#karen a+ parenting

[shippingfangirl013]

Anyone else realize after writing an analysis on the Wheeler family, that your own family IS the Wheeler family?

And you later realize you are simultaneously Nancy and Mike…?

Nancy, because she was kind of pushed into the role of being the emotionally available “adult” figure, and keeping the family together in a sense. . . the responsibility of sibling care can be deflected unto the eldest child at a young age and can sometimes cause some resentment for your younger siblings. Occasionally, you get the helicopter parenting style paired with the golden child trope and mothers living vicariously through you.

(I know that when I was younger, I didn’t understand why other kids were allowed to be kids, while I was basically helping to raise my siblings, and it made me a little bitter, but as I’ve gotten older, I became very close with my siblings.)

And Mike because I was also left to my own devices for hours. I was the “you’re mature for your age” kid, the kid that took charge in serious situations. Mike, as a character, has an innate desire to be needed by others and I think a lot of that had to do with his parents and how he was raised. At the deepest part of the character, he feels unwanted and unloved by his parents. The Wheeler kids feel like mistakes, because their parents are not emotionally available.

Ted and Karen are emotionally unavailable parents, and because of this, we frequently see that Mike struggles with talking to his parents. His mom tries to be there, but does Karen ever actively listen to her children? Nancy is constantly saying that Karen doesn’t listen to her (an argument I constantly have with my own mother), and Mike is never quick to open up to his mom either. It’s like walking on eggshells, because one wrong answer, one wrong opinion, and it’s like your parents (or at least my mom, in my case) will turn on you.

I’m just wondering if anyone else has noticed any parenting trends with the Wheeler family… they hit a little too close to home for me sometimes.

There could be more to it here, because nothing is ever just black and white, but this is just a bit of what I’ve noticed between my own family and the Wheeler family.

I had a much better worded draft of this post, but my phone died as I went to post it, and deleted the better version. So, now we’re dealing with version until I have the energy to update it.

[myfav0tps]

People reacting to Buck and Tommy:

Them reacting back:

[gayofthefae]

"Mike and Nancy can't say I love you because of their parents," so close, Mike and Nancy can't say I love you in relationships that resemble their parents'.

[u3pxx]

[gavin parents] does anybody remember when i doodled karsten and karen as their sons' sprites

[dallasgallant]

Been thinking about how Ponyboy described Mrs. Curtis as “Golden and beautiful.” Like sunrises and how all the boys, even tough ol’ dally adore her. How she made things right.

I want to explore their relationship with their parents and I believe Pony was a mama’s boy through and through. His brothers flocked to his dad (Darry was his shadow and twin and soda acted like him) but pony’s always been a sensitive type, and I think his mother helped encouraged him to keep like that and likely a much calmer force in a house full of rowdy guys (even without the gang their all the time)

I think she may have also been a little protective of him as he’s the youngest and gentle. Simultaneously her baby but also getting to be so big, he’ll be 14 soon you know. (Not to say he’s totally exempt from a stern look)

[flamingtoads]

We shouldn't have watched that movie before bed, was the thought that popped into Karen's mind as she followed closely behind her wife out of their bedroom. The floor boards creak as Hen and Karen stops at the end of the hallway. They pause as a large lumpish shadow cast from the kitchen light rushes out of view, followed with what sounded like a clatter of dishes falling together. Karen leaned closer into Hen, "Did you see that?" Hen's hands gripped tightly around the baseball bat, preparing herself for what might be waiting for her in the kitchen. "Sure did."

[containment23]

where are all the stranger things x south park or IT x south park

guys it's right there: 4 elementary kids discover the horrors

[movietonight]

The thing with Shawn's perfect DET score is that he could be lying to make Jules and Lassie shut up but then you see Chief Vick's facial expression and it's like oh no she definitely saw that score in his file somewhere and waited for that moment

[thefirstlioveyou]

How Smalltown Boy Connects with Mike's Relationship with his Parents

I can't get over how they chose Smalltown Boy for the FIRST track on Mike's playlist. I just can't. That's the gayest thing ever. Gayer than his staring I fear. The lyrics perfectly fit him, but not only because he's a closeted homosexual. It's also highlighting his dynamic with his family.

