I've posted (maybe too many times) that I'd felt a connection with the Roloffs' in the early episodes/seasons, because I can relate to LP challenges through my daughters.

Does anyone, or did anyone, feel a connection to them at any point? I'm curious about who's taking what from LPBW.

In this thread I'm hoping to read about posters similarities to and/or relating to any or all Roloff family members.

Bottom line - Do you find a connection to, or relate to, the R's? If so, in what way?

In the earlier episodes, there are some sort of similarities. In the first season, they seemed sincere.

I don't have any LP's in my family, and I don't actually know anyone who would be considered LP, but we have a few "handicaps" in our family that we strive to overcome. My wife is shorter in stature (she's just under five foot) and it looks like our son is going to be smaller as well, but Meg's family is just small. She compensates through me. (Honeeeeey, can you get that pleaaaaaaaase?) Just kidding... well, sort of. He compensates for his size by climbing EVERYTHING. I've never seen such a strong-willed little boy.

I'm not all here right now. I haven't gotten much sleep. It looks like the evil grandmother is going to let Zeke stay the night again, though, so I should probably lay down so I can spend time with our son before I go work third shift. Blah.

quote:

Originally posted by Canterbury_Tails:
...I should probably lay down so I can spend time with our son before I go work third shift. Blah.

Hope you're getting holiday pay tails!

LoL. Me, too. This weeks check was short due to having to call off because of evil grandmother lying about dropping Zeke off (she didn't show up for two days)... and then Meg took a week off of work so that she could finish off her highschool. I'm proud of her. She went for the diploma and not the GED.

Only problem is that we'll make rent and have enough for groceries, dog food, etc... but we're going to be a bit short, from the looks at it.

I loaned a friend $170, but I don't think I'm going to see that, soon. She's disabled and can only work at home, so I was being kind. It backfired, but at least she got what she needed. Only problem is that things are going to be tight for a couple of weeks.

Oh well. Gotta shower. We're picking up the kiddo and going to PETSMART to pick the gigantic beasts their chow.

quote:

Originally posted by dthomastlc:
I've posted (maybe too many times) that I'd felt a connection with the Roloffs' in the early episodes/seasons, because I can relate to LP challenges through my daughters.

Does anyone, or did anyone, feel a connection to them at any point? I'm curious about who's taking what from LPBW.

In this thread I'm hoping to read about posters similarities to and/or relating to any or all Roloff family members.

Bottom line - Do you find a connection to, or relate to, the R's? If so, in what way?

I found a connection through their complex life style..always something going on...always bills to be paid...school challenges with the teens, etc. Everyday life. Felt good to see that our family was not the only ones facing one crisis after another.

While our lifestyles aren't exactly the same, we share in common the experiences of being married, being parents, having children in a small private school, our faith, and the failings and challenges common to all people.

quote:

Originally posted by dthomastlc:
I've posted (maybe too many times) that I'd felt a connection with the Roloffs' in the early episodes/seasons, because I can relate to LP challenges through my daughters.

Does anyone, or did anyone, feel a connection to them at any point? I'm curious about who's taking what from LPBW.

In this thread I'm hoping to read about posters similarities to and/or relating to any or all Roloff family members.

Bottom line - Do you find a connection to, or relate to, the R's? If so, in what way?

Except for that fact that it is a TV show that I watch because it has de-evolved into something funnier than any SITCOM I have ever seen, I don't feel any connection to or relate to the Roloffs.

I do feel a strong connection to the Roloffs. Although I can't relate to the little person aspect, I'm not a tall woman by any means. Just yesterday, in fact, I had to climb onto the lower shelf in the grocery store to grab a box off the top shelf that was out of reach. It reminded me of the shopping episodes of Amy.

I also can relate to the Roloffs because I am the mother of four kids around the ages of the four Roloff children.
I live in California, not Oregon, but my closest friend lives there and I've been there many times. It truly is my favorite place to visit. I feel a connection to that state.

I do have a stronger connection with the Roloffs in the first couple years' episodes than in this third one, when they seemed to have jumped a few economic classes, but I still can relate to the everyday dilemmas: messy houses, preparing the house for company, trying to balance work and family obligations, teaching the kids to drive, experiencing the kids' first dates, treating the kids (aka Jacob--my littlest is the same way) after injuries, taking the occasional vacation, caring for pets, sitting on the sidelines during soccer games (and other sports), and much more.

I have a feeling that the people who are most critical of the family have the least in common with them. That's my opinion, anyway.

Originally posted by Rorie:

quote:

I had to climb onto the lower shelf in the grocery store to grab a box off the top shelf that was out of reach.

