I agree. If the baby were 'all' white, it would allow the dad to not confront the affair issue as fully...but with the baby being half/half, it's right in his face and doesn't allow him (the hubby) to run from it. Not to mention that everyone around them now knows about wife's affair...making the hubby probably feel even more emasculated than he already did.

What blows my mind is that this woman has a master's in counseling - WTF?????

At 33, I have steps on both sides. My husband has steps on both sides. Our parents have stepkids from those marriages. My next door neighbor is in a blended family. My best friend has stepparents and is now a stepmom. None of these situations were good. My stepfather and I probably get along the best now that I have my kids and he likes them fairly well. Still, it is inferior to the real parent/child relationship. Unless the real parent is severely fucked up, and the stepparent is the savior, it is probably that way in most cases and that is just nature. Of course you are going to love your own child more than someone's else's. This dawned on me the greatest when I had my own kids. That doesn't mean you are bad or unfeeling, it just means you have that natural bond. Of course there are exceptions, but I certainly think they are probably in the minority.

What the husband of the FUF2 family said about his own child was just honest, and anything else would have been denial.

Still doesn't mean any of those kids should be paraded on TV.

Rather, he should, as others have said here, taken his child and ran for the hills. Custody shouldn't be much of an issue since she has the sociopath living with her and has already lost custody of one child as a result. That guy needs to get some balls fast and save his son.

The little affair baby was the luckiest one of all to escape that hell hole.

FUF1's Mom doesn't "believe" in birth control for her daughter. Doesn't "believe"? How many grandchildren does she want?

I couldn't believe my ears on that one either, DrCher. Erin knows that Alex is a sexually active girl. I agree with DP on this one - barring a religious experience, once she's had sex with boyfriends it's a rare girl who can go back to the kiss and cuddle only, phase. If Alex was mine, I woulld personally hand her a pill every morning with her orange juice.

The snob factor is growing. When did " pouring concrete" become equal to "pushing drugs"? From the sound of it, this new boy has trouble with focus and discipline evidenced by quitting school, he is not committed or loving toward Alex, evidenced by not returning her calls and making her cry; so why is it that everyone acted like his biggest fault was his blue collar job?

I was shocked by that comment as well. The only thing I can think is that Erin said this before Alex got pregnant (oops!), maybe even as a general comment. I can't picture Alex being open enough to go to her mom asking for help getting birth control, but I can imagine Erin saying this in a broader context and Alex, as a teenager, hanging on to that as another way to blame someone else for her situation. After all, I'm sure Erin doesn't "believe" in sex for 15 year olds either, but that didn't stop Alex.

Alex hasn't grown up at all. She's decided she's a victim and won't hear a thing that's being said. I can't believe she tried to argue that because Erin had less freedom as a teenager because she was raising more children, she can't understand Alex's struggle to be a teenaged mom. Yeah - that makes sense!

Erin did come across as really snobby about Alex's boyfriend, especially given how many serious objections there were. Too bad, because Alex is now going to focus in on that as invalidating all of their other concerns, claiming "they just don't like him because he's blue collar".

I'd gotten really bored with this family during all of the focus on Marty and Erin, but the trainwreck seems to have built up some momentum again!

Step-parenting: I have two step-parents and I have a good relationship with them both. That being said, thank heavens, my parents did not remarry until I was out of the house, because I would not want to live with either of them. They are great for dinners and hanging out together and holidays, but I could not imagine one of them disciplining me. Of course, I am 26.

FUF1: I don't know why they are letting Alex date this boy at all. Personally, I don't care if he is on his way to being an ivy league scholar, I had lots of friends who were not allowed to date at 15. I did not date until 16- are they afraid that she is just going to sneak behind their backs?

You know, this has made me think about when I became sexually active- 16. I don't believe that I had any Daddy issues, he was my first boyfriend, we used protection, and I loved him. But after a couple of months, we realized that we were playing with fire and we stopped having sex- until I went to college. I actually almost married him 3 years later. So it can be done. But there is nothing else in Alex's life that makes me believe that she is capable now of not having sex. She is acting just like we predicted she would, but those nitwits on drphil.com are still probably going on and on about "how all this family needs is love" and "this baby will solve their problems and bring them together" and "once the baby is here, Alex will turn into a wonderful mother."

