The View May 12th: Hot Topics and the cast of Passing Strange
Today on The View was another “day of hot topics,” except for the part at the end of the show where the Broadway cast of Passing Strange appeared on the show. It is the first of several upcoming performances from the casts of current Broadway shows. There is no Barbara Walters this week on the show because she is traveling around the country on her book tour for Audition. Hopefully that means that they will go the whole week without mentioning the book. (I can dream, right?)
Elisabeth Hasselbeck said that her Mother’s Day was “good,” not sounding too enthusiastic. She said that she was disappointed that the bubbles she took to the park were not as good as another mom’s bubble machine, saying she was “out-bubbled.” Sherri Shepherd did not get to spend the day with Jeffrey, but she talked to him on the phone. Joy Behar spent the day looking for knobs for her cabinet. She didn’t want to look on-line, because she likes to “grab the knobs.” They then made several jokes about “knobs,” including biting and licking knobs. Whoopi went out to dinner with her “better half.”
The children of the mother who started Mother’s Day say that she would be upset with how commercial it has turned out. She thought you should write a personal letter rather than a card. Elisabeth likes the structure of having a day for moms. Sherri was supposed to buy flowers for the aunts from her and her sisters, but she forgot. Whoopi thinks that the woman who invited the holiday would be happy because people are doing something nice for their mom. Joy doesn’t understand why other people wish her Happy Mother’s Day and it should just be her daughter doing so. Joy also thinks that it is “odd” that the father needs to buy the mom jewelry on Mother’s Day because they gave birth. Sherri said that giving birth is hard, so the man should appreciate the fact and give a bracelet or something. Elisabeth said it is a “push present.”
The Duggar family is going to have their 18th child. They are going to continue having more children as long as she keeps getting pregnant. Elisabeth said that they are a really loving family and the mom is so organized. Joy said that her uterus must have graffiti on it at this point. Sherri said that they aren’t hurting anybody by having that many children. Whoopi said that 18 children seems too much.
The next topic was Hillary Clinton’s comments, quoting an AP article, about how more white hard-working people who have not graduated college are not supporting Barack Obama. People have criticized her as being racist. Whoopi said that she is just saying what all the media have been saying it. Joy said that she should have risen above it and not brought race into it. She said that it isn’t racist, but brings race into the conversation. Elisabeth said that race is already in the conversation. Joy pointed out that Obama doesn’t talk about Black people voting for him and leaves the race issue out of it. Whoopi said that the media is making much ado about nothing, which Elisabeth agreed with. Elisabeth worries there will be a “racist witch hunt” and Clinton was simply answering the question that was asked of her.
Whoopi said that Hillary won’t quit the race until it is over. She said that it is like football and the team who is down three touchdowns wouldn’t walk out until the game is over. Joy said that you shouldn’t play dirty during the game, because it will come back to bite you in the butt during the general election. Joy said that she always liked Whoopi, meaning Hillary, and added that she keeps saying “Whoopi” when she means other names.
They showed photos of Jenna Bush who got married over the weekend at the Crawford ranch. The pastor who married them is a Barack Obama supporter. She will be changing her last name. Joy wondered if she spent her stimulus check money on the dress. Joy said that people call her BBB, which means Brooklyn Bush Basher and that she gets in a Bush dig whenever she can.
The cases of measles are on the rise because parents are not vaccinating their children because of fears of autism. Joy said that 1 in 150 boys is diagnosed with autism, saying it is an epidemic. Elisabeth said that she thought it was 1 in 4. Sherri said it might be that they are vaccinating with many things at once, not just measles. Elisabeth said that you are stuck as a parent because the need to be vaccinated to go to school and you want to protect them from diseases. Sherri was afraid when Jeffrey got shots and watched him to see if there were any changes. Elisabeth said that you want to trust that the vaccines will help your child and not hurt them. Sherri said that she remembers getting shots in school and then they gave them a cube of sugar. Joy joked that is why she is diabetic.
