7 Little Johnstons - General Discussion

[TwirlyGirly]

On 2/13/2025 at 1:03 PM, applewood said:

Was watching the latest episode where Amber has to go to therapy to deal w/ the stress of her life. She said she was angry and resentful that Bryce and Elizabeth didn't plan better and had to move back home. I thought it was Amber and Trent idea for them to move back home?

At the moment Liz revealed she was pregnant, Amber took over. It was Amber and Trent who told Liz and Brice they'd have to move into the family home. IIRC they put Liz and Brice in an upstairs bedroom, but Amber made Leighton's nursery on the same floor as Trent's and her bedroom. Both Amber and Trent admitted they tell Liz and Brice how to care for Leighton, instead of allowing them to navigate parenthood themselves, together. 

As much as Brice loves Liz, he doesn't like that his role as Leighton's dad has been effectively stolen from him by Amber and Trent. I predict if he and Liz eventually break up, that will be the reason why.

[SunnyBeBe]

I agree about Trent and Amber.  Total control freaks.  They are very similar to my parents regarding that.  It gets worse the older you get. Ugh…..

Ref. Poppy’s death.  Wasn’t it Valentines when they went for a visit?  There was a red rose in a vase.  He died early March, so just a few weeks later!  That’s bizarre.  Did they say how long he had had dementia?  
 

Where is the mother living?  Trent’s sister?  

[Dibs]

I strongly suspect the mother didn't want to be thrown out of her own house so, as a family compromise, I'll bet Poppy was put on home hospice.  That could dispatch him in a week or two, depending on what the family wants.  He actually looked perfectly fine during the home visit, wheeling himself around the house (just very deaf; hearing aids???).  Grandma is pretty entertaining.  I sure hope they didn't want her to move closer just to be on the show and boost ratings, but wouldn't put it past T/A and TLC.  

Edited February 21 by Dibs

[Teri313]

Never mind.

Edited February 25 by Teri313

[BAForever]

If I were Bryce, I wouldn't come to Trent and Amber's until Elizabeth was home either. Bryce is standing there holding a snuggling baby, and Elizabeth is reaching trying to grab her from him. He seems like a nice country guy, and deserves better than these control freaks.

[TipseyGirl]

8 hours ago, BAForever said:

If I were Bryce, I wouldn't come to Trent and Amber's until Elizabeth was home either. Bryce is standing there holding a snuggling baby, and Elizabeth is reaching trying to grab her from him. He seems like a nice country guy, and deserves better than these control freaks.

Neither would I. They probably hover over him the whole time when Liz isn't there to be the buffer. Not that she's much better. Her demanding the baby every time he picks her up has to get old. "Gimme, give her to me. Give her." STFU, Liz.

[Foghorn Leghorn]

Liz’s true bitchy bossy behavior is evident with the baby now.  Not sure how Bryce is handling being humiliated all the time on tv by submitting to the verbal abuse.   He is such a nice guy.

Amber’s comment at the end of the show about them moving out saying they are not ready is utter control freak behavior.  I wish we saw more of Bryce’s family support.

[Colorado David]

forgive me if this is an unpopular opinion. i constantly get the feeling this fam is constantly on the defensive even when no one is disputing them, hell even when they are being supported! i dont get everyone's need for control - liz, amber, trent to a degree. even friggin alex who is the youngest gives the aura of 'i am smarter than you therefore bow before me'. ditto emma. anna seems the only down to earth person along with bryce, the rest are bullies in their own way and seem to relish it. 

[Ms.Lulu]

I decided to watch the latest episode, and this one was shocking!

1) Amber says (to the therapist) this was supposed to be the year of Amber and she resents having having family intrude. We all know she insisted that Liz, Brice and Leighton move in. The therapist suggests that the four adults get together and come up with a plan. It is clear she is interpreting that as the therapist's support for Amber to unload on Brice

2) Amber tells Liz that Brice needs to spend more time at the Johnston home and Liz tries to share it is difficult for him as Amber and Trent don't give him a chance to parent his daughter. Liz suggests they move out and rent and Amber starts the narrative that Liz is shutting down and being defensive

3) Amber tells the therapist that Anna is jealous of the baby and won't engage with the family. I mean, Amber has offered to attend graduation and take photos! The therapist says Anna has trauma from her adoption experience and likely has an attachment disorder. When Amber leaves, the therapist hopes that Anna can get the tools and professional help she needs

