Alyssa and John: Lunch with Lurch

[GeeGolly]

I've yet to see a Bates or Duggar do a good job homeschooling, but I'll give Alyssa credit for having a decent learning space, a co-op and a schedule.

Spurgeon Seewald (Duggar) started his school career sitting at an old school desk plopped in random places with his younger siblings disrupting him. Now he apparently does school whenever - even while roller-skating around the kitchen.

School is so much more than reading, writing and 'rithmetic, and as far as we can see these kids are barely getting that. 

[Salacious Kitty]

I said this about Joy Duggar Forsyth a few weeks ago, but Alyssa doesn't have content to be putting out a weekly video. This week, Rhett eats solid food! 

🙄

[RebeccatheWriter]

On 9/1/2023 at 1:01 PM, Salacious Kitty said:

I said this about Joy Duggar Forsyth a few weeks ago, but Alyssa doesn't have content to be putting out a weekly video. This week, Rhett eats solid food! 

🙄

Don't forget Alyssa reacting to John throwing furniture in the pool before the hurricane. 

[Salacious Kitty]

1 minute ago, RebeccatheWriter said:

Don't forget Alyssa reacting to John throwing furniture in the pool before the hurricane. 

Busted. I didn't watch the video. Rhett's new eating habits were the subject in the video thumbnail. 😄

[AstridM]

23 minutes ago, Salacious Kitty said:

Busted. I didn't watch the video. Rhett's new eating habits were the subject in the video thumbnail. 😄

We need more like you.

[RebeccatheWriter]

27 minutes ago, Salacious Kitty said:

Busted. I didn't watch the video. Rhett's new eating habits were the subject in the video thumbnail. 😄

You are a good person. I don't normally watch but they keep coming up on recommended. I wasn't feeling well this morning and was watching some youtube stuff on my laptop. Alyssa's, Erin's, and Carlin's all autoplayed at different times today after another video. I ended up watching them and now feel worse.

[Heathen]

12 hours ago, RebeccatheWriter said:

Don't forget Alyssa reacting to John throwing furniture in the pool before the hurricane. 

His version of hurricane prep was to toss furniture (presumably patio furniture) in their swimming pool? What on earth was that supposed to achieve? 

[BitterApple]

11 minutes ago, Heathen said:

His version of hurricane prep was to toss furniture (presumably patio furniture) in their swimming pool? What on earth was that supposed to achieve? 

I watched and read the comments and apparently it's common practice in Florida. I'm surprised, wow. Even though outdoor furniture is designed to get wet, I don't know that it's designed to be submerged in water filled with chemicals. I'd also be worried about potential damage to the pool. I would've just brought it indoors. 

[Absolom]

Do they have a garage?  That's the proper place to stack the outdoor furniture not in the pool.  Maybe those two deserve each other.

[woodscommaelle]

1 hour ago, Heathen said:

His version of hurricane prep was to toss furniture (presumably patio furniture) in their swimming pool? What on earth was that supposed to achieve? 

As a last resort (if you can't tie the furniture down or bring it inside), you toss it in the pool.  Hurricane winds can pick up the furniture and turn it into flying objects (through windows, on top of cars, etc).

Source: grew up in Miami.

Also, haven't lived there since '96 (family still there, though) so maybe this advice is no longer accurate.  Also, don't think my family ever did this. 

Edited September 3, 2023 by woodscommaelle

[Salacious Kitty]

1 hour ago, Absolom said:

Do they have a garage?  That's the proper place to stack the outdoor furniture not in the pool.  Maybe those two deserve each other.

I'd think they would protect their vehicles in the garage. There probably isn't much room for anything other than stacked chairs in there. 

[Absolom]

Our garage in Florida had a storage space at the end that was quite useful for such events.  ::smh::

[Salacious Kitty]

7 minutes ago, Absolom said:

Our garage in Florida had a storage space at the end that was quite useful for such events.  ::smh::

All of the outdoor furniture? Not doubting, truly curious. 

