Some of the love/affection/attention that she so desperately needs and isn't getting at home. A poor substitute at best, but when you haven't been getting any love/affection/attention in a long time, it can feel pretty powerful.

I'm officially starting the Get Katherine A Kitten campaign. OK, having a pet won't magically change the fact that her parents have been neglecting her and her life generally sucks of late. But 8 pounds of furry warm unconditional love can really do a lot for your general sense of well-being, when you're as affection-starved as she is.

(I'm not kidding. I was affection-starved too growing up, and one of the first things I did when I moved into my first apartment was take in a cuddly little stray. She's changed my life.)

I think it's awful that he dragged a 13-yr-old on national TV and interrogated her about her sex life. Hello? She didn't sign up for this. Marty and Erin did, and you can't tell me that she had a controlling say in it.

I'm not saying that someone shouldn't be coming down on her for the bad choices she's making -- just that a public forum really isn't the place.

I did notice though that when Katherine was saying "Nope, no sex here, what?" and blushing furiously, they cut to Alexandra, who looked like her heart was breaking for K too. I lost much of my Alex-hate at that point.

complicatedgirl: when I was in high school, for girls, giving out oral sex and/or sex was just a standard thing when you had a boyfriend, but masturbation was Dirty and Icky and meant you were some oversexed ho. Messed up, isn't it?

Similarly, I knew any number of girls who would hand out blow jobs like they were candy, but would giggle and admit that the guys wanted to reciprocate, and "Ewww! I'm not letting him down there."

Rule #1: if you're referring to your own genitals as "down there", you're probably not ready for any form of sex....

Dude, seriously. I watched this episode yesterday and found myself yelling 'Fuck you, Dr. Phil!' once every three minutes. First of all, asking a 13 year old about her sex life on t.v.? Is wrong. Even if Katharine is having sex, she's not going to tell you because then she'd be branded a whore by her peers. The whole grades thing pissed me off too, grades are not the sum and total worth of your child. Lots of advanced children have problems with structured learning but it doesn't mean that they're not trying. I've been in accelerated programs since I was five and my GPA when I was thirteen was 1.89. Katharine is actually making an effort and still getting berated for it. Thirteen year old girls do experience love (and it is some of the most obsessive love anyone could experience) so back off; and Katharine's ex-boyfriend did deserve an ass kicking for saying those things. Jesus, I hate this show.

P.S. RebStein, are you me? 'Cause I went through the same shit.

The parents shouldn't of allowed Shill to ask Katherine personal sexual questions on national tv. If he honestly wanted to repair things, that is a topic that is to be confronted in private. She's going to get teased even more now. Poor girl. She's the only one I like.

Did anyone else think that Katherine lied to Dr. Phil when he asked if she had already had sex? Did anyone else want to slap him for asking her that on NATIONAL TELEVISION?!?!?
I have a nearly 16 year old, and the stuff I hear from her regarding her sexually active peers is appauling. We live in the Bible Belt and apparently these kids have decided that oral sex is a loophole that keeps them in the Lord's good graces without them having intercourse. She knows of several girls that are giving blow jobs to about any guys that want them. She's a sophomore in high school and knows of several freshman girls that are very active sexually, both performing oral and the actual physical act itself.
Our daughter doesn't date yet and I keep telling my husband that when she's 16 she will want to date because her friends are. He has a fit and says he would rather she didn't date until she's 18. To me this is highly unrealistic. But the reason he is like that is because we got married when I was 16 and he was 18 and of course I was pregnant. He knows what is on the boys' minds and I realize that's why he is the way he is. I tell my daughter that he's overprotective out of love and not meaning to be mean to her. After seeing Dr. P though, I'm beginning to think my hubby might have the right idea.

As much as I hate Dr. Phil, I love the Sesame Street Muppets more. And I have to admit that the "Dr. Feel"/Dr. Phil sketch was pretty darn cute. Seeing the little kiddies' faces light up when Elmo and Big Bird appeared was the sweetest thing. I can't remember the last time this show made me smile.

The first 45 minutes? Meh.

I hate to say this, but yes, I think she's had/is having sex.

Was anyone else concerned that it took so long for DP and the others to escape from the smoking plane? Emergency exits should be quick and easy to use; they shouldn't involve taking apart a seat!

