Bad parenting is sort of expected on reality TV shows. I mean how concerned can you be about your children if you are constantly looking around for your best angle for a selfie? While I am still a bit under the weather and sleeping erratically, I appreciate those of you who are reading and commenting on older posts.
You have given me an idea for giving some direction on posts you may have missed so I’ve come up with the five worst parents on reality television.
At NUMBER FIVE we have Kim Zolciak. No, nimrods who think KJ’s potty mouth is the worst thing ever. That falls under the whole “kids say the darndest things umbrella. I’m talking about Kim’s Biermann’s parents. I get that Kim may have been a little hellion, but now that she has grown up, calmed down and raised 6 really decent kids, her parents trying to capitalize off of her fame and constantly grabbing for her money caused her to cut them off completely.
So at NUMBER FIVE we have Kim Biermann asking the judge for a gag order to stop her parents from selling stories that were harmful to her children.
It’s a sad world when NUMBER FOUR is Brandi Glanville. Her parenting issues are not just limited to her wandering around drunk with her tampon hanging out. She’s called one of her sons an asshole and suggested that her eldest check to see if his middle school date is a virgin before going out with her. What could be worse than that? If you put Brandi Glanville into my search box you will find so much more.
At NUMBER THREE we have, Nene Leakes. Her eldest son has an extensive criminal history. And her high school aged kid looks almost as miserable at Gregg lately. Brentt hasn’t seen the inside of a school in years. She’s dragged him to every drag queen orgy show she’s worked on. She claims he is being homeschooled. Clearly, she has been reinforced for her illiteracy and lack of moral upbringing so she has nothing to give her spawn.
At NUMBER TWO we have Kate Gosselin. You just have to read any single post here. Like this one. But if you put her name in my search box you will wonder how there could be anyone worse.
But the worst mother in the world, at NUMBER ONE is Jaqueline Laurita. She makes her son’s autism all about her, and she allowed the young child to have to deal with cameras and cameramen in the house all the time. She posted day and night about all the things she was doing for him on Twitter. Yet she was on Twitter all damn day. She’s clueless about what her son needs and focused on being in the public eye. She’s been on Manzo’d and will be a fulltime housewife on next season of RHONJ. I think she has probably forgotten she has a kid. As a teacher, I have to choose her as the very bottom of the barrel.
P.S. If you don’t want to use the search box. You can always click the tags by category beneath every post. And thanks again for reading the archives as I try to get back to healthy!
Your number one was unexpected.. Hmm
My number one is personal. I have taught all my life. I know how hard it is, okay I don’t personally know how hard it is, but I have witnessed many times in both my personal and professional and family life how hard it is to raise a child with special needs. I know so many mothers that are relatives, parents of my students, and friends who have a special needs child. I assure you if you are attending to their needs, you do not have time spend all day on Twitter, let alone be on a reality TV show. I can forgive the show, because financial needs are there and it’s a high paying job. But squatting on Twitter all day looking for sympathy. There is no time for that.
Wow. I never looked at it like that, but of course you make perfect sense. Sad.
Tamara, thanks for this post. I have been a mother from the age of 20….am now 52, still a Mom and new grandmother. These women repulse me in every way..I want to say more…but don’t want to be rude on on your blog. Difficult thing for this old Marine!
You’re right. I never thought about what the filming must do to an autistic child. The lights alone….
Great post. And great idea for your blog.
Get well soon!
As a elementary school librarian, I see it everyday with our students with autism. The noises and crowds of children are so hard for them, some wear earphones to muffle the sounds. To subject a small child to all that, when that is a time for doing your best to teach verbal skills and communication is appalling.
I was a special education teacher and had several autistic kids thru the years. You are being way to judgemental! I’m finding that your posts are becoming much more irrational.
Mary, did you just call me judgmental in a post about my opinion and then go on to make judgmental comments about me? It saddens me that you claim to have been a special education teacher and yet have no idea what it must be like to have a mother who only interacts with you when there is a full film crew on hand and spends all day talking about how her life is ruined because one of her kids has autism rather than giving him the attention he needs from his mother.
I am being judgmental, and actually think I am being lenient in my opinion about Jaq. She continues to be on every reality show she can get on and she is actually blaming her autistic child for her losing her home. Not her court cases about illegal comingling of funds, her precious little boy.
Finally, if you disagree with me about everything then clearly you are an idiot. So much of an idiot that you can’t even find the exit. With all of you “special education” experience, I’m sure you will feel right at home in the window licking section.
Jaq also caused a big rift in the family due to telling bloggers her sister in law’s charity was a sham which was a lie. Causing a brother to choose btwn his sister and wife. A good mom would want peace and harmony in the family. Def number one!
Wow! I appreciate your insight.