[Absolom]

Yes.  We had three hurricanes while we lived in that house. It had to be stacked and packed in tightly, but it fit.  Out of our neighbors I knew no one who threw their outdoor furniture or items in the pool. I'm not saying people don't, but no one I knew did it.  My aunt had an enclosed breezeway where she stacked both the outdoor furniture and her dozens of outdoor potted plants.  Alyssa and John should come up with a better plan as this won't be the last hurricane they'll see.  It's worth it not to be fishing stuff out of the pool, the clean up afterward, and the likely replacement of some of the things they'll have to do.  

[woodscommaelle]

37 minutes ago, Absolom said:

Out of our neighbors I knew no one who threw their outdoor furniture or items in the pool. I'm not saying people don't, but no one I knew did it. 

Yeah same. I don’t recall anyone actually doing this. Maybe it was an urban legend?? 🤷🏻‍♀️

[ozziemom]

Florida resident checking in - I’ve heard of people putting patio furniture in the pool but I don’t actually know anyone who has done this. Maybe if there’s absolutely no where else to store stuff? IDK, seems like poor planning. 

[RebeccatheWriter]

I researched it a bit. For some patio furniture it is okay to do. But the chemicals in pool water can damage many furniture items. He was trying to throw in toys and a wicker/cane chair with pillows. Not so smart. 

[GeeGolly]

Google says using a pool to 'store' furniture prior to a hurricane should only be done as a last resort. Last resort pops out in every result on the search page.

John is a long time Floridian, so maybe this is what his family has always done. But apparently its a stupid thing to do.

[ozziemom]

3 hours ago, GeeGolly said:

Google says using a pool to 'store' furniture prior to a hurricane should only be done as a last resort. Last resort pops out in every result on the search page.

John is a long time Floridian, so maybe this is what his family has always done. But apparently its a stupid thing to do.

Stupid and poor planning or rather no planning. 

[Absolom]

Plus many pools are simply nasty after a hurricane has gone through and I'd be tempted to put anything that was in the pool in the trash.  It depends on the surrounding yard and vicinity, but after one hurricane our pool required a lot of work to clean it out and return it to usable condition.  We had a good portion of our neighbor's tree parts in there.  

I don't watch Alyssa and John's videos so I don't know what their yard and the surrounding yards are like, but if they get a fair bit of debris blowing into the pool one or both of them will need to jump right on the removal and clean up.

Edited September 4, 2023 by Absolom

[Heathen]

12 minutes ago, Absolom said:

Plus many pools are simply nasty after a hurricane has gone through and I'd be tempted to put anything that was in the pool in the trash.  It depends on the surrounding yard and vicinity, but after one hurricane our pool required a lot of work to clean it out and return it to usable condition.  We had a good portion of our neighbor's tree parts in there.  

I don't watch Alyssa and John's videos so I don't know what their yard and the surrounding yards are like, but if they get a fair bit of debris blowing into the pool one or both of them will need to jump right on the removal and clean up.

You're talking about a different Alyssa and John, right? Or maybe they'll have one of their not-real friends do the cleanup. 

[65mickey]

So does the furniture and other items that he threw in the pool float or sink? If it sinks to the bootom of the deep end especially wouldn't it be difficult to get it out of the pool? And if it is floating around on top would a strong wind blow it out of the pool? The thing about hurricanes is that you have ample time to prepare. Throwing everything in the pool at the last minute seems stupid to me. 

[Salacious Kitty]

1 hour ago, Heathen said:

You're talking about a different Alyssa and John, right? Or maybe they'll have one of their not-real friends do the cleanup. 

Speaking of not real friends, is that Tikky person still sending Alyssa clothes?

[ozziemom]

On 9/4/2023 at 1:28 PM, Salacious Kitty said:

Speaking of not real friends, is that Tikky person still sending Alyssa clothes?

