A Discussion
Anyone care to weigh in and discuss this Headline: "Mother of Octuplets has six other children"
Is this the height of American greediness? Is there possible mental illness involved? Or just a severe need to cuddle? Perhaps just a mother with a lot of love to give? Maybe a last minute hail-mary replacement by TLC producers for a friendlier less cunty Jon & Kate plus 8? Should a woman that already has 6 children ranging in ages from 7-2 be allowed to undergo fertility treatments? Along the same lines of Doctors saying no to patients that want excessive plastic surgery, should Doctors intervene with a guiding nudge to better judgement in cases like this? Is this too touchy of a subject? I'm sure all 14 of her children will be just fine during this recession and receive the finest of health care and attention with tax payer money, all will be cozy living with both her parents and the 14 kids all piled up in their 3 bedroom house. What does she tell the first 6 kids when they ask to hear the story of their new siblings?! How will the story be told?
Well, Mommy wanted a new baby to love... so she had 8 embryos implanted into my tummy and I prayed and prayed and a miracle occurred and all 8 of them took hold and grew into love, and that is the story of how I had 8 premature babies that need around the clock care and attention." And then they all go AWWWWW and life is great! Well, ain't that America.
Am I being a judgmental insensitive asshole? Or is this just as weird as it seems to me? Is it just bonkers to me because I think it will be hard to take care of 2 kids let alone 14? It's unimaginable. Once you have 6 kids what's 8 more really at that point?
please discuss. please.
Oh and a good read/rundown/rant on Jon & Kate plus 8 over at My Therapy. She also provided THIS FUCKING MIND BLOWING LINK
After reading that CBS article and freaking out I realized why I was so upset about all of this. I feel so guilty bringing a child into this messed up creepy world right now and am trying to protect and ensure my family is safe and secure and then you have someone like this running around baby collecting. If she gets a show out of this I think I will explode. On the spot. Little smoke puffs pouring out of my shoes will be the only thing left.
End rant!
* I am taking the hilarious Duggar photo down just to be sure that we aren't sidetracked here. I only put it up because it makes me laugh endlessly thinking about a clown car. However the Duggar story is entirely different from this news story about the Octuplets. So I edited myself. Just like that. Continue discussion please.
Posts
44 comments:
You crack me up!
I feel your underlying tone and completely agree. Totally irresponsible.
I am with you. I can't believe the green light was given in this situation. But who says no? That is a whole other debate.
Peace - Rene
Why do people do this? I'm with you, really? 6 weren't enough?
Did the woman really need 2 full basketball teams? Hockey teams?
I was having trouble digesting having ONE kid, let alone multiples. (before the weird break-up)
Also, in these uncertain economic times? How did she afford the implantation? Who does this stuff?
@ SweetPeaSurry - I am assuming that with her husband being a contact employee in Iraq that he must have insane health benefits offered up to him and his family for the trade off of hazardous duty.
I shouldn't worry too much. I am guessing that ABC's extreme makeover home edition will decide that she needs a mansion to raise the kids in and come and tear her modest home down and build her and her family an adorable nursery and a deserving master suite.
I totally agree with everything you said! We were just talking about this at work. I was appalled when I heard it on the news. RIDICULOUS!
I think it's a common feeling. When the media first started reporting the news, they stated that the circumstances of the birth weren't being released, nor was the mother's name. To me, that says that people know that things are questionable. And not just that the media knows- I'm not saying that. I'm saying that whomever made the decision to not immediately release the information knew that the situation was dicey, at best.
"a more cunty version" ...love that!
I was under the impression that they were a couple who was trying everything and longing for a baby, and on a fluke ended up with 8. When I saw the headline, I was shocked because as you said, what doctor would think it's a great idea when they have 6 kids and her husband is in Iraq. The first story I read was basically spelling out for us how expensive the babies were and you know, asking for donations. Now they'll make it into reality TV and they'll never have to worry again. Also, if they were so broke, how did they afford IVF or IUI. One last thing....I think the omission of 6 previous kids was done on purpose to try to get sympathy and donations, they even mentioned no companies were donating like "they sometimes do" but I assume they knew how ridiculous everyone would think this was.
@ Liz- I think it's shitty that you have news reports showing footage of the families neighborhood pussy footing around and suggesting that it isn't exactly the best of conditions. It's like they're just poking at it. But yeah I agree things have been shenanigans from the start.
I just don't get why the Doctors and Nurses are all photo ops and smiles and parading around like it was some great thing they did. I mean it must feel good to save the lives of a 1lb baby, and feel incredible not to lose any of the children... but they are acting like they were part of some natural miracle or something.
I just don't get it.
I think it's horribly irresponsible. Just like the open vagina mother of the Duggars. Seriously, I get that you want a kid. But 8? On top of the 6 you already have?
Talk about a drain on the economy...she needs the budget of a mid sized city in Mississippi just to raise those kids.
