Erin Bates with Greg Howlett interview

[lilwriter85]

The only thing I give the Bateses credit for is that Kelly seems to be more involved in the homeschooling than Michelle is with her family.

[SisiL78]

I disagree as well. I think they have some level of savvy when it comes to appearing normal but they still talk about the wolves out there in the world and those wolves are basically everyone, including educated and conservatively behaved folks such as myself b/c we're not Gothardites or other super fundies. Even the fundies at Crown College are not to be trusted and the 1-2 classes Erin takes require her to bring a sibling along as a chaperone lest she somehow gets defrauded during the day. Crown College, as has been discussed here before, is quite a drive from her home and requires a daily prayer assembly. So one of her siblings (or whoever is approved as a chaperone) must waste many hours of their day accompanying her to classes that won't benefit them. I'd be so ticked off at my parents if I had to chaperone a sibling like this and have that much less time in the day to pursue my own interests. THen again maybe the chaperone gets out of KP duty or something. Meanwhile I bet Lawson isn't being chaperoned everywhere he goes. He could be out at a strip club for all they know. But a girl needs to be watched at all times lest she fall into depravity or something. Give me a break!

And why does just the daughter who has a talent get to go out and explore the world, even in a limited sense? She's lucky to have this piano talent and she's good looking, so she'll experience some level of success. She might even be able to carve out an independent life on this if she needs to (although its hard enough even for someone who is more talented and has more education than she does). Her sisters that are less attractive and talented will have NOTHING to fall back on at all. Not even a few classes at some unaccredited university.

Anyhoo, they aren't any better than the Duggars. They could even be worse. They milk their kids for income. I would bet, but have no proof, that the money Erin makes teaching those 40 students goes to Gil and Kelly to pay for the debts that they have incurred by not having medical insurance (or accepting CHIP b/c its an ebil government program) and to pay for food and daily expenses that Gil's cruddy tree pruning business can't support. My mom used to be a piano teacher and its hard work. You have an irregular schedule and have to deal with whiny children and whinier parents. Its not an easy buck she's making.

At least the Duggars shop at Aldi. The Bates family is always shown as shopping at the local grocery store without even bothering to use coupons. I was appalled when they had the Duggars over and were making sandwiches. They were using small packages of cold cuts and the TLC pop-ups quoted some astronomical price for all the supplies. I've thrown rather elaborate dinner parties and BBQs for 30-40 people at my home and spent a fraction of that cost. I could have made sandwiches for that group for A LOT less b/c I would have gone to Costco or Sam's club and bought in bulk.

But, the Bates family is above such cost cutting measures and its easy to be so negligent when you let your debts go unpaid and guilt your grown children into staying home and supporting you.

[Deleted04]

Whether or not you like Gil and Kelly Bates, and whatever you think of their religious beliefs, they are very normal people who encourage each child to be the best they can be. They are not big on gender roles and their children have more freedom to come and go to different events. It is nice to see them reflected in a positive light and once their show is on in June, I'm sure more positive remarks will be heard. One of the differences between Gil Bates and Jim Bob Duggar is that Gil pitches right in with every project and JB stands around telling the kids to 'Hurry up, hurry up, we need to leave now, blah, blah." Also, and this started as a joke about the 'courting booth,' it is actually their prayer room. Not very scary looking, is it?

I just wanted to mention how during the ABC special, one of the girls wanted to go repelling instead of staying indoors singing boring songs about housework. But she couldn't because it was for boys. Kelly explained this away by saying "that something to think about for next year..hehe" I think at first most people will ike the bates, but the longer the show goes on, the more fame hungry they will get, and the sicker people will get of them. And there will be plenty to snark on once they begin putting their life on display on a weekly basis.

[luckylibrarian]

I think Michaela Bates will end up like Jana Duggar - waiting around forever for Daddy to allow a courtship.

[FloraDoraDolly]

I just wanted to mention how during the ABC special, one of the girls wanted to go repelling instead of staying indoors singing boring songs about housework. But she couldn't because it was for boys. Kelly explained this away by saying "that something to think about for next year..hehe" I think at first most people will ike the bates, but the longer the show goes on, the more fame hungry they will get, and the sicker people will get of them. And there will be plenty to snark on once they begin putting their life on display on a weekly basis.

Gil did take Alyssa hunting for her birthday. I don't remember how old she is (17 or 18? Not a little girl, at any rate), but it looks like her parents accept her tomboy ways and aren't trying to change her the way the Duggars are trying to change poor Joy Anna.