Jordan's face looks funny.

Oh, and Bernie Mac was so toking before DP came over.

I also thought Katherine was lying, but I would too in front of millions of people. She was obviously hiding the fact that she actually knows what sex is. Her sister has a baby and she's had more than a couple boyfriends, in my opinion she knows very well. I didn't at her age, but she seems much less child like than I was. When I was 13, I thought oral sex was when someone talked dirty to you. Yeah don't laugh at me I was 13!

Today's show was a joke. I didn't even know what the hell was going on half the time. It's obvious filler until the next FUF or Brandon Rescued or Weight Loss for 600 lb. People show.

No laughter from me. I can't believe how much young people know these days. In my humble opinion, they are far too sexualized from an early age.

katymo, how's this for embarrassing: I knew what masturbation was a couple of years before I knew the word. I was convinced that it was just something secret that only I knew about!

To give some perspective, that was roughly 1981-1982.

I'm not laughing at you, katymo. That was totally me at that age. Ah, those were the days.

Erin and Marty need to sit on their daughters. I just don't think that they want to spend the time and energy they need to to make sure they don't make any more mistakes.

The thing that pisses me off the most about Erin and Marty is that they are now talking the talk -- "We need to be her parents and not her friends" -- but they don't seem to have a clue about how to do that. Why is 15-year-old teen mother Alex allowed to date? Why are they so blase about Katherine having a boyfriend?

I go back and forth between thinking they don't know HOW to be parents-not-friends and thinking they just can't be bothered. Since I hate them, I usually end up thinking they just can't be bothered. Besides, I think it hasn't occurred to them to teach those girls that there is more to their lives and worth then whether they are cute, popular and in possession of a boyfriend.

Why is their response to Alex "He's not good enough for you" instead of "Look, kid, choices have consequences, and one consequence of choosing to keep Nathan and raising him yourself, is that you have no time for having a normal teenage life". Besides, it's not like Alex has demonstrated anythink resembling good judgment. They should be doing whatever is necessary to make sure she doesn't get knocked up again, instead of worrying because the guy she wants to date is not high-class enough.

These people suck.

ICAM with everyone who feels bad for Katherine. I cannot imagine what it's like at 13 years old to have your family's and your own most intimate details aired on national TV. I'm sure that their local newspaper/TV stations also did a story on "Local Family on Dr. Phil" just in case someone she knew missed the fact they were FUF1 and I hate to think of what kind of shit Katherine faces at school. I don't think it's anywhere near as bad for Alex since she's in the teen mother school.

Yeah, Katherine's not a model child, but puh-leez if you had Erin (the Ice Queen) and Marty (the Whiner) for your parents and then had to go on national TV and expose every part of your life - temper fits, dropping grades and fistfights shouldn't be such a surprise. Frankly, I think if at 13 I had to go through with Katherine's going through, I'd be looking for pills, a gun or some other means for taking the big dirt nap.

And Marty really bugs me - I just want to slap him. The man's stepdad beat him when he was a kid. He must be what, at least 40 now, and I'm sure stepdad probably quit beating him when he got big enough to lay the smackdown back on him - probably by the time he was in his teens. And he still uses his sad childhood as an excuse for repeated bad behavior. Hmmm, it's been 20+ years. Boo-frickin'-hoo! Deal with it and be a man for crying out loud! Selfish pig! Erin's childhood sucked way worse than his, IMHO, and despite being an Ice Queen, she's still way more functional than he is - at least she doesn't whine about it and blame it for anything that's wrong with her. They both need to step up to the plate and take some responsibility for their daughters' lives and for God sake, get them both on birth control!

Ack! Today's show pissed me off and DP seemed outclassed by the stupidity of the first lady (in more ways than one). The look on her face was so asstastic like she knew everything and everyone else was wrong 100% of the time. She just plain didn't get it.

The spatula lady was just plain mean and I think the dad was a pushover. Their daughter didn't listen to him, nor did she listen to the mom. They are so on opposite ends of the spectrum that the girl was probably confused as hell.

Future show - WHY is Dr. Phil criticizing adult children who live with their parents? His son is the biggest moocher of anyone, he's getting rich off of his daddy's success!! Shut the fuck up, Dr. Hypocrite. I understand there's a difference between living with and mooching, but come on. I'm not just saying this because I'm 21 and still live with my mom (though I am in no way a moocher). I just had to defend my side against that asshat.

