I wasn’t going to comment on the “Octo-mom” because really, haven’t we heard it all.  I changed my mind after talking with a friend of mine who has a very strong opinion that is shared by most.

Unlike most people, I feel almost as sorry for this woman as I do the children. Notice, I said almost.

I will be the first to admit, and all you moms know what I mean, having a baby is like no other feeling in the world. After nine months of grueling work, and the work of labor, most women experience a “high” when the hold their baby for the first time.  It is a euphoric feeling that cannot be duplicated by anything else. I have felt joy from other things, but it is different than having a baby. But all moms know that high quickly wears off. When you leave the hospital, you are on your own, and people stop asking how you are doing and instead ask about the baby.

I always loved talking about my babies, a little too much, but seriously, sleepless nights, poopy diapers, and if you have older children,  keeping up with your old schedule, no matter how tired you are, can really stress you out quickly and that feeling of sheer joy fades into the background.

Now, I am no expert, but it seems as if this woman is addicted to that “high.” And just as any other addict progressively needs more to feel that feeling, so did she.

She is in no way capable of caring for these children alone, and knew that people would step into help given the situation, whether they wanted to or not. She is forcing her children on to other people, and it almost seems as if she feels intitled to it. 

Her “agent” says she is fielding many offers from books to a reality show.  What can this woman possible teach anyone? She is a financial mess, relying on the government and public to give her money.  It seems her parenting skills are lacking at best, they showed pictures of her “rent house” online, and she is no Kate Gosselin…it’s not just the size but the cleanliness, it appears organization is not her strong suit.

She said that she was diagnosed at one time with clinical depression, but insists she is better now.  It seems to me, having children helps her to avoid the problem that causes that.

I feel sorry for those children, whose mother, as it seems, had them only to make her famous. What happens to them when there is no more publicity, when the reality of caring for 14 children, some with special needs, kicks in?

I have days when caring for 8 is difficult, but I am not alone. When a single person, whether a man or woman, decides to take on the responsibility of having a child, they should be prepared for all it entails (most are).  But when you get pregnant with children you know you can’t care for alone, that you cannot financially support, because you have no job, and just expect complete strangers to come in and help you, what are you saying to your children.

She said in her interview that she wanted to have a large family to “receive unconditional love.”  What she really needs is to learn to love herself, and quit relying on innocent children who need a happy stable life in order to grow up to be the best they can be.

I know a great show for her called Dr. Phil, but I doubt we’ll see her on there anytime soon.