Michaella and Brandon: He Writes Fairy Tales

[Saltgypsie]

Can somebody please remind me what  Brandon does for a living

[SMama]

30 minutes ago, Saltgypsie said:

Can somebody please remind me what  Brandon does for a living

He either maintains the website and/or IT. 

[emmawoodhouse]

1 minute ago, SMama said:

He either maintains the website and/or IT. 

For IBLP 

[SMama]

Jeb and Judson are on their way to CA with Michael and Brandon, and some kid their age l didn’t recognize. It’s like Kelly is allergic to her still at home kids. 

[cereality]

I'm unclear on why G&K even needed to be there starting Saturday except that they just want to chill in Cali for a while. Yet obv the more dependents that go with them for Sat-Thursday night/Friday morning, the more hotel rooms or bigger AirBnB they need. So parents of the year decide they'll go early and prob just rent a small AirBnB/one hotel room for Saturday-Monday and then as others start bringing their dependent children, Gil will then open up his wallet for a bigger place to house them from Monday/Tuesday-Thurs.

I mean just because Josie/Kelton wanted a vacation and can afford it and are taking all their kids with them, doesn't mean G&K needed to do the same??

Thus far the only kids we've seen with them were Warden/Isiah - and you know Gil requires them and Jackson to pay for their own way/contribute to any house G&K rents since they are grown and working. Jackson clearly has stepped back from the family so while he'll be there, I imagine he'll arrive the day before the wedding just like he did for both Nathan and Katie. G&K had no problem dumping Jeb/Jud and having Michael/Brandon bring them. Addie/Ellie/Callie also haven't been seen yet, so I guarantee they're flying with some combo of Carlin, Tori, Whit, and Erin -- under the guise of helping those couples w/ their kids on a 5 hr flight; but really the fewer days their dependents are around, the more G&K can be on vacation and saving money on housing/feeding their own kids. Lazy ass parents - no different than the Duggars at all, just put on a better show.

[BitterApple]

It seems like Kelly spends most of her time these days running to New Jersey to hand-hold Katie. I'm actually shocked she took Jeb that last time. 

 

[andromeda331]

50 minutes ago, BitterApple said:

It seems like Kelly spends most of her time these days running to New Jersey to hand-hold Katie. I'm actually shocked she took Jeb that last time. 

 

Jeb probably was too.

[ozziemom]

10 hours ago, BitterApple said:

It seems like Kelly spends most of her time these days running to New Jersey to hand-hold Katie. I'm actually shocked she took Jeb that last time. 

 

KJ never travels alone so Jeb was probably the only one who hadn’t accompanied her somewhere recently. Wonder why Gil hasn’t gone to see Katie yet? Saving the top gun until it’s really critical?

[Heathen]

On 1/9/2022 at 1:26 PM, So unbelievable said:

From what I understand, Michaela got her LPN, not RN.  The hospital/medical system I work for doesn't even hire any LPN's.  RN's only and they push you to get BSN within a few years of being hired.  Maybe she didn't research much before going to school.  Not knowing she'd have to go to more school after finishing the first degree.  Nursing homes usually hire LPN's and at a much lower pay rate than RN's. 

If she truly wanted to help her grandparents, she could have just gone to school for CNA.  Much, much shorter course.  

That's how it is here. Even doctors' offices don't hire LPNs now -- it's MAs and maybe an RN or two if they do infusions or IV treatments, like my hematologist's office. LPNs here are pretty much limited to home health care or nursing homes. 

I wonder how Michaela's nursing program feels about somebody taking up a program spot when she doesn't even plan to use her license. Maybe she did plan to use it and then changed her mind, but if not, I wouldn't blame the school for being ticked off. 

[Notabug]

7 hours ago, Heathen said:

That's how it is here. Even doctors' offices don't hire LPNs now -- it's MAs and maybe an RN or two if they do infusions or IV treatments, like my hematologist's office. LPNs here are pretty much limited to home health care or nursing homes. 

I wonder how Michaela's nursing program feels about somebody taking up a program spot when she doesn't even plan to use her license. Maybe she did plan to use it and then changed her mind, but if not, I wouldn't blame the school for being ticked off. 

Yes, LPN's usually don't work in hospitals anymore, but that may change as there is such a shortage of care providers these days.  Cannot imagine Michael EVER wanting to work in a hospital, especially during a pandemic, though.  The entire Bates clan seems to have a very strange notion as to what it is to hold a real job.