I think Alyssa finally realized some people thought it was creepy so she doesn’t tag her or mention her, so who knows. Maybe Tikky smartened up and realized she wasn’t really a sweet friend after all.

[BitterApple]

2 hours ago, ozziemom said:

I think Alyssa finally realized some people thought it was creepy so she doesn’t tag her or mention her, so who knows. Maybe Tikky smartened up and realized she wasn’t really a sweet friend after all.

I remember Alyssa dodging multiple questions about who was sending the dresses. When she finally owned up to it, one of her followers asked if Tikky was a boutique owner. Logical assumption, as many influencers are sent free clothes. Tikky got all defensive and posted "I'M A FRIEND!!!," in response. I think Alyssa threw Tikky enough crumbs to make her think she was part of the Bates clique, but she was clearly and obviously being used.

[cereality]

So I don't usually watch Alyssa's videos but turned out Zoey had like 3 days where she was complaining of heart racing. Alyssa's solution is to put an Apple watch on the kid, do ECGs via Apple watch, and do her own "research" - kid's heart rate gets up to the 160s-190s a few times. So Alyssa calls to make an appt with her own cardiologist who is a pediatric cardiologist and they'll see the kid on Monday. But I guess Friday/Sat A&J decide that's too long so they take her to the ER. Rhett has to come of course.

Zoey isn't acting uncomfortable in any way - I mean the kid is BEAMING at the hospital, talking about how much she loves it there, wants to live at the hospital. John meanwhile can't stop looking at and talking to his little buddy Rhett . . . .

So hospital says she's fine to leave but they have to see a cardiologist. Off to the cardiologist who does the required testing, finds nothing, gives them signals they need to watch for. John brushes it off as "there was more detail there, but she's fine." Alyssa later explains the cardiologist thought she experienced something normal like a skipped beat or a hard heart beat and it scared her so then her heart started racing because of that, combine that with 3 days of Alyssa asking how she felt, letting her wear the watch, taking EKGs, the kid became more aware/freaked out about her heart.

Interesting to watch A&J brush this off as - it was for attention . . . . And then of course the video ends with Alyssa going on about how RHETT needed more cuddles. UH???

I get it - she's 5, weird things happen, kids say weird things. But something is going on that scared your kid and/or made your kid feel like - saying that their heart hurt - was the only way to get mom/dad's attention, maybe be more attentive TO THAT KID?? But alas attention in that video shifted every 2 seconds back to RHETT. Zoey even says at one point when her heart feels bad, she wants to come downstairs and play with Rhett -- I mean that sounds like code for -- I am 5 and need mommy and know mommy is with Rhett, so let me go be near Rhett!?

IDK Zoey's personality but I wonder if she's the kid lost in the shuffle. My spidey sense tells me Allie and Lexie get a lot of negative attention - for not doing chores right, not helping their sisters etc. Maci is 2.5 and seems like she has zero effs to give about a new baby, she still demands attention/is needy; I mean at the cardiologist's office she is walking around with a pacifier and Alyssa asks why she needs a paci and kid straight up goes "I don't feel good." I mean if she was a teen she would've followed that up with - eff off. And we all know Rhett lacks for nothing. Wonder if Zoey is the one getting kind of ignored here.

[JAYJAY1979]

24 minutes ago, cereality said:

So I don't usually watch Alyssa's videos but turned out Zoey had like 3 days where she was complaining of heart racing. Alyssa's solution is to put an Apple watch on the kid, do ECGs via Apple watch, and do her own "research" - kid's heart rate gets up to the 160s-190s a few times. So Alyssa calls to make an appt with her own cardiologist who is a pediatric cardiologist and they'll see the kid on Monday. But I guess Friday/Sat A&J decide that's too long so they take her to the ER. Rhett has to come of course.

Zoey isn't acting uncomfortable in any way - I mean the kid is BEAMING at the hospital, talking about how much she loves it there, wants to live at the hospital. John meanwhile can't stop looking at and talking to his little buddy Rhett . . . .