@Josie, she’s an all-around terrible person. I have a family member who I don’t get along with who also demands to be present any time I see her husband (who was MY relative before she ever married him). Anyone who tries to come between family due to jealousy and insecurity is awful.
Not only is she a terrible mother to her young son, but also to Ashley. Ashley was a bit of a brat but Jaqueline was REALLY awful to her – Jaqueline was so obviously jealous of her daughter because she didn’t live the hard life of a young single mother Jaqueline did, and therefore J seemed to think Ashley owed her constant gratitude for not having to live that life. It was totally sick. Also reminds me of my above-mentioned family member…
I agree with your list. Jacqueline is the very worst. She must know or surely had been told that the cameras were a very bad idea for him. Most Moms would roll up their sleeves and do everything they could, instead she seems to be pissed when he comes home from school. He cannot give his consent to be her latest exploited child, and after everything she did to Ashley, I do believe she is the worst mother in the world. Her storyline was my teenaged daughter is a brat and I’m cutting her off, sorta, was horrible. Watching her leave with her son looking sad was so exploitative. Jacqueline is too stupid to understand how an education would have changed that girl’s life. She was so horrible? She laid around the house and resented being a babysitter. She drank and partied! She asked for a car! What an unusual teenager! Let’s drag her ass through the mud and then ship her away to California. With no skills.
Yes unexpected and SPOT ON !! Cheers to you!!
Unexpected maybe, but SPOT ON !
I don’t disagree with any of the selections, but I will say I was expecting to see the names of Giudice and Beador on the list! I guess “Top 5” isn’t expansive enough…
Yeah, if the Giudice is not in top 5, I am with you.
“She makes her son’s autism all about her.”
Worst mother. Makes me ill.
The archives need to be published T.T they are that good!
Jacqueline clearly has a loooottttt of issues. I really enjoyed not seeing her on RHONJ. She gives me anxiety.
Tamara, feel better soon, I hope. Meanwhile, there is much deliciously aged/rested/fermented tea to enjoy in your archives. Since I already binged on Kate Gosselin posts last night, I’m not sure I can stomach more any more reality parent toxic-tea tonight…oh who am I kidding? I’m addicted to this bitter-sweet stuff.
“deliciously aged/rested/fermented tea” I love it! The first thing I thought of was kombucha. That’s what we should call old tea, aka gossip.
Dan Savage Chesley Handler & Brandi Glanville have published books (you are so much better than the tripe they have published ) & you have so much more to do ; gardening, travel, true crime etc. I would love a book of yours on my shelf on my coffee table & next to my bathtub…I love your blog
The three people you mentioned aren’t remotely the same, Dan has been a columnist of note for years, Chelsea a pseudo comedian and Brandi just trying to extend her 15 minutes. TT stands on her own.
TT needs to publish a book. The RH companion. I know it’s a huge undertaking but nobody else could do it better.
Honorary mention, Mama Joyce.
Yes! Honorable mention goes out to Mama Joyce!!!
I agree Mama Joyce is terrible but I think she has just gotten worse with age. Kandi is a pretty cool chick, so MJ must have done something right in the early years for Kandi to stand by her no matter what. I don’t know if I could judge her parenting skills since what is see is more of a jealous best friend at this point.
On my list Mama Joyce would be number 1 or 2
Yesss!!!
I agree 100% about Wacko Jacko !! Im so happy just to know that you made that observation because you have a littany of readers. I hope it makes them think. jacko is derranged and truly the most mentally ill real housewife in the franchise next to Kim Richards. She is more dangerous than Kim however, because her husband and family are “yes men” so to speak and none of them will stand up to her for the sake of her child Nick. She was an atrocious Mother to her eldest as well, Ashlee, going as far as to say to her repeatedly “Ashlee I didnt have an abortion like everyone advised me” or “ashlee I gave up so much to have you at a young age.” Even her husband Chris has said the same types of things to Ashlee. People in Jackos life allow her to live under the delusion that shes a good mother and doing everything right. Her middle son is pretty much ignored. Her kids should be removed by CPS.
Can I add for consideration the Guidices? Or Lynn Curtain? Or the other OC mom who encouraged her kids to do a bikini shoot with their pervery dad and his leach friends? #1 switch to tie with Brandi Glanville.
Hope you’re feeling better ?
Uummm Tammie Knickerbocker is her name I think? OC Angels? The super perv dad yes #1 please!
Plus the dad financially abandoned his kids and left them nothing in his will
I forgot to call her by her ame instead of the moniker .. Im sorry . I dont respect her enough to refer to her by name and the way she uses her kids is so repulsive to me. I am just so skeeved out by her.. I shouldnt hate anyone, let alone someone I dont know personally, but I hate that woman with the passion of a burning sun.
Hi Lisa, having a senior moment-to whom are you referring to?
Thx!
Seriously, how can you expend that much energy towards someone you don’t even know?