I heard about that story on the news this morning, and I thought the same thing!! If you have SIX children, perhaps fertility is not really a problem for you... or it's a problem you've already addressed sufficiently.
MORE! MORE! MORE! MORE! Just like potato chips, one is never enough...(yikes, scawy)
I'm completely mystified as well. I mean, really?
Some people who undergo fertility treatments are DYING to have just ONE kid!
Every time I see people who have more than say, 4, I'm like: "Mhhh...Would it really be morally wrong to set a mandatory limit on the number of kids you can have?"
But then I know a lot of people would view that as insensitive and judgmental and none of our businesses. My father is the 9th of 13th children (this was pretty much the norm for French Canadians a few generations ago), so I wonder what he would think of this...
You read my mind this morning and wrote the post in my head!!! I am insane over this 8 kids on top of six other kids and no father in sight!!! I am also crazy over the single 22-year-old mothers who want to be the next American Idol leaving their small kids with family so they can run off to pursue their dream!! Kids - they're not friggin' accessories!
Every time I come over here I get all worked up thinking about stuff! Love it...
:-0
Have you heard? The dad of the mother is taking her into HIDING too. I am so frickin (and i don't use fake cuss words lightly) upset over this it is not even funny....and don't even get me started on those damn Doogers (sp?).....
Maybe they have a hoarding complex?
I heard that on the radio this morning and I had the same thought. You are not alone in this.
I think it's awful and I was happy to read your post. I got so upset at the news this morning...
i don't get why it matters how many kids I think I could handle in relation to how many kids another family should have? maybe i could only handle the three i have, but the Duggar mom is Awesome. i mean she does a better job raising those children than many mothers i know who have TWO. and i teach preschool ten years now so i see a lot of parenting. that woman is patient, involved, firm, and willing to do the grunt repetitive work that is childraising, AND she's raising sweethearted, generous, hard working children AND she's teaching them sustainable life practices- they make their own laundry detergent for Christs sakes!
many families i know who have one or two children do nothing but eat processed foods and drive huge SUVs and consume, consume, consume. i have no problem with the Duggars. i think they rock. i love that people like them still EXIST in our ironic, cynical and overprocessed society.
so i guess i'm alone in this, that's cool:) i've always had a hard time understanding why people feel that what they can do in their own life should set rules for what others Should do.
@ Maggie - I hear you on this. There are plenty of people who have managed and raised a huge pack of kids for generations, successfully and happily. That isn't the point it isn't whether having a huge family is ethically wrong.
This woman had 8 babies in 5 minutes because of a medical procedure that will keep her occupied and has had her in the hospital for months away from her 6 children she already has. It's about the millions of dollars of tax payer money it will take to manage and care for these babies. It's about the life long health risks these kids all have attached to them.
This isn't some happy accident or miracle. I think as technology and science surges forward we will have more an more discussions about where the lines should be drawn and the great ethics debates begin. Cloning, Fertility, Aging,Cosmetic Surgery, all of it.
I truly hope this woman doesn't just plop her kids in front of a TV and feed them McDonalds and chocolate Milk all day. I hope she does amazing things for her family. So far from what is being reported they aren't the greatest of conditions to have a family this size in these times.
I'm glad you chimed in.
i hear you. i was responding to the Duggar picture/joke and other comments. it is a 'brave new world' when it comes to science now, and the ethics of that are mind boggling.
If you're "being a judgmental insensitive asshole," save room in that particular club for me. Sheesh.
There's an economic recession going on, okay?! There's just no extra money to spend on condoms! lol
I just read that article this morning!! I know, scary, creepy, weird -- and she lives at home with her parents?
I feel a Lifetime movie coming...any...minute...
Thanks for the link!!! And the new info- I had no idea the Octuplet fam had 6 others- holy shit- what is wrong with them and us- allowing it- you're so right.
Maybe that's why that family is keeping so hush hush- they know they're going to get bashed with criticism.
I guess I'm late to the party because the Duggar pic isn't up anymore, but I do love that one!
It's my only hope that I could have a litter of my own one day.
I completely agree with you and I think it is totally financially irresponsible.
I so don't understand this either. I scanned an article about it earlier and learned that the mom lives with HER parents! Does that mean she is 'single'? With that many kids? What the hell was she thinking?
I think that woman must have some kind of strain of Munchhausen Syndrome... she is having all those babies to get attention. I think it is twisted and wrong. So... I guess I agree with you completely!
1/30/09 goes down as a record. I have never had this many women agree with me about ANYTHING in my entire life :)
I'm not much of a gossiper, but I also heard today, and have not verified this yet, that this family recently filed bankruptcy. Curious how you'll support all those young'uns now. Probably had to file to get the IVF doctors off their backs. LOL
I am with you too. I think it is the height of irresponsibility on her part and the part of the fertility doctor.
I don't get how a doctor could have provided fertility treatment for a woman with 6 kids. He should have sent her to a therapist to talk about her need to be needed.
My wife and I were having this conversation last night... geez! Is she in a race to beat the Duggars?