Snort.

Oh my goodness, I am so angry! Alex is a spoiled brat and noone in this family has learned anything! It is quite obvious that Alex isn't shouldering any of the responsibility where parenting Nathan is concerned; she drops him off in daycare during the day, and Erin takes over for most of the night, while Marty and Erin work hard to support him financially.

This is speculation, but I come to this conclusion because if Alex were truly caring for this child (i.e. diapering him, playing with him, feeding him, carrying him around, soothing him when he cries) and if she were working to pay for his diapers and food and clothes, and if she were studying hard to prepare herself for college so she and Nathan would have a secure future, then she wouldn't have a minute of free time to spend with a boyfriend. I get the impression that Alex just picks up Nathan for a few minutes each day and plays with him like he's a babydoll, then breezes out the door to go be a normal teenager, without a care in the world.

Seriously, lots of parents make their kids wait until a certain age to start dating. (in my family it was 16) And this rule is for kids who haven't already slept around and gotten pregnant! Why is Dr. Phil telling Alex that it is normal and understandable for her to be dating again so soon after giving birth? And why isn't her mother insisting that she take birth control?

And did I hear Alex haughtily say that she can afford to pay for people to babysit Nathan while she dates? Does she have a job? Is Dr. Phil subsidizing this? Or are her clueless parents paying her an allowance, so she can disobey and disrespect them?

Good grief, this show is bad for my blood pressure.

I almost choked on my cheeseburger when Alex said Katherine was in middle school and therefore didn't understand the "real world." Alex is a fucking moron. My grandmother watches DP as well and she thinks Alex will be pregnant again in 4 months.

Get. A. Clue. Alex. The boys want to date you because they know you put out. Save your time and effort on graduating high school (you'll need it, dumbass) and your baby. There'll be time for boys later.

When you're a parent, you have to consider your children when you're dating. I have a friend who's a single mom and she won't even let her children meet the guys she dates until she's known them for awhile. She also won't date someone if she doesn't think they'd be good for her kids.

I didn't like the way Erin dissed the guy's job pouring concrete. Wasn't Marty a janitor when she met him? What a snob.

Wow, Alex. No birth control?
And she seems shocked by the question... birth control is an embarrassing subject at this point -really? And why the hell wouldn't Erin want Alex on birth control?

And at 14-15 Alex had multiple partners? Or was she having sex with this "concrete pourer" while she was pregnant?

I think she will have another child within 3 years. Her whole speech about how her Mom doesn't understand "how haaaaaaaaard it foooor mmmeeeeee" because she was raising six kids and Alex only has one? Is Alex really that stupid?

And really Katherine shouldn't be part of the conversations regarding Alex and dating. I don't get why they're including her, except maybe because her dumbass dad says nothing.

Alex's maturity level seems to be regressing.

If Alex were my child, I'd haul her down to her Gyno every 90 days for a DepoProvera injection.

I agree with bubsy, Alex will be pregnant, again, within the next 3 years, and Katherine should stay out of the dating conversations.


IIRC, she had sex with him when she was pregnant.

Amen to the Depo, Dr. Cher. I totally would too.

Here's a question. Why are they debating Alex's dating so extensively when, last time I checked, Marty and Erin are the parents in this scenario? After all this stuff with DrP, they realize they were too lax with Alex in the time she spent with Nathan's father. Why can't they just simply say "Look, you're not dating anyone right now." and make that a rule? I mean, she still lives under their roof, right? And the last time they let her "date", she got pregnant. I don't think it's unreasonable to set some groundrules for a while, especially since she's acting like a dumbass.

I am also suspicious of the idea that she even has time to date. You'd think she'd be exhausted. But maybe you guys are right-maybe she isn't doing as much.

Alex should have her tubes tied. I seriously want to punch her in her fat little face. SHE was the one who made the mistake, had sex and got pregnant at 15 years old! Don't complain about how hard it is when you're the one who put yourself in that position. I don't believe that since she's 15 she didn't know any better, I was 15 not too long ago and I sure as hell didn't have sex because I had a brain and knew what it could lead to. Maybe she didn't know (I doubt that), but now she sure as hell does so what's her lame ass excuse now?! Shut. Up. Alex!