However, many doctor's offices will hire LPN's because their license allows them to administer medications like vaccinations and such via injection.  Michael, who professes to love children so much, could easily find a job in a Pediatrician's office or even with the local health department administering vaccines.  Not sure how the Bates feel about vaccines, though, that might be an issue for her.

I would imagine Michael's nursing program doesn't really care what she does with her education as long as the checks for her tuition cleared.

Abby Duggar, JD's wife, has an LPN and worked in a long term care facility for a couple of years before marrying.  She seemed to enjoy her job and has said that she keeps her license active 'just in case.'

Edited June 3, 2022 by Notabug

[Temperance]

Plenty of women change their minds after graduation. Or something comes up where they need to not work for a while.  

While it would be nice to see Michael working, it's none of the school's business.

[MMLEsq]

I can't really speak to nurses, specifically, but I can share this personal observation:  my sister was in the medical school of a prestigious university (only relevant for what comes next) while I was at the law school of the same university at the same time.  She told me that (1) the university wouldn't admit students older than a certain general age because they wanted to ensure that the students would be able to have a certain period of time to work as a doctor (in other words, they weren't going to waste a spot in the medical school on someone who would likely only practice for a few years and then retire), and (2) the university very much cared what fields the students intended to go in to.  They definitely were pushing the specialist route over more "general practice"-type fields because they prized their star alumni (famous cardiologists, oncologists, etc.).  In the law school of that same university it was a much different story however.  There was no concern at all about the age of applicants -- a 90-year-old could apply and they'd be just as welcome (maybe more so, age diversity and so on) as younger applicants.  And, while the majority of graduates did happen to go on to practice at the big NY/international firms, I certainly never felt a push to do that.

Back on topic, I initially was a little skeptical of Brandon, but my opinion of him definitely turned around as time went on.  In the beginning it felt like Michael(a) was chasing him and he seemed must less invested, but now I sort of attribute that to shyness and perhaps a somewhat reserved personality.  They seem like a good match and I'm glad that, so far as I know, he seems to have taken whatever fertility issues they have in stride.  It must be horrible to be raised in an environment that values child-bearing above just about everything else and then to have fertility issues.  Especially when faced with sisters that seem to pop out babies like it's nothing.  (I realize that some of them, Erin, have faced issues while pregnant, so it's not "like it's nothing," but still...)

[Heathen]

On 6/15/2022 at 3:04 AM, Temperance said:

Plenty of women change their minds after graduation. Or something comes up where they need to not work for a while.  

While it would be nice to see Michael working, it's none of the school's business.

That is true, but Michael is the one putting it on social media for all to see. 

[65mickey]

On 6/22/2022 at 11:20 AM, MMLEsq said:

She told me that (1) the university wouldn't admit students older than a certain general age because they wanted to ensure that the students would be able to have a certain period of time to work as a doctor (in other words, they weren't going to waste a spot in the medical school on someone who would likely only practice for a few years and then retire), and (2) the university very much cared what fields the students intended to go in to.  

Isn't that illegal? I guess thay find other reasons to reject older applicants but to blatantly say that they don't admit students based on their age seems like asking for a discrimination suit. 

[Notabug]

11 hours ago, 65mickey said:

Isn't that illegal? I guess thay find other reasons to reject older applicants but to blatantly say that they don't admit students based on their age seems like asking for a discrimination suit. 

Medical schools do look at age at least in terms of return on investment (while med school tuition is high, much of the educational cost is subsidized by taxpayers).  Most don’t have a hard and fast rule about age.  Unlike law school which is 3 years in the classroom; med school is 2 years in class followed by 2 years on clinical rotation where 12 hour days on your feet and overnight call is the norm followed by a minimum of 3 years as a resident with more of the same.  The typical med student ends up with a couple hundred thousand in debt, to boot.  Most older students are just not going to sign up for that.

I attended med school with a guy who was 41 at the start.  He had been a lawyer, was married, several kids.  The difference in his willingness and ability to work the way we were expected to work was vast and he was asked to leave a residency after his second year because he simply couldn’t/wouldn’t do his share.

In Michael’s case, her academic course was much less rigorous and she needs no further training.  There is always a need for people with medical education of some sort and the school apparently had room for a student who wasn’t interested in full time practice which is actually pretty common in nursing since most grads are women and many take a break or work part time when they have small kids.

Edited June 25, 2022 by Notabug

[65mickey]

Looking at age is s one thing but saying that a university will not admit students older than a certain age group is a different matter. I can't imagine that a university especially one that receives public money would put this out. 