Whoopi said that now people try to protect their children from anything. Joy said that they never used to have children wear a helmet on a tricycle. Sherri admitted to having a “leash” for Jeffrey. Whoopi said that you need to hold their hand and not let them run off, you don’t need a leash.
David Archuletta’s father has been banned from American Idol because he is too much of a “stage dad.” Sherri has worked with children on sitcoms whose parents are crazy and tell the director what to do. She thinks they want to be stars themselves. Whoopi said that maybe the father, who is a musician, knows what is right for his son’s singing. Joy said that the father should be there to protect his child, but not manipulate the show.
On 60 Minutes last night, Alec Baldwin accused Morely Safer of being judgmental of him about the phone call he made to his daughter last year. Joy joked that he will now be accused of elder abuse. She added that Baldwin has apologized and he is sorry, so what else is he supposed to do? Elisabeth said that the interview reminded her of the principal’s office. Whoopi said that she has cussed her child out in the past and sometimes you do step over the line, but it should be handled privately. Elisabeth said that people can’t move on because it remains on the internet. Joy said that fear of being photographed or taped allows her to be reclusive and stay home. Elisabeth wanted to film a couple making out at the park because she was disgusted by it when her daughter was on the swings nearby.
Whoopi sent out congratulations to a 78-year-old blind man who bowled a perfect game.
The cast of Broadway musical Passing Strange appeared on the show and performed a medley of songs from the show. Whoopi loves the show and said that she loves all the different accents that the different characters have during the show. Whoopi said that the show is her story, too, in addition to the story of the writer, Stew, because they have had similar travels.
The View, Barbara Walters, Whoopi Goldberg, Sherri Shepherd, Joy Behar, Elisabeth Hasselbeck, Passing Strange, Duggar family, Mother’s Day, David Archuletta, Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, Jenna Buch, American Idol
May 12th, 2008 at 10:55 am
RECAP: Elisabeth said that she thought it was 1 in 4(boys with autism)
RESPONSE: I think EH needs to go back to math class, and/or think before she talks. That would make autism more prevalent than being left-handed. I don’t think so. I don’t think 1/4 kids has autism, much less 1/4 boys.
May 12th, 2008 at 11:25 am
Todays show was really boring
May 12th, 2008 at 11:32 am
The person that whispers tid bits in EH’s ear must have been out sick today. 1 in 4 she should have known that was way off!
Winnie- thanks for the recap’s and when can we expect another podcast? I love them
May 12th, 2008 at 11:33 am
misslingdow: I think I am going to do them every other week, so look for one at the end of this week (hopefully)
May 12th, 2008 at 1:29 pm
I got to see the show today, at least most of it, and enjoyed it.
I enjoy wishing mothers Happy Mother’s Day. Every day is a new and different experience in a mother’s world. One of the most stressful, yet at the same time, rewarding, experiences to have in life. At least that’s my opinion.
Push present??
The Duggar family, If they want, and can afford, care for and love, 18 children, all the power to them.
I didn’t have a problem with Senator Clinton’s comment. I didn’t think it was a racist comment, and i didn’t necessarily think it brought race into the campaign. “Race” has been in the campaign since the beginning, as Whoopi and Elisabeth both related to. I think the media is making it a lot more of an issue than it is.(race).
Vaccinations. It is getting to be a dilemma for parents. No parent wants their children to get a serious ailment. Vaccines are mandatory for school, and day care.
Autism is on the rise since the 1980’s, and I know i am very leery of the vaccines any more, since there is some doubt about the link between vaccines & Autism.
I checked out of curiosity. There is 1 to 2 cases of Autism per 1000, and about 6 cases of ASD per 1000. (ASD= Autism spectrum disorder; milder forms of Autism). More popular in males. (Wikipedia, if it is correct).
Alec Baldwin,..I don’t know. I know that I have lashed out at my children before, and I wouldn’t have wanted it made public.
I sure didn’t enjoy hearing how he spoke to his daughter.
nothing is private any more.
My congratulations as well to the 78 year old blind man who shot a perfect game. WOW!!!
I enjoyed Passing Strange.