4) Anna shares with her friend Autumn and in a talking head that she isn't walking in graduation because Amber has been competing with her all year. She doesn't feel she can ever do well enough. She is stepping back

5) Emma goes to prom with an awkward boy and Alex stands nearby and cries because they play a song that played when he met his girlfriend

6) The younger 2 have an awkward pre-prom dinner with friends and Amber planned  and provided gifts for a bad white elephant game

7) Jonah jokes about alcohol and leans away from his family on the interview couch

8) Trent and Heidi have the only enjoyable moments of the episode when they talk about losing their father and how much they mean to each other

My takeaways:

1) Amber is an emotionally abusive parent and a control freak. She thinks she is the star and puppeteer of her children's lives. She is horrible to the bone

2) Trent is afraid of dying and is looking for connection and support from his sister, because he doesn't get it from Amber

3) The older three kids are all unhappy and they will need therapy to find happiness and personal fulfillment.

4) If Liz and Brice have a chance of making it, they need to get far away from Amber

This has dipped into a place of being the worst show on television because because Amber is possibly a narcissist and definitely a jerk.

Edited March 6 by Ms.Lulu

[TipseyGirl]

13 hours ago, Ms.Lulu said:

I decided to watch the latest episode, and this one was shocking!

1) Amber says (to the therapist) this was supposed to be the year of Amber and she resents having having family intrude. We all know she insisted that Liz, Brice and Leighton move in. The therapist suggests that the four adults get together and come up with a plan. It is clear she is interpreting that as the therapist's support for Amber to unload on Brice

2) Amber tells Liz that Brice needs to spend more time at the Johnston home and Liz tries to share it is difficult for him as Amber and Trent don't give him a chance to parent his daughter. Liz suggests they move out and rent and Amber starts the narrative that Liz is shutting down and being defensive

3) Amber tells the therapist that Anna is jealous of the baby and won't engage with the family. I mean, Amber has offered to attend graduation and take photos! The therapist says Anna has trauma from her adoption experience and likely has an attachment disorder. When Amber leaves, the therapist hopes that Anna can get the tools and professional help she needs

4) Anna shares with her friend Autumn and in a talking head that she isn't walking in graduation because Amber has been competing with her all year. She doesn't feel she can ever do well enough. She is stepping back

5) Emma goes to prom with an awkward boy and Alex stands nearby and cries because they play a song that played when he met his girlfriend

6) The younger 2 have an awkward pre-prom dinner with friends and Amber planned  and provided gifts for a bad white elephant game

7) Jonah jokes about alcohol and leans away from his family on the interview couch

8) Trent and Heidi have the only enjoyable moments of the episode when they talk about losing their father and how much they mean to each other

My takeaways:

1) Amber is an emotionally abusive parent and a control freak. She thinks she is the star and puppeteer of her children's lives. She is horrible to the bone

2) Trent is afraid of dying and is looking for connection and support from his sister, because he doesn't get it from Amber

3) The older three kids are all unhappy and they will need therapy to find happiness and personal fulfillment.

4) If Liz and Brice have a chance of making it, they need to get far away from Amber

This has dipped into a place of being the worst show on television because because Amber is possibly a narcissist and definitely a jerk.

 

[TipseyGirl]

ALL. OF. THIS.

Amber is an ass. I found it interesting that she claimed Anna was the one who needed all the attention in the room and implied that Anna was jealous of the baby. This is after she claimed several times that this was supposed to be HER year. Amber's Year!! WTF. 

Ma'am, you have three children who are graduating from college or high school and one who just had a baby. What makes this just YOUR year? Poppy died on her birthday, so I am sure he completely ruined HER year and all the years that will follow. I really can't stand her.

She has infantilized her two boys so much that one is barely functional and can't get his ass out of bed in the morning, and the other can't get through his high school prom without a meltdown over a song. 

[Abmis]

I don't know much about therapy but is it ethical for the therapist to analyze and diagnose Anna without speaking to her and having her be present?  Worse yet, is it appropriate for him to filmed while doing it?

He's giving me Teen Moms Dr Drew vibes. 

[woodscommaelle]

1 hour ago, Abmis said:

I don't know much about therapy but is it ethical for the therapist to analyze and diagnose Anna without speaking to her and having her be present?  Worse yet, is it appropriate for him to filmed while doing it?

