Sweet Fellowship: Duggars and Friends (aka the Bates Family and Other Featured Families Thread)

[DangerousMinds]

When I was severely anemic a couple years ago (and had to have blood transfusions), I got so pale even my lips were white.

[Pasha Kitty]

On 4/21/2018 at 9:38 PM, Heathen said:

Decent-fitting clothes and a proper bra would help her a lot. Jeez, I thought she was going to give herself a black eye when she ran down the steps. 

Wiping away the tears of laughter..... thanks for the entertainment!

[Temperance]

The Maxwells are pushing a software to keep your loved ones from being sucked into a vortex of internet porn addiction. It's called Accountable2U and it works like this. You can look at whatever you want on the internet and the next day a close family member will get a report of all your web activity along with ratings (like a movie) so they can see if you are looking at anything harmful. If you're married, your spouse gets the report. If you're single a child, one of your parents gets the report, (in this case their mother Teri). Steve and Teri are accountable to each other and their unmarried children are held accountable by mom. They started this last year. Last year their oldest Sarah was 35 and the rest were between 26-20. John got married last year and now there are four children ages 36-21, who live at home and of course most of them are female. 

It just strikes me as weird and well, a little paranoid. What do they think their kids are looking at? Depending on the parents, it might not be so bad, but Steve and Teri filter and censor everything their kids at home are exposed to.  They have very strong limits on what their kids are allowed to look at. No movies or television, nor the national news nor contemporary music, nor video games, nor social media, etc.  They seem to want their kids to live at home until they get married and I think the logistics for the kids moving out before marriage would be incredibly difficult. 

They are promoting the software/app that does this, so it's something they're proud of.  You can also buy your mother for mother's day their own advice books and cds on How To Be a Better Wife and Mom. 

[kalamac]

That is sad. If an adult wants to watch porn they should be free to do so, provided the porn in question doesn't involve children. I could not image having my mother monitor my internet at the age of 36.

[madpsych78]

Apparently Accountable2U is a Christian-affiliated business, which shouldn't be a surprise, but I wonder if there are secular equivalents of this product and if so, would the Maxwells have considered them?

I can see the app being useful for monitoring preteens and adolescents, but grown-ass adults? Maybe if they weren't so sheltered they wouldn't be as tempted to look at everything on the internet that is deemed a sin. Although I wonder if Anna has heard about this product to monitor Smuggar.

[allonsyalice]

I’m 23 and I absoloutely could not imagine having my mom view my internet history every day. (it’s mostly social media sites and random google searches because I understand the basics of an incognito search ?) 

But there’s no trust. Even in a household like this, surely at some point you have to trust that your children understand what youve been teaching them their whole lives. Living in a house like that would be a nightmare, reasons like this being the least. 

[Churchhoney]

2 hours ago, allonsyalice said:

I’m 23 and I absoloutely could not imagine having my mom view my internet history every day. (it’s mostly social media sites and random google searches because I understand the basics of an incognito search ?) 

But there’s no trust. Even in a household like this, surely at some point you have to trust that your children understand what youve been teaching them their whole lives. Living in a house like that would be a nightmare, reasons like this being the least. 

Well, my long-held theory is that most of the people who enter into these extreme forms of "Christianity'" (i.e., the parents in these families) do it because they're by nature mega-paranoid, anxiety-ridden nervous-nelly control freaks. ....With people who have that psychology there IS no trust, no matter how long they've known someone and no matter what steps they've taken to shape that person into someone who fits their mold and whom they can easily control. So I think that's the whole point here. These households are run by people who flat-out don't and can't trust anybody. They aren't psychologically normal or even close to it,in any way shape or form.  Even with the software, I'm sure Steve Maxwell doesn't trust any of them not to stray. 

(...and I put "Christianity" in quotes because I actually believe that their "beliefs" have fuck-all to do with religion and everything to do with their psychological warpages , when it comes right down to it) 

[queenanne]

What happened to good old-fashioned "keep the computer in the living room or similar public place" paranoia?

[Absolom]

8 hours ago, madpsych78 said:

Apparently Accountable2U is a Christian-affiliated business, which shouldn't be a surprise, but I wonder if there are secular equivalents of this product and if so, would the Maxwells have considered them?

There are some secular tracking systems, but the Maxwells will use a "Christian" labeled product first if they can.  I think they've been using these systems for years, but only switched to the one that they are sponsoring in the last year or two.