Warning to all my Twoper buddies who watch this show after work while eating dinner. Eat later. It's an all Robin show and it's making me nauseated. Robin's beauty secrets, Robin's romance advice, Robin's decorating expertise, Robin's pictures of herself when she was younger (and fatter and blonder), Robin holding her finger's under her nose while she cries. Blech.

Well, ''Dr.'' Phil has a Ph.d so he must identify with her on several levels about not applying what you learn to your own life and of course, the crowd favorite, of not practicing what you preach (Preach: You must earn your way out of a bad marriage. Practice: Or just leave in the middle of the night. Preach: The best predictor of future behavior is past behavior. Practice: Except for me who has left a body and unpaid debt trail behind me this long but it doesn't matter because Oprah likes me. So there. Preach: Kids have to be firmly disciplined and earn rewards and achievements. Practice: Except Jay. And Jordan).

Gah. I hate him.

WHAT? IS SHE FUCKING NUTS?

My mom actually pulled me aside during my teen years to tell me that if I was GOING to have sex, I should tell her, and she would put me on birth control (and promise not to tell Dad). And I wasn't even dating.

Alex having sex: a decision, and probably not a good one
Alex getting pregnant: unfortunate
Alex not using birth control, then OR now: criminally stupid

When they did that FUF/teen sex episode: here's what bugged me. The show started with them saying, "Here's how to find out if your teen is having sex." But it only ever focused on girls.

Well then. What if I want to find out if my teenage son is having sex? What if I want to know the warning signs of him getting serious (or horny) with his newest lady love, so that I can sit down with him and talk to him about how sex is a major decision, with many, many repercussions, both emotional and physical? About STDs, birth control, being a teen dad, and having your heart broken if she cheats on you with another guy?

I'm tired of this mentality that girls have sex because guys talk them into it, and boys have sex because, well, they're boys! You can't stop boys from having sex, you can just hope to protect the girls by getting them on birth control and teaching them to cross their legs.

I'm sorry, but that's insulting. Just as these boys that _are_ teen dads need to step up to the plate (financially at the VERY least), we need to also realize that sex is a choice, and many teenage guys are choosing not to, or choosing to use birth control. We aren't giving them any credit for making that choice when we say things like "boys will be boys" -- much like we aren't giving teenage GIRLS that don't have sex, or choose to use birth control, any credit when we play "Poor, Victim Teenage Mom."

Pissing. Me. Off.


WORD.


At this point, that involves negative numbers.

I'm pissed! It sounds like I missed one of the best FUF episodes ever! Damn dentists and their appointments.

Today's show sucked balls. Ask Robin & Dr. Phil? Yawn. Who are these women that write in wanting to know Robin's beauty secrets? It's called plastic surgery.

I also enjoyed her comment about how "every woman" should have that particular line of skin treatment she had. Wasn't it Perricone? That shit can be up to $100 a bottle. I don't think Everywoman can afford that--I sure as hell can't. Besides, if it makes me look like Robin, I'll pass.

I loathe Robin, but I actually thought the Brooks & Dunn thing was sorta sweet in a famewhore-I-can-do-whatever-my-wife-desires-cause-I'm-rich kind of way. But I noticed in the lyrics something about diamonds rings and fancy things not mattering and I cracked up, yeah that's Robin alright!!

Preach it Bellemmers. Up until about 50 years ago the number of babies born to single girls was about 3% Now it's about 35%. The only big difference I can see is that then they we're afraid of being socially scorned and now they know that, like Alex, they can sit around with a Miss Piggy in shock, look on their face and act like everybody owes them special love and concern because of "what happened to them." I don't think we should return to the days where these girls were kicked out into the snow, but when did they become blameless victims of the random pregnancy germ? Elisabeth noticed how Alex became the favored Princess of the family the minute she became pregnant and so has thousands of other girls.
One thing hasn't changed - it's still the babies that pay the price.

kd0g527


I'm guessing they're the same staff members who send in video's of their bedrooms asking Robin of all people (not Trading Spaces or any of the H&G shows) for decorating advice. That video was so staged, with the little girls all dressed up in matching outfits to jump on the bed. Please.

