Set your VCR's!!! Dateline Tuesday: McCaughey septuplets turn five

[Cindy B]

I wonder who donated the free teeth? Or because she has no house payment, car payment, she can get cosmetic/elective surgery.....

 

[ChiTownZee]

Originally posted by aahmom1
The tabloids offered them a million dollars.

Wow, what tabloid(s)? Did they say that?

 

[cinlee3]

I thought I had read somewhere that they are part of a group (or founders of) that does seek out help for families with multiples. They were very aware that they received a lot and other families don't.

They seemed very down-to-earth to me.

 

[AirForceRocks]

I'm sorry, but if companies were willing to donate all of that stuff to them, I say more power to them!

Yes, there are lots of large families, but not many that are "instantly" large like that.

Maybe I'm reading some of these responses incorrectly, but I see what seems to be some pretty catty posts from folks that seem to begrudge the fact that this family had lots of stuff given to them.

 

[AirForceRocks]

cinlee3, I saw the same thing last year during the birthday show.

 

[yoopermom]

I didn't see the show, but the LHJ article pointed out that the mom plans to homeschool them all, yet sends the two with special needs to the local public school for special help. Hmmm...

And I thought I read somewhere that the dr. who fixed the mom's teeth donated his services, which I thought was very nice of him. Has to make her feel better about herself.
Terri the Yoopermom

 

[Cindy B]

Originally posted by ChiTownZee
I can see your point here. I remember watching the story on a family with quints (isn't that 5?) and it was very different. Their donations lasted about a year, I think and while they had had the opportunity to buy a bigger house at builders cost, they had to sell it because they couldn't afford the mortgage, even at builders cost, taxes and insurance. They tried everything to keep their home, including some local commercials, but it wasn't enough. It was SO sad to watch them say goodbye to that house with so many memories and move into a VERY small older home. No huge kitchen with giant wrap-around sit-down counters for them. I remember thinking about the McCaughey's then and how they got the free house (and that a VERY nice house at that) and are still getting donations.

EXACTLY!!!!!


And there was a family of African American multiples, I think quints around here... and well, did they get anything donated?

NOPE! African American Quints are rare! But really when we start talking about multiple births like a listing on Ebay... RARE, never seen before, etc..

Something is wrong...

Maybe they are down to earth, but I would love to see them share the wealth... or dare I say, turn some things away, to give to others.... It takes a lot to say "no thank you, but please give to someone else in need".... instead of the media, playing on the FREE car, FREE house, FREE food, FREE college, FREE this, FREE that...


Yes, you have the kindness of strangers/corporations. They do seem grateful, but you know what.. where is the help for others?
It doesn't take much to say no thank you... or say no to offers. (we're not just talking about tabloids here...) Does it take much for them to say "Well, lets spread the wealth here... where is that family that lost the house? Can I donate to them? Can I start a foundation/awareness for other families? Can I redirect one of my sponsors to them? "

When families start to get agents, I have to go

 

[Cindy B]

Originally posted by ChiTownZee
I can see your point here. I remember watching the story on a family with quints (isn't that 5?) and it was very different. Their donations lasted about a year, I think and while they had had the opportunity to buy a bigger house at builders cost, they had to sell it because they couldn't afford the mortgage, even at builders cost, taxes and insurance. They tried everything to keep their home, including some local commercials, but it wasn't enough. It was SO sad to watch them say goodbye to that house with so many memories and move into a VERY small older home. No huge kitchen with giant wrap-around sit-down counters for them. I remember thinking about the McCaughey's then and how they got the free house (and that a VERY nice house at that) and are still getting donations.

EXACTLY!!!!!


And there was a family of African American multiples, I think quints around here... and well, did they get anything donated?

NOPE! African American Quints are rare! But really when we start talking about multiple births like a listing on Ebay... RARE, never seen before, etc..

Something is wrong...

Maybe they are down to earth, but I would love to see them share the wealth... or dare I say, turn some things away, to give to others.... It takes a lot to say "no thank you, but please give to someone else in need".... instead of the media, playing on the FREE car, FREE house, FREE food, FREE college, FREE this, FREE that...


Yes, you have the kindness of strangers/corporations. They do seem grateful, but you know what.. where is the help for others?
It doesn't take much to say no thank you... or say no to offers. (we're not just talking about tabloids here...) Does it take much for them to say "Well, lets spread the wealth here... where is that family that lost the house? Can I donate to them? Can I start a foundation/awareness for other families? Can I redirect one of my sponsors to them? "

When families start to get agents, I have to go

 

[vickyBaby]

I disagree about the one family getting "nothing." Many companies offer multiple birth programs.

http://www.emoms.org/content/MultipleBirthPrograms.htm

When I worked for a baby food company, we wanted to be the organization that would be able to say we supplied the multiple birth family with food for their first year. It was good press. If a multiple birth family received nothing, it was because they chose to not pursue the avenues available to them, or they rejected what was offered.

 

[pajamommy]

Who cares how much free stuff they get? I, for one, don't, and if it were me, you can bet I'd be taking the free stuff! I can see everyone's point about giving back, though, I would hope that they do try to spread their good fortune to others as well.

As far as the kids being homeschooled and only the 2 special needs kids going to school, I believe the show last night showed all the kids going to some sort of preschool/special needs types of schools, not just being homeschooled. Bobbi said that they wanted them to be seperated a little bit so that they can be more independent, etc. at least for this year.