[bananacat]

Gil did take Alyssa hunting for her birthday. I don't remember how old she is (17 or 18? Not a little girl, at any rate), but it looks like her parents accept her tomboy ways and aren't trying to change her the way the Duggars are trying to change poor Joy Anna.

If the cameras hadn't been rolling, she wouldn't have gone hunting with her father. It was clear that this was a special occasion and absolutely not something they do on a regular basis.

[FloraDoraDolly]

If the cameras hadn't been rolling, she wouldn't have gone hunting with her father. It was clear that this was a special occasion and absolutely not something they do on a regular basis.

If it were a Duggar child, I would agree with you. Some of those kids have literally been in front of the cameras their entire lives. I'm sure by now they have all figured out that they live one way when the TLC crew is in the house and another way when there are no cameras around. But the Bates family cannot possibly be that media savvy yet. I don't think Alyssa would have asked to go hunting if she felt her request would be denied. I highly doubt she has reached the stage where she would realize, "Hey, if I want to do something different/tomboyish/outside the box, I just wait for the TV crew to come around and then I might get to do it." No doubt Gothard is watching, so even the Duggar kids know there are certain limits to what they can do. Josh can allow Mackynzie to wear pants, for example, but I don't think we'll be seeing Joy in skinny jeans or Jessa going out on a date with some nice boy from church or Joseph attending a Christian rock festival. And of course, Josiah getting upset over the Baby #20 announcement was edited out. Other reality shows thrive on the participants' negative emotions, but we don't see any of that with the Duggars. I doubt we'll see it with the Bateses, either.

[BayLee_10]

It's nearly impossible for me to write about why I like the Bates family since I do respect confindences, and I won't chance any minds, in any case.

[SisiL78]

It's nearly impossible for me to write about why I like the Bates family since I do respect confindences, and I won't chance any minds, in any case.

err? While I'm doubtful of this statement I do have to say that I'm sure that on one hand they are lovely people who come across as warm and caring. And in their own way they probably love and cherish their children. But, they are following a man with a destructive vision whose beliefs are on the fringe. A man who has convinced them to deny their children proper education in lieu of keeping them sequestered on the family compound. Without the TLC largess they would still be living in poor conditions in a crumbling house. While their house would be okay in some underdeveloped countries, it would have been considered to be rural poverty in this one. They vilify the rest of the world while overlooking the faults and drawbacks of their own beliefs.

I believe that their limitation of their children's lives is based in love. But, whatever the reason, cutting yourself and your children off from the world and guilting them into supporting your lifestyle at the expense of their own futures is a bad thing. period.

[Daenerys]

I feel so sad for Erin, she clearly had a talent and a big opportunity and it was just snatched away from her. It's appalling.

I hope she escapes; non-fundys like music teachers as well!

[Miggy]

I haven't heard a lot of Erin's playing but what I have heard doesn't inspire me. She is capable of putting in a lot of notes but I don't find there is a lot of expression in the music. She does what is on the music and nothing more. (Personal opinion.) I'm not convinced on her technique either. A good pianist floats across the keyboard with no effort. Erin's hands always look tense to me. Wrist surgery at 20 is not a good sign. (I'm a professional musician & music teacher so I like to think I know a bit about music but I am not an expert on piano.)

I will go against popular opinion and say that I really think it was Erin herself that didn't want to go to the University of Tennessee. I think she has been taught to fear the outside world to such an extent that the thought of going to a regular university with non-Christians would be terrifying. Gil & Kelly don't need to say no anymore. Their children stay close by out of fear.

[bananacat]

If it were a Duggar child, I would agree with you. Some of those kids have literally been in front of the cameras their entire lives. I'm sure by now they have all figured out that they live one way when the TLC crew is in the house and another way when there are no cameras around. But the Bates family cannot possibly be that media savvy yet. I don't think Alyssa would have asked to go hunting if she felt her request would be denied. I highly doubt she has reached the stage where she would realize, "Hey, if I want to do something different/tomboyish/outside the box, I just wait for the TV crew to come around and then I might get to do it." No doubt Gothard is watching, so even the Duggar kids know there are certain limits to what they can do. Josh can allow Mackynzie to wear pants, for example, but I don't think we'll be seeing Joy in skinny jeans or Jessa going out on a date with some nice boy from church or Joseph attending a Christian rock festival. And of course, Josiah getting upset over the Baby #20 announcement was edited out. Other reality shows thrive on the participants' negative emotions, but we don't see any of that with the Duggars. I doubt we'll see it with the Bateses, either.

