what we know about that “Lady” is that her daughter only speaks about her in negative terms and then only when she must speak about her at all. Speaking TO her is almost and “over my dead body” type of situation. Which is why the only Grandparents in this are Frank’s parents.
It’s great to see both parents making time to play with their kids. Those memories stay with the kids all through their lives and help them to be better parents. My Mom was widowed very young and had little free time, but she made sure to read to me and to my brother at bedtime. She thought of it as a way of getting us to go to bed on time, but we thought of it as a special time to spend with Mom.
I’m happy that I had plenty of time to play with my 4 kids until almost my divorce. My parents pretty much left us to our own devices, but there were many older neighbors who acted as surrogate neighborhood parents/grandparents as I do in this neighborhood.
They had structured time? If so, it still must have been freer and more easygoing back then. Today, the complaint is that there’s too much structure, and that kids are overscheduled. Yes, kids (and grownups for that matter) need a certain amount of structure in their lives, but they should also have the freedom to play in their way, as Ruthie and Joe are doing. And thankfully, Ellen seems to have realized that it does no harm at all, and maybe even some good.
arye uygur over 10 years ago
How could Ruthie and Joe’s mom be raised in a home with “structured time”? Do you know what Ruruthie and Joe’s maternal grandmother is like?
KenTheCoffinDweller over 10 years ago
what we know about that “Lady” is that her daughter only speaks about her in negative terms and then only when she must speak about her at all. Speaking TO her is almost and “over my dead body” type of situation. Which is why the only Grandparents in this are Frank’s parents.
skeeterhawk over 10 years ago
Ahh, if true, Ellen missed out on creativity, imagination and one form of mental growth.
The Life I Draw Upon over 10 years ago
I think it’s fantastic and she’s having fun with her kids.
rjh5775 Premium Member over 10 years ago
No more ATMs for me! From now on I’ll be going to the Auntie Em!
Argy.Bargy2 over 10 years ago
It’s great to see both parents making time to play with their kids. Those memories stay with the kids all through their lives and help them to be better parents. My Mom was widowed very young and had little free time, but she made sure to read to me and to my brother at bedtime. She thought of it as a way of getting us to go to bed on time, but we thought of it as a special time to spend with Mom.
vldazzle over 10 years ago
I’m happy that I had plenty of time to play with my 4 kids until almost my divorce. My parents pretty much left us to our own devices, but there were many older neighbors who acted as surrogate neighborhood parents/grandparents as I do in this neighborhood.
vldazzle over 10 years ago
Picture IS the local kids where I grew up. Houses in Maywood back then were all very similar brick veneer.
Lyons Group, Inc. over 10 years ago
In today’s strip, Frank has Tee Time.
The Rolling Cat over 10 years ago
They had structured time? If so, it still must have been freer and more easygoing back then. Today, the complaint is that there’s too much structure, and that kids are overscheduled. Yes, kids (and grownups for that matter) need a certain amount of structure in their lives, but they should also have the freedom to play in their way, as Ruthie and Joe are doing. And thankfully, Ellen seems to have realized that it does no harm at all, and maybe even some good.