Anna Christianson

Anna is Kirby's niece and the oldest daughter of Eric and Mary Beth. Anna is only in the fifth grade, but when Kirby notices her spying on him, she seems much older. Anna tries to stick up for her sister Kristin to Eric but is unsuccessful until Kirby steps in to back her up.

Eric Christianson

Eric is Kirby's brother, Mary Beth's husband, and the father of Harold the younger, Anna, and Kristin. Eric is well educated but chooses to use his education not to teach, as Kirby does, but to write for a conservative think tank. Eric specializes in the family and becomes especially passionate when somebody challenges these views, as when first Anna and then Kirby criticize him for not letting Kristin eat whatever she wants. When Kirby draws Eric into this argument, he cites the necessity for authority when socializing children and talks about...