May 12th, 2008 at 1:47 pm
PRIOR POST: Autism is on the rise since the 1980’s, and I know i am very leery of the vaccines any more, since there is some doubt about the link between vaccines & Autism.
RESPONSE: There is concern among the public, but not so much among doctors. Children come down with all kinds of lousy things in the first few years. Some of those will happen right after getting a vaccination. I remember a neighbor pediatrician who didn’t give a child a vaccine because of a very mild and routine temperature. That night hte child had a seizure. If he’s given her the vaccine, it’s likely the vaccine would have been blamed.
We know that some vaccines (live vaccines) have some danger. We know that certain additives are problematic - and the one associated iwth autism has been removed, so it can’t be causing current cases of autism. Almost anything in medicine that can help you can hurt someone. It’s a cost-benefit analysis.
Secondly, one reason autism is seemingly more prevalent today is becuase we have expanded the definition of autism. By today’s standards, the following people would likely be diagnosed as HFA: Albert Einstein, Thomas Edison, Vincent Van Gogh, Daryl Hannah Vernon Smith (nobel laureate) Temple Grandin (professor in Colorado & designer of humane food animal handling systems) Bill Gates, and lots of engineers.
THis doesn’t mean autism isn’t a concern, but it is important to realize when making the cost-benefit analysis as to whether to give a vaccine that not all people with autism fail to have lives an independent, competent adults.
Further, when it comes to vaccines, there is such a thing as “herd immunity.” When most people got a particular vaccine, the disease was not allowed to flourish in the population, so the chance of getting the disease was small. As fewer people are immunized, the more the disease can flourish - which is what is happening with measles and whooping cough. BAsically, those who chose not to have the vaccine were riding the coattails of those who did get the vaccine until there were enough without hte vaccine that hte disease started to spread. There are cases in which I find this acceptable (it’s a risk-benefit analysis and not everyone has the same risk or benefit), so I’m not criticizing anyone in particular. But it is an important factor when considering both the individual decision and the public health policy.
May 12th, 2008 at 2:45 pm
winnie: YEA I CAN POST!
@stephanie: I agree. Very boring. Usually the HT day is on tuesday. I wonder who cancelled 2day?
Does anyone else see the lack of guests as a sign of the end? No 1 wants 2 b on TV.
- Michelle Obama cancelled(but that was due to writer’s strike);
- Barry Manilow cancelled
Eh’s jumps all over adulterers but then praises BW’s book, when BW did that exact thing!
May 12th, 2008 at 2:56 pm
@sandy: If they can afford them is the question. We know that jim has a state pension since he was an Arkansas house of representative. Are they also on welfare?
-They claim their house & kids as a church so they get a tax exemption.
-The mansion they live in with its 4 washers & dryers and industrial kitchen was given/donated in exchange 4 free publicity.
-They get free trips to go sledding, skiing, disney world/land etc in xchange 4 a tv show.
I made myself sit thru 1 of their shows & after watching I think they’re having kids for the fame. Michelle stated she only breastfeeds for 1 month bc she wants to start her cycle again …so she just have birth & is already planning for her next kid. To me that doesnt sound like god, that sounds like a planned pregnancy.
Second, the kids raise 1 another. I dont mean help out, I mean raise! They have a buddy & the older kid is responsible 2 awake,feed, clothe, teach, tutor, bathe, the younger kid. To me that isnt fair.
I also dont like how they’re restricted, & I dont mean no tv. The girls cannot cut their hair, wear makeup, do “man things”. Michelle went 2 public school, she was a cheerleader, she went 2 prom, she cut her hair…I wonder when they turn 21 if any will leave & right a book?
Autism: I think the shots shouldnt be given as cocktails. Parents can say no. They dont have 2 have MMR all together. Also parents CAN get religious waiver so u dont have 2 immunise.
