Steve Irwin (crocodile hunter) dies..........

[BuckyFan04]

Bindi Irwin to star in wildlife series
Mon Oct 16, 11:06 PM ET



Like father, like daughter. Bindi Irwin, the 8-year-old daughter of the late "Crocodile Hunter" Steve Irwin, will star in a wildlife series to air on the Discovery Kids network early next year. The show's working title: "Bindi, The Jungle Girl."

Her father, animal lover and conservationist Steve Irwin, died from the poisonous jab of a stingray Sept. 4. Besides Bindi, he left behind her mother, Terri, and 2-year-old brother, Bob.

The show, now in the early stages of production, was originally "going to be a father-daughter thing," starring the nature-loving duo, Discovery publicist Annie Howell told the Associated Press on Monday. "Steve and Bindi were very enthusiastic about doing the show together."

Irwin will appear with Bindi in scenes filmed before his death, his manager, John Stainton, said in an interview on People magazine's Web site.

"Some people think that I would be afraid of them, but I'm never ever afraid of an animal," Bindi said in an interview Monday on ABC's "Australian Story."

"I just get excited and some that are dangerous I just think, `Oooh! What's going to happen?' and things like that."

 

[BuckyFan04]

Bindi's childhood at risk, says senator
By Malcolm Farr
October 18, 2006 01:00am

ONE of Australia's toughest politicians yesterday expressed his concerns for the childhood of Bindi Irwin.

Senator Bill Heffernan told colleagues in a private meeting of Liberal MPs in Canberra yesterday he feared the eight-year-old, usually seen in khaki like her late father Steve Irwin, would not be allowed to grow up normally.

"Every child has a right to their childhood, and every child should be given an unconditional guarantee of safe passage through their years of infancy," Senator Heffernan said.

"And I think there is a risk that this little Bindi, who is a lovely little girl, will lose the opportunity for normal childhood."

He spoke out after watching Monday night's Australian Story on ABC television which featured Bindi and her family.

Grandfather Bob Irwin was shown forecasting a "really, really big career" for her.

Bindi was expected to follow in the wildlife footsteps of her father, who died from a stingray barb on September 4.

Senator Heffernan said there were "danger signs" in the program, which followed Bindi as she resumed work on her Jungle Girl series for the American Discovery Channel.

"Bindi deserves her childhood," he said. "She's interested in animals, her daddy's work. If she wants to play with snakes or bandicoots, she should be allowed to do that at home and not on the public stage.

"There is a risk this little girl, she might look back in 20 or 30 years and ask, 'What happened to me?'."

Senator Heffernan said he knew he would be accused of speaking out of place and acknowledged it was a difficult issue.

"As parents we all have a right to raise our kids as we see fit, so I recognise that it's really none of my business," he said.

"I know a lot of people were alarmed by some of the stuff from Australian Story."
-----------------------------------

The bolded statement just about sums this article up.

Even though Bindi may not have what most people think is a "normal" childhood, she clearly loves what she is doing and is happy to follow her father's footsteps. That is her childhood. John Stainton, Bob Sr., and Wes have all said that this is what she wants to do right now, and if later she decides to do something else with her life, they will also support that 100%. They aren't forcing her to do anything she doesn't want to do.

 

[Nutsy]

Whilst it may not be anyones business what Bindi does with her life.. that doesn't stop us from being concerned about her and what kind of childhood she has.

We all agree that she loves animals as much as Steve and has no fear of them.. BUT.. the bottom line here is, she is only 8. A very mature 8 yr old yes, but 8 just the same. An eight year old who doesn't attend normal school or goes to play in the park with her friends. She plays with the animals and spends her days at the zoo. Nothing wrong with that and I know a lot will say but out.. only I can't help feel concerned for her and what her life will be like.. While she may enjoy every minute of what she does.. one does have to question.. how much of this is "expected" of her and how much is just Bindi having fun.

So, yeah... I tend to agree with Bill Heffernan and a lot of others. It isn't any of our business, however, that doesn't stop us from being concerned.

 

[PenskeSth1]

I was thinking about Bindi being so mature for 8 and the life she leads. I wonder how many kids her age she has to play with. I think it is great that she wants to follow in her daddy's footsteps, but none the less she is still 8 years old. Kids grow up so fast anyway and I hope she gets a chance to be a real kid while she can. jmo

 

[CPM]

You know. I've been reading and just thought I'd share a story about my daughter.
We rraised her in the restaurant we used to own. She basically went home from school and with me to the restaurant every day. She helped the chef, helped me with table settings and other things, went to the markets with us and so on. She even had her field trips at the restaurant, because the other kids wanted to visit, most birthday parties and holidays were spent there too.
When I got pregnant with our son, I swore I would never raise another child like that. She was 9 at the time. So, after two more years we gave it all up and my DH took a job in FL. Our lifestyle changed.