All kinds of word to you Bellemmers. And sometimes I feel sorry for Erin, but dang it, woman, are you stupid? Get that girl on birth control because at this point the number one priority is to prevent another pregnancy. This girl, as people have pointed out, is getting dumber by the second.

percolata, I'm quoting you yet again!

Word, yes, it's Miss Piggy that Alex looks exactly like. Only Miss Piggy was smarter. And less beligerent. And more in tune with what her situation actually is.

That is to say, she is a dumb slut. I'll go even further. She's a f***ing dumb slut. She's a teenaged mother who is stupid enough to eschew birth control after the birth of her first little mistake. I thought the indictment of the boyfriend was a tad unfair...there is nothing wrong with being a laborer...but you just know she's banging him on a daily basis, throwing caution to the winds. Alex Logic: Hey, the first sprog garnered me this much attention! Who can imagine what would happen if I had another?

Okay, quick question: why is Alex dating at all? I thought the same thing all of you did: why on earth is she having any sort of social life when she has a young son at home to care for? It appears that Alex is back to business as usual while Marty and Erin care for Nathan. That's 50 different types of wrong. Marty and Erin need to be the PARENTS and inform Alex that her socializing days ended the minute she shot forth that little bundle from her ignorant loins. Anyone else get the "you live under my roof, you follow my rules" speech when they were younger? I know I sure did. My parents were pretty cool, but I knew that what they said goes. No questions. No arguments.

I had to keep flipping back and forth, Alex pissed me off so much. Have you all noticed that she is under the impression that she has all of this "wisdom" now that she is a mother, and all? That her experience of being a knocked-up little tramp at 15 has made her the nouveau riche equivalent of the Dalai Lama? I could not believe the incredible attitude she was copping with DP, her mother, and her father. What was even more incredible was that her parents were allowing it! Marty and Erin seem positively resigned to the notion that Alex is just going to live her own life without any concern for others, including her son.

I'll add my own: and it's her baby that suffers.

Wow, you totally nailed it!! That's exactly right, if I was DP I would've said get the fuck off my show if you're just going to be a little bitch to everyone. Katherine is 100 times smarter than Alex (not saying much...) and Alex just shoots her down because she's "only 13". Oooo a whole 2 years younger than you! I actually thought Marty and Erin were semi normal and sensible this episode and I hate them both with the fire of a thousand suns. Just giving birth to a kid doesn't make you smart enough to be a responsible mother. There are way too many women out there already who have no sense being parents, yet continue to pop them out like its a million dollar contest. Its making me very angry that they aren't doing more to shut Alex down before it happens again.

Sing it, Sister!
Alex better be watching FUF2 because that's exactly where she's going to be in about 4 years...except the only education she will have is in how to give birth and apply for government assistance. They have to get the other daughter out of that environment. She seems like a nice young lady with incredible mind who can go far in life without her adulterous, fame whoring parents and sister.

Man, Friday's show was boring.

Though I have to admit, I laughed at the geraniums-in-the-backpack story.

Heh, I know what you mean about the audience, percolata. They were probably sitting there thinking, "Ah crap... It's a Robin-fest."

Hah! That struck me so funny, Snowdog. The understatement, I guess. They cut to the audience at one point and I don't think I've ever seen a studio audience look so tired of fake smiling and so ready to go do something else. Robin's very own boring infomercial.

Huge Words to everyone noting Alex dating again... not.right.

Have her parents considered this little thing called being parents? I know kids think they can get away with everything, but they do have the authority to say yeah no. Not going out. Doesn't seem to me that they're trying very hard.

I've only seen a couple of episodes with this FUF, and I'm not one to condone cheating on one's spouse... but jebus. I'd run like hell from her too. She keeps threatening him with divorce. Hon, if you're so fed up. Leave. You aren't staying together for the kids. They're already screwed up.

It's very sad when out of a mother, a father, a 15 year old and a 13 year old, the 13 year old is the one spouting the words of wisdom.

No doubt, AngelOfMusic! Erin is so cold and bitchy, I'm not surprised Marty keeps running to other women. I'd have a lot more sympathy for him if he had divorced her before getting his jollies with someone else, though. Marriage vows are supposed to mean something.

lovemesomevos, sounds like you have Dr. Phil's number. I am afraid I don't know many details about his background. Is Robin not his first wife? Did he leave someone in the middle of the night? Unpaid debt? A body?