May 12th, 2008 at 3:08 pm
#6: Lajet Says: May 12th, 2008 at 1:47 pm
“…Secondly, one reason autism is seemingly more prevalent today is becuase we have expanded the definition of autism. By today’s standards, the following people would likely be diagnosed as HFA: Albert Einstein, Thomas Edison, Vincent Van Gogh, Daryl Hannah Vernon Smith (nobel laureate) Temple Grandin (professor in Colorado & designer of humane food animal handling systems) Bill Gates, and lots of engineers.
….
@lajet: where did u read that? I dont think that is true. Today MORE is known so they wouldnt be called autistic. For ex, Daryl Hannah had stage fright & agoraphobia. Today more is known on stag fright so she would be diagnosed correctly.
May 12th, 2008 at 4:33 pm
PRIOR POST: @lajet: where did u read that? I dont think that is true. Today MORE is known so they wouldnt be called autistic. For ex, Daryl Hannah had stage fright & agoraphobia. Today more is known on stag fright so she would be diagnosed correctly.
RESPONSE: don’t know anymore. - well, what part don’t you think is true? Most of those people identified were not labeled as children. It is in light of current knowledge that many people have gone back and suggested those named were HFA. Also, they are more likely to be labeled HFA today, rather than less likely. HFA really started being recognized in the early 90’s (more or less).
-Having stage fright & agoraphobia doesn’t rule out HFA. In fact, I suspect it’s higher among them, but that’s just me conjecturing. I know OCD is more prevalent among HFA (and engineers - it actually helps them be good at what they do).
May 12th, 2008 at 5:55 pm
“The Duggar family, If they want, and can afford, care for and love, 18 children, all the power to them.”
I agree. However, in the case of the Duggers, they can’t. I have watched several of the specials about them, and I have serious issues with the way they are “raising” their children. Not only do the older children completely raise the younger children as a previous poster mentioned, the girls are doing all of the housework, laundry, and cooking and the boys are doing all the outside jobs. I’m a big of fan of teaching children responsibility, and giving them small jobs to do around the house, but I think expecting 2 young girls to do 200 loads of laundry a month is too big of a job. Or expecting them to do all of the cooking for a family of 20. And I definitely think it’s too much for a child to be expected to give up their childhood to completely raise another child - not to mention I’m not sure an older child is really emotionally equipped to raise another child.
Sorry for the rant, but this family drives me up the wall.
May 12th, 2008 at 7:24 pm
“Every day is a new and different experience in a mother’s world. One of the most stressful, yet at the same time, rewarding, experiences to have in life. At least that’s my opinion.”
So true.
May 12th, 2008 at 7:31 pm
#8 & #11, liikunta & Sarah,
Interesting information.
I have to admit that I don’t know a lot about this family. Just have read a few articles, and seen them on TV a time or two. However never have watched a special speciffically about them.
May 12th, 2008 at 7:41 pm
On the CBS evening news tonight there was a very prominent physician (I can not remember her name) who feels that there just may be a link between vaccines and Autism. She feels it may be a certain group or population, and thinks there needs to be a lot more research in this area.
May 12th, 2008 at 8:41 pm
Lilkunta, I dont necessarily agree with you on how the children are being raised. When I was growing up, we also had a buddy system of a family of 5. We did all the chores and later most of the cooking. We played outside all day and only came home for dinner. Todays kids dont have any responsibilities, work ethic, accountability etc. These children are probaly will be more well rounded than others. They will emerge into this world with work ethics appreciation for humanity as well will be free of superficial perceptions of themselves. Legally when they turn 18 they can make their own choices if they choose to move out.
Many times we discuss the debate of woman having rights over her body. (which usually gets heated here) Under certain circumstances and timing i support woman having rights over her body. I also support woman having the right to having as many children as the couple can support and love. It appears they are doing just that. The children looked healthy, beautiful, innocent and happy and more power to the people who seem to do it right with 18 and others cant do their single child justice
May 12th, 2008 at 11:01 pm
“The children looked healthy, beautiful, innocent and happy and more power to the people who seem to do it right with 18 and others cant do their single child justice”
A child looking healthy means nothing. There are plenty of children who look healthy who are still being raised badly. And they certainly don’t seem happy to me. They announced the pregnancy to the kids on the Today show and most of the children did not look happy at all. But then I wouldn’t look happy either if my mother was producing another child I had to raise. They mentioned on the Today show also that the mother schedules in one-on-one time with theh children, but it doesn’t happen every day, it happens once every 17 days (I guess it’ll be 18 days now).
