The McCaughey Septuplets

[Disney Princess 6]

Didn't they get college scholarships when they were born?? I can't remember now....

 

[MamaLema]

I think some of these posts would make great letters to the editor of the magazine. Anyone up for it?

 

[Pete's Mom]

Originally posted by TerriP
I understand the desire to focus on family and faith and limit exposure to others, if that is your desire (personally, I think it's unhealthy...but that's just me). BUT, why did they take handouts from every Tom, Dick, and Harry if T,D, & H are to be avoided??? Like you said, that's where the conflict comes in for me.

I watched an interview with another family who had 6 children (sextuplets). I can't remember their names but they are referred to as the "Six Pack". After all the fan fare died down, the donations and handouts stopped and they found themselves struggling for even the basics. The husband and the wife were both working, one in the day, the other at night. They hardly ever saw each other. They talked about what a terrible strain it was on their marriage. They could only go out to eat once a year, cut their own hair, shopped at Goodwill, etc. and lived basically from paycheck to paycheck. They could not afford the utilities or insurance on the home that had been donated and ended moving into a small two bedroom house.

 

[DissyLove]

I think what the MaCaughey parents are doing is actually NOT putting the kids first. I think the experiences kids learn at school and interacting with others is very important to social development-there is a big world out there that, ultra-religious or not, is important to expose your kids to.

It is not putting them first when you decide the kids must be refused these other experiences that they are asking for-it is NORMAL for kids to want to have play dates with friends and other activities like sports, etc.

I think there reasons are that others may not hold the exact same Christian views they have, and while I respect them placing such a high priority on their Christianity, I think segregating their kids from the diversity of the world is a shame.
Plus, they shouldn't say it is a cost factor-they had no problem getting lifetime supplies of diapers, cars, a new house etc-I bet they can get a fee waived for some of their kids to join sports teams.

I can't imagine the work involved with all those kids, and I applaud any parent that takes it on, but come on, they still will have regular kid needs that must be met.

 

[disykat]

I didn't read the article so I don't know the whole tone of it, but not playing sports and limiting play dates sounds reasonable to me.

While I would allow it if my kids showed interest, I haven't encouraged sports because of the huge time commitment. We also "limit" play dates. I know some families who spend three nights a week at sports and when they are home there are other kids over too - that is not our family. We've had neighbor children who would live at our house if allowed. I think it is important for my kids to have some time playing just as siblings and for us to have some "down time" as a family.

That is what works for my family and if I were interviewed, that is what I would say. If you were interviewed, you would give your opinion and tell what works for your family. When reading this thread, I could choose to be offended because I feel like I'm being told I'm a bad parent for not "letting" my kids play sports or have tons of play dates - OR I could read it and understand that we have different parenting styles and family dynamics.

 

[RitaZ.]

I can't remember their names but they are referred to as the "Six Pack".

They are the Dilleys. I like that family.

 

[TinkBoo&ElliesMum]

Originally posted by Pete's Mom
The McCaughey used fertility drugs to conceive their first child. They used them again to have another child. Instead she became pregnant with 8. What do you do? Do you terminate the other seven fetuses?

There were 7 not 8. From what I remember they did a more agressive type of infertility treatment when she got pregnant with the 7, one that had a much higher risk of high order multiples.

I used fertility meds to get both girls, but we started low and worked our way up as needed.

I have a hard time feeling anything for this family, they had the 7 and then begged their way into a bigger house, bigger car, bigger lifestyle. They've written books, put out CDs, and the dad had a brief stint as a motivational speaker I don't want to hear about how hard it is when they've had everything handed to them!!!

 

[doubletrouble_vb]

Here is the article. Those who have read it before probably should re-read it.

http://www.lhj.com/lhj/category.jht...ata/lhj/category/data/McCaugheySeptuplets.xml

1. All 8 kids (she had 7 at once "sept"uplets as opposed to "oct"tuplets) go to public school...the oldest was homeschooled until they all could go.

2. They are NOT going on a cruise. They want to go on a cruise once the kids are grown and gone.

3. They have NOT ruled out sports 100%. They just ruled out for now...the kids are 7 they don't have to start now.

4. They apparently come from big families. So the kids visit other family with them on the weekend so their parents get to spend time with their own siblings. I don't see anything wrong with that. I'd have to assume that there will be a pack of cousins for them to play rather than their little friends at school. If they were older it might be an issue but they are 7 (and 8).