I LOVE it when Dr. Phil has the moochers on! Because it's one of the few times that I am in total agreement with him. To clarify, his guests are never of the "I am living at home while I go to school/work hard/save money and by the way I contribute financially and otherwise to the household" variety. His guests are of the "I'm 28 and too damn lazy to get a job and no, I don't pick up after myself or pay rent and I also have an attitude when my Mom asks me to help out" variety.

Last time I remember one son who was living with his parents while he pursued his professional bicycling career. I believe he was in his early thirties, and had a deadbeat brother a few years younger who was also mooching off Mom and Pop. Dr. Phil gets to vent his righteous anger at both the moocher, and the doormat parents. That's entertainment, as far as I am concerned.

ETA: From the preview of Wednesday's show, it looks like Dr. Phil packs up one of the moocher's stuff while he is in California to be a guest on the show; apparently his family is fed up and he won't have a home to go back to! (clasps hands in anticipation)

Oh, this is going to be a banner week for Dr. Phil!



Word! I feel bad for the 14-year-old. She didn't seem to be the hateful type of child that you have to discipline. Poor thing has to deal with a woman who clearly hates her. And that fact that Jill told her, "You'll end up just like your mother living in the projects"...... That was low. Her husband should not have allowed Jill to abuse his daughter like that.



That little girl isn't confused. She's just playing her parents against each other. Daddy was all "She's my friend!" Arrggghh! You can't be friends with a manipulative little girl. Moms needed to take some Zoloft and put the spatula down, unless she's flipping burgers for dinner. They need to come together and make the punishments stick. Turning off the tv doesn't mean much when she can just snatch the remote from you and turn it back on.

Oh yeah, Stardancer, I was going to quote the same line from Katymo about the "asstastic" Jill. What a smirky jerk. Grinning even right after DP shot the clip of the poor twelve year old girl crying. The husband ought to just kick her to the curb - he seemed like such a nice guy - I have a feeling he's just about out of love with Jill. Worse than the bad language was the screaming at the kids that it was HER HOUSE. What does she think? Were the kids supposed to go rent their own place? Kids not able to feel like they belong in their own home - now that's just sad.

Oooooh sounds bad. I didn't see the beginning, just the "drill sergeant" dad. I was so impressed at how he can scream at little kids. Delightful.

The daughter from the second family looked quite tall for 6 years old. I think the mom had better watch it with the spatula before that girl gets bigger than her.

The first woman was totally obnoxious. She was just trying to prove that she was right. Geez, woman.

At least the last guy said he wanted to change his behavior. I've seen his type before -- they can't really be the boss any place else, so they boss their children around. Yeah, that's being the big, tough guy.

That first woman today was indeed totally obnoxious. She was absolutely convinced that she needed to be doing exactly what she was doing. The father looked like he was being forced to choose between his wife and his kids. At least he also seemed to know that if it comes to that, he will choose his kids.

I spent the entire hour remembering when Dr. Phil used to pick people who really wanted to be helped. Here, only the last father did, while the two mothers were all "I'm not doing anything wrong, so I am here to defend myself." Ugh.

And later this week? It's gonna be Dr. Phil telling FUF1 parents that he thinks Alex is having sex again -- and from the previews, it looks like they are going to be surprised. How stupid is that?

I missed most of FUF2 due to Bush. Can anyone recap the ending?

Wow, am I the only one who agreed with spatula lady? I was spanked as a
child and it taught me not to do things when I was too young to understand why I shouldn't do them. I totally agree with Stardancer 2001 that the girl is playing her parents off of one another; I did the same thing when I was that age. If there wasn't a spanking (or the threat of a spanking), I just didn't take the punishment seriously. The thing that got me upset was that Dr. Phil was saying that spanking is extremely damaging to the child; I disagree, the line between spanking and physical abuse may be thin but it is distinct. Rewards work for some children, time-outs work for some children, and spanking works for some children.

But there's a difference between spanking a child and hitting a child with an object. The fact that the mother said she used an object because she couldn't hit her child hard enough seemed crazy to me. And, like the father pointed out, it's easier to miss where you're trying to hit with an object. Having a bruise on a child's back from a misplaced strike with an object isn't likely to happen if you're giving a child an open handed slap to their bottom.

