It’s Elizabeth’s turn to be the sulky teenager. Mike got that when he was sent to the farm for the summer. And when the whole family spent Christmas at the farm.
Four day drive to Winnipeg ??? Are they traveling be camel? Where in hell are they? It only took me about 1 day from Saskatchewan to Vancouver late 80s or early 90s and they must be east of Winnipeg. Doesn’t make any sense at all. They don’t live in the boonies – library, newspaper, downtown, etc – surprised there’s no airport close by.
I think they’re out of their minds to plan such a long drive. Toronto to Winnipeg is over 2000 miles, so you’re looking at being on the road for a good 10-12 hours a day. Driving such a long distance with a rambunctious preschooler who’s never been in a car for long hours, and a sullen fourteen year old who doesn’t want to be there in the first place, sounds like torture for everyone. Just buy plane tickets, John!
Look, you two—Elizabeth doesn’t WANT to go on this trip (which sounds like a crashing bore, anyway). Why can’t you take her feelings into consideration? She can stay with her friend Dawn while you’re away—I think her parents would be OK with that.
I’ve never accepted that teens must/have-to-be/are-just naturally-expected-to-be moody/grumpy. To do so kind of normalizes it and gives the impression that it’s ok and expected that she’ll be a jerk. Elizabeth has got 10 min to get over her self pity party and get with the program. Now slap a smile on that face and fake it till you make it.
Four days from Mississauga to Winnepeg??? More like only 20-1/2 hrs windsheild time. They could drive straight through switching off driving duty and cut the Liz complaint time by more than half.
I know Canada’s a big country, comparable to the US, but I didn’t think anything involving an airplane ride would take four days. Driving, yes, but even part way by air?
And I’m surprised Toronto doesn’t have an airport with flights to Vancouver.
Not many things are worse than a sulking teenager. First, they want to be recognized as having the right to be mad….but secondly, they will absolutely go out of their way to NOT have a good time regardless of how much they are catered to….she’ll want to make those she blames for her misery, miserable too (check her comment yesterday regarding having fun). John and Elly will need to convey to her that one of the tough parts about parenting is not always fulfilling their kids’ wishes.
British Columbia, the larch, the Scotts pine, it makes me want to sing, sing, “I’m a lumberjack and I’m OK, I sleeps all night and I works all day!” Happy TuesdayEverybody! ;-)
I can’t believe Liz doesn’t want to see her grandparents! No matter what age I was I loved visiting mine. I never cared about going to big theme parks (especially when my parents started forcing me onto the big-kid rides). I preferred visiting the grandparents.
howtheduck about 2 months ago
“A general anesthetic”. Oh, John. That’s your answer for everything.
JCB about 2 months ago
If only that was acceptable.
Asharah about 2 months ago
It’s Elizabeth’s turn to be the sulky teenager. Mike got that when he was sent to the farm for the summer. And when the whole family spent Christmas at the farm.
GirlGeek Premium Member about 2 months ago
Trust
Argythree about 2 months ago
Give her a chance to stay with her girlfriend, instead of being a built-in nanny…
TheSkulker about 2 months ago
Four day drive to Winnipeg ??? Are they traveling be camel? Where in hell are they? It only took me about 1 day from Saskatchewan to Vancouver late 80s or early 90s and they must be east of Winnipeg. Doesn’t make any sense at all. They don’t live in the boonies – library, newspaper, downtown, etc – surprised there’s no airport close by.
jennrb2010 about 2 months ago
I think they’re out of their minds to plan such a long drive. Toronto to Winnipeg is over 2000 miles, so you’re looking at being on the road for a good 10-12 hours a day. Driving such a long distance with a rambunctious preschooler who’s never been in a car for long hours, and a sullen fourteen year old who doesn’t want to be there in the first place, sounds like torture for everyone. Just buy plane tickets, John!
snsurone76 about 2 months ago
Look, you two—Elizabeth doesn’t WANT to go on this trip (which sounds like a crashing bore, anyway). Why can’t you take her feelings into consideration? She can stay with her friend Dawn while you’re away—I think her parents would be OK with that.
French Persons Premium Member about 2 months ago
I guess there are no direct flights from Toronto to Vancouver?
win.45mag about 2 months ago
Twenty twenty twenty four hours ago, I wanna be sedated. Nuthin’ to do. Nowhere to go. Oooh. I wanna be sedated.
dcdete. about 2 months ago
What are Bofe Grammas?
My spell checker doesn’t recognize the words.