Of course, if we are getting into specifics, Smalltown Boy is a song about a young gay man running away from his homophobic home and town to live in the city to somewhere he can be himself. But generally, it's a song about not belonging and not feeling understood within a place, and the crippling loneliness that comes with it. So you seek a place where you can feel accepted and heard.

Struggling to figure out your place in the world, struggling with your sexuality and relationships, facing severe bullying, wanting to be understood and seen by your family for who you actually are while still struggling to accept who you are to begin with, desiring the escape from the place that brings you all those unmanageable problems -- That's Mike Wheeler.

"Mother will never understand why you had to leave, but the answers you seek will never be found at home. The love that you need will never be found at home"

Obviously, the actual plot of the music video features homophobic parents. I don't believe Karen is, and I see Ted as more brainwashed yet careless. But "the love that you need will never be found at home" reminds me of the Wheeler family's emotional distance and lack of actual attention, and how it's damaging Mike especially. Nancy's already seen right through the bullshit. Mike hasn't.

I don't see them as the worst parents on the planet, but they're haven't been great. They have questionable parenting choices and the show wants us to pick up on that. If you haven't yet asked yourself "where the hell are his parents?" at least ONCE while watching ST, then idk lmao.

Come on. Not knowing your son has been hiding a whole child in your basement for a week?

Never talking to your son about his best friend's death and instead letting him take the responsibility to go to you first?

Not taking concern as to why your son is suddenly misbehaving at school? And instead, you force your child to get rid of 2 boxes worth of toys that hold emotional value to him (while mocking him for having said emotional connection)?

Not even being aware that your child is constantly bullied physically and verbally, and not even questioning visible marks that could indicate that sort of abuse?

Although it's unintentional and we see Karen aware that it's wrong, you're still essentially teaching your child that 1) their feelings or voice do not matter 2) they cannot trust or rely on you 3) their 'childish' interests that make them who they are do not matter and are something they need move on from because they "have to."

And we see this play out.

If his parents can't even accept his innocent interests or show more consideration for them, if it just makes him a future high school dropout or a failure, what makes Mike believe they'd ever accept he's Gay?

Mike NEEDS a support system. He NEEDS parents who care MORE instead of waiting until government is at their doorstep. That type of love has not been consistent whatsoever at the Wheelers. To Mike, that kind of love cannot be found in his home. The answers to his problems cannot be found in his home. In fact, his upbringing is a big reason why he's in this complicated relationship with El to begin with. and he's accepted all that to be fine, despite us seeing how it's turning him into someone unable to manage their emotions who struggles with their relationships communication-wise.

"And as hard as they would try they'd hurt to make you cry. But you never cried to them, just to your soul. No, you never cried to them, just to your soul"

This refers to the severe bullying he faces that Mike confirms he's put up with all his life (just for it to be shut down immediately). His parents aren't aware. If Karen, his own mother, doesn't question a giant scab on his chin but some girl who is barely learning what friends are does, don't you think that says something?

"I'm here for you" doesn't mean anything if you aren't actively trying to actually be there. you have to look harder. look at what's right in front of you.

Sure, his mom hugs him! But I really hope we can all agree physical affection isn't the only thing that a child needs to trust. There is reason behind why we've never actually seen them talk about anything that's actually bothering him. Mike is not yet convinced he can go to his parents about the things we know he's facing, and the things that are implied that he's facing. Instead he handles it alone as a result of just "letting him come when he's ready."

The only adult who wasn't afraid to actually talk to him and not let his emotions bottle up was...