[latetotheparty]

2 hours ago, Churchhoney said:

Well, my long-held theory is that most of the people who enter into these extreme forms of "Christianity'" (i.e., the parents in these families) do it because they're by nature mega-paranoid, anxiety-ridden nervous-nelly control freaks. ....With people who have that psychology there IS no trust, no matter how long they've known someone and no matter what steps they've taken to shape that person into someone who fits their mold and whom they can easily control. So I think that's the whole point here. These households are run by people who flat-out don't and can't trust anybody. They aren't psychologically normal or even close to it,in any way shape or form.  Even with the software, I'm sure Steve Maxwell doesn't trust any of them not to stray. 

(...and I put "Christianity" in quotes because I actually believe that their "beliefs" have fuck-all to do with religion and everything to do with their psychological warpages , when it comes right down to it) 

Hi Churchie, nice to see you.  I've missed hearting your every post like some sort of creeper.  :)

[Sew Sumi]

How Maxwellian of Stevehovah. Can this track their iPhone activity as well? I guess you can sync any device to the main hub computer? I only ask because even Poor Sarah has a phone. 

[Temperance]

1 hour ago, Absolom said:

There are some secular tracking systems, but the Maxwells will use a "Christian" labeled product first if they can.  I think they've been using these systems for years, but only switched to the one that they are sponsoring in the last year or two.

They were using a porn-blocker system before. This doesn't block anything. It just gives your accountability partner a list of your internet activity. 

 

6 minutes ago, Sew Sumi said:

How Max Orwellian of Stevehovah. Can this track their iPhone activity as well? I guess you can sync any device to the main hub computer? I only ask because even Poor Sarah has a phone. 

Fixed it for you.                       And yes it absolutely can track i-Phone activity.  (I think it's an app for the phones).

[Sew Sumi]

Nah, Maxwellian is a thing, obviously taken from Orwell. Steve exhibits that much control over his flock family. 

[Churchhoney]

6 hours ago, latetotheparty said:

Hi Churchie, nice to see you.  I've missed hearting your every post like some sort of creeper.  :)

lol

[Celia Rubenstein]

Jill Rod just  posted a long, tedious video where she explains how years ago scientists drilled a hole miles and miles and MILES into the earth and then lowered down a microscopic microphone to see what they could hear.  To their great horror they heard human voices screaming and wailing in agony and gnashing their teeth. Turns out the scientists had managed to capture the sounds radiating from Hell itself! They were of course HORRIFIED and quickly reeled up the microphone, only to discover a tiny demon clinging to it! YIKES!

Jill explains that this story has not been publicized because "it's not very popular" but it has been scientifically proven ... the center of the earth is filled with people suffering in hellfire and of course it could only be because they rejected Jesus. So you better get your ass right with God pronto or else you're gonna roast and toast in Hades!

Good grief. I have the vaguest recollection of a dimwitted little girl telling this same story to a group of kids when we were in ... oh, it must have been around second grade. She was promptly laughed off the playground for being such a little fool. Hearing Jill recount this idiocy, all wide eyed and deadly serious - a grown ass woman - I just can't even believe it. The extent of her IGNORANCE and STUPIDITY is truly astonishing.  She clearly really believes this happened. Scientists drilled into the center of the earth and confirmed the existence of hell, capturing an honest to goodness demon along the way. And nobody but a handful of religious nut job jobs know about it. Right, Jill. Oy.

I've given myself a headache. Her recounting of the tale starts around minute 25 of her video (which I can't link because my kindle is too stupid).  I saw it on her facebook page posted today.

I just feel sorry for someone that damn dumb.

[ginger90]

3 minutes ago, Celia Rubenstein said:

 

Jill explains that this story has not been publicized because "it's not very popular" but it has been scientifically proven ... the center of the earth is filled with people suffering in hellfire and of course it could only be because they rejected Jesus. So you better get your ass right with God pronto or else you're gonna roast and toast in Hades!

Oh my, that must be why the utiliy company here has the "call before you dig" ads. 

[Sew Sumi]

[Minivanessa]

1 hour ago, Celia Rubenstein said:

Jill explains that this story has not been publicized because "it's not very popular" but it has been scientifically proven ... the center of the earth is filled with people suffering in hellfire and of course it could only be because they rejected Jesus. So you better get your ass right with God pronto or else you're gonna roast and toast in Hades!

