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My friend and one time neighbor Nancy and I are raising our children at the same time as Elly and John are. We had many comic strips stuck to our refrigerators over the years because they so mirrored what was going on in our families that week. We call each other and gleefully chat over the strip of the day and compare that to what is happening in our lives. It is so much fun to see the humorous side of family life. Thanks for many knowing smiles and genuine "laughs out loud"

Kathleen E, Leesport Pennsylvania

One thing I'd like to say about the "Flashback" strips: they actually chronicle an important phase in the evolution of the (North) American family. Elly, as a child of the 70's, has one foot firmly planted in the "Father Knows Best" 1950's and, with the other, is feeling tentatively for the "Liberation" that the iconoclastic 1960's promised....A genuine social document that, in my opinion, rates a place of its very own in the Smithsonian!

Anna M, Winnipeg, Man

I'm truly baffled by Mike's handling of his kids when he's starting dinner preparation. He, like Deanna, is constantly pestered by them. They're both old enough to play with toys by themselves, why doesn't he encourage them to do their own be-on-your-good-behaviour thing? Especially since this isn't the first time they've acted like this, so it's not like it's a new thing for them.

Then, Mike decides Meridith can peel carrots, which eventually turns into a fight between the siblings, complete with Merrie on a chair swinging a blade! WHY doesn't Mike take the blade away? WHY doesn't he send the kids to their rooms? WHY does he even turn his attention away from this whole ordeal?

I understand that parenting is hard, and I understand that children are apt to fight with their siblings (been there, done that), but Mike truly does not seem to understand what good parenting entails. Maybe, maybe you could pass it off as a parenting mistake, but given the way the kids have acted in the strip before, I'm less inclined to say it's a "mistake" and more inclined to say "Mike doesn't know how to handle things, and doesn't even want to try."

I'd hate to see these kids when they're 16.

Liz W, Ottawa ON

Hi Lynn,
I need you to know how much FBOFW means to me as a mother of a daughter who will be 17 this April; just like April herself. My daughter Evelyn and April were both born in 1991 and we have followed her growing up and all of her milestones. I had to contact you when the last strip showed April learning to drive; It was me and Evelyn in that car - you can bet on that. Thanks for all the fun and joy you have brought to us.

Loreen J, Ohio

What, pray tell, is wrong with Michael today? Handing a small child like Meredith a vegetable peeler strikes me as falling nicely in the category of catastrophically bad ideas. Not only are her little hands not going to be able to handle the thing properly, any fool could see that Robin would want his turn, thereby putting two children at risk of cutting themselves of gouging out an eye or two. He further compunds his folly by tuirning his back on his children who've taken to fighting over a sharp object so he can phone his overworked wife to see if he can find a second peeler. What this tells me is that this is a man who should not be in close contact with children. This is as funny as a nursing home fire because he's as smart as a sack of hair.

Anonymous, Southern New Brunswick

Hi, Lynn. I can definitely relate to Sunday's comic, with Elly giving April the driving lesson. It brought back memories of the day when I got behind the wheel for the first time, with my mom "coaching" me. It was more like having Mom yelling/shouting at me to be careful, watch the other drivers, and "for heaven's sake, STOP!!!"

I almost didn't get back in the driver's seat after that. At least where we live, we don't have ice/snow to contend with! Good luck, April!

Elisabeth S, Louisiana

I find your Hybrid concept confusing. You're apparently committed to this and anyone can understand the need to back off a little, to find free time. I like the idea originally proposed of having Michael (or Elly or someone) reminisce and then segue into past strips. I also understand that this would be extremely difficult. Still, I find it jarring (especially since I did not hear anything about this plan despite whatever attempts the strip's staff may have made to publicize this move and found myself wondering what the heck was going on) to find the "present day" strip one day and an old strip the next without any warning or clue that it was coming. Maybe I just didn't pay attention. I enjoy the story lines, the artwork, the realism and the humor. It's a great mix. And it's probably back there in the original strips. You and the staff point out that Peanuts has been rerun since Charles Schultz's death successfully. True, but his characters never grew up. Going back to the first strips and moving forward didn't/doesn't present the same jarring effect even though one can notice that the characters morphed over time, but only slightly. Your hybrid concept seems to be much more challenging. I will watch with interest over then next year to see how it works. In the meantime I, for one, would appreciate a smoother transition between the old and new from day to day and week to week.

Bob G, Scranton Pennsylvania

Love your work! I can't wait to read it every day and it is the first one I go to when I turn to the comc section! I have all your books and one day hope to slow down from chasing my kids (ages 9 and 12), to start from the beginning and re-read them all! It has been fun aging right along with your characters and having similar life experiences! Yes, even here in Alabama, we share so many family situations, we just rarely have the snow!
Keep up the good work and do take care of yourself - even if it means doing the flashbacks - which are timeless!

Linda W, Helena Alabama