Little People, Big World

[KJSJpipe]

New season starts tonight.
The RV trip looks like it will be as funny as the movie RV.

Little People, Big World
Twins at Seventeen
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Both twins finish their school year on shaky academic ground - and twin Fs in math mean they'll both be spending time in summer school.

Little People, Big World
Roloff Road Trip: Yosemite
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The Roloff family kicks off their over-ambitious road trip in an oversized RV. They've barely left their driveway when the trouble begins.

[Klutch]

The Roloff family kicks off their over-ambitious road trip in an oversized RV. They've barely left their driveway when the trouble begins.

Does that mean as they were leaving the driveway one of the kids said, "Are we there yet?".

[Drince88]

Does that mean as they were leaving the driveway one of the kids said, "Are we there yet?".

Ha Ha ;)

Actually it was just a traffic snafu - I thought they were going to take out a couple of decent sized limbs on a tree or two in the driveway!

I don't like the new intro - Matt and Amy get solo time, so do the twins, but the other two are left out. Yes, they're in the part with all 4 of them - but so are the twins, so I feel sorry for Molly and Jacob.

And is it 'not a big deal' to get an F in a class anymore? The twins sure didn't seem to think there was anything wrong about it, other than it cutting into their 'off' time.

[Klutch]

And is it 'not a big deal' to get an F in a class anymore? The twins sure didn't seem to think there was anything wrong about it, other than it cutting into their 'off' time.

In today's public schools, it depends. It may be the school adopted a new touchy, feely math curriculum which nobody, including the teacher, can understand. It could be they have a psycho teacher being defended by the union. Or, it could be they just goofed off and didn't do their homework.

When my daughter was failing math several years ago, I assumed she was goofing off and just whining about her teacher. Then her teacher got fired in the middle of the semester. Obviously, something was going on. :eek:

[Bytebear]

But the twins were the only two kids in summer school for math. I doubt it was the teacher of the curriculum. As I recall, they went to a private Christian school last season but it seems this year, the rowdiness of the class seemed very "public school" to me. Maybe they were adjusting to a new environment. Or maybe Christian schools aren't like the Catholic schools I am more familiar with.

[Drince88]

Actually, the kids on LPBW go to a private school, so I'm assuming there is no union involved - and they did appear to struggle some, but at least one boy (Jeremy) didn't appear to put any time into it either.

For a teacher to be fired in the middle of the semester, especially if it wasn't for being inappropriate with students, is saying A LOT about their teaching skills. And they wonder why people get so 'anti-math' in their feelings and attitudes when they have teachers that just can't get through to the masses. I hope your daughter figured out that she COULD 'do math'!

[mom22gls]

I wonder how much living in front of the camera affects the family's normal functioning. The family may do things differently than they would otherwise, because they are playing to the camera. Would Matt have selected the biggest, baddest RV on the lot, if nobody was really watching? Does it affect the kids' studies? Last season, they indicated that Zach was actually a much better student than his brother. All of a sudden he's struggling. But, during the test (at tables, not school desks), the teacher barely said anything when they were pretty opening sneaking peeks at each other's papers. I wonder.

[Drince88]

Oh, I know people like Matt who so TOTALLY would get the biggest baddest RV out there - he's got a lot of the same personality traits - so I don't think that one would change if it weren't for the cameras. Just look at all the stuff he built for the farm before the TV show started - the guy doesn't do things 'small'!

And I think I recognized the road they got stuck on with the run - I'll have to ask my sister who lives 'in town' in Hillsboro if it was the road I thought it was. But then again, most of the roads in that part of the state look very similar if they don't have something distinctive in view!

[ericles]

I must admit I haven't watched the show much - but didnt' I hear something not to long ago about the Dad getting a DUI? Of course, I didn't hear anything more after that so it could be he was not - guilty. Does anyone remember this? I wonder if they will address it in the show.

[Klutch]

I hope your daughter figured out that she COULD 'do math'!