So hospital says she's fine to leave but they have to see a cardiologist. Off to the cardiologist who does the required testing, finds nothing, gives them signals they need to watch for. John brushes it off as "there was more detail there, but she's fine." Alyssa later explains the cardiologist thought she experienced something normal like a skipped beat or a hard heart beat and it scared her so then her heart started racing because of that, combine that with 3 days of Alyssa asking how she felt, letting her wear the watch, taking EKGs, the kid became more aware/freaked out about her heart.

Interesting to watch A&J brush this off as - it was for attention . . . . And then of course the video ends with Alyssa going on about how RHETT needed more cuddles. UH???

I get it - she's 5, weird things happen, kids say weird things. But something is going on that scared your kid and/or made your kid feel like - saying that their heart hurt - was the only way to get mom/dad's attention, maybe be more attentive TO THAT KID?? But alas attention in that video shifted every 2 seconds back to RHETT. Zoey even says at one point when her heart feels bad, she wants to come downstairs and play with Rhett -- I mean that sounds like code for -- I am 5 and need mommy and know mommy is with Rhett, so let me go be near Rhett!?

IDK Zoey's personality but I wonder if she's the kid lost in the shuffle. My spidey sense tells me Allie and Lexie get a lot of negative attention - for not doing chores right, not helping their sisters etc. Maci is 2.5 and seems like she has zero effs to give about a new baby, she still demands attention/is needy; I mean at the cardiologist's office she is walking around with a pacifier and Alyssa asks why she needs a paci and kid straight up goes "I don't feel good." I mean if she was a teen she would've followed that up with - eff off. And we all know Rhett lacks for nothing. Wonder if Zoey is the one getting kind of ignored here.

I was watching the video and thinking it was good that Alyssa at least was paying attention to what Zoey was feeling and monitoring it.. unlike Carlin.

However, when the attention theory came out.. I was a little surprised not only would she think it.. but would say it out loud and on a video posted on YT.  And reading your thoughts and questioning Zoey's personality and if she's gotten lost in the shuffle made me float a theory.

It does appear that Zoey is the middle child now and middle children always seem to get lost in the shuffle.  Also, if I recall from watching the show.. she was not exactly a planned pregnancy.. that Alyssa seemed to hint that they were trying not to get pregnant and was surprised she was pregnant.  I'm wondering if on some level, that has affected how Alyssa/John are with her.

 

[BitterApple]

I haven't seen the video, but one thing I've noticed is John and Alyssa seem to spend little, if any, one-on-one time with the kids. I mean, John does that bullshit Daddy/Daughter date a whopping one time per year, but that's more about reinforcing gender roles than it is bonding with the girls. They don't even hide the fact that the only kid who matters is Rhett. If they're this obvious on camera, I can't imagine how bad they are behind closed doors. I'm not surprised Zoey is starved for attention. 

[3 is enough]

I do not recall how it was when Zoey was the youngest, but I don’t think she was doted on like Maci was. 
Poor little girl. I can’t imagine how much she wants attention if she likes the hospital. I had my appendix out when I was 8. They kept me in for a week and I was homesick and could not get home fast enough. I had 3 younger brothers at home at the time but I still probably got more attention than poor Zoey.

Edited September 27, 2023 by 3 is enough

[Heathen]

4 hours ago, cereality said:

So I don't usually watch Alyssa's videos but turned out Zoey had like 3 days where she was complaining of heart racing. Alyssa's solution is to put an Apple watch on the kid, do ECGs via Apple watch, and do her own "research" - kid's heart rate gets up to the 160s-190s a few times. So Alyssa calls to make an appt with her own cardiologist who is a pediatric cardiologist and they'll see the kid on Monday. But I guess Friday/Sat A&J decide that's too long so they take her to the ER. Rhett has to come of course.