Seriously, this is almost every bit as selfish on this mother's part as it is to abuse children. We'll see if she hasn't killed herself by the time they all are teenagers.
And where the hell is the father?
@ CK you know people were screaming bloody murder to take Britney Spears kids away from her because she shaved her head and flashed her pussy getting out of a car. This woman files bankruptcy lives with her parents in a tiny house and decides to undergo fertility treatments and ends up pregnant with 8 kids and has no way to support them.
Doesn't really seem like you're thinking about your kids at that point, whether there's 6 or 14. How could you possibly provide them with what they need?
And her dad sounds like a freak. I think he screamed something like "we got a huge house somewhere where we gonna hide out and you'll never find us" to the media camped outside his real house. Weirdo loser.
I just had a talk about this with my 16 year old daughter this evening. She was horrified that "no one put a stop to this". However, I think the following points are somewhat salient:
1. The family lost their house and they are now living with relatives.
2. Most cities have residency rules such as how many people can occupy a bedroom. In our community, it is 2 per bedroom, so a three bedroom house could not have more than 6 people/residents.
3. Social Services will probably be calling on this woman very soon just due to the fact that there are too many people living in the home.
4. I'm willing to bet that some/all of these children may end up in foster care unless dad or the relatives pony up enough money for a 6 bedroom house. I've read an online article that states the family has money, however the Mom filed for bankruptcy with debts of near $1M. The fact that she's living with parents says a whole lot.
5. All that being said, I don't believe government should regulate family size or who can receive fertility treatments (although a psych screening would be nice), but I do believe you should be able to support your family in a normal economy, however you wish to define it.
That's all I've got for now.
@ carolnab- I don't know who you are, or why you don't have a blog, but I loved your comment. Hope you keep coming around.
Just some fun facts I picked up when I finally decided to read about this wahoo - these are my favorite key points.
1. She has managed to get her B.A. as of 2006 - in child development no less (wait for it...).
2. Her mother seems to love talking to the press more than she loves being a grandmother to so many rug rats and has already told her daughter that she will not be at her house to help her when she comes home from the hospital.
3. This woman is not married. She gets her sperm from a donor. Who is this guy in Iraq?
4. Last I heard she is studying for her master's in counseling, so that should offer her family some solace when DCF starts plucking those kids off he property like pulling carrots from your garden.
5. Great discussion forum. That was fun, and I usually don't give a shit about any news that doesn't involve Brangelina or LiLo.
i read
1 the father of her first four children has been identified by the media and is the same father of these babies, the other children's birth certificates have not been located by media
2 they live in a nice neighborhood in a cul-de-sac
3 the mother's friends are coming out to the media to 'defend' her.
Look,
i'd never,ever do what this woman did. personally, i think it's 'crazy' and she probably has emotional issues.
what bothers me about these kind of discussions is the ...how can i say it? kind of stone throwing group hate it brings on.
she's an easy target. she did something stupid. it's in the news. it's too easy to get on a high horse and talk about her rampant irresponsibility, too easy to judge, too easy to feel smug.
i mean i can't afford the three children i have. i can't. depending on what you mean by AFFORD, most people i know can't afford their kids.
1 they are in debt (often to the IRS for back taxes from small businesses that didn't work out, sometimes simply from car loans house loans the cost of health insurance a few months without work what have you)
2 they don't have 'enough space' (my husband's family of 11 was raised in a three bedroom home in Cali, my own kids share rooms and bunkbeds)
3 they live with their parents (not us, but i do have friends who moved in with their parents because they lost their job/had twins/need to afford health insurance etc
Anyway
I appreciate PTPR that i'm 'allowed' to disagree without you getting ghetto on me. :) it's hard to be the lone dissenter sometimes :)
You make amazing points and I love that you think on all sides of the issue. I first posted this when the info was for the most part still very hush hush and unfolding and I am sure that in a week most of the stuff will be twisted and spun and completely different.
The one thing that remains the same at the core of this, is not the house she is living in, or the money, or her bankruptcy, or obsession with kids. It's the Doctors that took a woman and implanted 8 embryo's into her body. The health risks to the kids and to the mom are astronomical. On top of the disabilities that could come along with all of it. It was the height of irresponsibility for the Doctors involved.
This Doctor had the chance to decide maybe this is a bad idea, and recommend that it not happen. Or just refuse to do it. Did they just assume she would be willing to selectively abort most of them if all 8 took? Was that even discussed prior? Shouldn't that be a big factor before you start popping babies into a person. What if it were different. If this woman that had six kids already, wanted to adopt 8 more, what would they say to her?
Pretend she is a happily married mega rich owner of a castle and STILL nobody should be putting 8 babies into her body.
I get what you're saying about being able to afford children, but you're a clear thinking woman and I am pretty sure if you were struggling with 6 kids and living with your parents and had financial worries you wouldn't decided to add 8 more to the mix would you?
no i wouldn't. :)
Post a Comment