[3 is enough]

The info about the medical school came from a student.  Inside information, if you will.  I doubt the school would publicly broadcast the fact that they do not admit older students.  A more prestigious institution will always have more applicants than spots so they can pick and choose. It would be very difficult to prove age discrimination since there are so many factors involved in getting accepted- grades, MCAT scores, and interviews. 
My daughter had a woman in her early 40’s, a mother of 6, in her class. I believe she did a family medicine residency in a rural area, which was always her intention, and there is a real need for those practitioners. So it can happen, but obviously it is not the norm.

Back to Michael, I was hardly surprised she did not look for a job after she finished.  She’s an LPN, not an RN, which limits her options for employment, and it seems she took the course mainly to distract herself from her infertility issues.

[BitterApple]

On 6/22/2022 at 11:20 AM, MMLEsq said:

Back on topic, I initially was a little skeptical of Brandon, but my opinion of him definitely turned around as time went on.  In the beginning it felt like Michael(a) was chasing him and he seemed must less invested, but now I sort of attribute that to shyness and perhaps a somewhat reserved personality. 

Brandon won me over on the episode where he went shopping for Michael's engagement ring. Carlin was along for the ride and she made a flippant comment telling Brandon he didn't have to look too hard because Michael would be happy with anything. Brandon snapped back, "Well, I don't want to get her just anything," and eventually had a ring custom-made. I'm not saying love equals money spent, but Brandon definitely cared for Michael much more than his stiff camera presence indicated. 

[GeeGolly]

With the exception of Alyssa, Erin and Josie, it seems everyone is at Bill and Janie's. Michael's IG has the most pictures.

[Tikichick]

Isn't Janie the grandma who stressed over their visits?   If so, yikes, poor woman.

[ozziemom]

On 7/5/2022 at 8:27 AM, GeeGolly said:

With the exception of Alyssa, Erin and Josie, it seems everyone is at Bill and Janie's. Michael's IG has the most pictures.

Trace and Lydia were pictured in Arkansas for the 4th. She must be one of the RHOMCs, she was with Joy and “Drew’s girl” lol. Thank you to whoever first referred to them as RHOMC, makes me giggle every time.

And yes, Janie was the one who expressed anxiety over the Bateses visits. This was when a lot of the boys were teens and younger and it seemed like the kids were always out of control. Lots of chaos and mess IIRC.

[cereality]

While this was a "smaller" visit, it was still - G&K, Zach's 6 person family, Carlin's 4 person family, Michael/Brandon, Law/Tiff, Warden, Isiah, Addie, Ellie, Callie, Jeb, Jud. That's 23 ppl right there. Jeb and Jud seem pretty feral and then there were 6 other kids under age 6. Yeah . . . . have a feeling Mama Jane and Papa Bill are lounging in their recliners grabbing coffee from their industrial size coffee maker all this week as they recover. The Bates are selfish that way. They HAVE to go to the farm on July 4 bc that's the vacation THEY want. I doubt they even ask Mama Jane if it's ok, if she prefers they come in smaller groups etc. I mean I get it, it's Papa Bill's bday so maybe you want it to be somewhat of a celebration but a celebration can be had if say 5 guests show up instead of 23 and the other 18 people can make plans to visit at different times. I mean seems like Alyssa and Erin go to the farm specifically when other Bates are not going - presumably to actually spend time with the grandparents rather than just be there for the "fun" chaos. Josie just doesn't go so there's another option - lol.

[SMama]

Where do all those people sleep? Was it ever shown on BUB? 

[Salacious Kitty]

4 minutes ago, SMama said:

Where do all those people sleep? Was it ever shown on BUB? 

I always wondered that myself. G&K don't have an RV. I think they drive down in a van. 

[SMama]

44 minutes ago, Salacious Kitty said:

I always wondered that myself. G&K don't have an RV. I think they drive down in a van. 

I remember their 15 passenger van. It’s odd they never bought an RV, especially when BUB came along. Chad managed to buy a camper trailer to renovate. Josie & Kelton just bought a fifth wheel. 

[GeeGolly]

I did see an RV in the driveway in one of the pictures.

Also Gil's siblings live nearby or on the property so I believe some stay with them.

Edited July 6, 2022 by GeeGolly

[Salacious Kitty]

3 minutes ago, GeeGolly said:

I did see an RV in the driveway in one of the pictures.

Also Gil's siblings live nearby or on the property so I believe some stay with them.

