His relationship with his children is complex. Although he dotes on his lying, manipulative, promiscuous daughter, Laurie (with whom, tellingly, Kitty has a strained and contentious relationship) until season 2 when he finds out she's living with a man in Chicago, he points out Eric's perceived flaws and faults mercilessly, often calling him “dumbass”. The two clash in most episodes with Eric teasing his father, or "poking the bear". Red frequently threatens to "put my foot up your ass" to Eric but is never seen physically disciplining his son (In the series finale, he admits that the only time he ever literally did it was during his service in Iwo Jima), usually punishing him with chores, fines, and, once, by imposing a strict curfew, which leads to windows being nailed shut, bed checks, etc. until Kitty calls an end to it. Eric usually views these paternal idiosyncrasies in a humorous light, even lampooning them, but sometimes seems to be holding in his own anger and doing a slow burn.