For Better or For Worse by Lynn Johnston for May 28, 2013

Ouch.

That’s right, play the Guilt Card Mike.

‘Out of the mouth of babes’… As the expression goes.

Good thing seniors can still work nowadays…Ellie may have to wait till then to seek outside jobs for self- fulfillment. She’d be better to develop self- employment opportunities so she can work around her household duties.

The innocence of childhood and of not understanding the reality of life. Two income families keep some folks off welfare and in their homes. For some, it is a single parent working to keep a place to live and food on the table.

I have no idea how my single mother did it all. We had a home, food, clothing and a father who did his best to make it difficult to do so.

Kids adapt and sometimes have to grow up earlier. I got a job the moment it was legal to do so. I remember when we ate on my teenage paycheck. No sob story, just reality.

Nabuq: " with kids below the age of 6 being absolutely bombarded by viruses and bacteria"

What a bunch of nonsense. Citation needed, not anecdotes.

ouch, I had that statement laid on my once when my son was 6. I was a single mom and had no choice but to work and he didn’t understand why all of a sudden I had to be away from home everyday and was not there when he got home from school……although I did arrive home within 20 minutes so he was not with a neighbor for very long.

I have seen it time and time again. The second job produces little income. Others have mentioned day-care as added expense, but have missed additional taxes (Payroll tax at 7.65%). Add to that possibly a higher tax bracket to the additional income along with additional state (in most states) and local taxes. And don’t forget additional meals in restaurants.

MOST peoples’ attitude is “Me, me, me.” If you don’t take care of yourself, no one else will. Fortunately, most of us are motivated to help others, too – which is (usually) good for both them and us.

Mneedle: Don’t forget the work clothes and the mental health professionals you have to pay for to combat your stress! Some families do have to have both working to make ends meet, and some parents have to go it alone. Elly is doing this for herself, and she should have done that BEFORE she had the kids so she could enjoy her life as it happens instead of trying to “make up” for what she was missing.

Wanna bet Ellie will now quit her library job?

So, why is she telling all this to Michael? He’s a child and shouldn’t be the one she confides in and complains to.

Show some motherly compassion for your sick little girl.

life’s a beach

That’s telling her.

It’s a shame that our society came so far that having a stay at home Mother is a rare thing. Today you need you, your wife and maybe the kids to to work just to get by.

What a shame.

My mom waited till I was thirteen before she started working. I was lucky enough to do the same thing. Although Mom soon became available as an emergency sitter, there were still problems. One day my younger daughter said, “You think more of your clients than you do of me.”I said, “That’s not true – you’re my favorite client!” (and clapped my hand over my mouth).

My husband always said his job was more important. We were both teachers.

Watch what you say Mike! That kind of talk may be misconstrued by your mother as chauvinistic behavior!

It’s not a crime for a woman to want a few hours away from home, it’s easy to go stir crazy when you don’t get to do anything for yourself. Whoever has the least professional job/makes less should be the one the stay home with the children, man or woman. Or if possible, it’s a good idea to get a close friend or relative as a backup babysitter.

John is rubbing his caveman, chauvinism dribble on Mike and he’s just expressing it. Even Mike doesn’t know better.

My mother was widowed when I was four. She used up the insurance money to stay home until I was in 3rd grade. I sometimes stayed home alone when i was sick, unless it was really bad. There were neighbors I could call in case of emergency. No other mothers worked in those days, the 1940’s-1950’s. I also was home alone after school and in the summer, while she worked.

Ok, that’s why I said should be. I was always the one to stay with sick kids or find someone else to watch them just because I’m the mom. I’m also the one to take them to all of their appointments and go to all of their school meetings.

Like father, like son!!! John can be a real male chauvinist pig sometimes and the older Michael gets, the more that exact same attitude towards women seems to be rubbing off on him, as well. What a shame!!!!! :-(

When my 4 kids (al born 1960-64) were small, I stayed home with them and did calligraphy on invites and dressmaking. As soon as the youngest was in school (1/2 day kindergarten) I worked 1/2 day at a nearby upscale hot dog store. I also did artwork for their brochures etc.

After that I worked doing design and drafting at businesses nearby until I learned to drive and took a job downtown (which paid almost double what I made in the ’burbs).

They all grew up just fine.

She could get work as a cartoonist and wok at home. Wait! That’s what she really does!