That's a good point, I supose. But, they needed a major conflict at some point. Something to show them that they were actually married and what they meant to each other at that time.

And, true, they probably should have had a more mature conversation. But Rodney was rather upset over his kid being scared like that, John was probably upset that he'd scared his kid and pissed off Rodney. And both of them are strong willed people, and can be stubborn. So it's not unbelievable that it'd take them a bit to sort it all out. But, they do, and it doesn't take that long.