Last weekend, I told you guys about how Nadya Suleman, the infamous Octomom, is going on welfare. It was a story that stirred up some stuff: of course those fourteen kids need to be fed and provided for, but it’s somewhat infuriating because she chose to have that many kids without any real thought as to how she would support them. She received several death threats, and it was a widely discussed story. It was so popular that Nadya went on The Today Show this morning to discuss the recent turn of events.
Here are some highlights:
On deciding to go on welfare: “I still am working as hard as I possibly can to support them. I made that call reluctantly. I feel ashamed, but who cares how I feel. It’s 100 percent about my children.”
More on welfare: “People are saying, ‘Nadya, people are thinking you have been on (assistance). Who cares if you even do this? They thought you were on it already.’ My priority is my children — their health, their well-being, their safety. I’m giving myself another 2 months to be on it.”
On Googling herself: “I don’t ever, ever Google myself,” she said. “I’m the wrong person to harass, to use as a bad example. I should actually be perceived as an inspiration to women, for having gone what I’ve been through and being sane.”
On refusing to do porn: “I won’t touch other human flesh,’’ Suleman said. “The only flesh I’m touching is my own. I would never, never accept anything. I will not lose my grip of my deeply indoctrinated morals and values. Every choice we parents make is going to significantly affect our children for the rest of our lives. It’s going to haunt them forever. I have to be the ultimate positive role model.’’
She hates Toddlers and Tiaras: “I am anti-pageant, anti-child-acting,” she said. What does she think of TV shows like “Toddlers & Tiaras”? “Don’t even get me started on that. It makes me livid,” she said. “That’s child abuse to me.”
Why she chose to have so many children: “I needed to prove to myself that I could. In my mind I was doing well with the six. It’s three books in and of itself to get back to what my rationalization was, why I wanted one more after six. But nonetheless, they’re here. Who cares how I feel? Who cares about me? It’s 100 percent about my children.’’
On having her children taken away: “That will never happen, and I can guarantee you on that,’’ she said. “Hundreds of people, random people, call (social services) on a daily basis, and it’s sick and sad and to me. (It’s) unbelievably fascinating in regard to humanity, how many people are foaming at the mouth for my children to be taken away from me. The saddest part is 15 years from now when they’re 18 and legal and in college, people will still be foaming at their mouth for them to be taken.’’
Well, ok. I think the most insane thing she said was that she had all those babies because she needed to prove to herself that she could. What does that even mean? I’ve been on hikes before where I wanted to stop and lie down on the ground, but I kept going because I needed to prove to myself that I could. I’ve extended myself too far before, taking on too many projects and it stressed me out, but I wanted to do them all because I needed to prove to myself that I could. There have been several situations where that was the case, sometimes they turned out well, sometimes not so much, but they were all about me. When you do risky, difficult things in order to prove something to yourself, it needs to be all about you. You don’t need to throw fourteen babies into the mix and into the world.
And then there’s the part about how she should be “perceived as an inspiration to women.” Please. I’ll take my inspirations smart, strong, and passionate, not batshit crazy, thanks.
i think it’s time to end the hate on this woman. all the things you hate her for are in the past. she shouldn’t have had all those children. we know. we get it. but they’re here and they need to be provided for. there are thousands of careless women with way too many kids who are on welfare. the point is, i think this woman gets it. she knows she messed up. she’s just trying to deal with all of it as best as she can now. what would you have her do? really? i mean, what would make you happy to see this woman do?
“Who cares how I feel? Who cares about me? It’s 100 percent about my children.’’
That doesn’t sound sincere. It sounds like she’s actually getting resentful that they exist, and she actually wants someone to yell “We care about YOOOU, Nadya!”
Blech!