Quote Originally Posted by Ionathus View Post
I've had this back-and-forth feeling about Haley & Elan's dynamic before: it's fun to have a fictional relationship where the guy is the complete ditz but still romantic, empathetic, and competent (in his own ways). However, some of the jokes of Haley managing Elan's behavior do read as very maternal, especially that exchange when he'd been lured away by Sunny which verged on feeling almost icky for me.
Ever read the book "I'm OK, You're OK" {Harris} about transactional analysis?
There was a part in that about the roles people assume in a conversation and various attempts to frame their positions as adult -> child or parent -> child ... which is what Haley is doing.
The author (Harris) does not illustrate that as healthy relationship.

Granted, Rich uses exaggeration for attempted comic effect with great frequency, and poking at tropes/patterns like that also.

While I am not sure if that book was the origin of The Parent, Adult, Child (P-A-C) model, it's the first place I remember seeing it).
Spoiler: RL example
Show

My daughter tried to pull that crap on my wife last year (P-C interaction) and caused some interpersonal trauma. They eventually sorted it out.


Your 'gut reaction' to that strikes me as rational.