Is Dr. Phil a murderer?

Just kidding (I think) about the murder part. Please, tell me what you know.

Robin is his second wife, Maybelline.

His debt is mentioned on The Smoking Gun.

Oh, this is funny. I found some more dirt on DP here.

BE WARNED! The site has some language and a tiny pic of someone showing off his staff in the "nickel-plated I LOVE DR. PHIL Accordion Tri-Fold Mini Photo Template Frame."

I cannot believe that sanctimonious prick! Dr. Phil lost all credibility with me a long time ago, but how can he stand there on national television and "tell it like it is" about debt and overspending when he does the same damn thing himself? And it's not like it was an error from many years ago that somehow never got resolved-this is from last year!?! Maybe Robin's jars of $100 ointments and creams just left the man with no cash left. Boo hoo.

That second link was hilarious. My favorite part was this description of Jay:



HA! Priceless. Oh, and word to David Letterman, calling him "a car salesman". So very true.

I was really happy to see that Jim's wife finally took the stick out her ass. Jim seems like a nice guy, really the most likeable of the WLC contestants. On the first show she was really cold and cynical where he was concerned. Today she was happy and glowing. I guess finally relaxing and giving your husband sex, after years of nagging and judging him, is good for the complexion.

ITA Maybelline. Gosh, watching them together, seeing how happy Jim was and hearing her contagious laugh, I fell in couple-love. Actually, I sort of felt the same way about the funny overweight couple who would tempt each other off their diets ("Cooome, coome to the fat side.") They can drop-in and pig-out with me and my husband any time they want.

I think it was just so refreshing to see normal people who love each other after the major depression induced by the two FUF's.

Ohhh... Today's episode: FUF2!

I can hardly watch DP anymore, especially the FUF's - it's like taking a bath in sewage and scum which is too gross for words.

Dr. Phil - how far you've fallen now that you've sold out. Such a shame, he used to be the best thing about Oprah's show.

This is what happens when you act like a crazy spoiled bitch...they send your kid to Happy Hill Farm!
So she's so religious she can't get a job, but having affairs is fine. Her pinchy-faced husband should take a good look at her and realize that it's time to GO.

I loved that! She can easily make more than her husband, but she is lazy and doesn't want to work. And now, what couple would want her as their marriage counselor?

The funny thing: They are in debt, but she still has tanning and gym memberships... Those bills, in addition to internet, would of been the first things I'd cut out of my budget if I was broke.

Happy Hill Farm dude creeped me out. Is it a Mormon faith based facility? If it's not, even though it's free, I don't see the family sending him there.


See, I never took Dr.Phill/Shill as a qualified psychological professional. He's always been a showman.

I was thinking this morning that anyone who had previously been to her for counseling has to now be seriously re-evaluating their life if she was their counselor.

If I'd used her as a marriage counselor, I'd demand a refund.

A refund? She's broke. How about a slightly used kid instead?

A huge thanks to Snowdog for the snark on DrShil's debt problems and marital/professional infidelity. Love the Jay-squirt snark as well.

Interesting. Think of the parallels between FUF#2 mom and DrShil.
Both are counselors who have screwed up in their own lives--and then advise others (and yell at others) who have done the same. Hypocrisy, thy name is Phil.

So, DrShil is a Ph.D. in psychology--and not a medical doctor? Sounds like he took the "hypocratic" oath instead of the Hippocratic oath, get it?

BTW, I will not watch the FUF2 for the same reason as Bibibella stated. I cleaned my toilets the other day and don't want to repeat the scene on tv this soon.

Also, I knew a school nurse who "did not do bandages" meaning she was like a counselor. And she had the most screwed up marriage ever. She wa a sex addict. Affairs, one night stands, great house, nice husband, cutest 5 yr. old son. A big big mess. I also knew people who had addiction problems and relationship problems who planned to go into counseling/psychology/therapist school. They rationalized that "they could help others, since they had been there." It makes kind of sense, but there are limits or lines one just doesn't cross. And if it hurts a kid/their kids, their license should be revoked--forever.

I'm all for the Phil-bashin' (especially the Phil's wife-bashin'.. with her speedy walking 'n' all) but I don't think this discredits him. Not being a MD doctor just means that he's a psychologist instead of a psychiatrist, which just basically means he can't prescribe meds. And there's so much more to psychology than meds.