Thank God,Octomom has faded into obscurity. That is one sick puppy.
Momma Joyce was a great runner up, as well as Lynne Curtain-but I have to add Laurie from OC. At least one of her kids is a meth/heroin addict and since he has married another addict and she’s made a big deal about adopting his child with George (who has equally fd up kids). I thought to myself it’s part of her addiction, because good parenting aint it.
Only reason I didn’t add her was addiction crosses too many socio-economic stratum to really make one a bad parent. The blended new family maybe spoiled now but all in all Laurie gets a pass.
I agree that drugs cross all economics, but addiction is basically numbing the pain. For his screwed up life, I believe Laurie is absolutely at least partially to blame. Then she used him for a storyline. She has other kids (George has at least one on meth) on stuff too. She’s not getting a pass from me. Instead of stability she finds her next rich husband. Jackpot with George.
I love how you unilaterally blame Lauri for her son’s addiction with no consideration at all for the role Josh’s father may have played in the situation.
I’m no great fan of Lauri – I think she’s a dingbat – but come on…kids from all types of families get into drugs for many reasons. We, the viewers, know very little about what really went on in this boy’s life.
The kid even said he started using drugs after his dad left
TT,
I actually live near them. My sister has TWO non-verbal autistic children. We are so protective of them. We were on line in the Market Basket on Franklin Lakes, and my niece made a noise. The woman in front of us said “WHO HAS A DOG IN HERE?” My sister literally left the store with her kids in tears (I stayed and paid for her stuff). It actually was not the woman’s fault, but I am making the point how sensitive and protective we are.
We are GOBSMACKED how she parades this beautiful child on TV. ALSO… saying they are (ALLEGEDLY) selling the house because of the child’s treatment? I can assure you, my sister has not ONE Birkin bag, ever gotten botox, and has not been on a vacation since her honeymoon.
Sorry all for the vent…. This is a trigger for me…. I see her husband in Starbucks, and I seethe.
p.s. feel better!!! Hugs to you!!! Happy Thanksgiving to you and Banjo!!!
Barbinga, i agree with you on Laurie. I do believe that the older kids were emotionally neglected while their mom was looking for the next best thing. That boy could have been saved with the right direction. Lynn Curtin in her haze doesn’t even have the skills to raise a child right. Jac has issues but I don’t think the CPS folks have to be called out.
I would have lynn curtain on the list. Thise girls did whatever they wanted. Lynn was clueless.
My godson is autistic. He is highly functioning and you’d never know unless someone told you he is autistic. He is a fourth degree black belt in karate, a dive master, does Cross Fit, dates a lot among other things all 22 year olds do.
He didn’t speak until he was seven.
The last thing we did with him is be overprotective.
I think all situations are different.
Good luck with this DJ.
I put both my kids into martial arts and started training as well. There were a number of kids with autism in the dojo. My master was gifted in reaching them. I saw many of them grow up and go for black belt tests and out into the world. When they would have a hard time in class, our master would gently move them into the corner of the room. He’d open his arms and use them as walls, so their space was confined. He’d whisper to them, “you are perfect inside”. They’d calm down and continue the lesson. It was a gift to watch. When my son was diagnosed first with depression and then shizophrenia, I used a lot from what I learned in the dojo to help him,
JoJoFLL,
Great story! Thank you Jojo for the well wishes!!! xoxo
I’m surprised Joe and Theresa Guidice didn’t make it on here. Making money and material things such a priority that you go to jail? I’m pretty sure those girls would rather have their parents home than live in that ridiculous house, ride around in expensive cars, or have yet another designer outfit. Having said that, their kids are super cute though.
It seems like the Duggars and Mama June should top that list IMHO. They are worse.
It’s sad that there are so many to choose from.
Lisa, I agree, it is sad there are so many to choose from. When Michelle Duggar tried to blame Josh’s wife for his porno addiction and having sex with porno stars she became worst Mom for me. Smacking her babies at 6 months is up there as well.
Absolutely the Duggars need to be on this list!
Mama June definitely gets top vote. Defending the child molester and not your kid is horrendous
Totally shocked to not see Tamra Judge on the list…
Right? She’s steadily posting her two younger ones photo’s on at least FB. She just can.not. keep them private.
Ooh, good bad one.
I’m surprised not to see Tre and Juicy at the top of the list. Exploiting their kids for fame isn’t even their only parenting misdemeanour!
Lynn Curtin should be Numero Uno.
Feel better TT! Shannon Beador anyone??
One of my boys is autistic. We are fortunate in that he is in a school program that has helped A LOT. He went from being almost impossible to understand to talking our ears off!
It is still really, really hard. I haven’t watched the show (I only watch RHOA) but I do not feel comfortable judging someone else’s idea of parenting a special-needs kid. It is really hard, every moment of every day, with the knowledge that this will go on for MANY years. These kids don’t exactly become independent at 18.