 

[disykat]

I also remember the stories of the foundation for multiples they are involved in - doing the very thing some people here are accusing them of not doing.

 

[Mskanga]

Well people can flame me for this but this is my opinion:
These couple decided to take fertility drugs because they wanted to have another child ( regardless or how many ) , knowing that in cases like this multiple births are very common , they did it anyway ( no criticism for doing that ).
The big companies "donate" things at the other consumer's expense, we all pay for it . College tuition for them is paid for by whatever local college it is, I have two children and I don't even know how I am going to manage putting them through it, yet these people don't have to worry about it. They get a free home and a free car, they have to pay utilities, taxes and all that....so do a lot of other people.
I'm sorry but they chose to have the children, why do we have to help flip the bill?
JMHO

 

[Buckalew]

Gosh, some of the views are so different from mine. This couple seems so nice and they work hard at the daily tasks of taking care of their kids. I'm glad they have received so much help. I'd also take the help. Maybe they will be able to "pay it forward" later on in their lives. Theses specials always inspire me so I have already received a bit of that "pay". JMHO.

 

[HugsForEeyore]

I saw the show and also was impressed by how they stretched the dollar. And growing her own food and home schooling! Wow!

But have to comment ....

Originally posted by Cindy B.

I wonder who donated the free teeth? Or because she has no house payment, car payment, she can get cosmetic/elective surgery.....

I'm glad other posters mentioned the teeth thing!!! Hers looked terrific now! I was also wondering also how they paid for thousands and thousands of dollars of braces and probably caps to make her teeth pretty. I do remember her having braces in many interviews. I always wondered how she had so much free time to spend at orthodonists right after they were born.

Well, I was thinking - I bet anything, in four years, all 7 kids will have mouthfuls of braces and all the money the parents saved will be going to orthodonists - Can you imagine 7 kids's orthodonists bills at once!!! OUCH!!

 

[robinb]

OK, I have a feeling I am really going to get flamed, but so be it!

I watch this show every year and yell at the TV. I do not admire this family at all. They choose to have 7 babies at once. At the time of their birth I thought it was one of the stupidest and most selfish things I have even heard of. I have not changed my opinion. She was bound and determined to have all 7 babies, even if it risked the health of the majority of the fetuses. All 7 survived, but now the tale is now told and 2-4 of those children have mental and/or physical problems. 2 of them are going to a special pre-school, 3 are going to a regular pre-school and 2 are still be tested to find out where they belong. 3 out of 7 are not good odds.

My big "TV Yelling" moment came last night when Bobbi was talking about her son who has CP and has shots to help his legs. He complained that the shots hurt and she said "It won't be forever." What planet does she live on? Of course it's forever! Her son will always have CP. He will always have treatments.

OTOH, I was happy how the family was dealing with the different abilities of the children with firmness, encouragement and love. It seems that they are doing something right after doing something (IMO) terribly wrong.

Now, I'll duck .

 

[Buckalew]

Originally posted by robinb

My big "TV Yelling" moment came last night when Bobbi was talking about her son who has CP and has shots to help his legs. He complained that the shots hurt and she said "It won't be forever." What planet does she live on? Of course it's forever! Her son will always have CP. He will always have treatments.

I remember this part of the interview. however, I understood her to say that the pain FROM the shot doesn't last forever and it does make his legs feel better. Not that he won't have to have treatments forever.
No flames or throwing things. Some people thought they should have done the selective procedure & some do not. I think all 7 of the will contribute to society but that is JMHO.

 

[DocRafiki]

Robinb, are you out of your mind? (to post something like that here )

I agree it's ridiculous and selfish to expect to carry all the babies after using fertility drugs. They got extremely lucky, even with the disabilities, and seeing them is just going to make lots of other parents think that they will be so lucky.

They do seem to be handling it well, though.

I missed why she's home-schooling. Are the public schools in their area no good?

 

[Girls Scout Leader]

ok, I'm ready to duck too..

I could not, no way, not on your life, accept donation like they have. I am a pull-you-self-up-by-your-own-bootstraps kinda person. My DH has worked hard by continuing education, making a respectable name for himself in his field, making sacrifices, and is rewarded by a good wage. I, too, have jsut finished traing for a new field, while raising my children full time. You must remember..you make your bed, you have to lie in it. We work hard for our family, and could NEVER just accept the merchandise, etc that they have. What will it teach those children in the long run? That someone out there will bail you out if the going gets tough?

 

[sharbear]

Hey RobinB I couldn't agree with you more. Sorry but I don't follow this story at all. It just drives me crazy.

Doc she's homeschooling for religious reasons.

My flame suit is on too but I'm glad that people can cash in on their stupidy.

 

[believe]

Gosh, some of the views are so different from mine. This couple seems so nice and they work hard at the daily tasks of taking care of their kids. I'm glad they have received so much help. I'd also take the help. Maybe they will be able to "pay it forward" later on in their lives. Theses specials always inspire me so I have already received a bit of that "pay". JMHO.

I did not watch this special, but agree with you buckalew that I am glad they have received so much help and things are working for them.
Also, I would have made the same choice they did in having all the children and not been 'selective'. I can't say that I would have taken the fertility drugs, but you never know till you are in that situation. I have never taken any big 'donations' or asked my family or friends for any financial help, but things do happen and you never know when you may need someone's assistance.