Trading Spouses
Hammond / Howard Families Part 1
Unsuccessfully Vacuuming Your Way to Perfection!
Recap By Unicornchaser
January 20, 2005
Remember that fear always lurks behind perfectionism. Confronting your fears and allowing yourself the right to be human can, paradoxically, make you a far happier and more productive person.
- Dr. David M. Burns
A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort.
- Herm Albright (1876 - 1944)
Hammond Family Chattanooga, TN: Angela, Bob, Candy (16), Kyle (7), Grandma Carol (AKA Sue)
Howard Family Brooklyn Park, MN: Mia, Tim, Bria (9), Caleb (7)
Well, TS is taking us back to the basics with these new episodes of the Hammond / Howard families... Neaties vs. Messies at war again! Although in reality it seems more like the battle between the Meanies and the Niceies. I would be much more attracted to the perpetual cleaners if they seemed happy to be so clean but they have, so far, been shown as mighty grim dirt attackers. The "let the dirt wait" crowd at least knows how to have a good time with other people and seem pretty pleased with themselves too. So if cleanliness is next to Godliness, perhaps a little dust does do a soul good...
The Fox site has some interesting tidbits on the new families:
The Howards are an opinionated bunch that enjoys debating each other. This is the sunshine family, full of loving laughs and fun. They have a spacious backyard where they love to spend time but their home is not large. In fact, it's downright cramped now that Grandma has moved into the dining room, forcing them to eat dinner in the living room. This is just another reason for them to be close to each other.
Plus Grandma is now there to give a helping hand with the kids even when, according to the parents, it is unnecessary. They "are a loving and devoted family who sees others for what they are" and teach us "the meaning of standing up to the face of adversity".
We are told that Angela is a "strong woman full of southern hospitality" who "learned of this strength when Candy's eye was accidentally shot out when she was just five years old with a BB gun". This unfortunate incident has caused Candy to "grow up to be a strong young woman who has spent the last several years speaking out to kids about how to overcome adversity. Candy tells kids that if she can overcome her disability, they can also overcome any challenges that may find them in life."
Kyle, the 7 year old, is described as capable of being "quite the terror and has great difficulty sitting still- he loves life and wants to savor every bite it has to offer!"
Angela is the disciplinarian but believes it is important that the children make their own choices, with few set rules, instead letting the kids "find their own path". Tim is a cable installer who puts in long hours but doesn't let that stop him from being with his family when he can but wishes for more time together. A "roll with the punches" guy, Tim takes each day as it comes with a "very open and honest" parenting style.
According to Fox, Bob and Angela met in 1996, fell in love at first "sight" and both agree that they have a great marriage but that Bob could ramp up the romance "a little more". They still have friends from high school and haven't really ventured out of the south. Being on TS was an adventure to them which will not only expose them to new people and experiences but will increase their appreciation of each other.
The Hammond's are described by Fox as an active, always on the go, feisty family. This is the sourpuss family, full of cleanliness, structure and not much else due to Mia being such a "neat and control freak". However, Fox really likes Tim, an auto service advisor, who is given a glowing paragraph of his virtues.
Mia is not treated nearly so kindly. We are told that Tim is a cool, collected man, loving father and supportive husband, the "classic, laidback dad" who "enjoys sitting back and watching his wife try to control the chaos that ensues on a daily basis".
Fox says the first impression of Mia would have you believe that she has a "perfect life with perfect children and a perfect husband" which is "precisely what she wants you to think". Her reality is quite different, with a husband who always gets on her nerves and constantly children whining about "anything and everything". Mia desperately aspires to have the "normal, all American family, but no matter how hard she organizes, controls and disciplines her entire family, they won't stop the dysfunction".
Life in the Hammond household is apparently one of constant bickering between the parents because everything Tim does bothers Mia. Add her spoiling and coddling of the kids to that mix and you get lots of tantrums from the kids. Including ones over not being able to go to Build a Bear for the 3rd time that week. Poor Mia is "wound so tightly that she wonders how she hasn't snapped yet". Fox says the kids are "very adorable" but "tantrum time bombs".
Bria aspires to be an "actress/ doctor" who attends a private performing arts school allowed to be as noisy and entertaining as she wants at home. Caleb is a "sweet kids with a sensitive heart" but both know how to use tears to get what they want.
Introductions out of the way, let's get to the good stuff!
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