And I certainly do admire people who can raise children well. But I don’t think the Duggers are even raising their children. The mother nurses for 5 months and then hands the child over to a “buddy” to be completely raised by them. That is not raising a child. That is giving birth to a child - there’s a huge difference between giving birth to a child and truly being a mother.
May 13th, 2008 at 7:32 am
PRIOR POST: On the CBS evening news tonight there was a very prominent physician (I can not remember her name) who feels that there just may be a link between vaccines and Autism. She feels it may be a certain group or population, and thinks there needs to be a lot more research in this area.
RESPONSE: I spoke too harshly and rigidly above. I have seen that too. I didn’t see enough to know what was behind it. I do know the purported link between autism one some specific element is no longer valid because that element has been taken out of vaccinations. And yet people (e.g. Jenny McCarthy) still cites it as a reason to consider not getting vaccinated. I should have moderated my statements to say that from my experience, most doctors don’t have much dispute whether vaccinations are worth the risk for most people. I do know pediatricians who, when there is a particular family history, or particular medical reason, are more conservative in recommending various vaccinations for specific patients.
HOwever, I think the fear of autism is overblown. I imagine that sound harsh to some. I do have an understanding of what it is like to live with autism. I also feared autism from the day we started thinking about having a baby. It can be heartbreaking. I also fear whooping cough and many other illnesses. I think the current evidence for the link between autism and vaccinations is not sufficient for most people to risk the diseases the vaccinations are designed to avoid/eliminate - and I also think there is both a personal and public health policy to be considered. One person not having a vaccination doesn’t mean much to public health. But a critical mass (which is still a distinct minority) of people without vaccinations allows diseases to start flourishing and puts everyone at risk - and that has started to happen.
I apologize for overstating my original statement.
May 13th, 2008 at 12:14 pm
#17 Lajet,
Just so that you know Lajet, I did not make that comment # 14, to disagree with you. I actually agree with what you had to say.
I just happened to hear the evening news and that was one of the stories. (last night). I just thought it was interesting, and thought I’d let others know, who might have some genuine concerns about getting their children vaccinated, for some reason or another.
I am for a whole lot more research being done in this area. Basically that is what this Dr. was promoting.
May 13th, 2008 at 12:36 pm
I really don’t know that much about this Duggar family. So not really relating to them;
I understand exactly what Aileen was saying. There is six siblings in my family, of which i am the oldest. I too agree that children had more responsibilities back when families were larger. I had household chores, we all did. My youngest sister was born when I was a young teen. My mother worked part time in the evening. i had to take care of my younger brothers and sisters VERY often. It was just expected, and there was no pay, or allowances.
Yes some times when i was a teen I got upset that i had to do this instead of doing things with my friends.
However when I got older, I felt totally different. I wouldn’t have had my life be any other way. I learned a lot about responsibility.
The only thing is, I still feel responsible for the younger ones. Some times that causes me stress because I worry about them more than I do myself.
May 13th, 2008 at 2:59 pm
“However when I got older, I felt totally different. I wouldn’t have had my life be any other way. I learned a lot about responsibility.”
I’m a big fan of teaching children responsiblity, and I agree that a lot of children today aren’t taught any. For me, I think it’s a matter of degrees. I see nothing wrong with making children clean up their own messes (clean up their own laundry and sort it into piles, clean their rooms, pick up their toys, clear their dishes after eating), and I think kids should have SOME jobs around the house (setting the table, clearing it off, helping with some aspects of housework). I think those things are good for kids. I just have a problem with the Duggers making the children do every bit of the household work (all the laundry which amounts to 200 loads a month, all the cooking, the cleaning, all the yard work, etc). And they are FULLY responsible for their siblings (feeding, diaper changing, bathing, helping with homework, etc). Again, I don’t see anything wrong with children being expected to occasionally help out by keeping an eye on their siblings some of the time, but I do think it’s wrong of the Duggers to make their children take on so much of the household responsibilities. I guess what bothers me the most about it is that the parents just keep having one child after the other when they have the easiest end of the deal. I think they need to take into consideration more the people who are being forced to do all the work to keep the family running: the children.
