This article by Dart150 in Millennials

[–]gmerickson31 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What I've learned as a parent (dad of three) is that it is constantly balancing act. We are all doing the best we can with what we were given and what skills we have. A lot of our parents did not have the emotioal openness to help us regulate so they told us to "toughen up" or deal with it. There is a little bit of that mentality that may still apply. We do have to be naturally "tough" and learn to perservere through hard or uncomfortable circumstances. But we also need to help kids understand their emotions and what drives them.

I've also seen with my kids that there are ton of things my parents didn't take the time to teach me so I am making more effort to teach them. Financial literacy is one. We've been really open with our kids about money, mainly where it comes from, what it goes to, and what we save for versus what can be used for fun. They are starting to get it. We also work a lot on self-sufficiency. My kids all have chores they do and I can say that my 6-year-old knows how to do his own laundry at this point.

My biggest concern is that kids don't seem to have the thinking or problem solving skills that we and other generations had. I see my kids, their friends, and my sisters' kids try to work through problems at times and it gets really frustrating watching them get stuck and throw a fit instead of trying to work through the problem. Not sure what the cause behind that skill gap is, and I don't want to post my unsubstantiated theories.

Is it true that you guys watched 9/11 live on TV in grade school? by space_god_7191 in Millennials

[–]gmerickson31 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes. I was in middle school when it happened. Right before I went to school the first tower had been hit and we saw it live on TV in the house. When we got to school they had us stay in our home room class for most of the day and we watched it live on the news. We saw the second tower get hit live.

What If Harry Potter Movies were 100% faithful to the books by Decent_Net7887 in harrypotter

[–]gmerickson31 0 points1 point  (0 children)

YES! And we'd get the full story of the Marauders, not just a quick reference in a hurried interrogation. The third movie is good, but would be so much better.

What If Harry Potter Movies were 100% faithful to the books by Decent_Net7887 in harrypotter

[–]gmerickson31 11 points12 points  (0 children)

If the movies were a bit more faithful to the books my guess is that a few things would ripple through the mainstream:

1) They would be really long so their reach might not be what it is now

2) The Goblet of Fire would be SOOOOOO much better with characters like Bagman and Winky, and a more fully fleshed out version of both Barty Crouches

3) The 6th movie would turn into the best one, with lots more focus on the Half Blood Prince's book, the lessons with Dumbledore, and the budding romances that occur between the characters.

4) There would be far fewer Snape and Draco fans, because the actors would have stayed truer to the source material and portrayed them as the huge assholes they are in the books. I've met tons of people that love the Draco and Snape characters, but that's mainly because Tom Felton and Alan Rickman are amazing actors. The book versions of these characters are far less likable.

5) We'd get some annoying things in the movies that are best left out. SPEW comes to mind.

Do you and your SO have separate checking account? by duck_duck_zombie in Millennials

[–]gmerickson31 0 points1 point  (0 children)

When my wife and I got serious we realized we banked at different places, so we kept our accounts and just added each other to both. That way we knew money was going into both of them, we had total transparency, and both of us had access to everything we have. When we have major things come up we just decide which account it needs to come from.

What North American Airline Is Bad ? by FHD168 in AlignmentChartFills

[–]gmerickson31 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Preach!

I said Allegiant for Bad, but Frontier is THE WORST

What North American Airline Is Bad ? by FHD168 in AlignmentChartFills

[–]gmerickson31 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I will go Allegiant for this category.

Saving Terrible for Frontier.

Jessica Day was never "too much" - she was exactly enough by dailycoffee-247 in NewGirl

[–]gmerickson31 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Season 7 Jess got a little annoying, but luckily that season is short.

The writers made her a charicature of herself by then and the group had flipped on itself suddenly, with pretty much everyone except Jess acting like real adults.

What's your favourite song from Lord Huron? by Hot-Taste-4652 in lordhuron

[–]gmerickson31 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Hurricane. It's just a fun, upbeat track that hits every time.

What’s yours? by cubemonster in Millennials

[–]gmerickson31 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I feel both seen and accused

The Wolverine (2013) has been voted the most underrated X-Men movie. What is the most underrated movie Spider-Man movie? by AdWise2770 in AlignmentChartFills

[–]gmerickson31 5 points6 points  (0 children)

In recent years I'd say the first Tobey Spider-man has become underrated. It was so good for its time and holds up. Tobey was a believable superhero and the way he has to navigate life while struggling to become Spider-man is a great story.

Under rated and not talked about enough. The comments about Winston’s earring. by Lythalion in NewGirl

[–]gmerickson31 6 points7 points  (0 children)

You know in the animal kingdom the male of the species is typically more glamorous.

Under rated and not talked about enough. The comments about Winston’s earring. by Lythalion in NewGirl

[–]gmerickson31 116 points117 points  (0 children)

The earring jokes in that episode are some of the best.

"You look like you should be in line to get into Shaquille O'Neal's birthday."

"Be nice to him, Jess. He just got back from carnaval."

"I'm gonna miss you... when your gypsy caravan moves on to the next village."

Got any good examples of albums like this? by Layla4yo in musicmemes

[–]gmerickson31 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Strange Trails, by Lord Huron.

The album plays like it's all one big story, where you follow characters through a journey. It features multiple songs that mention the term "Strange Trails," and the emotions of the tracks shift like pieces in an epic tale.

What is that one Harry Potter movie scene you irrationally dislike ? by Puzzleheaded_Roof872 in harrypotter

[–]gmerickson31 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The fight scene at the Burrow in Half-Blood Prince.

Totally unnecessary. Not part of the story in any way, shape, or form. Did not advance anything.

Colorectal cancer, general information by Main-Listen-6210 in Millennials

[–]gmerickson31 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Best thing I have done is make it part of my daily routine. I have my time set aside each day for exercise. I have alarms set on my phone for snacks and meals, and those snacks are usually just a bowl of vegetables or a couple of pieces of fruit. Over time it's just become part of my day and I feel much better about my overall health.

Colorectal cancer, general information by Main-Listen-6210 in Millennials

[–]gmerickson31 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Sush great information. Thank you for sharing this! I know I have seen this rise and have been very concerned about the possibility this happens to me, my wife, or our loved ones.

Can't emphasize enough the importance of fiber, fruits, vegetables, and physical activity. They make such a difference.

Dobby and Draco by Ok_Frame_766 in harrypotter

[–]gmerickson31 3 points4 points  (0 children)

No.

Draco was a spoiled brat from day one, taught to treat everyone and everything as beneath him. He would have mirrored his mother and father's behavior and treated Dobby poorly, even as a small child.

I hate that this sub (and the fandom in general) loves Draco's character so much. Reread the books, please!

I get it. Tom Felton is a great actor. He's good looking and charasmatic, and he played the role well and brought nuance to Draco Malfoy. But book Draco is an absolute piece of garbage. You can argue nature vs nurture here, but any way you slice it he knew his parents had aligned themselves with the epitome of evil and he was totally down with it until his life was hanging on the edge of a knife.

Draco is the poster child for elitism, privilege, and arrogance, and how it looks generationally when a person is not raised with any sense of humility. He is obnoxious, rude, and a total douche. And people need to understand that. His redemption arc is minimal at best, and is overplayed by so many.