I have to disagree. The Bateses aren't just some group of naive backwoods hicks. They know what TLC wants from them, and even if they didn't, TLC would tell them exactly what they should to appeal to audiences. Even the most naive, innocent reality tv star would get tons and tons of guidance from the producers of the show. They never just pick up a camera and follow someone around for their normal life. Reality tv isn't necessarily scripted, but it's heavily guided.

[kunoichi66]

I haven't heard a lot of Erin's playing but what I have heard doesn't inspire me. She is capable of putting in a lot of notes but I don't find there is a lot of expression in the music. She does what is on the music and nothing more. (Personal opinion.) I'm not convinced on her technique either. A good pianist floats across the keyboard with no effort. Erin's hands always look tense to me. Wrist surgery at 20 is not a good sign. (I'm a professional musician & music teacher so I like to think I know a bit about music but I am not an expert on piano.)

I will go against popular opinion and say that I really think it was Erin herself that didn't want to go to the University of Tennessee. I think she has been taught to fear the outside world to such an extent that the thought of going to a regular university with non-Christians would be terrifying. Gil & Kelly don't need to say no anymore. Their children stay close by out of fear.

When did she have wrist surgery? I've played piano for nearly fourteen years, and even though I've had my fair share of sprains and cuts (seriously, show me a pianist with unscathed hands, and I will applaud), I've never come near needing wrist surgery. I agree that that is probably a bad sign.

[BayLee_10]

Erin's surgery was on her pinky finger, not her wrist. It sounded like the release of a 'trigger finger' and, as I recall it was not totally successful.

[fundies_like_zombies]

Shallow - love and want her hair. Cute accent too.

I think that if the Bates parents did it right they could turn Erin into a sort of fundie poster girl. I mean she is pretty, modestly dressed, fundie, from a big family and has a talent. Surprised they haven't got her writing a book for fundie girls.

[TinyDancer87]

From what I see on this thread, and what I've seen in the past, the Bateses are going to bring about more diverse opinions than those opinions of the Duggars. For instance, while some viewers will applaud the Bateses for allowing Erin, a girl, attend college courses, other viewers will still say, "yes, but it doesn't count- it's not accredited!" A kind of glass-is-half-full-or-half-empty way of thinking.

For an ATI family, I think the Bateses are better than most. There's more freedom there- maybe not compared to the Duggars, but most definately compared to other ATI families who didn't grow up in front of the cameras. There's more freedom for the girls to act as tomboys or explore talents or even go to college.

And it's hard thinking about the adult children making money for the family, but many normal families in the US and the world do this. Honestly, only priviledged families don't depend on their children to pitch in with the family finances. Yes, I said priveledged. Because even in an American family's yearly income of $40,000 is still signifacantly higher than the average of this world. Financial sharing amongst children and parents is very common in the world, whether we ethically agree with it or not.

I also see Kelly Bates pitch in a whole lot more than Michelle ever does. I just watched the episode 19 kids and counting "Boys Day Out" and OHMYGOSH anyone can tell that the older girls are slaves. JoyAnna was making cookies, and Michelle commented that Joy wasn't very good because the older girls always did the cooking. And JimBob said how he was used to the older girls "helping" out at bed time. I think they mentioned "the older girls" like, 3 or 4 times! I've never heard Kelly or Gil verbally say that they depend on the older girls. It seems like in that family, the duties are more spread out.

[OnceModestTwiceShy]

I don't want to psychoanalyze too much, but while I've always gotten a huge snobby vibe from Erin, I think it totally makes sense. She seems to be their "model child" - I notice when they are on TV she is always wearing the prettiest clothes and, of course, has that amazing hair - and there is always a lot of focus on her and her talent. On their site they talk about how her Bible reading project was such an inspiration to everyone. She's being put on a pedestal, but she's also probably under a lot of pressure to keep performing this perfect fundie princess routine. I imagine she can't have a bad day, a normal teen girl freakout, a bout of laziness, or god forbid a breakout or a day wearing scrubby clothes and lounging. In addition, as sweet as the other Bates girls seem to be, I'm sure there has to be some mixed feelings about Erin. I mean, I don't care how fundie you are - Say you are 14 and awkward and maybe not totally into reading the Bible all the time (I'm not referring to any particular Bates girl - just a hypothetical!), and your perfect older sister suddenly announces that she is going to read the Bible an extra hour for every hour of secular entertainment (or whatever that was), and suddenly everyone is expected to follow suit, oh and by the way all the boys you think are cute always like her. Also, Erin's beauty might actually make things difficult for her with stricter fundie types who would accuse her of "tempting" them just by existing. All those things mean, to me, that she is probably under a lot of stress. When I see her on TV or in photos, I mostly just want her to relax and sit back and take a breath.

Just some thoughts.