Had to laugh at that, because I do that EVERY time I get groceries..I even have to open the freezer compartment door, or the dairy department door in the store, step up on the edge, and get what I want. I am not a LP, but just plain SHORT! Sometimes I even have to do that and literally jump up some too, to get stuff after I am on the edge. I don't mind being short, but I know I look funny when I do it. lol

quote:

Originally posted by brighteyes1:
I literally jump...to get stuff

Brighteyes,I can appreciate you conundrum. I'm 5'10" and still have to reach long for top shelf occasionally. I'd still like to see you "jumpin". LOL

quote:

Originally posted by dthomastic:
Does anyone, or did anyone, feel a connection to them at any point? I'm curious about who's taking what from LPBW.

dthomastic, I believe your comment regarding what we "take away" is interesting. It's JMO, but I believe what we "take away" may say "more about us" than them. Whether our comments are positive, negative or neutral we tend to assess there life by some type of comparison with our own experiences. Again, JMO. For me, since my life tends to be more of stuggle to 'stay afloat' I was able to 'relate' more in the earlier episodes. Since there life has improved financially, I find it a somewhat more difficult. I still find there escapades interesting, and there household issues haven't changed much so I still feel some connection in those areas. When Mike died, I was very surprised with my response for my connection was more profound that I realized. So, I suppose my connection varies, depending on their portrayed experiences. HMMM, hope I responded to your question appropriately. Good question. And as always, JMHO.

I know what you mean, brighteyes. I actually was in the dairy section, and the height of the refrigerator base was at least eighteen inches off the floor. I had to look behind me to see if anyone was watching before I made my leap for the yogurt, because I'm sure I looked ridiculous.
I have four kids and just one is shorter than I am--fortunately he's only 8.

Megan either asks me to get it. If I can't get something without mild climbing, I pick her up and she gets it that way. Good thing she's light...

It was a great lesson about LPs. I wrote before that I had a fear of them (I think it's a past-life thing, myself) but the show made them "normal" in their trials and joys. It has been excellent for me to understand the challenges they face on a day to day basis.

May I suggest that people who are short get one of those "grabber" gizmos and take it with them to the store. I have two here at my house. It makes the top shelves accessible without a step stool.

quote:

Originally posted by JCC:
...dthomastic, I believe your comment regarding what we "take away" is interesting. It's JMO, but I believe what we "take away" may say "more about us" than them... ...HMMM, hope I responded to your question appropriately. Good question. And as always, JMHO.

Yes, JCC, you responded right on the mark for what I was asking. ~ Not that any other reply was 'off the mark', just an individual's thought on the matter ~

It's likely what you posted, JCC, is representative of several LPBW's 'target audience' viewers ~ certainly not all ~. Given my blended LP/non-LP family was my main attraction, most of what you wrote is what I relate or have related to, i.e., staying afloat, parenting children of various ages (I've four also), and juggling matters inherent to having a family.

If the R's still lived in the Bay Area, their world would be even more reflective of the type of community I'm challenged with. Rural OR, mmm... I can't relate to that so much. I do find it entertaining to watch what happens on their farm.

Or is it a farm? Surely they raise crops, but they offer corporate events, have an amusement park (of sorts), and are employed off the property (at least they were). I can't imagine the R's 'farm life' is representative of many OR farmers. Anyone?

quote:

Originally posted by dthomastlc:

Or is it a farm? Surely they raise crops, but they offer corporate events, have an amusement park (of sorts), and are employed off the property (at least they were). I can't imagine the R's 'farm life' is representative of many OR farmers. Anyone?

I don't know what crops they raise. I know they have a pumpkin patch, but I haven't see on the show where they raise crops.

I wouldn't call it a farm. Yes, they have a decent sized pumpkin patch, but just because it has a barn and some pumpkins... it doesn't make it a farm.

The 'farm' or 'not farm' arguement has been hashed over here before if I'm not mistaken. Some are *adamant* that its not a farm. Me? I don't care *what* they call it. If they want to call it a farm, they can. IMHO, there are many kinds and types of farms. Their's is a pumpkin farm and it doesn't have much in common with big commerical farms of course. The difference IMHO between calling it a pumpkin patch and a (pumpkin)farm is too little for me to worry about.

The Roloff's call it a farm, so more power to em.
I wouldn't consider it one, but I know a lot of farmers and they do crops, raise cattle etc. so to me it isn't one.
But I don't mind people discussing it or if they think it is one or it isn't..That is what makes this a discussion and IMO people can discuss it till "the cows come home." LOL

I guess I'll have to pull out my 'Agricultural Correctness" reference manual. Obviously I'm not 'farm term' literate.

Let's see, Amy mentioned growing berries of some sort, and there ARE pumpkins, and don't forget the very lonely Zach selling the peaches!

I'm from the country and the typical farm is either animal... raising some sort of livestock... crop-based... having a larger crop of one or more things, and possibly smaller crops of other... or a combination of the two. Working year round. Something for early season, something for late. During non-growing periods for crop-based, readying the land for next year.

The Roloffs don't have a traditional farm. They are not out there plowing the fields for 10 hours a day. At least, I don’t think they are.

But, they have harvested their land for profit. They do produce pumpkins for profit and have cultivated their land for profitable ventures, such as the western town etc, etc;

Technically speaking, if you are making a return off of your soil; then I would call it a farm.

In my ever so humble opinion, it's a tourist attraction, rather than a farm. They even rent the area out to corporations for their use. It's like a park. Roloff Park.

hhhmmm....Roloff Park..

It has a certain ring to it...

I like it.

quote:

Originally posted by brighteyes1:
But I don't mind people discussing it or if they think it is one or it isn't..That is what makes this a discussion and IMO people can discuss it till "the cows come home." LOL

I don't mind people discussing it either. It will continue to be discussed over and over again. Just the same as there are many other topics that will continue to be discussed over and over again.