For Better or For Worse by Lynn Johnston for May 25, 2012

I only have an older brother. When I want to know about my parents’ pasts through a female, I go to Dad’s niece Terry and Mom’s niece Elizabeth (they’re my oldest cousins) as well as their mothers and my other aunts.

siblings are usually more objective & a little more honest than a parent is. Sorry mom<3

Mom probably doesn’t know a lot of stuff that went on or would put it in the best possible light.

Moms don’t always get the rundown of what their kids have been up to (I’m 52 and there are STILL things from 30+ years ago I don’t tell my own mom), but siblings often do. The trick is to balance telling them what you do and making sure they don’t spill it to Mom and/or Dad if you piss ’em off later.

A sister’s objective: make her brother seem like the worst piece of scum in the world and make him miserable.

Mom’s don’t usually know everything about their children. Plus, depending if Mom like the girlfriend or not probably sways what Mom would tell her!

“…knowing they will be uninterrupted.” I hadn’t thought of that, but wow did that make me stop and think a moment—you’re right, and thank you! (Still keeping my own dishwasher too.)

Phil, if she’s still willing to stick around and continue dating you after hearing all the “objective” stories regarding you and your past from your sister then, as I said yesterday . . . for the love of God, man, don’t hesitate another minute and let her get away. Hurry up, marry her and don’t ever look back!!!!!

It’s true that older siblings enjoy running their younger siblings down. But I take it, Ellie’s telling Georgia the “cute” things Phil did.

Maybe she should go next door and ask Connie.