SquidGamerGal about 2 months ago
Why doesn’t Elizabeth wants to visit her grandma?
MRBLUESKY529 about 2 months ago
A general anesthetic. Is that for Elizabeth or mom?
Anon4242 about 2 months ago
I’ve never accepted that teens must/have-to-be/are-just naturally-expected-to-be moody/grumpy. To do so kind of normalizes it and gives the impression that it’s ok and expected that she’ll be a jerk. Elizabeth has got 10 min to get over her self pity party and get with the program. Now slap a smile on that face and fake it till you make it.
Willywise52 Premium Member about 2 months ago
Give her a break.
Redd Panda about 2 months ago
Leave her home alone. She’s 13. What could happen?
Twelve Badgers in a Suit Premium Member about 2 months ago
How about a little more respect? I bet that would help.
rickmac1937 Premium Member about 2 months ago
She’s needs a good KIA
ctolson about 2 months ago
Four days from Mississauga to Winnepeg??? More like only 20-1/2 hrs windsheild time. They could drive straight through switching off driving duty and cut the Liz complaint time by more than half.
KageKat about 2 months ago
You phrased the question in a weird way, El, I’m not sure what variety of answer you were aiming for.
Daltongang Premium Member about 2 months ago
Well a swift kick in the butt might be in order here.
rebelstrike0 about 2 months ago
If John and Elly want to do this as a family, then why isn’t Michael going with them?
Bob Blumenfeld about 2 months ago
I know Canada’s a big country, comparable to the US, but I didn’t think anything involving an airplane ride would take four days. Driving, yes, but even part way by air?
And I’m surprised Toronto doesn’t have an airport with flights to Vancouver.
Not condemning, just surprised.
g04922 about 2 months ago
John is a Dentist – he has access to Nitrous Oxide :)
USN1977 about 2 months ago
This is surprising that she does not want to meet her grandparents. We don’t always get time for family or recreation.
Unless Elizabeth marries a wealthy man, she is probably going to unable to spend as much time traveling as she is now.
ladykat about 2 months ago
That could work.
BJDucer about 2 months ago
Not many things are worse than a sulking teenager. First, they want to be recognized as having the right to be mad….but secondly, they will absolutely go out of their way to NOT have a good time regardless of how much they are catered to….she’ll want to make those she blames for her misery, miserable too (check her comment yesterday regarding having fun). John and Elly will need to convey to her that one of the tough parts about parenting is not always fulfilling their kids’ wishes.
birdmaninfl about 2 months ago
Good answer. )
bilbrlsn about 2 months ago
A tablet and YouTube solve the problem. Or just get them a seat across the aisle and several rows removed.
Strawberry King about 2 months ago
I’m all for that.
InuYugiHakusho about 2 months ago
There’s no cure for being a typical teenager.
mindjob about 2 months ago
All I ever got was a coffee can to puke in when we drove up the mountains
h.v.greenman about 2 months ago
Now that was funny
John Jorgensen about 2 months ago
I know I was sullen and sulky often enough at Elizabeth’s age, but visiting beloved relatives always got some enthusiasm from me even then.
stamps about 2 months ago
$5 she meets a hot boyfriend on this trip.
lnrokr55 about 2 months ago
British Columbia, the larch, the Scotts pine, it makes me want to sing, sing, “I’m a lumberjack and I’m OK, I sleeps all night and I works all day!” Happy TuesdayEverybody! ;-)
sjsczurek about 2 months ago
Ah, the teen years. The angst, the frustration, the sullenness. What a wonderful time of life!
Happicat2012 about 2 months ago
She needs a little laughing gas….as a dentist, John has access to that!
bookworm0812 about 2 months ago
I can’t believe Liz doesn’t want to see her grandparents! No matter what age I was I loved visiting mine. I never cared about going to big theme parks (especially when my parents started forcing me onto the big-kid rides). I preferred visiting the grandparents.
comicalUser about 2 months ago
John has access!
eced52 about 2 months ago
Works for me, although I was thinking of laughing gas.
FrannieL Premium Member about 2 months ago
I just looked at a Canadian map and thought, no, at 14, I wouldn’t want to do this either.
swadeparker Premium Member about 2 months ago
The poor dog looks like it wants out of April’s backpack.
EXCALABUR about 2 months ago
When you have the opportunity to see an older relative it should be received happily. You never know how much time they may have left
shapmandoo about 1 month ago
I remember that age, five times, oncefor me and four times for my daughters. All I can say is we were all brats.
missyhyattfan about 1 month ago
I like that answer!