I'd post my own response, but I can't beat these:

1 hour ago, ginger90 said:

Oh my, that must be why the utility company here has the "call before you dig" ads. 

^^^ Ding Ding Ding! We have a winnah!!

44 minutes ago, Sew Sumi said:

^^Amen.

[Churchhoney]

1 hour ago, Celia Rubenstein said:

Jill Rod just  posted a long, tedious video where she explains how years ago scientists drilled a hole miles and miles and MILES into the earth and then lowered down a microscopic microphone to see what they could hear.  To their great horror they heard human voices screaming and wailing in agony and gnashing their teeth. Turns out the scientists had managed to capture the sounds radiating from Hell itself! They were of course HORRIFIED and quickly reeled up the microphone, only to discover a tiny demon clinging to it! YIKES!

Jill explains that this story has not been publicized because "it's not very popular" but it has been scientifically proven ... the center of the earth is filled with people suffering in hellfire and of course it could only be because they rejected Jesus. So you better get your ass right with God pronto or else you're gonna roast and toast in Hades!

Good grief. I have the vaguest recollection of a dimwitted little girl telling this same story to a group of kids when we were in ... oh, it must have been around second grade. She was promptly laughed off the playground for being such a little fool. Hearing Jill recount this idiocy, all wide eyed and deadly serious - a grown ass woman - I just can't even believe it. The extent of her IGNORANCE and STUPIDITY is truly astonishing.  She clearly really believes this happened. Scientists drilled into the center of the earth and confirmed the existence of hell, capturing an honest to goodness demon along the way. And nobody but a handful of religious nut job jobs know about it. Right, Jill. Oy.

I've given myself a headache. Her recounting of the tale starts around minute 25 of her video (which I can't link because my kindle is too stupid).  I saw it on her facebook page posted today.

I just feel sorry for someone that damn dumb.

...and especially sorry for her many many children. 

[Nysha]

18 hours ago, madpsych78 said:

Apparently Accountable2U is a Christian-affiliated business, which shouldn't be a surprise, but I wonder if there are secular equivalents of this product and if so, would the Maxwells have considered them?

I used a similar type product 15 years ago when I had teenagers, but it blocked porn and chat sites as well as keeping track of everything my kids were looking at. This is how I found out my daughter, who has fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, was planning to use a church trip to run away to New York to be with her "boyfriend". He had purchased her a Greyhound bus ticket and it was waiting at the station. It is also how I found out one of my other troubled teens was taking my car at night and driving 30 miles on the back roads, without a driver's license, to visit his girlfriend for a little night time nookie. However, I stopped monitoring the computer when the 4 older ones became adults and moved out, around the time my youngest was 14. He was the spoiled baby of the family and I had already figured out that I was too damned controlling with the 4 older ones. I just made sure he had his own computer so he couldn't infect mine and he always told me where he was going, what he was doing, and who he was hanging out with. He's still here at 25 & I have no desire to be his accountability partner.

[GeeGolly]

So JillR believes in science. That's a slippery slope. She might start posting some crazy shit about the earth being round and the theory of evolution. Danger Jill Rodrigues, Danger.

[kalamac]

I relayed JillR’s story to my brother in law, who is a geophysicist, and his exact response was “If that was true, we wouldn’t be covering it up, we’d be applying for grants to study the shit out of it. The publishing opportunities would be amazing.”

[Marigold]

Jill said What??????????

How much damn Plexus is that woman taking?????????????

[BradandJanet]

JillR was homeschooled and she comes across as barely literate. At least Michelle Duggar finished a normal high school, although the older kids she personally taught don't seem to know a lot. The Duggars also came into money and living space, which Jill and Chimpy have not yet managed, so I wonder if any education at all is happening in the stink bus full of gaunt children. 

From my own playground education, I know that it's a fact that if you drill thought the earth, you just come out in China. There was no mention of having to pass through hell on the way. 

Edited May 6, 2018 by BradandJanet

[Jynnan tonnix]

55 minutes ago, BradandJanet said:

JillR was homeschooled and she comes across as barely literate. At least Michelle Duggar finished a normal high school, although the older kids she personally taught don't seem to know a lot. The Duggars also came into money and living space, which Jill and Chimpy have not yet managed, so I wonder if any education at all is happening in the stink bus full of gaunt children. 

From my own playground education, I know that it's a fact that if you drill thought the earth, you just come out in China. There was no mention of having to pass through hell on the way. 