However, what bothers me about striking a child in any form is that you're teaching the child that using physical force to get your way is okay or that it's a justifiable way to express anger and frustration. Is that really what you want to teach your child? The father certainly isn't helping anything by coddling the girl either (I cringed when he said, "I talk to her. She's my friend.") These two need to get together and find the middle ground.

I felt sorry for Dr. Phil when he was talking to the first lady who clearly didn't get anything he was saying to her. Talk about being clueless. I hope her husband sees the light and gets the kids away from her if she doesn't change her ways.

Well, the basic plot of the show was this : they're fucked up. That's about it.

Stacey told DP that she felt she was mis-representented on the show as more manipulative than she actually is. She spent several minutes telling DP how she had affairs for different reasons than he thought, that adoption is complicated and she isn't nessecarily a manipulator for contacting her biological son's parents, etc. etc. DP said that he'd show everything she just said, but that he still thought she was full of crap.

Stacey promised to get a job. Michael went off to live at Happy Hill ranch. Stacey told her daughter (sorry, don't know her name, will refer to her as FUFFTM2 Fucked up family future teen mom 2) that she'd been a cheating whore and that she's preggers. DP told FUFFTM2 that she's the only reason he took her fam on, becuase he's so impressed with her classiness and that she deserves much better than the asshats she's stuck with. I think that's about it.

When will FUF2 Dad buy a spine and leave the bitch?

Yeah the mom is horrible. She is such a bitch. The dad was so much more upset about the son leaving, and it's not even his son! I think he should leave her and take the ALL the kids. And mom needs to get a damn job.

Not to defend the FUFFUM2 who probably did spend her student obligation on Long Island Ice Teas and lapdances, if you are deferring your student loans because of low income the interest still compounds and that can ratchet up the total pretty fast.

I admit it. I'm weak. I left this forum (sadly) and denounced watching DP. And then....I watched. Actually, I watched about 15 seconds of "spend a day with DP" and knew I'd made the right decision. But yesterday I actually got interested in the kid stuff.

Just my opinion, but I don't believe Spatula Mom would have to resort to such drastic measures if Daddy ever bothered to be a Dad and make it stick. ("Put Mommy's paints away." "No.") That child was a wretchedly spoiled brat. I'm betting Spatula Mom (and I'm not condoning) feels that she's been pushed to violent limits because of him. I've seen children for whom a hand-spanking just makes them act out harder.

Cursing Mom? Just sucked. Do I hear divorce bells?

But guys, aside from my backsliding, there is life away from Dr. I've-Had-My-Fill. Honestly. The air is sweet out there.

Your concern is kind, Hexele but, at my house, he comes on about three times a day and sooner or later he catches me stretched out in the recliner in a weakened state.

---Doesn't the name "Happy Hill" give you all the creeps? That little Michael breaks my heart. Mom says she doesn't like him one week and sends him away "for his own good" the next week, to a place that sounds like that tortuous slave plantation in Beloved.

That Brianne is such a sweet girl, and very pretty. I just hope she didn't inheirit the "dumb slut" gene.

Speaking of sluts, why is she wearing so much eye makeup at 13? I noticed the same thing on Katherine from FUF1. I don't think I was allowed to wear makeup at all at 13, and when I did, it was mostly lipgloss. Am I an old fogey?

What? FUF2Mom is being shown in a bad light? Let's see, she's had three affairs, she keeps sending her kids away, and she's pregnant again. Oh yes, DP is just being meeeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaan.

Face it lady. You're a stupid, stupid woman who probably shouldn't procreate anymore.

I think Brianne and Katherine should get together. They have a lot in common (being the most sane ones in their families, forced into the spotlight by their famewhore moms, etc.)

Maybelline, I must be an old fogey, too. I remember when I was almost 15 that my MOM suggested that I might want to start wearing some mascara since my eyelashes were so blonde. So, hee. I'm right there with you.

Percolata, every time they mention "Happy Hill Farm", I get the shivers. Ooo, that's creepy. There's a Lovecraft story waiting to happen there, I bet.

Oh, I don't know if I can take this FUF2. That woman is just a total trip. Yikes. She's just got an excuse for everything and nothing's her fault.

