For Better or For Worse by Lynn Johnston for December 27, 2021

When it comes to family get-togethers and the brother’s family and/or the stepsisters’ families aren’t around, it’s not easy for me to be “one of the guys.”

[cue indignant dishwasher boys]

I am little confused here. Didn’t we see Grandma Marian baking last week? Is she being modest when she says that Elly did the cooking?

The kitchen is a refuge to get away from “the boys” during Xmas gatherings. It’s part of the survival strategy of family get-togethers.

I remember when my Dad got my Mom an automatic dishwasher. She was a bit upset at first because she considered doing the dishes to be part of her job. But she got over that.

Uncle Phil already looks a bit lit.

Don’t tell her no! It makes her feel helpless and not needed. This is especially important for those who may be suffering from some form of dementia. Keeping active is one key to a fulfilling life.

At son and d-i-l’s she does all the cooking, he does all the cleaning up. But this is 2021.

It’s a LOT of work, but I would rather do it and be sure it’s done, and done right…

THAT is precisely “Why not”!

Those three guys look like they’re in shock…

This particular comic strip is the newest one that Lynn Johnston has done, having created it for this year in order to make the dates coordinate with the 2021 calendar. It is not a reprint from 1992. It’s good to see that Lynn Johnston can still do it!

Okay, I get it. But every time I try to help out in the kitchen I get “the look”. I have learned to get out of the way and wait to be summoned. Once summoned I must move with speed and purpose and still stay out of the way.

Now she can drink beer and tell BS stories

It isn’t the washing up that’s a chore to my mind. It’s clearing all the dishes, silverware and condiments off the table, dealing with the leftovers and finding space in the fridge for everything. Washing up is easy.

I never understood mom. When we had company that asked if they could help with the dishes we told them no, but when we went to others for dinner I was expected to help clean up in the kitchen. Still do. But I don’t go out much anymore.

OK, I know this is just the sign of the times, and I see these husband jabs all the time, but it still pizzes me off. I’m the husband, and I do the cooking in the household. My wife does the cleanup. It works well for us, so don’t start with me about not loading the dishwasher.

My parents were strictly kosher, and God help anyone who put a fork or spoon in the “wrong” drawer!!

Being one of the boys would be the last thing I would want to be. And they would rather NOT see me wandering their way, either.

I would like to point out that this ‘boy’ helps clean up after all meals including major ones.

Zing! As a male who does all the cooking, I really appreciate it when anyone wants to help with the cleanup. Spend 2 hours cooking, 20 minutes eating, another 30-45 minutes with cleanup. That’s why I prefer to dine out!

What ? I guess Canada doesn’t have 24/7 football around Christmas.

I can’t imagine the life of somebody who does not want to be part of the work. On my birthday I was not supposed to do the cleanup but I made it clear it was what I wanted to do, and there was not a lot of pushback.

My Don stepped in when his mom and I started to clean up after Christmas dinner and told us he had it. He did all the clean up while we were able to relax. I guess since wife, mom and I had done all the prep and cooking he felt we deserved a break.

Whaddya mean, “Why not?” You have the wrong idea about sharing the duties, and so does the rest of the family. Yeah, yeah, I know it’s a comic, and how old?

I took exception one night to my wife asking me to help with the dishes and now I do them every night. Came to realize it WAS my job.

We did the dishes for my mom, now he does them for me! My SIL pulls the “I’m a guest” thing and sits on her fat ass, even at Moms.

It’s probably a slam on Rod, Lynn’s ex-husband..

Let Elly’s mom in the kitchen and soon the boys they will be seeing will be wearing fire helmets and breaking down the Pattersons’ door with axes.