To me the article reads that they are milking the fame for what they can get without compromising themselves or their kids. Sort of the difference between taking the annuity on the lottery or taking it lump sum.

 

[bubba's mom]

Originally posted by MamaLema
I think some of these posts would make great letters to the editor of the magazine. Anyone up for it?

ABSOLUTELY............heck, email him/her and link this post!!!!

 

[TerriP]

Originally posted by Pete's Mom
I watched an interview with another family who had 6 children (sextuplets). I can't remember their names but they are referred to as the "Six Pack". After all the fan fare died down, the donations and handouts stopped and they found themselves struggling for even the basics. The husband and the wife were both working, one in the day, the other at night. They hardly ever saw each other. They talked about what a terrible strain it was on their marriage. They could only go out to eat once a year, cut their own hair, shopped at Goodwill, etc. and lived basically from paycheck to paycheck. They could not afford the utilities or insurance on the home that had been donated and ended moving into a small two bedroom house.

This is off the original topic, I know...but I want to respond to this. To me, these parents made the decision to live like this when they chose to use fertility drugs. If you take these drugs, you MUST accept the consequences yourself, and not depend on others for assistance. It is ultimately the children who suffer the most and the parents who put the family in this situation.

Getting personal here, my DH and I have, thus far, been unable to conceive. If we are unable to have children, I will be devastated. BUT, we will not use fertility drugs because we can not support three, four, five, six, seven or more children, and I would not be willing to terminate a pregnancy. It is, in my opinion, irresponsible to assume others will pick up the check for my children.

As for the McCaughy family, they take donations from their community but don't allow their kids to hang out with the children and be involved in that community....I still think that's wrong.

 

[Lachesis00]

The story is sickly sweet... it makes me cringe. I am sure the kids are sweethearts but there is something I've never liked about (is that the right word??) the parents (and I am sure what we read isn't 100% the full story) from what I have read.

I truely feel sorry for these kids.

I do not like the no baseball... for a kid who is natural at baseball. How sad for the child.

And no gum unless doled out by mom and dad...?

While they have a big family (extended) I feel bad they are limiting the kids. As someone pointed out I am sure there are people who could help shuffle them around. Who wants to constantly be with their siblings or cousins. Is that truely letting them become their own person?

 

[doubletrouble_vb]

Going out on a limb here but I have to guess those of you who feel the kids are limited by seeing just family must come from fairly small ones. For me on one side of my family there were 26 grandkids...on the other side its more than that (My parents were one of 9 and 7 respectively...fwiw I'm 45 and big families weren't uncommon up until 1970). We didn't live near either side of the family but where my cousins did they made friends with each other and the other kids near my grandmother's house. They live in a small town in Iowa...what exactly is the difference between the kids playing with their neighbors (who are more than likely just like them) and playing with their cousins (who are more than likely just like them)?

Reading it through it sounds to me that they've gone back to a version of their blue collar lifestyle while keeping a weather eye on the opportunities available to them through the freak occurence of their multiple birth.

PS. For idle reading...I was surprised to find out just how many multiple births of five or greater there have been...including the lady in Texas who had 8 and another poor family that had two sets of twin then had quints...without drugs. http://www.nomotc.org/famous/famous4.html

 

[DisneyMomx7]

To be honest I think the involvement in sports or outside activities would be easier with 7 the same age rather than 7 spread out over the years. Why? Simple, the ones who wanted to play could play on the same team. I remember having three kids on three different teams at the same time! With all the relatives they have I can't believe they wouldn't have some help in getting the kids to the games. I think it's so sad that a 5 year old begged to play on the team and was told no. I still think that they are selfish because they put their desire to visit with their families every weekend above the kids needs to interact with others. Why couldn't the other family members come to watch the game and then socialize at their house. Lord knows it's big enough. And how many families do you know with 7 or 8 kids have a house donated that has two washers and dryers, and 2 dishwashers. I don't think they should have accepted all those donations if they are so adamant about not wanting their children to participate in the community. ALso if only the one boy wanted to play baseball maybe he wouldn't feel like "just one of the 7" if he had a chance to do something alone. Just my honest opinion, but I do feel other large families make time for their kids to be involved in sports, girl or boy scouts, playdates, etc.