Agree: FUF2 Dad was more upset about his stepson leaving than was the child's hideous mother.

Agree: With everyone who concluded this woman is a narcissist. I would go a step further and declare that she is a malignant narcissist who manipulates others at their expense for her own personal gain (her kids, her hubby, the adoptive family even). I can't see her changing. Dad needs to find his testicles, pack up the kids and leave.

Poor Brianne was so desperate to get away from the hell that is her mother's antics that she was jealous of Michael going to a dysfunctional youth home. I did feel better about DP even taking this crowd on when he told the girl that he did it primarily to help her. She does need someone on her side. Amazing that she, at thirteen, is more mature and logical than her "counselor" mother.

Ha! to DP for telling the horrible bitch to please not take a marriage and family counseling job.

I wish my parents had seen a show like yesterday's (monday's) Dr. Phil when I was young...

I was also spanked as a child. My dad would hit me with just his hand, but my mom would chase me around the house with a wooden spoon and hit me a few times when she caught me. This happened every day or close to it, and I was around 10 when this stopped.

To this day I don't like to give either of them hugs, or let them touch me in any way. If my mom just touches my shoulder or puts my hair behind my ear or something, I cringe and back away.

Anyhow, I think my point is that, IMO, spanking should only occur in extreme situations, like when the kid is about to run into the street or burn himself, not for something like saying a bad word, throwing a tantrum, or some other behavior where the child isn't going to hurt himself.

My mom also emotionally abused me throughout my pre-teen, teen, and young adult years (I think that's where that first mom is heading if she doesn't stop). This was about a million times more damaging than the spankings, and although its a huge factor with the "not letting mom touch me" thing, I think spanking played a part in it.

And that's my 2 cents.


ETA: I think Brianne and Katherine are wearing a lot of eye makeup for TV...from far away it looks normal, but when they do those close up shots, it stands out.

No...but let's acknowledge two facts:

First of all, fifty years ago, spanking your child was perfectly acceptable as a means of punishment. Not abuse, not hitting with objects, but as my Grandpa always said, "God made bottoms chubby for a reason," meaning that a good spanking for misbehavior was okay.

Second, now the know-it-all "researchers" and "psychologists" have stepped in with their crusade against spanking. They contend that time-outs, restrictions, etc. are the way to go. Violence begets violence, and all that.

It seems to me that if the time-outs way of discipline is effective, how come children today are brattier than ever, bordering on being out of control? Kids today get away with stuff (cursing at their parents, destructive behavior) that NEVER would have been permitted in my household.

It also seems that children are more violent these days, even with spanking being banned in most households.

I was spanked as a child. I do not believe that violence is the best way to solve my problems. I am a productive and happy member of society. It didn't leave me any worse for the wear.

ETA: Just finished watching FUF2 Mom. Now WHO needs a spanking? Damn, that woman is a psychopath. I am not feeling the DP love the way I used to, but I am hoping he opens a can of Whup-Ass on her next week. She is truly malignant in that family, and what's more, she always thinks she's right, she always thinks she's justified, and she can justify ANYTHING. And what's with the work situation? The way I see it, every minute she sits on her chubby behing left to her own devices, the more Chris has to worry about her screwing someone else! What about doing something productive with your day if you aren't working? I'm not working currently, but am temping and interviewing, but as we live on DH's salary, I am also writing a book, keep a clean house, do the laundry, and cook the meals. Oh, and do the shopping. FUF2 seems the type to rationalize that her poor little beat-up self needs a half hour in the tanning bed. Jesus, she's a mess.

complicatedgirl:

I worked 10 years in a church nursery and noticed a decline in manners and good behavior, so I understand where you're coming from on this. However, I've seen extremely effective results with properly used time-outs. I don't think it's the method of discipline that's at fault here, I think it's the parents themselves. There seem to be more permissive, weak parents nowadays (lordy, I sound old).

The cursing mom was just nasty and irritating. I don't see why her husband married her, but I've given up trying to figure out why people pick the mates they do.

I haven't been watching FUF2 (thank god), but what you may be describing is Narcissistic Personality Disorder, which is in the DSM IV classification of mental/sociological illness. And it's not something that can be overcome with talk therapy or a little "come to jesus" talking to from DP. ....and DP should know this.