Crazy in NC,
I am so happy for you! I love hearing stories like this. It gives me hope. I am CERTAIN you played an integral role in helping recover your son! I would give the world if my sister’s kids would utter just a few words.
TT, I am sooo happy you put Jacqueline Laurita as number one. I always thought she was a HORRIBLE mother. What kind of mother uses her daughter’s issues to create a story line on the show? I thought it was terrible that a mother would want to make her own child look bad and give her a bad reputation on international TV simply to make herself relevant. I felt bad for the daughter who just seemed to be a confused youth going through normal stages, as many are, looking for an identity and purpose. I never understood why people couldn’t see trough her game. She is disgusting.
Exactly! And she always seemed to be competing with her own daughter.
TT, I wasn’t a reader back when you were blogging about the Gosselins. Diving in. Cheers!
I’m sorry but Kim Richardson needs to be on this list. Getting hammered and making a scene at your daughter’s wedding? Showing your ass like that on tv? Having your kids beg you on Dr. Phil to get help and then lashing out at them and refusing rehab?
Those kids are adults who chose to be involved in the Dr Phil/reality TV circus. Not small children.
I think all the things that make Jaq Laurita a bad mother are also true of Kim Z. I don’t know how she has time for all those selfies.
Have you ever noticed that most of the photos, even the ones of her, have her kids in them? Because she is home, in the house with her kids all the time? And those chefs and stylists all magically disappear when filming is over? Just like many of her tweets are between her and her two oldest daughters.
Kim is one of the better moms of reality TV.
I agree that Kim is a good mother and seeing her mother in action makes me appreciate her even more. Kim didn’t have a good role model in her own mother and she became a mother at a young age so even more kudos to Kim.
As a kindergarten teacher for 30 years, I came to believe that most mothers wanted the best for their children but some were much better at it than others. I heard Oprah say one afternoon of her own grandmother who reared her, “If there was anything I needed that she didn’t give me it was either because she didn’t know how to do it or she didn’t know it needed doing.” Pretty high praise in my book.
Her children do seem happy so she must be doing something right. I never have noticed her children in all the selfies. I will have to pay better attention.
I constantly take selfies of me and my kids. If I didn’t, there’d never be any pictures of me with them.
For every one photo kim posts of herself, there’s probably 5 she posts of the kids.
I don’t think Kim was a good mother to her oldest girls. She’s shown them that making a living on your back is ok. You don’t have to put in the hard work (like voice lessons), just find someone with autotune. She is also very obsessed with her looks, but I don’t believe that she works for it. She eats pizza while someone works on her thighs. She gets nips and tucks and boob jobs and wears waist trainers. Even with all of that she still has to photoshop her pics and lie about it. I think she has taught those girls that the easy way is the best way and they may be in for some harsh lessons as they grow older.
She is definitely obsessed with her looks, you’re right about that.
LOL Is it even possible to do a top 5 list of the “good” mother housewives? Im sitting here gobsmacked because I cant even think of one that stands out to me
I was thinking of this too.
Cynthia – for great co parenting
Dina – had a great relationship with her daughter
Ramonas daughter- does reel Ramona in
Mauricio – treats all his stepdaughters like they are his
Lisa and Jen – for their love of their adopted son and treatment of jiggy
I think Kyle has been a good mother as well. Eileen too, mother and step mother. Also Heather and Terry’s kids seem happy and are only brought out for comedy.
Maloof. For keeping her kids off camera. Even the weird censored Brandi crap maybe about them.
I think Kyle is a good mom.
Tamara you should do a What I learned this year post next month to wrap up 2015 with this kind of format… Interesting list and commentary but that’s what I expect from you. Even when you’re under the weather you still get it done.
Get well!
Man, I totally disagree with Jacqueline as a bad mother. Actually it seems I usually disagree with you about most things.
Good post! However, I nominate Glanville for number two.
After 5 years of alimony, a financial settlement and 4 yrs of BH she couldnt provide a stable home for kids.
For moving every 8 months due to spending money partying and on plastic surgery and then crying poverty.
For hating her ex more than she loves her kids by writing two vicious books that they will read one day and ruining whatever career he had.
For having to have her own children ask her to stop bashing their dad and stepmom on twitter because they love them and it upsets them. For pretending to stop while following her 5 fans (with 50 accounts) and feeding them info so they can do her dirty work for her.
Last but not least, for walking around naked in front of her sons and saying, on her podcast, that she stopped because the oldest was acting “pervy”. Yep, def needs to be higher on the list!
Ewwwww.
So many contenteders for five slots. TT we need a top ten or twenty just to narrow down the field. The Triple Crown to JL.
The biermans aren’t my cup of tea. However, it’s great to see a family on TV that seems to have a good time and enjoy each other.