"Pushed around and kicked around, always a lonely boy. You were the one that they'd talk about around town as they put you down."

Part of this could be about his bullying experience in general, but I also believe this was foreshadowing for events in S5. Mike and the rest of hellfire are now targets and deemed part of a satanic cult. The whole town are against them and want them gone. Going from to feeling insecure for your 'childish' interests because of your parents, to becoming accepting of that part again, to now wanting to be killed for it by your town. Ain't that nice? Won't that gonna do wonders for this boy? :)

I actually predict they will take some inspiration next season from the hate crime scene in the music video. Perhaps The Hellfire Club/The Core Four/Mike will be attacked and Mike will be brought home/come home beaten.

In the actual music video, the boy's parents find out he's gay from that and they do not accept it.

However, in the show, I think it'll be focused on him being in Hellfire (since DND is a metaphor for gay love between Mike and Will). I imagine it'll be like, "Michael, why are you still associating with them? You know what would happen!" They'd get mad at him for essentially "walking right into it himself." This sets off conflict in the Wheeler Family this season. Mike finally snaps at them, telling them it was bound to happen anyway. He mentions the bullying he's already delt with his whole life. He sees his parents' sudden care in his life as BS and how it had to take the entire town to hate him for them to finally see him.

Another scene they could parallel within this one scene (or in another) could be Jack McPhee's coming out scene from Dawson's Creek, a show the Duffers loved growing up. We often see parallels to that show when it comes to the show's drama, primarily with the El-Mike-Will Love triangle to the Joey-Dawson-Jen Triangle. Mike is also heavily paralleled to Jack McPhee.

In the coming out scene, Jack tells his emotionally neglectful father (who is definitely worse than Ted) - "I was different. And as hard as you've tried to stamp it out and ignore it, I have tried harder than you to be quiet and to forget it and to not bother my family with my problem."

If this doesn't sum up what's going on then idk what does.

It's not that his parents hate him for what they know about him, but they also aren't supportive either. They ignore him. They ignore everything outside of their own little bubble. They close themselves from the truth of what's going on in the town. They close themselves from their kids. They push them to hide and stay quiet, but that's just not who Mike and Nancy are.

We also know we're into some Wheeler drama this season considering all the leaks with Karen/Holly(?)/Henry and the interview with Joe Chrest (Ted's Actor). So scenes like this aren't far off the table.

Mike is a character that is struggling overall with his place in the world and identity. He is struggling with his self worth, his sexual orientation, his relationships, accepting the interests that make him who he is. He is conforming to societal pressures (much similar to his parents) because he doesn't know where else to go. He is confused. He struggles with self-worth and severe insecurity. He does not feel needed unless he is actively doing someone of service to the point of sacrificing his life, much like a superhero, hence his fixation of them. Superheroes are people who are wanted, who are heard and seen - Something Mike feels he isn't.

He's growing up in a small and conservative town, internalizing the homophobia he witnesses, internalizing what he HAS to be and has to feel - He has to want girls (and yeah, believe it or not, homophobia still impacts queer people regardless who it's directed to. there's reason why we see mike's reaction over anyone else's). But he just can't, yet he still tries because otherwise that'd be falling off a "normal path." He has to get rid of his toys and grow up to keep on a "normal path." He has to conform because he fears what would happen if you don't. That's something he's unfamiliar with.

Mike needs to be finally seen by his family. His overall major struggle with conformity stems from there. It's what he needs emotionally, but it also makes sense narratively. It has to be from them. His whole arc along with them is to break free from their conformity, and it starts with the facing their truths as a family.

Mike won't end up making the choice the boy has to in the music video. In the end, he will have his family's support and acceptance. He will be able to be true to who he is. He will accept himself. He won't need to runway in fear. I do still believe he will leave Hawkins (with Will). It just won't be on a bad note!!

[kingly-court]

I’m legitimately gonna explode if I don’t find someone else who understand the background tragedy of the Gleeful Family in Gravity falls.