And another thing---just how much work would really be involved in "taking care of the children" if you've sent them all away? :-) I thinkt he only one she still has home with her is Brianne, who seems fairly capable.

I love the idea of hooking Brianne up with Katherine. Those two can bond over their famewhore families and find a real friend in each other.

You forgot Chandler - Chris' real son. I'd be willing to bet good money that poor Brianne, as the mature and responsible member of the household, has always been loaded up with chores and childcare duties while her Sluttiness is busy having a pity party, tanning, figuring out ways to convince the Mormon church to give her money and trolling for her next fuckbuddy.

Sadly, Happy Hill Farm would probably be an improvement over Brianne's happy homelife.

Poor Brianne, they need to find her a "Happy Hill Farm" (damn that name - I get goosebumps too!) I kept yelling "send her away!" Her video diary sessions "I just found out my brother's going to Texas - am I next?" and "my mom's pregnant again but she's already given away 3 brothers - am I next?" was HOPE, not anxiety!

Mr lls59 alternates between yelling at Chris "be a man, Arthur Putey!" and grousing "slap a set of tits on him and he's a woman" (I think because of all the crying - he says the same thing about Marty from FUF1). Convince DrP to send Brianne to a boarding school, take Chandler and RUN, don't walk to the nearest exit. Oh, and the new baby - it's not yours, Chris, Stacey's just cheating with white guys now 'cause she got caught! And I still want to know where Bohden's daddy is.

Stacey defending herself against bad editing (little pieces of the jigsaw puzzle but not the whole picture my ass!) and her dancing around DP's questions about who initiated contact with the adoptive parents in the "closed" adoption would have been hilarious if the whole thing wasn't so heartbreaking. Michael, who I have a lot of sympathy for but thought was a sociopath last week, was SO excited to get away. Maybe he does have a chance, now....

I think that DP is just gonna adopt Katherine from FUF1 and Brianne from FUF2-- he seems to fall all over himself in lavishing praise on them (though he did take out the verbal stick and beat Katherine last week. ) It'll be great..the girls will call DP "Big Daddy" and take turns sitting on his lap while he tells them what special little girls they are. Of course, when DP leaves the house, Robin will beat them both with a spatula. (Okay, perhaps I have too much free time on my hands.)

Crackheads get CSI appearances, Bad Parents have their children sent to farms and Moochers get Ikea gift certificates. How do I get on this show? I want freebies!

Amen, PissyMissy; This man is completely and utterly spineless. Your wife pulls all this shit on you and all you do is threaten to get angrier in the next few weeks? Come on! If that were my wife (excusing the fact that I would have taken the kids and left a long time ago), I'd tell her to get her selfish, lazy ass up and find a job or she'd be kicked out. That mom cares about no one but herself and she never will. I feel sorry for all of her children because they're paying more for the consequences of her actions than she is. On a lighter note, I was cracking up when Stacey kept trying to defend herself because it was obvious that the staff of the show just hated her. The first time she tried to explain herself, they put "Cheated on husband with 3 men" on the screen. The second time, when she was trying to defend her video diary (which was absolutely repulsive, by the way), they put "Family is falling apart" on the screen. I guess it's too much to ask that the next time Robin is on they put "Addicted to Botox" on the screen.

A million times WORD. I was watching a bit with DH last night and he was growing more and more outraged as the show went on. He finally turned to me and said, "You know, you've been out of work for a while now, and I'm cool with that. But if I found out that you were stepping out on me while you are home supposedly looking for work, that would be it. No ifs, ands, or buts...our marriage would be over."

There are a lot of things that were perfectly acceptable 50 years ago that we would be aghast at today. And, I think it's too simplistic to say that the reason children are becoming so unruly is because they don't get spanked with the same frequency as in the past. The bottom line is that I think there are lots of other more effective ways of directing a child's behavior. I've used them many times. Of course, nothing works unless you are firm and consistent which (I think) was what Dr. Phil's point was.

The FUF2 family was almost too much for me to watch. Stacey is scary. I don't know that there is much hope for her but I guess we'll see...

One example: Smoking and drinking during pregnancy...

How does it help a mooching, irresponsible living-at-home child if someone else finds him an apartment, someone else packs his stuff, someone else moves his stuff, and someone else gives him gift certificates to furnish the new place?