Zoey isn't acting uncomfortable in any way - I mean the kid is BEAMING at the hospital, talking about how much she loves it there, wants to live at the hospital. John meanwhile can't stop looking at and talking to his little buddy Rhett . . . .

So hospital says she's fine to leave but they have to see a cardiologist. Off to the cardiologist who does the required testing, finds nothing, gives them signals they need to watch for. John brushes it off as "there was more detail there, but she's fine." Alyssa later explains the cardiologist thought she experienced something normal like a skipped beat or a hard heart beat and it scared her so then her heart started racing because of that, combine that with 3 days of Alyssa asking how she felt, letting her wear the watch, taking EKGs, the kid became more aware/freaked out about her heart.

Interesting to watch A&J brush this off as - it was for attention . . . . And then of course the video ends with Alyssa going on about how RHETT needed more cuddles. UH???

I get it - she's 5, weird things happen, kids say weird things. But something is going on that scared your kid and/or made your kid feel like - saying that their heart hurt - was the only way to get mom/dad's attention, maybe be more attentive TO THAT KID?? But alas attention in that video shifted every 2 seconds back to RHETT. Zoey even says at one point when her heart feels bad, she wants to come downstairs and play with Rhett -- I mean that sounds like code for -- I am 5 and need mommy and know mommy is with Rhett, so let me go be near Rhett!?

IDK Zoey's personality but I wonder if she's the kid lost in the shuffle. My spidey sense tells me Allie and Lexie get a lot of negative attention - for not doing chores right, not helping their sisters etc. Maci is 2.5 and seems like she has zero effs to give about a new baby, she still demands attention/is needy; I mean at the cardiologist's office she is walking around with a pacifier and Alyssa asks why she needs a paci and kid straight up goes "I don't feel good." I mean if she was a teen she would've followed that up with - eff off. And we all know Rhett lacks for nothing. Wonder if Zoey is the one getting kind of ignored here.

I feel so sorry for the Webster girls. They deserve better than John and Alyssa. 

[GeeGolly]

When in Zoey's life were Alyssa's heart issues? I think they delayed at least one pregnancy due to her health. And how much do they talk about Alyssa's heart issues now? Lastly, didn't John have some heart episode too?

I hope they sit Zoey down and let her know most folks' hearts are fine, especially little kid hearts.

[SabineElisabeth]

Their latest YT vid reminded me of an old Q&A one in which they were asked if they "sleep train" their kids (they do).  John then explained that if a fussy baby immediately stops crying when picked up, the baby is just attention seeking rather than actually being colicky etc.  Alyssa tried to smooth this over a bit, but it was clear that unless in pain, John doesn't think a tiny, crying baby should be comforted or soothed.  (And pretty sure Alyssa either mostly agrees or goes along with it anyway).

I'm not a parent and haven't spent a ton of time around babies, so am certainly no expert . . . and I've heard many people say you should let a baby "cry it out," but something about John's attitude regarding needing attention really bothered me (so much so that it's the only question from the whole video I remember).  Guessing his feelings on the topic probably come from his own Fundie upbringing, but it really sucks for his own kids that he's never been enlightened that "attention" is a very basic, core human need.  When that need isn't being met, the normal response is to do something to elicit more attention - whether that be a baby crying, or a 5 year old "malingering" a bit.  And it makes me sad to see John be so dismissive and disdainful rather than looking for ways to give Zoey more positive, appropriate attention.

[Notabug]

14 hours ago, cereality said:

So I don't usually watch Alyssa's videos but turned out Zoey had like 3 days where she was complaining of heart racing. Alyssa's solution is to put an Apple watch on the kid, do ECGs via Apple watch, and do her own "research" - kid's heart rate gets up to the 160s-190s a few times. So Alyssa calls to make an appt with her own cardiologist who is a pediatric cardiologist and they'll see the kid on Monday. But I guess Friday/Sat A&J decide that's too long so they take her to the ER. Rhett has to come of course.

