WeBuiltThePyramids

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Walter/Paige/Ralph #1: Having a family makes you vulnerable. But it can be a good thing too. {01-Sep-2015}

FoxPhile

TFTNT!

I can see Walter having a difficult time with this adjustment. There is a natural tendency to pattern parenting style after one's own parents, and Walter's father was something of a disciplinarian. But Walter, on a conscious level, is not going to want to emulate his own father - there's too much difficult history there. At the same time, I think Walter will realize that his "official" position as stepfather gives him an even greater responsibility to guide Ralph. I think any responsible stepfather must walk a tight rope between being an effective parent, not stepping on the toes of the biological parents - both mother and father - and not wanting to alienate the child. All of those things are hard enough for a person with normal EQ. For Walter, they may be a recipe for disaster.

WeBuiltThePyramids

Yeah, and I think Ralph would expect their dynamic not to change, since he has long wanted that to be what their dynamic is and it's how he views Walter. So Walter may try to start enforcing rules and setting boundaries that he didn't before, and Ralph might be like ????? about it.

FoxPhile

I also think Paige would be conflicted on whether she should intervene. Knowing how much Ralph has needed a real father role in his life, I think she would be reluctant to interfere, but at the same time, she would want to make sure that Walter doesn't disappoint or confuse Ralph. Plus, she wouldn't want Walter to get the idea that she disapproves of him taking a more fatherly role or that she feels he is usurping Drew's position.

WeBuiltThePyramids

And I definitely could see Paige being like "that's my son, if we disagree my way automatically wins" and Walter has to learn to respect that while she also has to learn that part of his "I'll help you understand him" means that he may actually have the right call sometimes.

FoxPhile

And they have to manage all that in the few years before Ralph is off on his own!

WeBuiltThePyramids

Not necessarily. Both my sister and I still rely on our parents a lot in terms of emotional support, a source to vent, or for advice. Living away didn't change that that much.

FoxPhile

But as adults, you are under no obligation to follow their advice. Your parents aren't likely to punish you if you stay out after midnight or skip out on work. While Ralph is still underage, he is under a greater obligation to obey his parents than he will be once he is grown - making it more important that Walter and Paige work this out while Ralph is still young.

WeBuiltThePyramids

Presuming he doesn't work for Scorpion. If he does, they'll be his superiors.

FoxPhile

That's actually a good point. Ralph is already part of Scorpion and takes part, in a limited way, in some cases. Walter has already had to balance his control of Ralph as a team member with Paige's authority over Ralph as a parent. That may actually help him quite a bit in transitioning to the role of step-father.

WeBuiltThePyramids

Forever giggling at this thread title.

FoxPhile

Too bad it wasn't an episode title.

WeBuiltThePyramids

With the way they titled things, it wasn't out of the realm of realism.

FoxPhile

WeBuiltThePyramids

I laughed SO hard at that.