[beef-unknwn]

‼️HUMAN TORALEI ALERT‼️

She's brown british to me idc

"Hey, Deen. Full moon tonight. Hope you don't mind if I borrow your shirt"

[ducky-the-mucky]

DCxDP prompt

So AI can theoretically do anything better than humans, right? And a true AI has emotional intelligence. And also has a self-aware consciousness, capable of making decisions and planning for the future.

....

And so maybe Danny made an AI while living with the fruitloop to play games with because he was lonely and bored.

And then he runs away from Vlad after some time and ends up in a different universe but because of something he's now his ghost age and the AI is now a slightly flawed, very protective, True AI, and takes up the parental role because they've gotten attached and nobody is harming their sweet, loving, very traumatized, child.

Especially not the rich bat-person that's trying to adopt their son while he explores the city, because rich people have harmed this boy before and failed at loving him, so it is not possible that Bruce Wayne, vigilante or not, can love Danny more than they can.

But they can't just keep Danny away from Batman because Danny smiles around him. So the robotic parent has made a decision that if Batman gets too threatening (read: presses too much for info/tries to take Danny back with him) they will interfere and be as inconvenient to the furry as possible until he has to leave.

(Also, forgive any inaccuracy, I have never watched Danny Phantom but I've fallen in love with DCXDP)

[mattzerella-sticks]

We lost Madney wedding planning 😢 Henren bonding with Mara 😢😢 Bathena shenanigans with Harry (and May?) 😢😢😢 and Buck coming out to his loved ones 😢😢😢😢 by skipping to the wedding due to the shortened season.

This ain't just a fanfic gap it's a CANYON!

[brekitten]

The Therapist

There's a new therapist at school.

Normally this wouldn't really bother Peter at all, since he's never gone to see a shrink in his life and doesn't ever plan on it, but there's something... off about this woman.

She seems unassuming enough at first glance. Red hair, green eyes, bright red lipstick. But there is something in her eyes, something that Peter can only describe as a predator looking at its next prey, when she looks around the school at all of the teenagers milling about. Heck, even the way she walks makes her seem as if she is a predator stalking her prey.

It could always be some kind of power move, Peter reasons. He's met people like that before, who try to intimidate everyone around them into thinking that they are superior, that they are the apex predator and anyone who dares to cross them would pay for it dearly.

But his Spidey Sense went crazy around her.

He tries to brush it off as paranoia. He'd pulled an all-nighter last night in the lab with Tony because neither of them had been able to sleep, and he hadn't been sleeping well even before that. (Funny, how it had all started the night after he first bumped into the new therapist in the halls.) So his Spidey Sense is probably out of wack because he's tired. Simple as that.

But it seems like everyone in the school is depressed. Even Ned, who can't even muster up the energy and enthusiasm to talk about Legos or Star Wars or even the weather. It worries Peter.

Because it all started when that therapist came to the school.

He can't ignore it forever, he knows that. There is only so long his Spidey Sense can tell him that she is danger danger danger before he finally listens. He has to do something to help everyone.

So he researches.

And he falls into the rabbit hole of ghosts and ectoplasm and secret government organizations and the little, unassuming town of Amity Park, Illinois.

He doesn't sleep that night.

When he comes to school the next morning, Dr. Penelope Spectra looks him dead in the eyes, and smiles.

[u3pxx]

[gavin parents] and i hope you die, i hope we both die

[iamharryhale]

*During a barbecue at Bobby and Athena’s*

Hen: So Buck, what is your type of man?

Buck, helping Chris cut his steak: Dads. Primarily? Yep. Soccer dads. Single dads. First responder dads.

Buck: Any type of dads, really.

Bobby, behind the grill:

Athena, holding the plates:

Karen:

Hen:

Hen: It's disgusting…

Chris: Stay away from my dad, man.

Buck: Too late, buddy.

Eddie: