Starting Over Talk - Peer Coaching Support Site

You make some great points Debby... I do agree that all of them after seeing themselves as others see them will hopefully see things differently and strive to change some of their own faults or at least improve on them.. That was one thing I used to say pretty regularly about the SO women.. that I hope that once they saw themselves from the outside looking in, that it would make a difference..

Debby, are you referring to the transcript from a chat at the official website? I read that and i think Zach participated in that too... I think the Zach said that pretty much their home is pretty typical but of course like most reality shows (including SO) the producer's opt to focus on the conflict stuff. What family doesn't have some sort of conflict.. Certainly having teenagers in the house...there is bound to be some. Matt and Amy should always be on the same page about discipline issues.. I think they both want their kids to do well and be successful.

I think their household is probably even more active than the typical household.. because of them living on a farm.. or at least it allows them to have a more diverse living experience than the suburbanites that I know!

I think this upcoming season will focus more on their summer..

I also agree Debby, that you don't criticize one parent in front of the children..............that really can be damaging to the relationship with the kids and parents in splitting the loyalties. But, I also can see that there would be more focus on the conflicts when they cut the show in production. That doesn't mean there aren't those conflicts, but I'm guessing not with the frequency we see in the show.

I know I'd hate cameras in on everyday life!! But I do think this family will see their weaknesses (like Matt did) and that can be a wonderfully positive thing.

I do enjoy the show and certainly feel more normal with my disorganization and my teens!!!!!

I forgot something in my post. This is a reality show and if it were not for the conflict there would be little drama and therefore not much interest to the production company. Oh yeah. Just kidding, but not really. I do think most of their drama is real. It doesn't come off as fake set up stuff like most of the realtiy shows.

KPW, I did read that interview on their website, but the only one I read was by Matt. How much of the stuff they do, do you think is paid for by the production company? Such as the vacation, cruise last season, hot air balloon ride, beach trip, house remodel, etc.?

Depsite my nit picking, I can't wait for the next episode.

TLC had a special about 2 other little people families. Did you see them. One of the families has 3 children and I think all of them are little. Maybe one was not.

The other family consist of an orthopaidic surgeon who is a little person and he is married to an average sized wife. They have a little girl who is also a little person. I thought that was so amusing. Could you see yourself married to a little person? I never could before, but after getting to know these families as I have, I think I can understand how that could happen.

I did see one other special about another family. But I thought that one was only a one time episode.. I recall that all the members of that family were little but the oldest daughter was adopted. I think she was autistic. The mother was a teacher.. That family was really cool! I love their positive attitudes. It really does make one appreciate the things we take for granted.. Maybe the Roloff's and the other family were both contending for a reality show spot... and TLC waited to see which would garner a greater audience.

I recall seeing something a couple years ago about a dwarf orthopedic surgeon but I don't recall anything about his family.

One of the episodes this past season on the Roloff family, is that Matt took Zach to meet several professionals who happened to be dwarfs.. One was able to capitalize on his size and did special work on submarines... another was a professor..

What sets the Roloff family apart is the diversity of the family sizewise and how they deal with that... Also interesting that they live on a beautiful farm and both parents came from average sized parents.

There are a couple dwarfs in my neighborhood. I know one woman by her first name and she lives a half block away... She tends to be a bit shy... Her husband is average sized and her 2 children are also dwarfs.. One is a sophomore in high school. I sure hope kids that are different due to dwarfism are benefitting from this show...and making 'normal' kids a bit more sensitive and accepting. The other woman I've seen only occasionally in the grocery store.. Yes, that is definitely a challenge! I have often seen Patti, shop later at night when the store is less crowded.. I'm sure you get sick of people looking at you differently.. I appreciate how Amy and Matt just accept and ignore the idiots...

I felt bad for Matt when he had to go through the extra security search at the airport.

I also wondered about all the extras! Matt did say that he had alot of miles piled up due to his traveling for his job.. But that looked like a 5 star hotel! The helicopter ride would have cost a bundle too! But maybe the show is able to arrange VIP type trips in exchange for promotions.. They showed the hotel name! (I forgot what it was though... Sheraton maybe?)

I have no clue how much money Matt makes. I know the farm wasn't self sustaining yet... But I bet this year he does great with all the publicity of the last season's show... Maybe he gets a commission on his software sales..

I am sure they are getting a good chunk per episode for the show. Hopefully they'll squirrel it away for the kids educations!

Wow, it's amazing that you know that many little people. I have never actually seen a dwarf in person, let alone know one. That's really great. I grew up in a rural area but went to a large university and have lived in a large city for awhile now. Funny I would not ever meet one.

I think they stayed at the Four Seasons, not sure, I may be thinking of something else. It was nice. The hotel probably provided the rooms free or reduced for the advertising. I bet the show provides a certain amount of stuff too because it spices up the show.

I have developed a fear of planes and helicoptors. Too many accidents don't make it tempting to me anymore. I will fly if necessary but only if it's necessary. I wouldn't get into a helicoptor just for fun because I think I would be too worried to have much fun. I'm glad other people enjoy it though.

With all the travel Matt was doing with his company, he obviously had racked up alot of frequent flyer miles. My husband has had to do alot of traveling the last couple years and he also builds miles and earns credits toward hotels.. so that could have been a factor.. We actually will get 2 free nights over the Thanksgiving holiday when visiting family in Ga. It's easier on all of us (and our nerves) if we didn't stay cooped up together for 3 days! LOL! So we pay for 1 get 2 free! Good Deal huh?

We did have to use alot of our frequent flyer miles for our daughter this past spring and summer...