Actually, everything else aside, Jill R. has always seemed marginally better as far as fundamental literacy than MEchelle. Though she also does manage to combine that with coming across as even batshit crazier (batshittier crazy?). She also looks quite pretty in that video, though I feel as though I can smell the hairspray fumes through the computer screen. And how many times did she have to hoist that poor baby's head back up after it had slipped backward past the support of her arm while she was talking?

As a kid in England, my own playground education put Australia as the place you come out if you drill through the earth, though eyeballing my globe that seems to come out as somewhere in the South Pacific, West of New Zealand. Opposite of Siberia (is that where she was taking about?) appears to be around Argentina /South America. That's all peripheral anyway, since she was "only" talking about a distance of a few miles. Oddly enough, I came upon a reference to this very same story while listening to a podcast of "The Thinking Atheist" right after reading this.

[queenanne]

18 hours ago, kalamac said:

I relayed JillR’s story to my brother in law, who is a geophysicist, and his exact response was “If that was true, we wouldn’t be covering it up, we’d be applying for grants to study the shit out of it. The publishing opportunities would be amazing.”

They still are... for horror fiction writers. ;)  

Ps., does Jill's story say what the scientists did with the tiny demon?

Edited May 7, 2018 by queenanne

[Heathen]

7 minutes ago, queenanne said:

They still are... for horror fiction writers. ;)  

Ps., does Jill's story say what the scientists did with the tiny demon?

They cloned it, of course -- evil secularists they are. 

[kokapetl]

On 06/05/2018 at 8:01 AM, Celia Rubenstein said:

Jill Rod just  posted a long, tedious video where she explains how years ago scientists drilled a hole miles and miles and MILES into the earth and then lowered down a microscopic microphone to see what they could hear.  To their great horror they heard human voices screaming and wailing in agony and gnashing their teeth. Turns out the scientists had managed to capture the sounds radiating from Hell itself! They were of course HORRIFIED and quickly reeled up the microphone, only to discover a tiny demon clinging to it! YIKES!

The tiny demon part makes the story.

But why would scientists lower a microphone?

[Normades]

The sad part is that her children believe that insane story and think that every time they have an impure thought or don't live up to their parents' impossible standards, they are going to this very real hell.  I went to a christian school as a child and was told that there were special glasses that enabled the wearer to see demons all around us trying to hurt and tempt us.  It sounds crazy and funny now, but when a trusted adult is telling a seven year old these things, it's horrifying!!  I used to have nightmares and anxiety over it.  Thankfully, my mother told me it was nonsense and not to listen to that stupid stuff.  I think Jill believes this bunk because her parents tortured her with it and now she is just passing along the fear.  I really can't stand Jill's parents and her mother in particular.  She seems to be the one who thrives on all the drama.  I think Jill gets a lot of her crazy personality from dear old mama.  I remember how her mother acted at Amy's "funeral."  They are really reprehensible people. And once again, I feel so sorry for those poor little kids who are not only under-fed and under-loved, but scared to freakin death!!!  So sad!!! 

[MargeGunderson]

9 hours ago, Kokapetl said:

The tiny demon part makes the story.

Okay, this reminds me of the episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer where the group is trying to prevent the summoning of a fear demon but fail, and it turns out that the demon is about 2 inches tall (apparently the picture in the demon dictionary was “actual size.”) They mock it by saying “who’s a little fear demon!” in a baby voice. I say this to my cat when she’s grumpy. 

Edited May 7, 2018 by MargeGunderson

[Heathen]

4 hours ago, Normades said:

The sad part is that her children believe that insane story and think that every time they have an impure thought or don't live up to their parents' impossible standards, they are going to this very real hell.  I went to a christian school as a child and was told that there were special glasses that enabled the wearer to see demons all around us trying to hurt and tempt us.  It sounds crazy and funny now, but when a trusted adult is telling a seven year old these things, it's horrifying!!  I used to have nightmares and anxiety over it.  Thankfully, my mother told me it was nonsense and not to listen to that stupid stuff.  I think Jill believes this bunk because her parents tortured her with it and now she is just passing along the fear.  I really can't stand Jill's parents and her mother in particular.  She seems to be the one who thrives on all the drama.  I think Jill gets a lot of her crazy personality from dear old mama.  I remember how her mother acted at Amy's "funeral."  They are really reprehensible people. And once again, I feel so sorry for those poor little kids who are not only under-fed and under-loved, but scared to freakin death!!!  So sad!!! 

