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@KCD: You're kidding, right? A family of four can't live on a single paycheck even when that paycheck is a dentist's?!

Maybe not in California where real estate is so ridiculously expensive. I currently live in Nebraska. My family does okay on a single paycheck (mine) and I'm pretty sure I make less than a dentist (seriously, I don't know -- I'm well-paid but I'm a Project Manager, not a doctor).

With my less-than-a-dentist's salary, I support a wife and three children (one of which has severe autism). It really does come down to separating what you want from what you need but it is very possible to live a nice, fulfilling life on a single paycheck. You just learn self-control and to plan your purchases, live within your means, etc. It can be done.

To my wife and I, it was important that our kids had a parent at home whenever they were there (they are 8,6,6). You set your goal and then you make it happen. It takes effort...but then so does anything worth having and keeping.

The idea that a family has to have two bread-winners is a fallacy fed to you by marketers interested in keeping rampant consumerism alive and well in America. You don't need two paychecks; You need one team, pulling in the same direction, and willing to forgo "now" for a bit "later". You need to learn to be satisfied with what you've got. It really is not much more than that.

RAJ, NE, USA

I don't think Elly was asking permission of John to go back to work. I think she was just discussing such a major change with her spouse. I certainly think any stay-at-home mom today would also broach the subject of returning to work with her husband. After all, there is still a young child at home, day care will have to be decided on, and parents should decide these things together. While women should certainly have the right to choose whether to work or stay at home (and men, too, for that matter) I don't believe any spouse should make such a decision without involving the other parent.

Angela, PA, USA

Oh, for cryin' out loud, enough is just enough! Exactly how do you girls think you got all of this "equal" treatment with husbands who help and are willing to meet you on level ground? Elly and others like her are the reason our daughters and granddaughters have the luxury of being so outraged and self-righteous about the story line in a comic strip.

Do you understand that we're the ones who RAISED those enlightened men you're so proud of? That we're the ones who taught our daughters to be independent women? That what you have received as a gift, we had to earn? You should be thanking your mothers and grandmothers instead of criticizing Lynn for this absolutely hilarious romp through history.

I'm reminded of my darling mother-in-law's concerns about women's lib when my sister-in-law and I were young. She would shake her head, purse her lips, and say, "You girls are just going to ruin it all. Women have always been the ones in charge of everything. And now you're letting the men know about it." Lynn, love, love, love the reruns -- you go, girl. ;-}

Judy, SoCal, USA

All these comments about how we are 21st century, and how male attitudes are now 21st century and partners are equal with the work and with the housework.... While I am Lynn's age, I was one of those two-working-parents families, as were my parents. However, today, in the 21st century, my step-son and his wife are having a great deal of difficulty in their home because she wants to work and he feels her place is in the home (as was his mother's). It is still happening today out there. Perhaps it's a reflection of what you grew up with.

Sandy, Red Deer, AB, Canada

Though the latest narrative stream- Elly seeking a part-time job while John grumbles his objection to the liberated woman- might seem absurdly out-of-date today, it's worth noticing Lynn J's uncanny depiction (especially back then) of the ennui that propels a lot of stay-at-home mothers to reinvent themselves. Moreover, given that Lynn is no stranger a large reader response to the topics she threads into her characters' lives, it would be fascinating for her to share what kind of response this original thread received back when it was first published. What say you, Lynn? We'd love to hear it.

AC, Houston, TX, originally NB, Canada

When this series first ran, the response came by snail mail, so it was slow and not instant...but it was strong! There were very few objections to the content of the strip. Some men were offended, but these were the new age guys who saw the need for change! Mostly the commentary was from women who said "you're living my life!" and "nobody talks about this, go fo it!" I became a sort of spokesperson for women who wanted the world to know that staying at home with young children was no picnic, that we did not watch tv all day, that we were desperate to meet with and communicate with other adults and that we worried that our minds were disintegrating with the dishrags. We also needed our partners to take more responsibility for childraising.

I was hired to depict the not so rosy side of parenting and partnerships, which is what I did. If the scenarios are outdated, now, if young mothers no longer identify with Elly Patterson, circa 1980, then I have joined the thousands of other journalists in advocating for change...and obviously, fortunately change has come! Lynn J.

Actually, all the commentary about FBORFW not properly reflecting "Today's Realities" makes perfectly clear why the Present-Day Pattersons would make poor subjects for a Comic Strip! Do we really want to see John and Elly trying to balance drastically devalued investments against April's ballooning tuition fees? Do we want to see Anthony out of work because Gordon has had to close his dealership due to flagging car sales? Or see Deanna explaining to a tearful Robin and Merry that there won't be any more trips to Pizza Playland until "The VISA man stops calling and Daddy gets more money from the Book People"? Let's just wish them all well and go "Ahead From The Past"!

Anna M, Winnipeg, MB, Canada

I have to agree with Lili from Chicago. The amount of feedback you receive, both positive and negative, is a direct reflection on your talent and ability to make people relate to your characters. If we didn't care so much, we wouldn't critique. John and Elly Patterson represent so much of what is good in a family relationship.

Jan C, Victorville, CA, USA

(Sunday January 9, 2005) Did that ever happen to you? :)

Dunny, CA, USA