just taken a plane instead of a prolonged road trip.

In spite of her early language acquisition, April did manage to say, “Snozz” and “Zzzz”, two very difficult words for a 4-year-old.

They really have to discipline that girl, but very strictly!

So predictable lol.

It’s a double-edged sword… They sleep in the car, you get some peace and quiet… But then in the motel, you don’t…

Get some payback…put her the room with Liz…..

That’s how it works!

In panel one, did she say during the car trip that it snows in July in Canada. I remember some snow in June that melted by noon, but I don’t remember seeing any snow at the end of July. In southern Canada that is.

Should have put April and Liz in a room of their own.

What is with the facial hair on Liz

Not April’s fault. There’s sleep majic in every car for little kids when it’s on the highway.

A motel? That’s where bad things happen.

Someone told me that if they stay at a motel, they always take their children swimming in the motel pool just to get them tired out so they’ll sleep.

Car rides put kids to sleep. That’s a Law of Nature.

So, remind me again. Is April their first child?

This was years before AIRBNBs were a thing.

My youngest (11) is a Unicorn. She has never slept in the car since she was two years old. I can always count on having someone to talk to because my wife crashes out pretty quickly once we get going.

Yep.

That’s why you stay at a place with a pool.You can tire the kid out so they sleep at night in spite of dozing in the car most of the day.

Should just consider themselves lucky that she didn’t get car sick.

Give her a benadryl! Or something to knock her out.

A funny strip could be one with almost no dialogue..

Elly gets into a motel shower. She then turns on the faucet

Elly: AAUUUUGGHH!

Final panel shows a silhouette of Elly flying through the air

Back about 1978 or so my boss had gone on vacation to visit family in Japan. He flew to Montreal to meet the wife and kids who’d stayed longer. The kids were still on TOKYO time! with ZERO interest ingoing to bed!

Next time keep her awake in the car. You’d think Ellie would know that.

I’ve been that kid…

I see Elly is using a paper map. My grandkids don’t remember them at all.

Most of our vacations started with picking Dad up after work in Davenport, IA and driving up to Stockholm, MN, arriving at Aunt Lillian’s about 2 am. My sister and I slept most of the way and were ready to play with the toys she had (after a snack and some conversation). Mom and Dad were just ready for bed.

Well of course, you let her get so deeply asleep that now she’s no longer tired.

Also, gotta love that “Snozzzzz” this strip is so fond of using.

No doubt other residents with kids are dealing with the same thing.

Your own fault for not keeping her awake, Dum-belly!

twas ever thus….

Well, Elly…. you wanted another kid…. “Cousin Oliver”…