Wait -- they had a funeral-type thing for Poor Quadriplegic Amy? WTF? 

[Misslindsey]

I wonder who the tiny demon looked like. Derelict? Jim Boob? Gothard?Justin Bieber? Caillou? Whoever came up with the Kars4Kids jingle?

[LilJen]

6 hours ago, Normades said:

The sad part is that her children believe that insane story and think that every time they have an impure thought or don't live up to their parents' impossible standards, they are going to this very real hell.  I went to a christian school as a child and was told that there were special glasses that enabled the wearer to see demons all around us trying to hurt and tempt us.  

It sounds like They Live, a classic sci-fi film. A guy discovers aliens have taken over the world, and a special pair of glasses allows him to see the aliens for what they are AND all the subliminal messages they have put up everywhere so that they can dominate humans.

[MyPeopleAreNordic]

On 5/6/2018 at 5:29 AM, kalamac said:

I relayed JillR’s story to my brother in law, who is a geophysicist, and his exact response was “If that was true, we wouldn’t be covering it up, we’d be applying for grants to study the shit out of it. The publishing opportunities would be amazing.”

This is so true.  (I work in academia.) That would definitely qualify for some amazing NSF funding!

I want to laugh at Jill's "scientifically proven" story about Hell in the center of the earth, but then I remember that this is something that an adult legitimately believes and that this adult is not only raising - but homeschooling - a hoard of children & I get so very depressed about it.  I picture one of the Rod kids somehow making it to a community college one day and taking a physical geography class (or a geology class).  When the instructor talks about the layers of Earth & plate movement, the Rod kid legitimately asks a question about Hell being in Earth's core & tiny demons causing seismic activity....     /face palm 

I feel sorry for those kids and even a bit for Jill (since she was raised in the cult, too).  But mostly, I just feel a ton of embarrassment by proxy for Jill. 

Edited May 7, 2018 by MyPeopleAreNordic

[Celia Rubenstein]

My favorite part of the story (aside from the little demon) is that after drilling miles into the earth,  the scientists didn't lower down a of piece of sophisticated equipment to take some kind of reading or even send down a camera to see what things looked like, but instead they opted to lower down a microphone.  I mean, wtf?  The whole story is preposterous but come on. Why lower a microphone? Who would expect there would be anything to even freakin' hear? 

 I realize this is a small point to focus on in a story that is completely and utterly ridiculous, but for some reason this particular aspect of the tale really stands out as to me as especially foolish. I don't know why, lol

[MyPeopleAreNordic]

I'm just imagining LOTS of extension cords being funneled down a hole in ground....

 

Also, I love how Jill & her ilk act like there's some grand conspiracy of literally thousands (if not millions) of different "scientists" all acting in concert to keep the public from finding out about Hell and demons in Earth's core.  They must be getting paid off by the same people who are paying "scientists" to make-up fake data to trick us into thinking climate change is real.

I know several climatologists, geomorphologists, and physical geographers and NONE of them are living it up on hush money from George Soros, Al Gore, Greenpeace, or whatever liberal enemy of the ultra-religious right apparently pays off these scientists to "trick" the public.  In fact, most I know devote their lives to science for a yearly salary that's probably the same amount (or less) as the donations (money and in-kind) that the Rods grift for their family each year.  Many have student loans that eat up a sizable portion of their family's budgets and could make more in private industries, but are devoted to producing knowledge that will help humanity better understand the world we live in & benefit us all. Many of them go from one grant funded position to the next, with periods of no/little pay in between (but they budget accordingly); even those with relatively "stable" positions often find themselves fearing that funding may be cut-off to their long term position (& before research is completed).  I've yet to see any "scientists" living large off of some grand conspiracy to cover up Jesus's existence, etc, and I know plenty.

(And if these "scientists" made some sort of deal with the devil, it was a really crappy deal, as I've yet to see any of the academics I know who study earth sciences live more than middle class lifestyles or suddenly gain beauty/hot spouses/fame once they've joined in such a deal. I assume at a minimum that the devil would be offering to pay off people's student loans, and that isn't happening.)

Edited May 7, 2018 by MyPeopleAreNordic

[GeeGolly]

Have these same scientists launched a microphone into heaven to hear singing and laughter and are keeping that from everyone as well?