It's possible that Z&W rented an RV for the Florida trip. They've done it in the past.

[Heathen]

18 hours ago, SMama said:

I remember their 15 passenger van. It’s odd they never bought an RV, especially when BUB came along. Chad managed to buy a camper trailer to renovate. Josie & Kelton just bought a fifth wheel. 

They probably couldn't find anyone to give them an RV. Why would Gil spend his own money when there are plenty of suckers around to spend theirs on him? 

[Cinnabon]

20 hours ago, cereality said:

Addie, Ellie, Callie, Jeb, Jud.

Are some of them on the Beverly Hillbillies?🤣

[Heathen]

5 hours ago, Cinnabon said:

Are some of them on the Beverly Hillbillies?🤣

I read it as yodeling, so maybe they're in Switzerland. Who am I kidding? I doubt any of them could find Switzerland on a map! 

[Salacious Kitty]

4 minutes ago, Heathen said:

I read it as yodeling, so maybe they're in Switzerland. Who am I kidding? I doubt any of them could find Switzerland on a map! 

Carlin used to yodel. Well, more like screech, but she called it yodeling. 😀

[Cinnabon]

16 minutes ago, Heathen said:

I read it as yodeling, so maybe they're in Switzerland. Who am I kidding? I doubt any of them could find Switzerland on a map! 

Aren’t some of those names of characters on the show? Ellie May, Jeb or Jed? 

[So unbelievable]

On 7/6/2022 at 12:24 PM, ozziemom said:

Thank you to whoever first referred to them as RHOMC, makes me giggle every time.

Have to ask.  I have the first part figured out, what does the MC stand for?

[Salacious Kitty]

2 minutes ago, So unbelievable said:

Have to ask.  I have the first part figured out, what does the MC stand for?

Mediccorps 

[Tikichick]

On 7/6/2022 at 4:47 PM, cereality said:

While this was a "smaller" visit, it was still - G&K, Zach's 6 person family, Carlin's 4 person family, Michael/Brandon, Law/Tiff, Warden, Isiah, Addie, Ellie, Callie, Jeb, Jud. That's 23 ppl right there. Jeb and Jud seem pretty feral and then there were 6 other kids under age 6. Yeah . . . . have a feeling Mama Jane and Papa Bill are lounging in their recliners grabbing coffee from their industrial size coffee maker all this week as they recover. The Bates are selfish that way. They HAVE to go to the farm on July 4 bc that's the vacation THEY want. I doubt they even ask Mama Jane if it's ok, if she prefers they come in smaller groups etc. I mean I get it, it's Papa Bill's bday so maybe you want it to be somewhat of a celebration but a celebration can be had if say 5 guests show up instead of 23 and the other 18 people can make plans to visit at different times. I mean seems like Alyssa and Erin go to the farm specifically when other Bates are not going - presumably to actually spend time with the grandparents rather than just be there for the "fun" chaos. Josie just doesn't go so there's another option - lol.

Hopefully they made it Irish -- during and before the visit.   Sounds like medically necessary.

[Salacious Kitty]

Sweet baby Jesus, Michael is still taking (presumably monthly) pregnancy tests. And of course, gets all worked up when it's negative (again). I figured that she had been tested for every possible reason for her infertility by now. It's been what, 7 years?

[3 is enough]

She's hoping for a miracle.  I'm not sure what the doctors have told them, but she most likely believes if she prays enough Jesus will make it happen.

We went through 3 years of fertility treatments before I finally got pregnant.  I had had enough and needed a break.  Sure enough, I got pregnant with no medical intervention.  And went on to have 2 more pregnancies.  

Of course, when I took a break I did not test.  It was only after I realized I was a couple of weeks late that I decided to take a test.  This was 34 years ago and the tests were not as accurate as they are today.

Michael would be better off not testing and putting herself through that agony every month, but it is easier said than done.  

[Peanut6711]

Do we know if they tested Brandon?  I can't imagine how a fundie family would react to a husband who couldn't impregnate his wife so I expect they'd keep it quiet and paint the wife out to be the problem. 

[Salacious Kitty]

I thought they quietly announced that he'd been tested and found not to be the problem. 

[ranchgirl]

After looking at pictures of Katie and Travis' baby gender reveal, if any of Michaella's siblings (but mostly her sisters) ever do anything nice for her?  She is always there for them; babysitting, making dinners, congratulating the latest pregnancy, helping with showers, going to reveals and birthday gatherings etc.                                       As soon as she arrives at any family function, she is holding babies.  (Which I know she loves to do so not saying the siblings make her do that.)   I just wonder if her siblings do anything for her in return.  Do they honor her?  Encourage her?  Support her?  Are they there for her if/when she needs it?  Or do they just call her when they need someone to watch their own kids? 