Recently I was talking to her about her childhood because she mentioned we should get another restaurant. She said it was sad her brother couldn't grow up like she did. That she absolutely loved every minute of it and most of her friends were jealous of her. lol Who would have guessed?

So, maybe a childhood isn't always like Leave it to Beaver, and children respect the way the are brought up if they are happy. Maybe happiness in your childhood is all that counts. And, Bindo sure seems happy to me!

 

[Nutsy]

I was thinking about Bindi being so mature for 8 and the life she leads. I wonder how many kids her age she has to play with. I think it is great that she wants to follow in her daddy's footsteps, but none the less she is still 8 years old. Kids grow up so fast anyway and I hope she gets a chance to be a real kid while she can. jmo

That is it in a nutshell.. I didn't like to say it.. but that is a concern many of us have. Just how many children does she get to play with.. that is play in the park and run around and have fun with.. not play at the zoo with the animals or with Bob. I know some of the staff at the Zoo have families and no doubt Bindi has contact with them. However, the fact that she spends her life at the Zoo.. is home schooled at the Zoo. travels everywhere when there is filming to be done. She no doubt thinks it's great and no doubt some kids think her life is "the best".... but it does bring to mind the question. of how often she gets to be just a normal kid, doing kids stuff. Does she get to go the park or go have a sleep over at a friends house. Bindi has a birthday party at the Zoo.. like with the wildlife warriors wristbands.. there is a coupon in the paper that you must take to the gates so the kids can go to the party. The question arises there, of just how many of thes kids Bindi knows..it is limited numbers, and while it's great that all these kids have the chance to attend Bindi's b'day party at the Zoo,and how "cool" it would be. One has to wonder if she has a private party for any personal friends as well.

Just my voicing questions and concerns.

 

[PenskeSth1]

Deleted for those who were OFFENDED!

 

[WDW Poly Princess]

I was watching an ep. of Croc Hunter Diaries a few days ago from when Bindi was about 3 (give or take). The zoo got some new lizards (or iguanas... some kind of reptile!), and when Steve was opening the box, Bindi's only question was if they were going to be afraid of her. I thought it showed that she has a lot of her dad in her if her main concern is what the animals are feeling!

I love that Croc Hunter stuff is on all the time now, but it also makes it very hard to believe that he's gone.

I did find one thing interresting- I usually have it on in the background when I'm at work, and it seems like almost everyone I see pass say something about Steve.

 

[AmyJ of Ca]

As enthusiatic Bindi is about taking off where her Dad left off is just a little scary for me. She seems to really enojy being in the spotlight but I think it will be many moons before she really grasped what has really happened. I hope to see her on the other side having dealth with the finality (on this world) with her Daddy's death and come to her own way of dealing with it, whatever that might be. Might heart and prayers go out to the entire family now that all the exscitement has slowed down some and they are left with the day to day reality of life without Steve. It breaks my heart, Amy

 

[lucas]

I wonder what kind of effect this will have on Wes' family? He will probably be spending a lot of his time now with Bindi, Bob and Terri.

 

[Iott Family]

What is a normal childhood, anyways? Just because the majority lives a more conservative lifestyle, that does not mean that Bindi's home life is anything less than. Seems to me she is a very blessed girl. She is surrounded by love, has all of her basic needs(food,home,etc.) met and she gets to experience life on a much grander scale than most children. I dunno bout you all, but my 4 children dont even have a passport because we have never left the states. She has been all over the world, even to Disney in Paris!

As for her dealing with the death of her father, kids have a much different way of dealing with loss and grief. They dont usually see the world in black and white. They find comfort in routine and it would be hard not to have routine living in a working zoo!

Just my 2 cents for all you nay sayers!

 

[AmyJ of Ca]

What is a normal childhood, anyways? Just because the majority lives a more conservative lifestyle, that does not mean that Bindi's home life is anything less than. Seems to me she is a very blessed girl. She is surrounded by love, has all of her basic needs(food,home,etc.) met and she gets to experience life on a much grander scale than most children. I dunno bout you all, but my 4 children dont even have a passport because we have never left the states. She has been all over the world, even to Disney in Paris!