Actually, she's now trying to take the math in Community College which she couldn't get in high school. And, you guessd it, her instructor doesn't really speak English. :rolleyes:

I used to watch LPBW when it first came out, but I haven't seen it in awhile. Now that I can watch it in Hi-Def, I'll have to try it again. :geek:

[Drince88]

Actually, she's now trying to take the math in Community College which she couldn't get in high school. And, you guessd it, her instructor doesn't really speak English. :rolleyes:
That makes me so sad. My first 'if I win the lottery what will I do with my time' job would be to teach grade school science (just science - so I might have to make up a non-paid position for myself). But math at a community college where the 'kids' really wanted to learn the stuff would be a close second. My grandfather, in retirement, tutored math at a local community college - even after he couldn't see well enough to read the questions easily, he'd still do it - and just have the tutorees read him the question. It helped them, too, to read the question out loud. You might want to see if they have some sort of tutoring available - that might help her?

And back to LPBW - I looked, and the farm is one exit closer to Portland, and on the other side of the highway, from the road I thought they were on. They're actually REALLY close to the highway it took them 45 minutes to get to - it's probably less than 5 minutes normally!

[KJSJpipe]

They're actually REALLY close to the highway it took them 45 minutes to get to - it's probably less than 5 minutes normally!

In another episode Jeremy was talking about how much of a planner his father was on vacation, so did he miss the memo? I know when there is a marathon or any kind of walk there are posters and news segments about it for at least a week before if not further out. It was said the walk put them about an hour behind. At one point Matt says they would be late to the first RV park, when they get there it says it's about 1 or 2 am, are you telling me he thought it would be a good idea to start a 7 hour drive around dinner time? Especially never haven driven something like that I would have wanted as much daylight while driving as possible!

[Lost Boy]

I love this show and watch all the new episodes. That being said however, this new season is just making the kids look like total spoiled brats. They are so awful in the first part that it just makes me want to scream. These kids have no discipline at all, are never punished for anything and after watching them just make such a mess for their mom and dad over a simple bedroom makeover, it does not surprise me at all that they are fighting and argueing over a great trip. They just don't ever want to leave the comfy feeling of home and the farm. I don't know yet if I will continue to watch, but I will at least give it a couple more episodes before I make up my mind.

[Klutch]

I love this show and watch all the new episodes. That being said however, this new season is just making the kids look like total spoiled brats. They are so awful in the first part that it just makes me want to scream. These kids have no discipline at all, are never punished for anything and after watching them just make such a mess for their mom and dad over a simple bedroom makeover, it does not surprise me at all that they are fighting and argueing over a great trip. They just don't ever want to leave the comfy feeling of home and the farm. I don't know yet if I will continue to watch, but I will at least give it a couple more episodes before I make up my mind.

Dude! Haven't you been gone for awhile? If so, welcome back. If not, sorry I haven't seen any of your posts lately.

I haven't yet seen any of this season's episodes of LPBW. What you describe somewhat surprises me. I saw the very first few episodes of the show and got the impression the parents were very tough, but fair. I'm not sure if I just got a bogus impression or if the parents are slacking off now.

[Lost Boy]

I have been around reading but not posting for awhile. This is the first post in a long time. I have been around and visiting other sites and getting more involved with Harry Potter and there really isn't much of a Harry Potter fandom here so I wasn't posting much. Harry and the gand have sort of taken over my life and there is no end in sight for now.

From what I gather when the parents are talking, is that he wants to be tough, but she is more inclined to let them do whatever they want as too much discipline is going to stunt their learning experience with life. Well, from what I see Jeremy and Zach are really stunted (no pun intended at all) in there attitude toward helping around the farm, cleaning up their own messes, doing what they are asked to do. After dad had yelled and hollered and pleaded with them to help with there own bedroom makeover, which they just treated like something that was not all that important (there bedroom looked like a disaster area and had never been painted or re-rugged in over 14 years) and mom stepped in and actually paid them to get up early, rip up the old rug and clean it up so the rug people could come in and lay the new rug. She felt it was improtant to learn the meaning of money for a job. At that point I sort of gave up on either of these kids ever becoming much of anything when they finally do grow up. Molly is not as bad, but she can be a real little you know what (starts with B and rhyems with itch) but usually is pretty much OK. The other boy whose name I can't even remember right now, is just as bad as Jeremy and Zach when it comes to cleaning up, not sassing back his dad all the time, and just generally is a real pain.

