For Better or For Worse by Lynn Johnston for July 01, 2012

time to buy another balloon (happy Canada Day, Canadian readers of “FBorFW” readers from your downstairs neighbour the USA)

Oh, of course you can say it, Elly — and Elizabeth’s not too young to hear it, either!

The way my 4 yr old learns when he doesn’t listen is with an “I Told You So” lecture. He rarely repeats his mistakes after that.

You don’t have to say it is a smug way. Just use it as a learning opportunity!

Or you could just admire the flight as it goes out of sight.

@legaleagle48

Yep. And then you’ll only have to say it once. For that particular mistake, anyway.

Often people just have to learn for themselves! Young and old!

Notice all the balloons are identified as ‘super sale days.’ Now all holydays are recognized as such, worldwide.

“My b’oon! My b’oon!”

Been there, done that — with three of them. They’re all grown up now, and saying, " ITold you so" to their own offspring. And I silently chuckle.

We Canadians appreciate the love from down South!

Happy Canada Day! Beautiful Country Up North! I wish I was there right now, NYC is having a fierce heat wave.

My mother never hesitated to say “I told you so!” either. Or “You’ll live,” if I came to her with a skinned knee. (Not a gushing fountain of sympathy was my mom.)

@Wendy: and we appreciate our northern sister!

Happy Canada Day, all! I read thgough the comments to see whether any of the regulars who are always down on Elly for being b***y, overcontrolling, dreamkilling, etc, would apologize or even recognize that she isn’t really. Guess not.

A gentle “I told you so…” with a hug, will get the point across quite well to a child.

My mom was born in Ottawa! A very Happy Canada Day to all Canadians!!!!!

I don’t remember my mom saying I told you so. I used should have listen to mom.

Yes, you can say, “I told you so”. The sooner you do, the sooner you minimize the egocentricism. And yes, Happy Canada Day to our home and native land!!

And welcome to South Africa too!

When I was little (about Lizzie’s age) and my balloon would bust, I would burst into tears. My mom asked me years later, “Were you sad because you lost your balloon?” I said, “No, it scared the he11 out of me.”

Happy Holiday, Canada. I’ve been to Hamilton, Ontario and Niagara Falls. Hamilton was the closest I’ve ever been to England. It was great. My kids used to have balloons that either broke or flew away. It was all part of their childhood.

Aww, the same thing happened to me when I was about three. I have a distinct memory of my yellow balloon floating over the Coates Observatory.

Happy Canada Day!!!!!

Thanks for the good wishes, our American cousins! We’ll be thinking of you on Wednesday!

two thumbs up, legalegle48