 

[danacara]

The cultural chasm that divides me from these people is so wide that I probably can't even comment in any real way. But I wish they would let that kid play baseball. Surely someone would donate a glove or whatever.

 

[disykat]

Where on earth are people getting the idea they don't let their kids play baseball or hang out with kids from the community? I just read the article. They go to public school. It said they are always asking to play with friends and they can't accomodate them "very often". One wants to play baseball and they've decided not to " for now" because they have weekend commitments with their family that they think are more important.

Does everyone here honestly allow their child to play with friends almost every time they ask? Do you really value letting your kids play on an organized sport team at age 7 more than spending time with your extended family? I was trying hard not to be judgemental of all the comments on this thread - but I've changed my mind!

The things you are judging her for are shocking to me. Shocking because I think parents should make sure that family time is a priority and that there should be times when your family isn't going in all different directions. Large families have to work even harder at this. I saw nothing in this article that indicated they don't let their kids have friends or activities - just that they prioritize them. What in the heck is wrong with that?

 

[clutter]

Terri, have you talked with a reproductive endocrinologist? There are ways to use fertility drugs without producing a potential "litter".

I agree that these need to be taken under consideration before trying to get pg with infertility drugs, BUT plenty of women get pg using then and only have one, maybe two, children without selective reduction. Plenty. maybe it costs a bit more, but not in the long run.

 

[TerriP]

Originally posted by clutter
Terri, have you talked with a reproductive endocrinologist? There are ways to use fertility drugs without producing a potential "litter".

No, I haven't. We aren't anywhere near that point in our efforts to have a child. It's good to know there are options that allow people to rule out the possibility of multiples...but does that mean that people chose to use methods/drugs that can create multiples when they have a viable alternative that won't? Now I'm more confused.

 

[SeaSpray]

Originally posted by disykat
Where on earth are people getting the idea they don't let their kids play baseball or hang out with kids from the community? I just read the article. They go to public school. It said they are always asking to play with friends and they can't accomodate them "very often". One wants to play baseball and they've decided not to " for now" because they have weekend commitments with their family that they think are more important.

Does everyone here honestly allow their child to play with friends almost every time they ask? Do you really value letting your kids play on an organized sport team at age 7 more than spending time with your extended family? I was trying hard not to be judgemental of all the comments on this thread - but I've changed my mind!

The things you are judging her for are shocking to me. Shocking because I think parents should make sure that family time is a priority and that there should be times when your family isn't going in all different directions. Large families have to work even harder at this. I saw nothing in this article that indicated they don't let their kids have friends or activities - just that they prioritize them. What in the heck is wrong with that?

I read this thread, then just read the article. I agree with what you said 100%!!!!! It does NOT sound like those kids are sequestered from society, at all! They are ONLY 7 years old for goodness' sake.

Give me a break, already. Like all of you(who are picking on this family) are such perfect parents?? If you were interviewed and had all of your comments written down in an article, who knows how YOU would come off sounding!!!

 

[DisneyMomx7]

I remember years ago when she said she wouldn't let her kids go to public school because of the bad influences. Now she's changed her mind. I don't blame her for that I think homeschooling 8 kids would be a nightmare. She does, however, come across as a little too "sequestered". I really felt bad for the 5 year old who wanted to play baseball. That's a normal kid thing. It's not like it's every weekend all year long.. Why couldn't they make a family thing of it. We always took all our kids (and grandparents too) when the kids were involved in anything.

To me she's the one who comes across as judgmental. Does she think the sky is going to fall if her kids have contact with the community. I still think if she was so worried about outside influences she shouldn't have taken all those donations from outsiders. She sure got a lot more given to her than most with larger families. Flame me if you want but I think they are "takers".

 

[Tuffcookie]

It is so easy to sit in judgement of Bobbi and her unique situation. Even if someone was giving me everything (financial) to raise 8 children, I would never want to trade places with her! So she and her husband are going on a cruise...GOOD FOR THEM!!! They deserve some "alone" time together. As for foregoing sports and all the other extra curricular activites...With an extended family like they have, I think they are probably already learning the social skills, such as team work, and sharing,and responsibilty that team sports promote. It gripes me to hear people complain that they are exploiting their children for monetary gain. The MacCauley's are just being realistic about their situation.
I love the articles about the MacCauleys...It causes me to think back to when they were born. It was around Christmastime. What a perfect time for a miracle in the form of a baby's birth!