Zoey isn't acting uncomfortable in any way - I mean the kid is BEAMING at the hospital, talking about how much she loves it there, wants to live at the hospital. John meanwhile can't stop looking at and talking to his little buddy Rhett . . . .

So hospital says she's fine to leave but they have to see a cardiologist. Off to the cardiologist who does the required testing, finds nothing, gives them signals they need to watch for. John brushes it off as "there was more detail there, but she's fine." Alyssa later explains the cardiologist thought she experienced something normal like a skipped beat or a hard heart beat and it scared her so then her heart started racing because of that, combine that with 3 days of Alyssa asking how she felt, letting her wear the watch, taking EKGs, the kid became more aware/freaked out about her heart.

Interesting to watch A&J brush this off as - it was for attention . . . . And then of course the video ends with Alyssa going on about how RHETT needed more cuddles. UH???

I get it - she's 5, weird things happen, kids say weird things. But something is going on that scared your kid and/or made your kid feel like - saying that their heart hurt - was the only way to get mom/dad's attention, maybe be more attentive TO THAT KID?? But alas attention in that video shifted every 2 seconds back to RHETT. Zoey even says at one point when her heart feels bad, she wants to come downstairs and play with Rhett -- I mean that sounds like code for -- I am 5 and need mommy and know mommy is with Rhett, so let me go be near Rhett!?

IDK Zoey's personality but I wonder if she's the kid lost in the shuffle. My spidey sense tells me Allie and Lexie get a lot of negative attention - for not doing chores right, not helping their sisters etc. Maci is 2.5 and seems like she has zero effs to give about a new baby, she still demands attention/is needy; I mean at the cardiologist's office she is walking around with a pacifier and Alyssa asks why she needs a paci and kid straight up goes "I don't feel good." I mean if she was a teen she would've followed that up with - eff off. And we all know Rhett lacks for nothing. Wonder if Zoey is the one getting kind of ignored here.

It's pretty clear why Zoey LOVED the ER.  The staff there doesn't often get a cute young kid in there who isn't sick or injured; who isn't upset and crying.  The nurses probably fought over who got to bring the cute little girl a popsicle or sticker.  Who got to spend a minute talking to a kid about nothing in that great way that kids that age can talk for hours. They probably fussed over her and spoke to her kindly and softly and asked her how she was doing and did she need anything.  She undoubtedly loved being the focus of attention and having people care about what she was feeling and what she needed.  I expect that almost never happens at home, poor kid.

28 minutes ago, SabineElisabeth said:

Their latest YT vid reminded me of an old Q&A one in which they were asked if they "sleep train" their kids (they do).  John then explained that if a fussy baby immediately stops crying when picked up, the baby is just attention seeking rather than actually being colicky etc.  Alyssa tried to smooth this over a bit, but it was clear that unless in pain, John doesn't think a tiny, crying baby should be comforted or soothed.  (And pretty sure Alyssa either mostly agrees or goes along with it anyway).

I'm not a parent and haven't spent a ton of time around babies, so am certainly no expert . . . and I've heard many people say you should let a baby "cry it out," but something about John's attitude regarding needing attention really bothered me (so much so that it's the only question from the whole video I remember).  Guessing his feelings on the topic probably come from his own Fundie upbringing, but it really sucks for his own kids that he's never been enlightened that "attention" is a very basic, core human need.  When that need isn't being met, the normal response is to do something to elicit more attention - whether that be a baby crying, or a 5 year old "malingering" a bit.  And it makes me sad to see John be so dismissive and disdainful rather than looking for ways to give Zoey more positive, appropriate attention.

It seems to be a fundie tenet that babies are nefarious creatures with dark, ulterior motives who are just out for themselves. Most parents who would let their baby cry for a minute or two to see if they will self-settle, would not leave a baby to 'cry it out' like these folks seem to do.  Then again, these are people who hit infants with a stick when they reach for a toy without authorization, so there's that.