[asinglevoice]

For an ATI family, I think the Bateses are better than most.

Agreed. I am very glad Erin has the opportunity to attend an actual school. Okay, so it's not accredited. Okay, so she has to have a chaperone. When I hear those complaints I feel the same as when my vegan friend gives me the side-eye for putting goat cheese crumbles on my salad - can't you just be happy I'm eating the freaking salad to begin with?

Jill Duggar, by contrast, will never go to college, accredited or not. Neither will Jana, Jessa, Jinger, Joy - none of them, unless they break away from the family. JB and Michelle simply won't allow it. That Gil and Kelly not only considered it but allowed it for their daughter is, well, better in my book.

[marmalade]

Didn't Erin say she was teaching 6 days a week? Let's make the safe assumption that she doesn't teach on Sundays. When does she even have time to go to the school, which is a 40 mile round trip? For just ONE (maybe two) class(es) a semester? THAT is a waste of time!

PS: I commute to school with about the the same time investment (on public transport...I can get up there in 15 minutes by car, problem is parking). And for one class, it's a GIANT pain that's made me rethink taking a class I really wanted to take due to the lost time.

[Third]

I heard her play on a video on youtube and thought she was good. Granted I know very little about planning the piano.

IDK about them being a 'better than most' ATI family. Don't they need their oldest son to help support his siblings and they still aren't letting their daughter go to a real college.

[marmalade]

Shocker. Kelly Bates reports on their website that Erin traveled to Atlanta to meet this guy with Alyssa and Tori. I guess the further the trip (and more men one might encounter) the more escorts the girl needs. Hair from the back is indescribably bad.

[Miggy]

When did she have wrist surgery? I've played piano for nearly fourteen years, and even though I've had my fair share of sprains and cuts (seriously, show me a pianist with unscathed hands, and I will applaud), I've never come near needing wrist surgery. I agree that that is probably a bad sign.

Erin's surgery was on her pinky finger, not her wrist. It sounded like the release of a 'trigger finger' and, as I recall it was not totally successful.

Thankyou for the correction BayLee_10; the surgery was on her hand not her wrist.

from http://gilbatesfamily.com/blog/page/4/ last July;

SURGERY

posted by Kelly

Erin had surgery on her hand this past Wednesday. Erin plays the piano with vigorous enthusiasm, so we’ve had quite a few visits to our favorite hand doctor (Dr. Calhoun from Knoxville Orthopedic)! She is in a cast, so she can’t play the piano for a few weeks… which is probably the hardest part for her… But Dr. Calhoun is confident she’ll be back to normal soon! We are grateful for his expertise!!

I still don't think that any musician should be having surgery at 20.

[debrand]

From what I see on this thread, and what I've seen in the past, the Bateses are going to bring about more diverse opinions than those opinions of the Duggars. For instance, while some viewers will applaud the Bateses for allowing Erin, a girl, attend college courses, other viewers will still say, "yes, but it doesn't count- it's not accredited!" A kind of glass-is-half-full-or-half-empty way of thinking.

/quote]

College does not count if it is not accredited. Really, it doesn't. I'm not being argumentative, but why would anyone want to take classes that didn't count toward anything. And isn't she well chaperoned? The Bates are better then a lot of Gothard famlies, but that only shows how oppressive this type of lifestyle is

And I want to add to Baylee, I have always thought the family would be very nice and I would probably like them if I met them.

[asinglevoice]

I'm not being argumentative, but why would anyone want to take classes that didn't count toward anything.

Maybe for the sake of...learning? Lots of people take classes here and there in things that interest them, without pursuing degrees. Just because they aren't being applied toward an Associate's or a Bachelor's doesn't make them any less useful.

[JMarie]

Agreed. I am very glad Erin has the opportunity to attend an actual school. Okay, so it's not accredited. Okay, so she has to have a chaperone. When I hear those complaints I feel the same as when my vegan friend gives me the side-eye for putting goat cheese crumbles on my salad - can't you just be happy I'm eating the freaking salad to begin with?

Jill Duggar, by contrast, will never go to college, accredited or not. Neither will Jana, Jessa, Jinger, Joy - none of them, unless they break away from the family. JB and Michelle simply won't allow it. That Gil and Kelly not only considered it but allowed it for their daughter is, well, better in my book.

Erin may be attending college, but I don't think she's getting the full college experience. She's probably only been to her classroom and the bursur's office. She's not going to the student union for a latte, or meeting with classmates on a Monday night for a study session or to work on a group project. Besides, who is picking up the slack around the house when Erin and her chaparone are at school? Her unfortunate younger sisters.