There are situations where it makes sense for parents to let their kids live with them. Heck, when I was 20, I dropped out of college and moved home for 6 months while I waited to get into a different college. My parents charged me rent and room and board. I had chores I had to do, and rules I had to follow. All this seemed perfectly normal to me.

My brother has lived with my parents twice since he left home. When he lives there, he pays rent, does maintenance, house-and-dog-sits when they are out of town, does half the cooking, and all the kitchen and bathroom cleaning (even the bathroom he does not use), and takes care of all car repairs. AND he feels guilty for not doing enough and for staying too long.

I just don't get these people who think that just because someone is your parent, the OWE you a home. The massive disrespect that these moochers who appear on this show always express towards their parents irritates me. I think it would be nice to have on the show some parents and children who live together, and where it works. I suppose that such an episode would not make as good TV ratings.

Yep. I think the smoking and drinking during pregnancy definately used to produce more docile children.

I was hit a lot when I was little and to this day I cringe when someone makes a sudden hand gesture in my direction. My hubby thinks it's funny but I think it's heartbreaking. Of course being hit a lot when I was little made me resolve never, ever to beg when I got older but I really think if I'd hooked up with a violent man at that point I would have thought hitting=love was normal and would have put up with it. Hitting me never did anything but instill hate in my heart. How would you feel if you fucked up at work and your boss came up and hit you?

The FUFM2 is sooooo slimy. Not only do I want to hear from her two ex-husbands, I also want to hear from Brohdan's bio dad, Brohdan's adoptive family, and the Church leaders who have been enabling Stacey in her behaviors. She flat out said there was no sense looking for work because she would have to quit when the baby came because there is no way she'll work with a baby in the house and if I were hubby #3 I'd be demanding DNA tests now instead of later.

Perhaps. Would it also be too simplistic to say that today's piss poor parents don't know the first thing about raising a well-behaved, well-rounded child? Because there are many of us in the world who think that is the case. My sister is the director of a well-known and well-respected day care and she says she has seen a distinct decline in children's behavior since she started teaching in 1993.

Perhaps spanking isn't the way to go. All I know is, while I don't condone Spatula Mom's use of a spatula, she at least had the guts to provide some sort of discipline to the little brat daughter. Dad was too busy being her friend, which is a lot of the reason why we have a discipline problem among kids these days. A parent is meant to be a parent. The kid can find a best friend among his or her peers.

I cannot count the number of times in the last five years an unruly child and his or her clueless parents have ruined a movie, a dinner out, a trip to the grocery, a church service, a wedding, a pageant/presentation at school, etc. The child acts up and the parents either a) ignore it or b) think it's just damned adorable. Or ask me about the time I heard the five year old tell his mother in the middle of Walmart, "F*** off, bitch!" You may vote for a time-out a half-hour later when you return home. My vote would be for a crack on the ass.

About the "moochers" show, I'm not sure why Phil helped the second guy out with getting his family to pack his things and his mom find an apartment for him and then gave him some gift certificates, but did nothing for the first woman who had two small children. I'm certainly not on that woman's side, but still.

LisaLyn27, All that woman needed was a swift kick in the ass. I was embarassed to watch a 30-year-old woman snivel like a small child.

When I was 23, I had to sneak and move out of my parent's house when my mother went to work. She didn't want me to leave! She cried for 2 weeks straight, then realized that we would have a much better relationship now that we didn't live together anymore. I don't get it; I greatly enjoyed my freedom from my parents. What makes a person want to come back to bondage?

Moocher #1 was such a big crybaby. I wanted to reach through my television and give her a hard smack. Every time she opened her mouth I hated her more. And Dr. Phil didn't get through to her at all; she was still making excuses and shifting the blame right to the end.

The other two moochers didn't irritate me at all. Moocher 2 was only 24 years old, had only just recently quit school, and was working, if only part time. Moocher 3 was only 21, and was working hard and saving money. They both seemed like good enough guys who just needed a kick in the pants to motivate them. They were also receptive and open; they took Dr. Phil's advice with a good attitude.

I, too, thought it was weird that only Moocher 2 got the gift certificates. Weird.

ETA: Moocher 2 had also only been living at home for 8 months, and part of that time he was attending school. Now, if he were still living at home 2 years later then I would see a problem.