Let me preface this by saying that I have met the Rolloff family and they are lovely people - but, I was watching a couple of episodes on TLC tonight and I just can't get over how messy the house (and car tonight) always is. I mean, I am not a perfect housekeeper but I also don't have tv crews in my home broadcasting that fact to the entire world. I just would be SO embarrassed to have everyone see my house look like that. I get that they are busy and that their family does face challenges but, still - it's just BAD.

I was actually watching this tonight with my roommate and we noticed the same thing. I totally agree with you - I would be pretty embarrassed for that to be broadcast on national television. I mean, sure, the kids are old enough to be picking up after themselves, but it seems like they don't really enforce it, and the kids' rooms especially are really out of hand. And there is just sooo much stuff everywhere! It would drive me absolutely nuts.

I always noticed that about there house too!

another thing. for all that money they have.. and someone mentioned here wayyyyyy earlier that he was an ewok (correct me if i'm wrong) on star wars.. and they give the kids who help like.. $10 dollars to do like slave work?

Some people just function that way? :shrug

I don't look at it as slave work but family members helping out. Thousands of people own farms and the kids are out there day after day from sun rise to sun set working. They don't get paid and are not considered slaves.
As for the house, I don't see why those lazy ass kids can't clean up after themselves. Have one do dishes, one dust, one start the laundry, one clean the bathrooms.

I don't look at it as slave work but family members helping out. Thousands of people own farms and the kids are out there day after day from sun rise to sun set working. They don't get paid and are not considered slaves.
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ITA on that point - I was raised the same way and in an area where that was the norm :dunno.

LOL this post cracks me up. Their kids are a bit lazy and should help out more with the housework.

okay.. i apologize for my wording

I know what you mean. The house is ALWAYS a mess. They have even had people over to organize the house for them and it seems the system is falling by the wayside.

however (and I realize you only get small snippets from tv shows and that there is more to their life than what we see) I think the kids don't have alot of responsibilities. It just seems like they tend to get away with alot. I know for us growing up keeping your room clean was just something you did. In our house EVERYONE helps pick up out of respect for the family......it's just how it works. At the Roloff house it looks like no one picks up after themselves and imagine if each child would just put away their own stuff.......totally different.

I was just watching this tonight and I did see how messy they are. But, in their defense, that is how their house runs and if they were to get totally spotless, they would be fake and that would make for crap TV. So, at least they are being true with their laziness. LOL.

I can't lie :suspect I have noticed this as well. I am also not a perfect house keeper and I have some piles and a mess here and there but I could not live in that. I would go crazy! I had friends that I grew up with and their houses were like that. I found myself having to leave because it just made me uncomfortable. So in other words I see what you are saying!

I've noticed it too and made a comment to my DH. On several different episodes they show people helping them clean up the house or the kids doing it. Its almost like the let it build up for a while then do a clean sweep. I can understand how its hard to keep everything perfect with that many people around, I just couldnt let my house get that bad.

I think they are just trying to keep it all real and not change just because there's camera crews. There's been an episode befor where Amy, the mother, said that it is up to her children to keep their own areas clean and clean up after themselves and I think the car you mentioned is Zack's van and I've only noticed the kid's rooms being dirty, they never show her living room dirty. :dunno

To be honest, if I had money and travel opportunities like they did, I wouldn't give a flip about the house either.

I've never watched the show but I don't think tha there's anythign wrong with being messy.

There are a lot of other important things besides cleaning....If any online families live in a tidy, orderly house their show, whatever it is, will lose all it's credibility.

I like it, it makes me feel like a good housekeeper! :lol

I did notice that. Their kitchen especially! I just couldn't live like that because I like to be organized and neat but to each their own :D

I know what you mean. The house is ALWAYS a mess. They have even had people over to organize the house for them and it seems the system is falling by the wayside.

however (and I realize you only get small snippets from tv shows and that there is more to their life than what we see) I think the kids don't have alot of responsibilities. It just seems like they tend to get away with alot. I know for us growing up keeping your room clean was just something you did. In our house EVERYONE helps pick up out of respect for the family......it's just how it works. At the Roloff house it looks like no one picks up after themselves and imagine if each child would just put away their own stuff.......totally different.

I agree. I don't agree with how they run their house. There are 4 kids there and a husband perfectly capable to put away their things. Have you guys seen the boys' rooms lately. At one point you couldn't even get the door all the way open!

On their website this issue addressed and Amy basically feels that the housework isn't as important as the other things they want to do. I do agree though, the kids could certainly do more cleaning up after themselves on a regular basis. That would probably make a big difference in the mess.