I mean shit, give everyone some concrete proof and Derick could just sit on his lawn like Lucy from Peanuts with a sign saying Missionary is In. He could have a 'real' job.

[bigskygirl]

16 minutes ago, GeeGolly said:

Have these same scientists launched a microphone into heaven to hear singing and laughter and are keeping that from everyone as well?

I mean shit, give everyone some concrete proof and Derick could just sit on his lawn like Lucy from Peanuts with a sign saying Missionary is In. He could have a 'real' job.

Lucy from Peanuts may be bossy at times, but she has more common sense than Deredick has. #teamLucy I mean who in their right mind would believe we can tap into hell and actually hear people. I cannot help laughing at these people or rolling my eyes at them.

[lianau]

So how many tiny demons are currently escaping hell on random streets in Hawaii? 

[GeeGolly]

7 minutes ago, lianau said:

So how many tiny demons are currently escaping hell on random streets in Hawaii? 

JillR will blame it on the Hawaiian women's "sluttish" attire.

[xwordfanatik]

2 hours ago, Celia Rubenstein said:

My favorite part of the story (aside from the little demon) is that after drilling miles into the earth,  the scientists didn't lower down a of piece of sophisticated equipment to take some kind of reading or even send down a camera to see what things looked like, but instead they opted to lower down a microphone.  I mean, wtf?  The whole story is preposterous but come on. Why lower a microphone? Who would expect there would be anything to even freakin' hear? 

 I realize this is a small point to focus on in a story that is completely and utterly ridiculous, but for some reason this particular aspect of the tale really stands out as to me as especially foolish. I don't know why, lol

Yes!  That's what makes this whole thing preposterous, and then some.  

I also heard the thing about drilling thru the US and ending up in China, for what that's worth.  Even though Hell is supposed to be "below us," I didn't picture it as the middle of earth.  Cameras with sound surely would have been used, if this story had a shred of plausibility.  Which it doesn't.

These poor deluded people.

[RedheadZombie]

On ‎5‎/‎5‎/‎2018 at 1:50 AM, Temperance said:

The Maxwells are pushing a software to keep your loved ones from being sucked into a vortex of internet porn addiction. It's called Accountable2U and it works like this. You can look at whatever you want on the internet and the next day a close family member will get a report of all your web activity along with ratings (like a movie) so they can see if you are looking at anything harmful. If you're married, your spouse gets the report. If you're single a child, one of your parents gets the report, (in this case their mother Teri). Steve and Teri are accountable to each other and their unmarried children are held accountable by mom. They started this last year. Last year their oldest Sarah was 35 and the rest were between 26-20. John got married last year and now there are four children ages 36-21, who live at home and of course most of them are female. 

It just strikes me as weird and well, a little paranoid. What do they think their kids are looking at? Depending on the parents, it might not be so bad, but Steve and Teri filter and censor everything their kids at home are exposed to.  They have very strong limits on what their kids are allowed to look at. No movies or television, nor the national news nor contemporary music, nor video games, nor social media, etc.  They seem to want their kids to live at home until they get married and I think the logistics for the kids moving out before marriage would be incredibly difficult. 

They are promoting the software/app that does this, so it's something they're proud of.  You can also buy your mother for mother's day their own advice books and cds on How To Be a Better Wife and Mom. 

This is so controlling and a terrible invasion of privacy.  BUT, there are a lot of men who watch child porn in secrecy and use these fantasies to eventually begin molesting children.  I'm not sure if wives would be gutless on this matter, but at least fathers could come down hard on a son for this.  If this program is able to differentiate child porn, I can't be completely against it.

[RedheadZombie]

On ‎5‎/‎5‎/‎2018 at 10:20 PM, Nysha said:

I used a similar type product 15 years ago when I had teenagers, but it blocked porn and chat sites as well as keeping track of everything my kids were looking at. This is how I found out my daughter, who has fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, was planning to use a church trip to run away to New York to be with her "boyfriend". He had purchased her a Greyhound bus ticket and it was waiting at the station. It is also how I found out one of my other troubled teens was taking my car at night and driving 30 miles on the back roads, without a driver's license, to visit his girlfriend for a little night time nookie. However, I stopped monitoring the computer when the 4 older ones became adults and moved out, around the time my youngest was 14. He was the spoiled baby of the family and I had already figured out that I was too damned controlling with the 4 older ones. I just made sure he had his own computer so he couldn't infect mine and he always told me where he was going, what he was doing, and who he was hanging out with. He's still here at 25 & I have no desire to be his accountability partner.

