Parsnips and Parsimony

[dahell]

It’s so weird. I think part of it is, they feel the need to push their “our kids enjoy everything no matter how mundane because we don’t care much for material things” narrative. They like to push the idea that, their kids are SO incredibly content that they are happy just going to a thrift store. Or staring at bones in a bucket. Or going to the library. It’s great to make your own fun and my most creative kids literally never get bored, it’s great. But, like you all said, go see some of the local spots. We love seeing historical things on road trips. I can’t believe how much a family that is “so frugal” and trying to be more “minimalist” enjoys stores and shopping.

[weed]

In spite of their commitment to getting rid of things, they certainly bought a lot of stuff.

I think you might be right. They need to prove somehow that their kids enjoy the simple things in life, but it is painfully obvious by watching them that it isn't always the case. Also, I think that Janelle is so used to doing what she wants and enjoys, and she just assumes that the kids are happy to tag along and enjoy it too. The truth seems to be that the kids don't know any better because they don't know what else they could be doing. They have such limited experiences to draw on.

[326]

The comments on the grocery outlet video were disabled. I haven't seen them disable comments before, they must gave been pretty bad. At the store they had a box full of snack items 8/$0.99, why couldn't they have all picked out a treat? It would have been a dollar for all of them. That makes it seem like it's not just about the money, they don't want the kids to get anything they don't "need." The kids are really going to resent them when they are older.

[weed]

The comments are back again, but they have taken out all of those which questioned them about providing the kids with some different activities on their holiday. They did this once before, but never to this extent in removing so many comments. I didn't think the comments were at all negative, but simply pointing out that the kids need something different to do and might not always enjoy shopping. I thought they were above that sort of behaviour. They keep going on about how they are totally real and down to earth and try to show it "like it is in real life", but they are just as bad as so many YouTubers who can't take anyone commenting who doesn't agree with them about something. They aren't as genuine as they would have people believe if they have to filter the comments.

Janelle keep insisting that they ALL enjoy shopping for food bargains. She is blind to the fact that her interests might not always be what her children enjoy. Those kids have absolutely no choice about where they are taken and the minute they ask for something they are talked down to and told no. It is so sad.

I am in agreement that activities don't have to cost a lot of money, but at least give them something different to do! There are so many things they could be exposing those children to, but they keep dragging them ALL around to the adult actives and expect them to enjoy them. the two boys in that latest blog were so over it all. the only one I could see who was enjoying themselves at the sops was Janelle herself and Charity (who I now consider a clone of her mother, as she is so totally brainwashed by her).

Nice to see them going on the lake in those boats though. At least three of them had that experience to remember.

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I don't understand why they would kids that young to the band concert. They seemed to be the only ones in the audience with kids and I'm sure that ... judging by the way some of the younger ones were dancing around and singing .. they wouldn't have been popular with others in the audience who were trying to hear the music. It seemed to be the ideal opportunity to take the older kids, sit up the front and have them see the instruments properly and experience a nice educational outing, but instead they had to drag along all the toddlers and cause a ruckus. I could see Charity craning her neck to try and see what was going on at the front, but she didn't have a hope because they had to sit at the back because of the little kids. Why do they persist in taking EVERYONE absolutely everywhere?

[DoodleBop2]

The big two could have sat up front on their own. Someone could have stayed home or gone somewhere else with the baby or youngest two.

This woman named Andrea Mills was recommended after the video. They are having baby #9 and apparently, she does her own prenatal care and her husband plays midwife. This is how they afford to have so many kids unassisted homebirth so compared to these two Janelle and Art are actually less out there.

[gibberish]

This woman named Andrea Mills was recommended after the video. They are having baby #9 and apparently, she does her own prenatal care and her husband plays midwife. This is how they afford to have so many kids unassisted homebirth so compared to these two Janelle and Art are actually less out there.

Hi, I watch Andrea Mills. Her #9 baby will be her Second unassisted homebirth. While I wouldn't do that, I do like Andrea and her family.

[DoodleBop2]

They also force six children to share 1 very small bedroom. On top of all the other beliefs, I won't be watching them again.

[gibberish]

They also force six children to share 1 very small bedroom. On top of all the other beliefs, I won't be watching them again.

The Mills have 5 boys in one bedroom and 3 girls in another bedroom. I think most parents separate their children by sex, especially after they reach a certain age. They set up beds in rooms and assign each child a bed. If you want to call that force, I guess we all force our children where to sleep. lol.

Oh, and the Parsnips also have 5 kids in one bedroom. Girls.

[DoodleBop2]

The title even says SIX since we're bolding things.

This has been discussed in this thread too that the kids should have more of their own space. Charity should have her own space and not be sharing a room with little girls while she's a teenager. Janelle and Art don't even have the excuse of having a smaller house if they kept their hoarding under control Charity could have her own room.

[weed]

Charity could easily have her own bedroom, but they refuse to even consider it. I think it is so unfair to that girl to expect her to share. I would place a bet that she gets up to those little girls if they need help during the night too. It just smacks of their constant "everyone must always be together" approach to things. I don't understand it.

