Topic : 03/27 "Get Your Act Together!"

    I just can't believe that this guy has the nerve to to do this not only to his wife and child , but his in -laws . where  is his family ??????

I have got news for you- Being a stay at home mom is a privilege, not your god-given right!!!! You keep trying to blame this entirely on your husband and talking about how you "have to" stay at home! NO YOU DON'T!! I know plenty of women who also have to work even though their husbands work because having kids and being a grown up costs money. You hitched your wagon to this lazy wanna-be drug dealer and chose to have a child wih him so you can either like it or lump it! Get a job and get a life!!

I am doing much better now that I am on my own! Thank you for the words of encouragement.

MIke: I am working on my doctorate in counseling and have more than 5 years of graduate school behind me - that's a BA and a master's degree...As I was waiting for a background check to be completed for a new job, I worked a $7.00/hour job to 'get by'. If I can work a $7/hr job with all of my education and training, then you can do the same to support YOUR family. Shame on you for your immature, selfish, ridiculous behavior, excuses, whining, and complaining about your situation. Be a man and get out and off your behind and get a job.

I am absolutley appalled by Mike and Amanda's attitude about their situation. They chose to get married and become parents, it is their responsiblity to get up off their lazy behinds and do what is necessary to support themselves and their child.

Mom, you are enabling this lousy behavior. You cannot continue to make excuses for either one of them. Have you ever heard of 'tough love'? That means you give these two parasites a deadline and then follow through on it. If they both don't have jobs within 30 days and are self-sufficient, then they are out on the street. Period. No excuses. IF they end up on the street, then they end up on the street. Once there, I'm sure that they will quickly find a job and get their acts together. They will continue to mooch off of you and your husband for as long as you make excuses for them and tolerate it.

I've never seen Dr. Phil so ineffectual.  Lots of nagging--little useful tactics.  Who failed in raising these kids?  Why wasn't Mom given more tools.  We all know she isn't going to do anything you suggest.  The 30 days will come and go and then what?  More lessons in not meaning what you say?  More lessons in ignoring the blah blah blah of parental air-filled threats?  Why didn't Dr. Phil suggest making their time there more unpleasant?  Why not do to those kids what he suggests to the parents of naughty toddler?  Remove the bedding? Heck, remove the bed!  Lock the refrigerator and get a small one for formula!  Lock away the toiltries and towels, except small, baby-sized towels.  Keep the toilet paper locked in your room and treat it like you did when you lived in the door--carrying your supplies back and forth as needed.  Put the cable in the bedroom and lock the door!  Shut the heat and a/c to minimum levels and lock it up when you leave.  If all they get for their money is shelter, and use of the stove, sink, shower and floor, they'll find it more pleasant to live somewhere else.  Maybe..

My husband and I were watching this episode just now and laughin histerically...

Back in July we had the option to resign our lease at our apt. or look for a house, then we found out we were expecting. The apartment complex was not the best idea with a baby on the way (spiral stairs, concrete floors, loud neighbors etc.) So we breifly moved in with my father while were looking for a house. I look at the people on the show today and i just laugh... Im 20 and my husband is 22... knowing that we had a baby on the way that was no ones responsbility but ours made us just want to get out of my dads house even quicker. We halved the groceries, utilities and helped out around the house with laundry, cooking and cutting the grass. We both had jobs and put forth on the house payment every month as well... I can not imagine just moving in and doing nothing. I cant imagine what it must feel like to have your family realize what a bum you had married like the girls on the show today had to do. How embarrassing! Dr. Phil wouldnt have had to slap me into reality, I would have gladly done it myslef.

And let's not forget about the blonde daughter who stated explicitly that she's rather be with the loser than alone.  Well, Dr. Phil, just because you would rather be "happy alone than  sick with someone" assumes two things: 1.  That you'd be HAPPY alone.  Well, she just TOLD YOU that she didn't think she would be.  Now what?  Any tools for her other than nagging her to get some self-esteem.  My GOD, what a load of empty horse-hockey.  2.  She isn't you and she can't be expected to act like or accept what you accept.  What was the matter with you today?

I absolutely agree that Mike needs to get a job, but I was very disappointed that Dr. Phil did not stress that Amanda should also gt a job.  Mike was complaining that you can't take care of a family at $8.00 /hr, I worked at min. wage jobs while I paid my own way through college and paid for my car so I could get a good job.  I have worked since I was 16, I have 2 happy healthy well adjusted kids.  Amanda can go to work too, and I am more then a little disappointed that Dr. Phil didn't address that more then just in passing

I've worked around people in situations such as this and all I have to say is that Grandmother needs to give them a 30 day notice and if they do nothing to secure their future:  ie:  a job for each, proper childcare for that toddler, I would call CPS and alert them to the problem and file for custody and then evict those freeloaders!   Those two kids, yes, kids need to grow up!  They are in their 20's for Heaven's sake!  I've personally seen and helped individuals on welfare and I've also worked in apartment rental offices and seen the Section 8 situations.  If they can get any type of job, there are help programs available and breaks on rentals for people n this situation.  They are not on an island by themselves.  There's an old Christian saying that goes: "God helps those who help themselves."  This couple if given the chance can and must turn their and their child's life around.  Medical costs can be gotten on a slidin scale, the child will fall under the local health dept. til age 18,  food stamps are available if briefly needed.  Let shame fly out the window and these young people need to get over their pride and quit stressing their mothers. Get out and start your lives!  Things will tun around if you just try! 

     I know what you are going through.  My son is now age twenty and I have no regrets.  I have been a single mother since is father died at age four.  All that you feel, I felt.  Dr. Phil knows what he is talking about and so do I.  I found the power inside to know that my son come before any man.  As far as your appearance, you have a beauty both inside and out and they will be there.  But, don't loose sight of what's important, God and providing for you and you son. Take the time to know the woman/mother that is inside of you and what you and your son deserve in life.   Life will be much clearer.  Get the dead weight off your back and find your inner strength. My Great Aunt always said " Men are like buses.  Another one comes along every  fifteen minutes."