I don't know Nysha, you didn't sound overly controlling to me.  It sounds like you saved those older two children from disaster.  Maybe you just adjusted your parenting style to what the child needed individually.  But I veer toward controlling myself.

I took over the raising of my cousin when she was twelve.  Up to that point, she'd been raised in a disgusting pigsty and her personal hygiene was not up to par.  Anyway, I'd find lunchmeat a month old in her backpack or even things of mine she had borrowed without my permission.  My attempts to improve her care of her bedroom were ineffective, and she'd periodically have a swarm of ants finding their way to the old food in her room.  So the rule became - if I clean your room, I organize the way I want and I read everything I find.  She was fine with this and thank God.  I found a letter when she was 14 that she had passed back in forth with a classmate.  She was bragging about her 18 y/o boyfriend who rode a motor cycle.  She came home and I went to town.  She "met" this guy on Myspace and she'd never actually met him in person or communicate on the phone.  Turns out he also told her he was in his 20's.  So I made her pull up her account and threatened to turn this guy over to the police if he ever dared communicate with her again.  I deleted her Myspace.  I hadn't been up to date with SM and the predators who troll for children, and the only computer was in my bedroom and she only went online with me present.  It turned out that she did all of these things on the school's internet.  That really pissed me off because if you provide this method to my kid, you'd better be monitoring her! 

She also didn't get a cell phone until she was 16 and it was NOT a smart phone.  I don't understand why parents give their young children smart phones - it's like giving them carte blanche to even the worst aspects of the internet.  My friend discovered that her pre-pubescent child was viewing porn!   She told me her child only watches youtube food tutorials!  Lol.  But she's a much more laid back and trusting mother than me.  I actually think you do your child a disservice if you don't double check their activities, or question what they choose to tell you.  I hate to say it but I would have definitely read a diary.  I got a troubled child and she was very secretive.

Edited May 8, 2018 by RedheadZombie
More thoughts.

[Heathen]

6 hours ago, XrystalPond said:

It was probably attached to a walkman to record it. :)

Jilly Rod is stuck in the 1980s, after all. 

[Annb67]

So did they shove the little guy back down in the hole? Rude...

[Gardencrown]

I don't comment here often: but why didn't the scientists, you know, help the people. If they could hear them, surely they could dig down and pull some out? Or were these poor fsckers supposed to be there? Or did they not have long enough rope? Or were they afraid that the earth would collapse like a mine? Or...I'm making my head hurt.

And as for a demon, I'm gonna say a hell of a lot more than "yikes!" I keep picturing that awful little Diet Dr. Pepper guy.

[McManda]

22 minutes ago, Gardencrown said:

And as for a demon, I'm gonna say a hell of a lot more than "yikes!" I keep picturing that awful little Diet Dr. Pepper guy.

There's an MGM cartoon from 1935 called "Good Little Monkeys" where the devil tries to tempt the hear no evil, speak no evil, see no evil monkeys. (It's trippy! Go find it!)

Anyway, I imagine that devil is what Jill is describing as being at the center of the Earth. ?

 

Edited May 8, 2018 by McManda

[Lunera]

Tori, Trace, and Josie graduated.

[BitterApple]

Tori's pregnant. Her face is much fuller and rounder than it was a few months ago. I'd bet money she's the Special Announcement the Bateseses are making next week.

I also think it's funny how she and Josie have degrees they can actually use, whereas Trace's Bible certificate is pretty much useless. 

The message Bobby wrote to Tori on their Instagram is so sweet. It's nice to see a guy praise his wife's accomplishments. 

Edited May 8, 2018 by BitterApple

[OpieTaylor]

2 hours ago, Gardencrown said:

I don't comment here often: but why didn't the scientists, you know, help the people. If they could hear them, surely they could dig down and pull some out? Or were these poor fsckers supposed to be there? Or did they not have long enough rope? Or were they afraid that the earth would collapse like a mine? Or...I'm making my head hurt.

And as for a demon, I'm gonna say a hell of a lot more than "yikes!" I keep picturing that awful little Diet Dr. Pepper guy.

Yeah, and if the scientists discovered this proof of hell, wouldn't they themselves then be convinced of the existence of God and hell and therefore want the world to know too? What reason would there be to cover it up?