He's giving me Teen Moms Dr Drew vibes. 

Thank you! I was blown away hearing him diagnosing Anna without her being there.  That just seems entirely wrong.

[Shmoopaloop]

Alex has always irritated the hell out of me. Him standing close, staring them down and crying while they danced was annoying. Give your sister her moment with her date!

I always feel for Anna. Amber is exhausting. 

[Jeanne222]

On 3/6/2025 at 2:24 PM, woodscommaelle said:

Thank you! I was blown away hearing him diagnosing Anna without her being there.  That just seems entirely wrong.

For some reason I was thinking Anna had been his patient earlier due to her abandoned issues.  Anybody know what that's about?  Perhaps Anna was young and Amber came with her for the doctor visit so he felt comfortable telling her about Anna.

For some reason when Amber was discussing Anna's running hot and cold I wondered if she could be bi polar

And Emma's date.  What's wrong with him?  Was he drunk or drugging?  He could hardly stand still and was sweating!  Also a bit of a show off!

[Colorado David]

good lord bryce is too young to be hen pecked. amber you need to back off, you are not the boss for all society and you are not the genius you think you are. even trent has now tired eyes from your blah garbage opinions. i feel sorry for this fam, amber has taken a happy fam and made it feel miserable. jmo.

and maybe nerves but ya hai seems off a bit. alex you cant just ask someone to dance, seriously? its just dancing, you are not cheating on your girlfriend. lighten up my man,enjoy your young years.

Edited Saturday at 01:19 PM by Colorado David
hai and alex

[Fostersmom]

On 3/8/2025 at 2:01 AM, Jeanne222 said:

For some reason when Amber was discussing Anna's running hot and cold I wondered if she could be bi polar

And Emma's date.  What's wrong with him?  Was he drunk or drugging?  He could hardly stand still and was sweating!  Also a bit of a show off!

I think Anna's "running hot" when she tries to do exactly how, when, and what, Amber demands, but is "running cold" when she finally has enough of Amber's overbearing demands and stands up for herself and does what is best for Anna, not what's best according to Amber. 

I mean, look at Amber's therapy session.... it's all about what Liz, Bryce, and Anna are doing wrong while poor put upon, Saint Amber is just trying to ensure they all do exactly what Amber wants in the way Amber wants. Screw what's best for any of  them, this was supposed to be Amber's year! I'm surprised she isn't complaining about Emma and Alex daring to be graduating too. Other than Liz who IMO got pregnant on purpose to trap Bryce, Amber knew the other three's plans when she decided she had to go to college right then. Amber could have put off her schooling for a year or even 6 months, to give her kids THEIR years. I have no doubt Amber sucked all the joy out of Anna's college experience the second she enrolled in classes. Why do your own thing when you can compete with your child and tear her down every step of the way? 

 

 

[MZ. ATTITUDE]

Boy they love throwing Ana under the bus

[SunnyBeBe]

I understand why Anna has issues with her parents.  They are super control freaks and especially  Amber is  mean.  She’s always seemed to despise Anna. I suspect it’s because Anna is so attractive.  So, Trent and Amber won’t come out looking good on this. Imo, they need to apologize to Anna and enter treatment to figure out how to treat a child right.  Best wishes for Anna in finding a support system with authentic people who aren’t as dysfunctional as her parents.  

[BAForever]

On 3/6/2025 at 12:40 PM, Abmis said:

I don't know much about therapy but is it ethical for the therapist to analyze and diagnose Anna without speaking to her and having her be present?  Worse yet, is it appropriate for him to filmed while doing it?

He's giving me Teen Moms Dr Drew vibes. 

@Abmis- you are so spot on. Hell No, the therapist should not be attempting to diagnose Anna. I'd never listen to or tout a therapist who crossed that boundary.

I'd love to see Anna unload at a therapy session.

Season Finale

So much to unpack- but my first superficial thought- Anna gets dissed because she's not wearing black for depressing graduation party. Does Jonah get the same treatment? Nope.

[Colorado David]

Trent and Amber are just pissed because they have a child willing to exert her own will and independence. The others are controlled by T&A so they get no grief from them. Classic domineering parents. If I were Anna I'd invite the siblings to the walking ceremony and advise her parents they are NOT welcome to view.