[DoodleBop2]

I have thought the same thing, Weed. That the main reason Charity shares is because she's expected to nighttime parent those kids on top of all the stuff she does during the day.

[dahell]

I don't understand why they would kids that young to the band concert. They seemed to be the only ones in the audience with kids and I'm sure that ... judging by the way some of the younger ones were dancing around and singing .. they wouldn't have been popular with others in the audience who were trying to hear the music. It seemed to be the ideal opportunity to take the older kids, sit up the front and have them see the instruments properly and experience a nice educational outing, but instead they had to drag along all the toddlers and cause a ruckus. I could see Charity craning her neck to try and see what was going on at the front, but she didn't have a hope because they had to sit at the back because of the little kids. Why do they persist in taking EVERYONE absolutely everywhere?

You’re so right. I think it’s insane. There is so much I do with my older 4 while my husband stays home with the toddler (or my parents watch). He’s an extremely challenging 2 yr old, we honestly all need a break after being with him all day. I wouldn’t NOT bring my kids to age appropriate things because of having the 2 yr old in our family. And I sure as heck wouldn’t bring him to certain things. I know some 2 yr olds are more mellow than mine but, still, the older kids need a break and fun of their own. Some field trips available to us are very specific in the grades allowed. Sometimes only 1 or 2 kids can go to things. That’s okay! I haven’t watched the vlog but it’s unfortunate that they’ve bought into this myth that ALL ACTIVITIES MUST BE THE ENTIRE FAMILY. Those kids could sure use some one-on-one or at least older kid time.

[gibberish]

The title even says SIX since we're bolding things.

I know re: the title. But, if you listen to that video, she says right at the beginning, that they have 5 boys and an extra empty bunk in the bedroom. In other vlogs she mentions the extra bed is handy for a friend or cousin sleeping over. In another vlog some of the kids were having a slumber party and a lot of fun in the attic. Sleeping bags.

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The house is an absolute mess yet again. That didn't take long.

Does anyone else get really annoyed with those Snail Pace Challenges? I really like watching what they are doing, but the speed at which Art works (or lack thereof) plus the fact that he never ever seems to complete anything, but simply goes from one job to another when he gets tired of it, drives me nuts. Everywhere you look in their house there are small bits and pieces that are unfinished.

They said about six months ago that they had decided what to do with the front porch, but now they are saying that they still have to decide which way to go with it. I don't think that house will ever look good or be finished.

[DoodleBop2]

I think Art struggles with executive functioning due to his suspected ADHD and or autism. If Janelle kept the kids occupied while he started and finished one task I think he'd have better luck but he also has to change diapers, or keep the kids entertained, delegate things to the children and it can be difficult to stay focused\stay on task at the best of times let alone with the sheer amount of distractions in that house. It might serve Art better to come up with jobs which take maybe 20-30 minutes and do them at a time when we can start and finish that 20-minute task in one go without having to stop to do anything else. Often times while he's working he has all the kids with him and he's trying to keep the little ones out of danger etc even more so at the shop.

[gibberish]

Building cabinets and framing out windows...and all those wood working jobs require a lot of measuring, adjusting, and precision to fit-up right...especially in an old house where walls and other surfaces are not exactly square. Ask me how I know! haha... Never, again do I want to renovate an old house. As far as the junk, I'm amazed at the amount of stuff still on the 3rd floor. Honestly, Janelle has to endlessly evaluate every item before she can let anything go. They need the help of a tornado to clean that stuff out.

Considering the accuracy wood work requires...and the whirlwind of activity around him, I'm surprised Art ever gets anything done. In fact, sometimes Janelle and the kids go to grandma's house for the day so Art can get some work done. Janelle can't take care of the kids by herself. She either calls Art home from work, her Mom takes 1 or 2, or Charity helps.

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Exactly! I'm not blaming Art. I think the poor man does quite well under the circumstances. Janelle just expects him to do it all and still get jobs done. She is SO needy all the time! I did notice how when she did the sanding and lacquering of the wood, Art was the one that who to get the meal together. Heaven forbid that she should actually have done both like most people do. She is incapable of working quickly or multi-tasking in any way. if she ever does something then Art or Charity have to pick up the slack around her. If anything ever happened to Art, she would never survive but would probably have her parents move in.

The junk in that house will never disappear. They simply aren't capable of decluttering the way they need to. The organising of all their stuff is beyond them, I fear.

[DoodleBop2]

There is no organizational system that can put up with the clutter as they are always getting more stuff. Constantly.

Art has to be the most patient man on the planet.

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It was painfully obvious that those kids were NOT enjoying that trip to the shop to pick up the hooks for Janellle's bag racks. Peter in particular looked thoroughly over it all. I just can't believe how much fuss she caused about those damn racks! She went on and on and on about them .. where to place the hooks, how many coats of varnish, etc etc etc. For goodness sake! It wasn't rocket science!

When they were trying out where to place them on the way, Janelle mentioned that it was 11.30 pm, yet three of those kids were still out of bed playing a game. No wonder they can never get up in the morning and never start their school work until halfway through the day (if at all). Those kids have no routine and they certainly need to be in bed well before then if they are going to function effectively the next day.