So we know that Helen is the mama bear kind of parent specially with Karen. What kind of parental figure does Gail play and how does she respond whenever one of the children are in physical/emotional danger?

elastigale:

Bob and Helen are both the type to escalate a situation when they’re feeling angry/defensive.  Gail is the opposite, her instinct is to pacify and de-escalate situations (which is part of why she makes such a good buffer between the other two!)

Of course, it depends on the situation.  If the kids were feeling emotionally hurt, Gail would want to find a quiet, distraction-free place to talk it out with them and find the root of the problem.  Maybe they’re being bullied, and she’d coach them on some ways to peacefully resolve the conflict. That’s not to say she’s not afraid of intervening personally if she feels that’s necessary- but rather than threaten a bully (or their parents) Gail would want to find out why the bully was causing an issue- maybe they themselves need help and aren’t getting it, and so are lashing out.

In a case of physical danger, Gail’s priority is to first protect, and then remove a victim from a dangerous situation.  Once they are safely out of harm’s way, she focuses on neutralizing the threat.  Even in serious fights, Gail isn’t the type to go into a blind rage or act vengefully.  Her focus is always on ending the fight was quickly as possible to prevent further collateral damage– even if that means running away.  Some might see it as cowardly, but she knows that the longer a fight drags on the higher the chance of losing- and especially if other people’s safety is in danger, she won’t risk it.