I think that it’s extermely important for there to be a balance. Children need (and I think they deserve) to have time where they aren’t responsible for another human being, I think they need downtime to play and be creative and explore interests outside of household management and baby care.
May 13th, 2008 at 3:40 pm
Sarah,
I agree with you 100 percent.
May 13th, 2008 at 3:42 pm
No the Duggars are not on welfare and they are debt free which is more than I can say for most americans with only 1 and 2 kids..
People are really jealous that this remarkable woman is able to manage this family sucessully unlike most parents.. Go Duggars..You are doing a remarkable job and should teach a class to the rest of america. I bent none of their kids are on drugs, making bombs and shooting up schools.
May 13th, 2008 at 3:52 pm
“People are really jealous that this remarkable woman is able to manage this family sucessully unlike most parents.”
I don’t know why anyone would be jealous of someone having 18 kids. I think Sarah made some great points and she explained them very well.
May 13th, 2008 at 4:19 pm
“People are really jealous that this remarkable woman is able to manage this family sucessully unlike most parents.. Go Duggars..”
I believe I’ve already explained in my previous post that this woman isn’t managing her family, her children are. If others want to be in awe of her then go right ahead. But some of us are not in awe of a person who does nothing more than give birth to children and then hand them off to others to do all of the work. I guess there might be some people who are jealous of how easy Michelle has it, she’s the one in the house that does the least amount of work (along with her husband). But I’m not jealous of her life, because I enjoy mothering. I love spending time with my children and really getting to know who they are as people, and getting to experience all those important little moments that are so fleeting, and getting to see their personalities unfold. I wouldn’t give that up just to have a smaller workload as Michelle as done. There is a part of me that feels kind of sad for Michelle that she is missing out on all those wonderful moments because her children are the ones doing all the mothering. But mostly I’m just feel sad for her children.
“You are doing a remarkable job and should teach a class to the rest of america. I bent none of their kids are on drugs, making bombs and shooting up schools.”
I’m going to quote my mother on this one “the proof is in the pudding, and their pudding isn’t set yet.” If I’m not mistaken only one or 2 of the Dugger children has made it to adulthood yet, and the oldest two are still in the very early stages of adulthood. So I think it’s a tad bit too early to be making huge pronouncements about how the kids have turned out. I don’t think it’s going to be clear how the children have turned out until at least another 10 or 20 years have passed. And I’m not sure where you’re getting the “rest of America” stuff from. Some people in this country have children who are on drugs and out of control, and the numbers may be rising, but there are still plenty of people left who are managing to turn out responsible, loving, productive members of society.
May 13th, 2008 at 5:08 pm
PRIOR POST: “the proof is in the pudding, and their pudding isn’t set yet.”
RESPONSE: I have a lot of questions about 18 kids, but I want to respond to the part about predicting whether they will be screwed up or not. I know very nice families who gave of their time and resources to the kids, loved and adored the kids, with garden-variety faults, whose kids ended up on drugs, or in trouble with the law, or lazy, or whatever. It happens to good parents. I also know lousy parents whose kids defy the predictions and grow up to be competent, productive adults. Happens all the time.
We can predict some effects of parenting such as to provide community health and parenting support. But we can’t predict very well at all exactly what each/all kids need to stay on teh straight and narrow (or at least not veer too far and destructively.) People are just more complicated than that.
May 13th, 2008 at 5:26 pm
Lajet: I agree. I had a happy, stable, love-filled childhood, and one of my siblings still grew up to have major problems. I know it’s always possible for a person to be a lousy parent and have children who pull themselves up anyway and turn out to be great people. And there are people who are great parents and still have a child who is deeply troubled. However, I do think parenting has a large part to do with it (not all). I tend to look at the whole family before blaming the parents. For instance, we had neighbors growing up who had 4 children and every single one of them was in jail and rehab before even graduating from high school - and after spending 10 minutes with the parents it became quite clear that they were largely at fault for the problem.