I just hope the kids (and mom at this point) settle down and see that a road trip like this can be fun and educational. Maybe it will be the thing that brings them closer because the close family tie that was there when the show started, is just not there anymore.

[mad4mky]

I must admit I haven't watched the show much - but didnt' I hear something not to long ago about the Dad getting a DUI? Of course, I didn't hear anything more after that so it could be he was not - guilty. Does anyone remember this? I wonder if they will address it in the show.


Yes, the father did get a DUI just this past year. Although not highly publicized, I did read about it in US Weekly magazine.

I loved this show the first season, and into the 2nd.
But, it has lost a lot in the last 1/2 season. Maybe I'm just bored with it.

But, like others here, I think Matt and Amy have some real problems with disciplining their children.
I won't even get started on their rooms. But, that tends to be Amy's issue. Her whole house is a disaster--and it has tumbled down to the children. When Matt tries to clean up--he tosses everything. Good or bad. Even new or usable clothing. She just can't seem to get organized.
Even after the beautiful addition--the house has fallen into a big clutter mess....so of course, that continues on up into the rooms.
They haven't been taught to pick up after themselves.

But, that said--I am sure I will tune in tonight--:rolleyes:

[Lost Boy]

Well last nights two new episodes had a lot of beautiful scenery and Molly and Mon got to spend a day away from the boys who fought and just made dad miserable. Jeremy wasn't too bad this time around, but Zach and Jacob fought and the RV is just a mess now, just like home. I don't know. I see dad did punish Jacob and got tough with him, whereas mom just wanted to cave in and go home. I still think the boys are just spoiled brats, but I will keep watching just to see how things turn out. But the constant bickering and fighting and being totally little brats is getting tiring.

[stan4d_steph]

Looks like typical teenager/tweenager sibling behavior to me.

[mom22gls]

As much as I enjoy the show, and as interesting as the Roloffs are, maybe it has pretty well run its course. In season one they made the important point that people with dwarfism are the same as everyone else. After that, they showed the support systems available to the LP community, explored some of the physical complications people with dwarfism may face, the services they try to provide for each other, and some heartwarming stories about people in that community. Like any other reality series, however, there is no show without drama. If the situation is not dramatic enough, then it must be exaggerated or or conflict must be created. We've even seen this on the Food Network, where things always manage to go wrong. If the kids were always well-behaved, compliant, and good students, then it's just another middle-class household. These kids have had cameras following them at home, at school, and even on dates, for a couple of years. Maybe they are just bored or tired of living in front of the camera. If they are not, purposefully, playing to the camera, they may be encouraged to do so, by producers who are running out of storylines. At this point, they have told their stories, but maybe its time for them to move on.

[sandytravis]

i love this show...i've only seen a few episodes but i love the premise..i like Zach hes cute!!

[mom22gls]

There was a thread a couple of months ago, and someone mentioned that Matt had been arrested on a DUI charge. The previews for the next season address the arrest, and show him going to trial. Generally, a first time DUI offender would not have a trial (at least in PA, and, I assume in most states), if nobody was hurt and there was no significant property damage. A first-time DUI offender would have the option of applying to a program that may involve classes, fines, restitution, and a license suspension, but the charges would be dropped if they stay out of trouble. The fact that he was going to trial, indicated either that he caused some significant damage or injury, or it was not a first offense. I did a Google search, and confirmed that it was his second offense, and he completed an ARD program after his first arrest in 2003. Granted, because of his small size, it probably would not take much alcohol to put him over the legal limit, but he should know better than to ingest any alcohol at all and then drive. The other week when they showed him having his first physical in a long time, he was diagnosed with several, potentially serious problems, including Type II diabetes, and a cardiac condition. He stated that he always assumed he would die young. They are showing a different side of him, and it's a little disturbing.