I hope her siblings are good to her.  I know she is happy for them, but it must be so hard to watch them announce pregnancies, one after the other.  

Edited September 11, 2022 by ranchgirl
Fix some weird spacing.

[BitterApple]

Unfortunately Michael's allowed herself to be a walking doormat. I think she genuinely loves getting her kid-fix via her nieces and nephews, but I don't think her siblings appreciate her. Erin wrote a nice tribute for Michael's birthday, but aside from that I've never seen the Bates give her any recognition. 

[ranchgirl]

4 minutes ago, BitterApple said:

Unfortunately Michael's allowed herself to be a walking doormat. I think she genuinely loves getting her kid-fix via her nieces and nephews, but I don't think her siblings appreciate her. Erin wrote a nice tribute for Michael's birthday, but aside from that I've never seen the Bates give her any recognition. 

Me neither. 

I hope the siblings are sending her Door Dashes and taking her out for lunch regularly.  But they don't put it on social media, so it makes me think they aren't.  

[Meow Mix]

Given that Kelly has always treated her like unpaid staff, I am not surprised that her siblings do the same.  Michael probably does some of this because she has very low self esteem.  She is afraid that if she doesn't make herself useful, no one will want her around.  I feel very sad for her and I hope she gets at least some emotional support and love from Brandon.  She sure doesn't get much from her family.

[BitterApple]

1 hour ago, Meow Mix said:

 She is afraid that if she doesn't make herself useful, no one will want her around. 

What's sad is that fear probably isn't unfounded. I still remember Tori's bachelorette party in Florida. Kelly joked for Alyssa and Erin to give her relationship tips, while ignoring married Michael, who was sitting right next to her. Unless you're popping out babies for the Lord, you don't count. 😢

[woodscommaelle]

44 minutes ago, BitterApple said:

What's sad is that fear probably isn't unfounded. I still remember Tori's bachelorette party in Florida. Kelly joked for Alyssa and Erin to give her relationship tips, while ignoring married Michael, who was sitting right next to her. Unless you're popping out babies for the Lord, you don't count. 😢

Maybe it’s because it’s Monday and I’m in a mood, but this family is full of assholes. The more I read about them, the shittier they get.  

[cereality]

100% guaranteed that no one calls Michael just to say hi, no one door dashes her coffee or lunch just because, no one who knows that she had a fertility dr appt would make it a point to meet up with her in the days after to see if she wanted to talk or if she didn't just take her out for a few hours as a distraction. I'm fairly certain they only call her when it's like uh you're still watching my kids every Monday right [Josie]; or I'm headed to Katie's 11th dress shopping trip to Florida, you'll watch my kids right [Carlin]; or we want to go outlet mall shopping but don't want to watch our own kids please come [Kelly; Carlin; Whit; Alyssa]; OMG I'm soo overwhelmed with 2 kids maybe it's postpartum [Josie] - cue Michaela showing up with homemade dinner + banana bread.

I feel like Michaela is the only one of the kids who is TRULY fundie in her beliefs [Erin is in a performative way, Tori might be but not as much as M]. Like I really think she took it completely seriously when she was taught to put others in front of herself. So she instinctively just does that.

That being said she's now 32 and not an idiot, so certainly she must have noticed that while she's always ready to drop everything to babysit someone's kids or run them a home cooked dinner, absolutely no one offers to do anything for her. She is on social media, so clearly she sees that the other sisters are proclaiming each other besties and door dashing each other coffee or whatever and no one has once done that for her, even say when they know she's had a whole series of fertility drs appts and must be stressed/sad. That's where her insecurities and low self esteem come in.

I feel like in normal friendships/family relationships once people notice they are being used and no one really cares about them, they step back a little. They'll say no to babysitting or setting up some party when asked even if they aren't busy bc it's like - you know what do it without me once and see how hard it is. But being insecure about not being a mom you KNOW she rationalizes it as - of course they aren't here to help me, what would I need help with, I don't even have kids to take care of, they're the ones who need help, they're mothers. She tells herself that and keeps herself useful bc she knows she'll be 100% forgotten if she isn't useful to them. She's denying the reality that even if she had a kid tomorrow, guess what NONE of the sisters would help her bc they are users. Like Carlin or Josie would stop woo-hooing long enough to babysit her kid? Like Erin or Tori wouldn't have the excuse of - sorry I already have my hands full with my own litter? Please.