I’ve never believed that it’s ALL about the parents. However, my point was that the other poster was implying that the Duggers turned out better than most of America, and that it was due to the mother’s superior method of raising the children, and that she should teach the rest of us how to properly parent. I was merely pointing out that they are not adults yet. We don’t know how they have turned out. I believe it was the poster I was responding to who was implying that it’s all about how kids are parented.
May 13th, 2008 at 6:35 pm
PRIOR POST: I was merely pointing out that they are not adults yet. We don’t know how they have turned out. I believe it was the poster I was responding to who was implying that it’s all about how kids are parented.
RESPONSE: Sarah, I agree with you. I probably should have copied-and-paste from an earlier post on the issue of predicting the outcomes for the children. As you stated, we do know, from community health and parenting support perspective, that some things tend to be good or bad things to do (for most kids), and we can’t predict individual results with great accuracy. I think I was trying to stretch what you said to even when they become adults, we won’t necessarily KNOW. However, you make a good point that if there are a significant number with problems, then perhaps there was a problem with the number of children and/or parenting style (with 18 kids, there’s a big enough sample size). And like you said, that is MANY years off.
May 13th, 2008 at 7:02 pm
“I think I was trying to stretch what you said to even when they become adults, we won’t necessarily KNOW.”
Lajet: That’s an excellent point. I think sometimes people’s definitions of someone “turning out well” can be quit narrow, and is usually limited only to what we can see on the surface. When in reality there are people who appear to be very stable on the outside, who are falling apart behind closed doors.
May 13th, 2008 at 8:12 pm
3 20 Sarah
I think that it’s extremely important for there to be a balance. Children need (and I think they deserve) to have time where they aren’t responsible for another human being, I think they need downtime to play and be creative and explore interests outside of household management and baby care.
I absolutely agree. I don’t see how anyone could disagree with this.
You and Lajet have made some great points, that i agree wholeheartedly with
# 21 rainlille, thanks
May 13th, 2008 at 8:20 pm
# 29,
# 21 rainlille, sorry my mistake I thought # 21 was to me, I re-read and saw it was Sarah.
No matter I agree with her too.
May 13th, 2008 at 8:50 pm
I still stand that the family is not doing anything illegal and is sheltering their family from the monetary and a superficial life our children are leading today. My daughter who was my first I raised pretty much like that family. She had alot of responsibilities due me having to work since her father was not so reliable. I also had help from my mom and sis and thank god. I did feel I put too much responsibility on my daughter and did feel guilty but she was rewarded in other ways. She had her face down in books, friends and mostly her outings where study groups and sports that she preferred instead of other activities. Out of all my children, she is the most responsible and has no regrets. Her brothers who are slackers..
because I got divorced and their life changed, never appreciated the work ethic, the responsibilities etc. My oldest son who is 23 today, regrets he didnt get what my daughter had to do. He has alot of regrets on how he took advantage of life and his future. I couldnt follow things through being a single parent and I feel the boys now suffer for it. They do need the lock down, the responsibilities, the accountability. My daughter and I are so close and she appreciates all that was provided and the responsibilities she had taken on because now she is a responsible mother of 2, college graduate and a serious responsible person. I am very proud of her and she is of herself. She just called me tonight again to tell me that all my hard work paid off and she would not change a thing. She is getting promotions by the month and serious recognizition at work. She helped me to raise the youngest two and did alot of housework. It didnt kill her or change her life for the worse. What she does have (which i love) is a serious commitment to family which we dont see today. She drive across two counties to help her brothers out and provide what I still cant since I work and her brothers are a better uncle to her children than most are. Peeps.. serious commitment and binds to family are the best values you can ever give your children. THey make better husbands and wives. Its the only thing I want for them.