So true.

Shill is still ass though and he makes others in the psychology profession look bad. He's a $cientologists wet dream.

According to NHS Careers, most psychologists don't work directly with patients (they do mainly research).

Based on DP's past comments on how he doesn't like doing therapy, I could see why he didn't go for the MD. I don't think he's an in-depth people person.

You're welcome, Tosia. :-)

Happy Hill Farm sounds vaguely cultish. Or it sounds like a puppy mill. Could you imagine being a 12-year-old angry child and have your parents say, "We've had enough. We're sending you to Happy Hill Farm. They'll straighten you out." And then your cool 12-year-old friends find out that you're going to live at Happy Hill Farm? That just sounds humiliating. Like they're sending you to a home for Teletubbies.

From Charity Navigator:


The official site has Phil's mug plastered on the front page.
The site mentions that it will be mentioned on Dr.Phil next week... I wonder if they sent the son?

Trains them in...? The rest sounds fine, but that part sounds a little strange.

Trains 'em to do farm work? Child labor?

Regarding the Ph.D. in psychology vs. the MD.

1) I just consider M.D. training more rigorous and in depth than a Ph.D.

2) I was also thinking about Dr.Shil's weight loss books/supplements--in terms of training in anatomy and physology, body chemistry, etc.

3) As well as the implied M.D. when using the "Dr." title--I think it gives more respect--and it's misleading, unless it's in an academic community.

4) Also, how Dr. Laura uses/misleads with her her title --even though it represents her Ph.D. in physiology, and she only has certification in marriage counseling--although that is what she does primarily, just as Dr.Shil is supposed to be doing.

5) I just hate Dr.Shil; that's why.

Dr.Shil failed the first FUF family. Why would anyone think he would help FUF2?
I so wanted to reach through the tv to slap Alexandra last week. How come her parents don't have, um, let's see, RULES about not dating, at least until she's out of the postpartum period for Christ's sake.

She certainly has plenty of them to spare. And I think those kids would be better off most anywhere else than in the current situation in which they live.

"Mom, we have no food left in the pantry. What are we gonna do about supper?"
"Listen, you miserable brat who makes my life hell: we are broke and I'm late for the tanning bed appointment, so shut the hell up!"

Snowdog, maybe the majority of psychologists do research, but I know an awful lot of 'em who are in private practice with patients.

As for Dr. Phil using the "Dr.", well, a Ph.D. is a doctorate degree and anyone with a doctorate is entitled to use the title "Doctor". Hell, if I'd spent 7+ years earning a Ph.D. in psychology and then went into private practice, I'd use the title too.

In the world of psychology and therapy, there is a big difference between a Ph.D. and a M.A. or someone who gets a degree in Marriage and Family Counseling (MFCC) in terms of actual study (7 years is the usual time frame for a Ph.D. in psychology versus 2 years for a M.A. in psych. or an MFCC degree) and what one has to go through to get the Ph.D. Doesn't mean a Ph.D. is better than the others, but there is different level of study one has to go through to get the degree.



Mega-word. I have a cousin who, by the age of 40, had been married and divorced FIVE times (with one kid from husband #4) and was a recovering drug addict and alcoholic. She then went back to school to get a master's in counseling and now does this for a living.

The problem? She's never resolved her own issues to the point where her ex-hubby had to get custody of the child and she (my cousin) is still trying to leech off relatives to live. Very sad and certainly not anyone I'd send anyone to see for help. (On the other hand, my best friend who suffered sexual abuse as a child did become a therapist but first worked through her own shit before counseling others and is a fabulous therapist now...totally different from my cousin's situation).

Wait a second. Hold up. DP doesn't like doing therapy??? WTF is he doing on my tv 5 days a week?!!!

BTW, anyone who's done their Doctorate is as entitled to using their fucking "Dr" as any MD Dr. If my English prof who talks to me about Emma and Huck Finn can have a "Dr." in front of his name, people with a Ph.D in Psychology better be able to. The amount of work these people go through! And getting the Dr. through a Ph.D instead of med school doesn't discredit the person's abilities. He/She just chose the path to better suit their own therapy methods.