Compromise

Dad of two teenagers here: One of the hardest things to remember as a parent is that kids (heck, people, but most definitely kids) are constantly changing, and you think you've figured out how they'll react next and then they go and fool you. So, you know, Jim's not a complete dummy about the last panel, or at least, he's hardly unique in it. :-) Great characterizations!

R. Francis Smith

Veronica looks radically different without red lips. I had to go back to identify who was talking to Jim. Jeph, if you are reading this, I know you are changing the characters to not have lips but it was one of the most distinctive features of Veronica and she looks a bit, well, dull without them. Maybe keep them on her? Just a thought.

Adam Benson

Any time I did something stupid and my Uncle Ken heard about it, his response to me would be "Well, that'll learn ya, durn yah!". And he wasn't wrong. I'm not convinced it was the most helpful response, but he wasn't wrong. On the other side of the family, my Grandpa had managed to slice off the tip of his thumb with a table saw when he was much younger. He still managed to become a master cabinet maker with a pretty decent business throughout most of his adult life. Although he did take us kids down there and let use use the lathe and other tools, he would always make sure that we knew the potential consequences of the equipment we were working with and that we understood how to be safe. Well, at least relatively safe -- that was like 30-40 years ago, and safety standards then were not what they are now.

Brad Knowles

Man, there have been so many events that have happened in this comic. I wasn't suspecting this to be the one that gets people the most riled up XD

Cave

Yep, I worked for a while in a shop where a couple of our guys did sheet metal work. The brake and the big cutter scared the ***** out of me, and I never even used them.

Holly Nelson

LUCKY people have a power tool injury like that. It trains you right down to the bones that shit is dangerous. It will serve her well for the rest of her life. I consider myself lucky that I have done just enough stupid stuff with a power tool in my hand to never take them lightly, but not to be afraid to use them.

John Ridley

Maybe he took them off between panels.

Autistic Observer

It probably says a lot about Sam that Jim isn't used to her being quiet and thoughtful! Uh, Jeph? I'm not normally that guy but you forgot to draw on Jim's glasses in panel 6.

Ben Russell-Gough

No more power tools until next time maybe.

MikeT

Channel your suffering from your art, Sam. Make some SICK splays.

Bagge

She has him well trained. :)

Dean Reilly

I would say inexperience rather than immaturity. I'm an old lady and I didn't think about the vise until they said it in the strip.

Peggy Youell

Love how Jim’s ‘let me see’ became ‘let me check with the mistress’ :)

Andrew

I don't think Jim can restrict Sam from power tools forever, but she clearly has some growing up to do before she should be allowed access to them again. She already showed her inexperience when she tried to sand the ball joint without a vice, so I suspect a lot of workplace safety reading and/or videos is in her immediate future.

David Paul

Veronica has raised one all the way up and then gotten to watch consequences unfold for a while. That kind of perspective is sometimes more useful than the view from down in the trench.

That was a reasonable decision on Jim's part, not too harsh. I think it's interesting that Veronica seems more in touch with Sam's feelings than is her father. The family dynamics there are fascinating. :)

Harsh? <i><b>Not</b></i> banning her from the shop, when he would be perfectly justified if he did - that's harsh? Merely banning her from power tools, because she has clearly demonstrated that she is not yet ready to operate even the simplest one safely - that's harsh? No... He's being quite forgiving and reasonable.

awgiedawgie

No, Sam swiped them. Damn, she's good!

BobC

Damn...that is a bit harsh for a concerned parent.

Shawn K. Younkin

Did Jim take off his glasses before that last frame?

Joseph Houk

I wonder if being Sam's step-parent figure has aged her a bit?

Joseph Houk

A different look for Veronica.

Chuck Dee

Depends how much you're paying. (referencing her job, pls no ban)

R L

Veronica with the right hook, damn.

R L

Is that Veronica, or is that the doctor?

Joseph Houk

I feel like Jim is taking this much better than expected.

Alexander W Couzens