May 13th, 2008 at 11:17 pm
I love how it is accepted that anyone can be a teacher. If that was so, you wouldn’t have to get a degree and license to teach.
May 14th, 2008 at 12:12 pm
“She had alot of responsibilities due me having to work since her father was not so reliable. I also had help from my mom and sis and thank god. I did feel I put too much responsibility on my daughter and did feel guilty but she was rewarded in other ways. She had her face down in books, friends and mostly her outings where study groups and sports that she preferred instead of other activities.”
Aileeny: From your description of your daughter’s childhood it sounds like she had a lot more freedom than the Dugger children have. I hope you don’t feel like I was attacking the way you raised your child - because I think there’s a huge difference between someone who does that out of necessity and someone who willingly continues to have 18 kids with the plan in mind that the kids will do all the work. I think the fact that you tried to reward her in other ways is the difference between you and the Duggers. You acknowledged that your child needed to have other interests as well, and gave her that, which is exactly what I was trying to say in one of my previous posts when I mentioned there needing to be a balance. It seems like you found some kind of balance for your child - the Dugger’s don’t seem to have any kind of balance in their household.
May 14th, 2008 at 7:52 pm
Hey Sarah,
I totally get what you are saying.. But we really dont know the Duggers and their children and I think maybe we are speculating. I felt so guilty the responsibilities I put on my daughter, but now.. I realized what she now achieved due to her upbringing. Yes, I did reward her, this week was a perm.. the next week was a straightening.. lmaoo. but all in all she was not a fan of fashion or things that I did try to give her. Most of the clothes I bought her hung in the closet and she didnt wear makeup or the fun underwear. She was serious about her life and her future. I really do believe it was all her responsibilities and focus. I just dont want to judge the Duggers. I appreciate your concerns for the kids since we do want them to have fun. We did Friday night bingos (may I say I had an awesome Bingo device) and I bought dollar store items that were specific to each persons interest when they won a bingo and we couldnt stop until each child won a prize. We are a family of board games and I have them all. My kids are fanatics and really competitive. I guess what I am saying we dont know what they (Duggers) do for fun and can only speculate. THere are so many things you can do at low cost and I am sure with 18 kids it is pretty creative. Just baking with your child can provide crafts and fun time. Actually my second son (third child) wanted to do most of it alone after I gave him instructions. He wanted his own creations. Unfortunately, the older kids get past fun cooking and folding laundry, but I am still not opposed to doing chores to be responsible and carrying your weight. I just dont want to judge since we dont live there and mostly, my kids would of loved to live there with that many siblings. They so love each other and are excited when the older ones come to visit. You dont get that today.
Ok, on another note, I didnt plan even one child! they just came out at their own free will and if I had 18 children.. I would of slit my wrists.. lmaoo but I am not mrs Dugger.
Thank you for your kindess and understanding in my late night rant.
I’m just saying..
May 14th, 2008 at 8:03 pm
Ditto what Sandy said.. NO PAY. JUST EXPECTED and you did what was expected for the family. We didnt question, might not of liked it, but thank god!! Ok on one note, I became a totally care taker for all who is homeless and neglected. If I wasnt raised in my family.. I think I would be a republican.. HAh!!!
THis is my suspicion that Sandy is a Liberal fer real!!!
I’m just saying…
Sandy!!
May 15th, 2008 at 11:11 am
Aileeny: I get what you’re saying about not judging them, and how we don’t know what’s going on. But I kind of feel like we do know what’s going on. They have done numerous specials on TLC where they have willingly discussed how they raise their children. So I don’t feel like I’m speculating about things I know nothing about. I read some things online where people are insulting the way some people raise their children based on a few pictures they see in a magazine, and I’ve never understood that because we don’t get to see what goes on in those people’s homes. But the Duggers have chosen to put their home life on display for all the world to see, they were asked how they run the house and then we were shown exactly how things are run. The father also has finally editing control over the show, so I don’t feel like we were given a false impression of their home life. I’m not making guesses about how their home and family operates, I am basing it on what the Duggers themsevles have said and shown us.