Calvin and Hobbes by Bill Watterson for September 02, 2023

Mom is prepping you for return to school by making you do things you don’t like.

Sure, because why do something for the sake of being helpful?

Setting the table builds character.

Don’t say “would you” as if he has a choice.

“In every job that must be done, there is an element of fun!” — Mary Poppins.

Of course, you don’t see them cleaning toilets in that movie.

Ooooooo Calvin it’s only the beginning ! ( be glad we don’t have the Draft anymore )

Perhaps Cal would have been more enthusiastic if she had said, “set the table on fire”

That’s Cal. Cooperative as ever

Well, Calvin. Mom’s cooking dinner; and nobody has asked whether she’s enthusiastic.

Calvin, just wait ‘til you are an adult. You’ll end up doing the things you hate anyway, because you mature. You’ll mellow to the point of facing the fact that if no one does the task, it’ll be placed upon your responsibility anyway. There’s lots of things I don’t like to do in life, but I do them anyway, so why not you?

Just wait until you get to carry the food…….

Mom’s expression in panel #2 is perfect! :D

Well, at least you’re not getting mugged by a bike like you were earlier in the week…

Mom is doing something that benefits the entire family. Calvin needs to practice the same skill because… It builds character.

His mom should say that if he doesn’t like setting the table, then he doesn’t like eating!

When “asked” by either of my parents to perform a task like setting the table, I had two options. I could do it, or I could do it with a sore backside. Most of the time I did it, grumbling internally perhaps, but I did it. Other times, well I chose the hard way and did it with a sore butt.

…and to think this brat lives about 25 min from me! LOL

Enthusiasm it a good motivator. Pain is a great motivator. Moms can bring the pain and Dad can bring it even more enthusiastically. Set the table kids.

Like most things, enthusiasm is a choice we make based on our perception. The word literally means “God in you.” When God dwells in you and you live to serve Him in everything, then you can be enthusiastic even about things you don’t like because they are being done for the King of the universe.

You’d better hope she doesn’t start applying that logic to you.

Part of growing up or maturing is understanding that we have to do a lot of things that we are completely unenthusiastic about.

So then… if Mom’s not enthusiastic about making dinner, Calvin can go without.

The Count agrees. Enthusiastically.

Set the table for two or for three, depending on your attitude, Calvin.

Get him enthused with a swat on on the rear

Maybe Mom should ‘enthusiastically’ swat Calvin’s bottom a few times ;-)

Calvin’s really going to struggle finding a job.

If you are enthusiastic about it, it stops being a chore. If you can get others to help you and sing while doing it, it becomes a choir. :) ?

I tried this once as a kid. It did not work.

Setting table, that’s girl work…

His parents raise him, and they’re not too enthusiastic about it. He should pay more attention to the world around him. Oh, sorry, I forgot we’re talking about Calvin.

I’m not enthusiastic about much.

she trusts that kid with plates?

Me neither. As a guiding principle it doesn’t always work out for the best.

Judging by that last panel, someone has a LOT to learn about how the world works…

But do you know?

I’m sure your mother isn’t always enthusiastic about fixing your dinner, washing your clothes, driving you to school when you dawdle and run late, etc.

Then nothing would ever get done

The amount of disappointment in his future…

I’ve found many times that, if I approach a seemingly mundane task with the right attitude, enthusiasm will often follow.

Calvin thinks he has too much on his plates.

You don’t think Mom should have to cook dinner?

Just figure out a way to GET enthusiastic about it. Everything gets easier that way.

and yet you are doing it.

Does it spark joy?

Are you enthusiastic about eating?