Edited September 27, 2023 by Notabug

[Dimi1]

john is not available ( only for boy child) and lets face it...Alyssa looks terrible...she is totally checked out at this point...she even said herself she has had trouble after this child...not exercising , tired...etc...she does not have it in her to give her kids anything...

[Salacious Kitty]

3 hours ago, Notabug said:

It's pretty clear why Zoey LOVED the ER.  The staff there doesn't often get a cute young kid in there who isn't sick or injured; who isn't upset and crying.  The nurses probably fought over who got to bring the cute little girl a popsicle or sticker.  Who got to spend a minute talking to a kid about nothing in that great way that kids that age can talk for hours. They probably fussed over her and spoke to her kindly and softly and asked her how she was doing and did she need anything.  She undoubtedly loved being the focus of attention and having people care about what she was feeling and what she needed.  I expect that almost never happens at home, poor kid.

It seems to be a fundie tenet that babies are nefarious creatures with dark, ulterior motives who are just out for themselves. Most parents who would let their baby cry for a minute or two to see if they will self-settle, would not leave a baby to 'cry it out' like these folks seem to do.  Then again, these are people who hit infants with a stick when they reach for a toy without authorization, so there's that.

The heinous preacher Voddie Baucham calls babies vipers in diapers. That pretty much sums up the fundie viewpoint.

[AgathaC]

Poor Zoey. No wonder the kid loved the ER — attention. At least Alyssa actually paid some attention to her and took it seriously. John didn’t give the slightest damn. Kids that age can “enjoy” illness and injury somewhat. It’s not uncommon. My sisters and I got plenty of attention and we acted up injuries on occasion. But my parents knew how to deal with it — discourage the behavior without being dismissive.

I knew a family growing up that had a similar boy fixation. The daughter had asthma and would exaggerate or fake attacks because it was the only time she got positive attention.

Want to bet Zoey has another episode? But while that shouldn’t be encouraged, they should address the root of the problem. Talk to her. Cuddle with her. Play with her. Without her brother right there. But I think Alyssa is too worn out and John is a heartless, Neanderthal jackass who probably shouldn’t procreate at all. Even golden penis Rhett won’t be unscathed. You know any sign of sensitivity and gentleness will be bludgeoned out of him.

Sorry. I really get triggered by boy-centric families. Maybe because I’m from an all-sisters family and had to hear “jokes” about how my dad must have wanted a boy (uh, actually, he didn’t) my entire life.

[AstridM]

Zoey may grow up to be Carlin. 

[Salacious Kitty]

15 minutes ago, AstridM said:

Zoey may grow up to be Carlin. 

Let's hope not. 

[cereality]

34 minutes ago, AstridM said:

Zoey may grow up to be Carlin. 

Had the same thought.

Whichever way this goes, it isn't a positive unless A&J really step up, which they won't. Say Zoey is having palpitations or something similar on occasion and they just weren't caught when she was happily being tended to in the ER or the drs office [she was SUPER happy there too] but they're showing up in regular life. Well she needs to understand that she needs to tell mom/dad and they'll believe her and no it isn't a bother even if they have to go back to the dr.

Thing is though now with A&J taking the - it's for attention - stance, they're less likely to believe her + she probably gets it at some level. Like she may not have understood exactly what John was saying but at 5 kids can pretty much get the gist that daddy is brushing them off, things this is NBD; thru some part of the YT video where they were talking about what the dr said - Zoey did walk in, so she may have heard some of it directly and it may not even just be a feeling that daddy is brushing her off.

Secondly, even if nothing is going on - Carlin is the cautionary tale here. She has said directly that she had anxiety by the time she was a teen and her parents basically had her pray. Uh we don't know that teen anxiety didn't start years prior when she felt brushed off when something felt wrong to her - bc G&K had too many kids to care. If they don't deal with this, they could be dealing with a loud anxious attention seeker for years to come.

