A relative sent me a column about those reality tv shows about large families. To tell the truth, I've only seen part of one--had to turn it off. It was whiney babies and frustrated parents. But I guess that's what people want to watch--like being fascinated by a car wreck. Who would tune into kids cooperating and playing nicely and walking the dogs withour being nagged?

The comments on the shows are what bugged me. Folks wanted to comment on overpopulation, and kids not getting enough of their parents time.

I guarantee you that our family, in our income level, uses less of the planet's resources than 95% of 2 child families with similar incomes. I will also guarantee you that all the folks on this forum, and all their offspring for 5 generations, will probably use less of the planet's resources than Paris Hilton will in 5 years. It's not just numbers.

Our kids also get more of our time than many families--we have made career choices in order to be available to our family. And in the case of our 8 adoptive kids, who were considered very hard to place, they would have had no time with any parents.

Ooh, I can rant on this all day...anyone else have any thoughts on those tv shows?

GG

Well, I agree with you 100%. This is one reason we no longer HAVE tv! :)

This website regularly gets contacts from the press. I will be putting up a Press page as soon as I have time.

I've not been sure what to do with it though. I don't trust the press. I did a radio interview many years ago on homeschool, and the reporter took what I said and twisted it and made us just look bad. So I no longer want to be in the spotlight.

I know many families who feel the same way, because they've been burned.

So I'd like some feedback on THAT, as well.

Do you think maybe the families in those shows presented something different than what the reporters showed?

Laura
Mom to Eight

I fail to see the appeal of embarassing oneself on tv, although I must be in the minority. As for newspaper articles, it seems the appeal of large families is the chance to ask questions: how much do you spend on groceries? How many loads of laundry? How long do you have to wait to get into the bathroom? How much sleep do you get? and my favorite, list the names of your children and their birthdates. If I spent 5 minutes on how unique and wonderful each of the kids were, I'd be taking up two hours of their time.

My husband and I are quiet, private people, and I am uncomfortable drawing attention to myself. We're obvious enough in the park, or going to church or the grocery store. Why would I want to seek out more attention? The foster agency would like to do an article about the kids, and I'm tempted, because it would help recruit foster families. But I am still very uncomfortable in the spotlight.

Because the kids are in sports, they are frequently interviewed in the media. They are less self-conscious, but they don't want to keep hearing all the jokes about fighting over food at the dinner table. And they don't want to distinguish which of their siblings are adopted, as it isn't important to them.

GG

I think you should let the foster agency do the article. But let them know that you will only allow them to publish quotes from you if you get to screen the article first. Most will let you do that.

Reason I think it needs done is that more and more states are promoting a "small family" adoption rule. They are denying larger families the chance to adopt special needs children, saying they need to be an "only child", or the youngest in a small family.

This is sad, because larger families are the most equipped, and the most willing to accept children with special needs. They are often far more experienced in handling special needs also.

It is like they want a special ed teacher to parent each and every child, and to parent JUST that one child. There aren't enough parents for that, let alone parents who are actually WILLING to adopt a child with profound needs!

So giving that bit of a spotlight, in a controlled way, may have an affect beyond your community. It may help people realize that adopting many children does not make you some sort of perverted "baby collector", but that you are simply using your talents and skills to make the world a better place in the way you feel like doing.

Laura
Mom to Eight

I have watched one of these shows several times and I find it very funny. It is not true to life for me in any way. We have 8 children ages 4,4,5,6,6,7,8,12. I don't have the help that this mother has,or the money for that matter. We are a military family and I am often left at home alone with the children for 6 months at a time. This deployment being a LOOOOONG 7 monts. I do it all and most of the time alone with family living so far away. I also wanted to reach through the t.v and stop that child from whinning, and give those kids some discipline. My kids are not perfect and we have our days also trust me, but can you say take out the ear plugs and stop that whinning! That show is no where near our REALITY.