[lookeyloo]

1 hour ago, cereality said:

100% guaranteed that no one calls Michael just to say hi, no one door dashes her coffee or lunch just because, no one who knows that she had a fertility dr appt would make it a point to meet up with her in the days after to see if she wanted to talk or if she didn't just take her out for a few hours as a distraction. I'm fairly certain they only call her when it's like uh you're still watching my kids every Monday right [Josie]; or I'm headed to Katie's 11th dress shopping trip to Florida, you'll watch my kids right [Carlin]; or we want to go outlet mall shopping but don't want to watch our own kids please come [Kelly; Carlin; Whit; Alyssa]; OMG I'm soo overwhelmed with 2 kids maybe it's postpartum [Josie] - cue Michaela showing up with homemade dinner + banana bread.

I feel like Michaela is the only one of the kids who is TRULY fundie in her beliefs [Erin is in a performative way, Tori might be but not as much as M]. Like I really think she took it completely seriously when she was taught to put others in front of herself. So she instinctively just does that.

That being said she's now 32 and not an idiot, so certainly she must have noticed that while she's always ready to drop everything to babysit someone's kids or run them a home cooked dinner, absolutely no one offers to do anything for her. She is on social media, so clearly she sees that the other sisters are proclaiming each other besties and door dashing each other coffee or whatever and no one has once done that for her, even say when they know she's had a whole series of fertility drs appts and must be stressed/sad. That's where her insecurities and low self esteem come in.

I feel like in normal friendships/family relationships once people notice they are being used and no one really cares about them, they step back a little. They'll say no to babysitting or setting up some party when asked even if they aren't busy bc it's like - you know what do it without me once and see how hard it is. But being insecure about not being a mom you KNOW she rationalizes it as - of course they aren't here to help me, what would I need help with, I don't even have kids to take care of, they're the ones who need help, they're mothers. She tells herself that and keeps herself useful bc she knows she'll be 100% forgotten if she isn't useful to them. She's denying the reality that even if she had a kid tomorrow, guess what NONE of the sisters would help her bc they are users. Like Carlin or Josie would stop woo-hooing long enough to babysit her kid? Like Erin or Tori wouldn't have the excuse of - sorry I already have my hands full with my own litter? Please.

Just curious - do you know this or speculating based on social media posts.  Absolutely could be true.  Also any part of it, or none of it.  The most of them seem to be a thoughtless bunch, but maybe (and I don't know) Brandon wouldn't encourage her being used?

[Cinnabon]

1 hour ago, cereality said:

Like I really think she took it completely seriously when she was taught to put others in front of herself. So she instinctively just does that.

She may be the ONLY fundie I’ve ever heard of that puts others before herself. I don’t think that’s important at all to most fundies. It’s us heathens who do most of the volunteering imho. 

Edited September 12, 2022 by Cinnabon

[cereality]

They of course haven't confirmed it on the show or anything, but based on how they post every time they take a piss on social media, it seems fairly obvious that they do nothing for/with Michael. I mean they'll door dash either a Starbucks coffee or chick fila and it goes on IG immediately to show how kind, generous and close they are. Same with FaceTime calls w/ Katie or Alyssa - Carlin has to post a screen shot to show she spoke to them. We've never seen either of these gestures w/ Michaela, nor them going out to hang out with her or even hanging at her house - and she unlike Tori has and uses social media.

I do think Brandon probably gets it and doesn't want her wife to be used. I wouldn't be surprised at all if Brandon is the one who has encouraged her to do things other than serving her family - like her sewing business. I mean she watches Josie's kids 1 day/wk and you better believe Josie would be happy to dump them off 2-3 days/wk for her barrette business, but Michaela has said she babysits for another family a few days/wk. That family is not related to the Bates, so my guess is that's a paid gig. I wouldn't be surprised if it was Brandon realizes that her sisters would just use her, so if you love kids and want to be with kids all day - why not go do that for some family that values you? I also wouldn't be surprised if Brandon suggested that she stand back and not volunteer to watch dingbat Carlin [when it was speculated that Evan may work] bc again they'd expect her to do it bc she's childless but she still wouldn't be in their special circle. So yeah do the family thing 1 day/wk w/ Josie's kids, but then the rest of the time work for another family, sewing etc.

[Cinnabon]

They lie, so any “confirmation” from them either way would be completely meaningless.