I mean this in the most positive way possible, I love the way you write Wylie talking to rude/manipulative adults as if he’s some tired Disneyland employee about to end his shift. Every single time. It’s amazing, I love it so much.
OMG TYSM <3 yes that was the primary goal i wanted him to just be the complete sum of an uninterested and unamused person
As someone who has had to deal with these kinds of adults, let me tell you. This is pretty much the only way you can behave that works.
I've had to deal with some situations like this, and kids in situations like this, and when confronting or dealing with these people in general, there are several things you can't do, and several things you don't want to do.
What not to do around angry/manipulative/possibly abusive adults:
Give them a disturbed or angry reaction.
They want that reaction. They want you to yell at them, attack them in some way, behave in some condemnable way. They'll turn their kid against you later, no matter how good your intentions were. Also, this makes them see that you'll fight them on their terms, their grounds. Don't give these people that level of power. Hell no. You cannot retaliate like what they want you to, no matter how hard they try to push your buttons. Moreover, anger and disgust give them fuel to burn against their kid. It's not a good time. Be as emotionless as possible, but mean business. Do not let them escalate the situation by trying to match their energy or pissy-ness.
2. Talk only to their kid.
This does not work. The main threat in this situation is the adult. And therefore, the only thing you can do is talk to the adult like they're your equal. You may think they're the scum of the earth(sometimes they are). You may be this kid's confidant, and you may know all the shit this person has done to them. But this kid isn't the focal point of the situation. You have to deal with this person like they are your equal, and if that means primarily talking to them, that means primarily talking to them.
3. Ignore the kid.
If you're dealing with the adult, it's easy to forget that their victim is right next to you. But they usually are. You need to do what you have to do, and focus primarily on the adult, but make sure the kid doesn't think they're alone. That kid is embarrassed to high heaven, and they want this situation to stop. They want you to look away, pretend this isn't happening. Admittedly, you can't, but the kid wants nothing more than to disappear. The child is being manipulated, or treated poorly to a level that you need to step in. But, this means there's a fully grown adult capable of hurting someone smaller than them in front of you. You need to keep 90% of your focus on the threat that is the adult. But that kid is in danger and you add to the danger. So don't ignore the kid, but don't brush past the threat to address them.
If you combine all of this together, basically. You get.
tired Disneyland employee about to end his shift.
This is, in my non-sociologist, non-social worker, non-psychologist, lived-experience only, non-credible opinion, the best way to deal with sucky adults.