And on a different note, STOP THIS STUPID "BEST BUDDY" THING. Multiple times in the video John refers to Rhett as his little buddy. Then while they're shooting this YT, Maci wanders in demanding to be picked up, Alyssa picks her up and goes on about how Maci's her best buddy and John goes "wow poor Rhett, I guess he can be my best buddy - haha." While all this is going on, Zoey walks in and John goes "are you my best buddy" she says yes and John goes "how nice." Lol John - we all know the spot is occupied by Rhett.

Jesus Christ - Zoey is still only 5. She still needs parental attention in a little kid way and is seeing that Dad is occupied by Rhett and Mom by Maci and Rhett!? Ally and Lexi are old enough that they're prob starting to understand who their parents are - but Zoey isn't there . . . so cue the issues that come from being the ignored child.

[AgathaC]

Yeah, hopefully this won’t cause them to brush things off. My oldest niece played up ailments when she was that age. One day she complained about her shoulder and parents didn’t believe her. Her dad (an ER doc) included. Turned out she had fallen out of bed and broken her collarbone. Oops. They felt awful. She, however, was thrilled with her sling…

[Meow Mix]

John and Alyssa need to stop making videos.  They can't help but make themselves look worse every time.  I used to like Alyssa, but I can't stand her now.  I'm sorry she's worn out, but they chose to bring these kids into the world.  Now that John has his golden penis, it's time for a snip snip and no more kids.

Sounds like they have the same attitude is Jill Rodrigues.  She claims babies practice deceit because they cry when they really don't need anything.  I hope all these awful parents get repaid in kind by their grown kids.

[Dimi1]

Alyssa looks terrible..pale, puffy and worn out...

[GeeGolly]

How sad it is that these folks think attention, cuddles, comfort and safeness are not needs.

[Salacious Kitty]

Poor Allie. While trick or treating, she was also tasked to pass out tracts to those who gave her candy. John and Alyssa obviously knew that no adult could say no after just giving the kid candy. 

Lots of garbage in that neighborhood the next day. 

[BitterApple]

54 minutes ago, Salacious Kitty said:

Poor Allie. While trick or treating, she was also tasked to pass out tracts to those who gave her candy. John and Alyssa obviously knew that no adult could say no after just giving the kid candy. 

Lots of garbage in that neighborhood the next day. 

Alyssa and John are such assholes. That poor child can't enjoy anything, can she? The only reason they made her do that was to appease their conservative followers. 

[floridamom]

I agree that those tracks were "advertised and passed out" in the video to appease the anti-halloween people....AND Alyssa's house was a mess. She needs some time management skills IMO.

[JAYJAY1979]

I thought it was an adorable video..and I was surprised they do Halloween..and even titled their video as such.

I thought the idea of Alyssa being an adult Princess and Maci being the princess as a small child was good.  Although I know a few people that are Princess Peach and Princess Toadstool.

I like she's giving the kids a childhood she didn't have...though I agree the pamphlets was probably more for the fundie fans.

[Salacious Kitty]

She still got slammed in the comments about the evils of Halloween. The tracts didn't seem to matter much, or at all, to some.

[AstridM]

On 11/4/2023 at 8:52 AM, floridamom said:

I agree that those tracks were "advertised and passed out" in the video to appease the anti-halloween people....AND Alyssa's house was a mess. She needs some time management skills IMO.

How disgusting that they make their daughter do this just to “appease” a bunch of complete internet strangers. Awful. 

[BitterApple]

1 hour ago, AstridM said:

How disgusting that they make their daughter do this just to “appease” a bunch of complete internet strangers. Awful. 

It was real slick of them too. Adults aren't going to be rude and tell off a kid. They'll just take the tract and toss it in the trash. It might have been a different story with John handing them out. It sucks poor Allie had to be the sacrificial lamb, but that's pretty much the story of her entire life. 

Edited November 5, 2023 by BitterApple