Starting Over Talk

If they do Canada, I wonder if it is because they might be able to tap into some sort of fan_base_ up there. I think they receive alot of the same cable programming.. Also I wonder if there is an equivalent of LPA (Little People of America) in Canada?

I think an Alaskan Cruise/Canada trip would be a fun!
Since they are on the Pacific side of the States.. I don't know too much about that part of Canada.. I tend to be more familiar with Toronto and Montreal..

I forget exactly where in Canada they mentioned, but Matt got a sort of odd grin on his face when it came up, so I think something is in the works.

Oh I hear ya about the Formal Dance..........I don't agree with how Zach is still with the disrespect..........BUT........he has impressed me with his recovering from his major surgery and sucking it up and going to the dance. I also thought it was very cool that they have close friends that will carry him up the stairs, out of cars, etc. and don't feel awkward.........that Zach and his needs are a part of their daily interactions and friendships!!! I think a smaller school definitely helps along those lines!!!!!!!!

Oh........me too...........the maps came out and they went to Rand McNally for obviously a private tour..........they definitely are seeing some way cool perks!!!! I think Matt really is invested in being hands-on with the kids as he does expect to be very disabled as he gets older.

Molly and Jacob fighting over the wheelchair is one of the most hilarious things I've seen!!!!

I went to a small private school when I was in high school. I must say that while kids will find a way to do some teasing, it was far less than what I saw in public school. We had several students in our school with disabilities are various sorts. All of them were very obvious and the kids were very traumatized from the verbal abuse they had sustained in public school. Once at our school, these kids came back to themself again because most everyone accepted them for who they were and didn't call them names all the time.

The older kids set the standard of how everyone was treated and the younger ones followed behind. I think Zack's schoolmates have learned a lot from his example.

Okay, can some of you who have teens tell me if I'm just crazy or what? You know I'm a huge Matt fan, however, is it reasonable to buy your child a car when he is failing in his school work? Did you see the show Monday night?

Why is Jeremy getting F's and D's on his report card? Have they had him tested for some kind of learning disability? What about setting him up with a professional tutor for 2 hours after school, at least 3 days per week, even if it interferes with soccer. Have him go to the tutor's house so the time is very structured and he can't just get up and walk out like he does at home.

Don't most schools require that you maintain passing grades to participate in sports?

Maybe I am overreacting, but, bad grades just from laziness are just not acceptable. Is this common? I guess I'm fortunate that all the kids in our family have always done either average or excellent. I don't know what would happen if you didn't.

Debby,

When I saw that episode, I thought much the same thing... One minute Matt is saying one thing and then the next thing you know he's out buying the car and then out teaching him and his friends to drive stick.. (I wonder if the other parent knew????)

I think this show has run it's course.. It's beginning to be absurd..

If the kids have behavior problems and trouble doing the things they are told to do... then I'd guess that some of the blame could be on the disruption to their lives because of the reality aspect of their lives. I doubt Matt would want to give it up for all the perks... He seems to always want to the good guy and almost plays to the camera.. The episode about him and Molly talking about the 7 wonders of the World and him asking Amy if Roloff's farm was one of them..and she said only in their back yard or something.. Matt sounded like he was being pathetic because his ego was not being stoked by his wife. I know he was probably kidding.. He kept moaning, "I don't have any friends".. or something like that.. It was really silly. He's full of life lessons and lectures.. Yet he doesn't follow through. Perhaps because he wants to be the good guy and not the disciplinarian.. Once he told Jeremy to change the tire on Amy's car.. Jeremy was very resistant and had a horribly bad attitude.. Matt wound up going out to do it...and THEN praised Jeremy for coming back out to help him... I'm sure there was alot we didn't see... Maybe a blow up!

But why oh why, is Jeremy's girlfriend ALWAYS there? Alot of Jeremy's friends are there all the time too? No wonder he can't concentrate on his studies! Their school should put them (kids like Jeremy) on probation and not let Jeremy play soccer or other sports until he gets his grades up... That was mid winter..and soccer was obviously right around the corner..

I think Matt indulges his kids because he pushes things he actually wants to do.. He's got an affinity for older cars..

Some of the sequences I really think are way off... The one show when they were looking at maps at the top of the show..later in the show we see her go to lunch with her dad and then on a business trip. While on the trip they visit a place that has alot of maps... One of the maps looked just like one of the ones they were pouring over at the top of the show.. Maybe I'm being overly criticial... I'm just seeing this show as possibly having a negative impact on those kids. Material wealth and perks are not worth it in the long run.. Not unless they start getting real professionals in there to help some of the family dysfunction..

I noticed Matt's parents have not been on much lately at all. I wonder if they are fully behind this reality show endeavor. Matt seems to have an awfully big ego!

And what about that bedroom project? Matt is being a total softy! Apparently at that point the other night...it had been weeks since they started the project..

Don't get me wrong, I do like Matt and I do like Amy... But the show is becoming a bit ridiculous!