As for her dealing with the death of her father, kids have a much different way of dealing with loss and grief. They dont usually see the world in black and white. They find comfort in routine and it would be hard not to have routine living in a working zoo!

Just my 2 cents for all you nay sayers!

I sincerely hope you are right. I have only felt this kind of grief as a young adult. She does really look like she enjoys and embraces her new life and I hope that she can pick up where he Dad left off....she just seems so young. That's my only concern. Heck, she may be having best time doing exactly what she's doing and would be miserable in a more traditional upbringing. My family will be rooting for her and her new show all along the way. Amy

 

[karenbaco]

There was a show on mOnday Oct. 16th on ABC?? I must have missed it. Can I find it here online somewhere??

 

[dmslush]

What is a normal childhood, anyways? Just because the majority lives a more conservative lifestyle, that does not mean that Bindi's home life is anything less than. Seems to me she is a very blessed girl. She is surrounded by love, has all of her basic needs(food,home,etc.) met and she gets to experience life on a much grander scale than most children. I dunno bout you all, but my 4 children dont even have a passport because we have never left the states. She has been all over the world, even to Disney in Paris!

As for her dealing with the death of her father, kids have a much different way of dealing with loss and grief. They dont usually see the world in black and white. They find comfort in routine and it would be hard not to have routine living in a working zoo!

Just my 2 cents for all you nay sayers!

I agree, what is normal. Think about some of the lives of children across the world:

The rich and privilaged, the prince and princesses of the world, the Trumps of the world..

The kids in iraq and other war zones.

Children living in north korea.

Poor children living in Ghettos of the US who can't go out and play for fear of being killed in a drive by shooting.

Children fighting in wars in Central America.

Children being bullied in school to the point that they snap and kill themselves and their classmates.

Children being raped, beaten and brutalized by those who are supposed to care for them.

Child prostitutes.

And the list can go on and on. But, it seems that the one child that is the focus right now is Bindi Irwin. She lost her father and that is very sad, my father committed suicide when I was almost three years old. I know what it is like growing up without one of my parents. Add to that, I was extremely poor. There were many times that we didn't have electricity or water, times when we would eat beans and cornbread for days on end because that is all that we had the money for, beans, cornbread, oh and let's not forget the rice. UGH, I'd rather eat dirt as rice But, I survived and have worked myself off of welfare and am in the process of earning my Masters. My less than ideal childhood has only motivated me.

So, Bindi.. she lives in a zoo, she is homeschooled, she travels the world, she is surrounded by people who love her... you know, compared to some of the other kids that I mentioned, I don't think Bindi is getting such a raw deal!

 

[TLHB70]

She lost her father and that is very sad, my father committed suicide when I was almost three years old. I know what it is like growing up without one of my parents. Add to that, I was extremely poor. There were many times that we didn't have electricity or water, times when we would eat beans and cornbread for days on end because that is all that we had the money for, beans, cornbread, oh and let's not forget the rice. UGH, I'd rather eat dirt as rice But, I survived and have worked myself off of welfare and am in the process of earning my Masters. My less than ideal childhood has only motivated me.

Wow!
I just had to say.............WAY TO GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Congratulations to you and all that has happened to you after your "less than ideal childhood." I am happy that you have had such success in your life. You do prove that our past does not dictate our future.

 

[BuckyFan04]

I guess I overreacted to the article a bit when I first read it. Nutsy, I agree with you in that we are/can be concerned about Bindi, even if it isn't exactly our business to say how she should or shouldn't be raised.
I can't really say what "normal" is. Everyone's childhood backgrounds and experiences are different. As long as Bindi is happy and not being forced to do this, then that is mainly what I think is important. I also hope that she does get plenty of interaction with other kids. I also think that a lot of kids would love to have the experiences (zoo, wildlife, traveling, etc.) that Bindi has had.

 

[BuckyFan04]

This is a video (about 7 min. long) of a "Ross the Intern" segment from Jay Leno that featured Steve. It's hilarious!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pa_7P5AbUww

 

[BuckyFan04]

Here's a link to some clips and interviews from Australian Story. There is a lengthy interview (about 15 mins) with John Stainton, and shorter clips of interviews with Bindi and Wes. There's also an interview with Steve from 2003. There's a cute segment in which Bindi films a segment about bison.

http://www.abc.net.au/austory/

 

[hercamore]

Bindi Irwin looks and sounds so much like her father.

herc.

 

[lucas]

This is a video (about 7 min. long) of a "Ross the Intern" segment from Jay Leno that featured Steve. It's hilarious!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pa_7P5AbUww

Thanks for posting! That was so funny!!!!