[Bytebear]

That little Jake kid sure gets whacked in the noggin a lot.

[Finz729]

I will never defend driving under the influence, be it alcohol or worse. If he was over the limit, he will have to deal with the consequences. The previews for next season seem to show him disputing the charge.

I watch this show regularly and Amy treats Matt like garbage. She's just plain mean to him. And extrememly disrespectful to him just as a human being. He tries to be an equal partner, and he treats her like a princess and she turns around and throws it in his face.

My wife and I have theories about Amy but I won't air them here.

Her treatment of him is downright disgusting. And the kids see that, and they do the same thing. Especially Zach, the dwarf son who takes very much after his mother. He's put his finger in his father's face and said "you're pissing me off." I love my son more than anything, and I am 1000% against child abuse - don't even like spanking, but if my 15 year old son did that to me once, I assure he would not do it twice.
The few times Matt tried to tell his kids not to speak to him that way, Amy jumped right in and roared him down.

No wonder the poor guy drinks. He's overcome some amazing obstacles in life and he gets treated worse than the dog at home. At least by the way the show presents it anyway. The guy's told her "I love you" at least a thousand times on camera and she's said it back, I believe, once . . . when they went to Hawaii. Though, once again, I have theories about Amy, but won't air them here.

You watch when they go to LPA conventions. Matt is a stud. I've heard women who watch the show say he's a handsome guy. And he seems to have an amazing spirit. The women at those things stare at him with stars in their eyes.

Maybe Amy sees this and is just insecure and can't verbalize it properly. Or maybe there's another theory (that I won't air here.)

I haven't googled the case or anything, but if there is a chance the charges were incorrect, I certainly hope it is so. Sadly when I first heard he got arrested for a DUI, I said to my wife "oh God, he's never going to hear the end of it from that wife now . . . "

[ericles]

Finz729-

If you have "theories", but don't want to air them then why bring it up so much? Share your theories - that's what the thread is about -

I don't watch the show that much, and haven't paid that much attention to the dynamics of the relationship between Matt & Amy - I'll make an effort to do so next time I watch.

I think it should be noted that these are shows (at least, from what I understand. I'm no TV production authority) that are edited and spun in by producers (or whoever) to portray the family in a certain way, so I'm guessing that it would be hard to tell what the family life is really like. Must be hard with cameras all around your house 24-7 - then someone will take days and hours of that footage and shrink it down to a 1 hour episode, minus commercials, once a week!

[adriennek]

I watch this show regularly and Amy treats Matt like garbage. She's just plain mean to him. And extrememly disrespectful to him just as a human being. He tries to be an equal partner, and he treats her like a princess and she turns around and throws it in his face.

That's not how I see it at all.

I think Matt frequently takes himself entirely too seriously and has an arrogance about him. I think Amy puts up with a lot from him. I wouldn't say he treats her like a princess. I don't think he abuses her but she puts up with a lot and shoulders a lot of responsibilities. He travels a lot and leaves her responsible for the family and the farm. She wasn't wild about having a bunch of strangers coming onto her homefront but Matt decided he wanted his farm/corporate event theme park so he went with it. He's juggling a lot of balls in the air - the farm, the tv show, LPA, his business enterprises, etc. He's dividing his time between a lot of different places and she's the one who's keeping everything going with FOUR kids while he's out doing it all. And those kids are all involved in sports. So she's shuttling them between games and practices and keeping the house going, putting meals on the table, not just for them but their friends and her in-laws and whoever in their lives happens to be over for dinner. She's doing a LOT of work for that family.

One thing that drives me nuts is when someone says what a horrible wife someone has or what a horrible husband someone has. (And this is in general not just in this situation.) If Matt thought he was being treated badly by Amy, he should do something about that. Why have theories just about how and/or why Amy acts the way she does towards her husband? If she treats him so badly what does that say about HIM?

No marriage is perfect. They don't fight. They're raising three teenagers and a tween, and the teens seem to be pretty good kids, too.

Adrienne