The documentary has just aired on UK TV tonight. Its like watching a horrific car accident. I just can't bring myself to turn it off and yet I'm cringing and feeling so angry at her.Initially I thought I'd watch it with an open mind. I would not prejudge her and give her the benefit of being a loving woman who took motherhood into her own hands and on her own terms. But after seeing those poor children I just feel ill.
The programme starts with feeding time for the 9mth old octuplets. They are all just screaming and kicking fighting for food and spitting it out at the same time. Nayda and her two helpers just can't give the love and attention that these poor babies need.
What was even more sickening is the poor older children. The oldest girl is old beyond her years. When Nadya pokes the camera into her face and asks her Do you enjoy all the babies? The poor girl responds that she wishes she was an only child. So often she is shown caring for the babies. Sure I did that too as the oldest of 4 and resented the care I had to give but was also proud at the same time. But to have to help care for 13 siblings when is is still a young girl herself?
The autistic boy is given a shower of kisses and then pushed off to a minder while Nadya turns her back on him and attends to the other children.
Then the stupid woman shoved the camera in the face of a boy of about 6-7 years. He screams to get the camera out of his face. Nadya laughs and says he hates being on camera and she respects that. But she continues to hound the boy until he completely breaks down screaming at her and calling her an arsehole. Lovely. Its no wonder the boy cracks and throws a screwdriver at his mother cutting her nose. He screams out "F*%K You!" then tells her he doesn't like her talking about him. This is a cry for help, surely? These are healthy and well adjusted children.
The only saving grace is that the courts have been given some power to protect the children. I hope they step in soon and realise that this constant publicity is so destroying for these poor children.
Thank you for posting that. The woman is beyond crazy. I'm appalled that Luke Campbell actually gave an interview saying that he thinks the woman is just misunderstood. I understand her perfectly.
ReplyDeleteShe cares more about making money than she does about the well being of her children.
Unfortunately, if these were scenes that were meant to make her look good, can you imagine what was left on the cutting room floor?
Read the NY times article about the filming, too. Some of the things they documented about Luke's film crew are appalling. Velcroing a child to a board so you can get a shot? Isn't that child abuse?
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/15/magazine/15octomom-t.html?_r=1&src=twt&twt=nytimesmovies
Yes, thank you. I`m from the US and it isn`t being shown here as no sponsor would dream of touching her with a 10 footer. We are curious as to how she is being received across the pond. I saw your tweet, by the way, which is what brought me here. Nice blog! You just got yourself another reader.
ReplyDeleteMama N,
ReplyDeleteThought of you when I saw this Sunday's NYT Mag article "The Octomom and Her Babies Prepare for the Prime Time" http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/15/magazine/15octomom-t.html?ref=magazine#articleBodyLink
I would think that a parent with that many children would try to avoid making her home into any more of a circus, but she seems to feel it is the only way to support the babies. She says that she can't take care of the children without inviting the media into their lives (and yet she affords four nannies and plastic surgery!). Thankfully many kids are quite resilient - I sure hope hers turn out to be.
Thanks Craft Addict and Carla for stopping by. After I wrote this post I went to bed thinking that maybe I was too hard on her. But then I read the NYTimes article and thought, no, she really is loopy.
ReplyDeleteAs Mama V suggested let's hope the poor kids are resilient.