In Defense of Taina Liccardio-Tiovola

She doesn't need defending.
And certainly not from me, a total stranger on the internet...

But....

I wasn't feeling well the other day and I was passing time watching her vids, checking out Instagram, and eventually went down the social media comments rabbit hole.
The comments!  The assumptions!  The vitriol!

It's appalling and laughable at the same time.

So, let's get started:

1.  Doomsday Cult:  Just, nope.  Yes, they are young earth creationists.  Many mainstream evangelicals are.  Yes, they believe in the rapture, and that it will happen soon.  Many mainstream Christians do.  That doesn't make them a cult.  Paul's interest and activity in the End Times is a bit intense, sure, but from what I have read, their belief system is very much like several mainstream evangelical denominations.  Not a cult.

2.  Quiverfull:  Another nope.  Taina just wanted 10 kids.  She doesn't hold some "you must do" religious theory on kids being arrows.  I know pagans who have a lot of kids.  Why? Because they like kids!

3.  Child Abuse:  This one makes me laugh.  The 4 "nappy gang" babies lie still on a blanket to get changed.  I had 3 in diapers at once and mine would do the same.  I didn't blanket train.  I didn't beat them into submission or punish them or even force them.  I highly doubt Taina "blanket trains" by spanking them.

4.  Her kids are normal:  This was so funny when I read it.  Someone actually complained that her kids are normal.  The complaint came in the form of them hating that Taina talks about how smart her kids are, but they are really just normal, so she shouldn't talk.  Ummm....pretty much every normal mother on the planet talks up her kids a bit.  Taina does have smart, normal children and they are a positive family.

5. Jerusalem and Cleopatra are creepy together:  Another laughable one.  Someone insinuated that the siblings are too chummy and it comes across as incestuous.  People will dig for anything that isn't there.  Just because your son and daughter are horrid to each other doesn't mean that ones who are close and well-sibling-bonded are incestuous!  They behave like a close brother and sister.  My oldest two are similar.

6. Paul is useless:  This is a biggie.  Just because he isn't heavily featured in the videos doesn't mean he is a useless, unemployed lump.  If you watch enough of the videos you see that Paul cooks, cares for the children, and is otherwise involved around the house.  I don't know his employment status, but that doesn't automatically mean he is unemployed.

7.  What's with all the white:  Personal preference, plus have you ever seen Scandinavian household aestheticism?  It is minimalistic and white/light.

8.  What's with the minimalism:  Anyone who has any number of kids over the national average knows that less is more, simplicity is key, and organization is essential.  It's just a wise move on Taina's part, and again, personal preference.

9.  The videos are staged and not real life:  Pretty much every youtuber does some form of staging and bettering.  Taina isn't showing how-to videos, nor is she preaching anything.  These are entertainment purpose videos.  So what if she films a staged morning routine midday.  So what if the kids have a bit of script.  So what if she talks differently to the camera than in real life.  Most people do!  Heck, I talk differently on the phone than I do in real life.

10.  What's with the clothes:  Again, preference.  I only have 4 kids and watching Taina's videos I'm even going, "hmmm....uniform clothing would be so much easier!"  Wise move on Taina's part.  I don't know why people hate on her so much for that.  The kids don't seem bothered.  Most kids wear the same few items all the time, anyway.

11.  She's always preening in the screen:  If I was as beautiful as Taina I would preen, too.  LOL!

12.  Leonardo married his sister:  No, he didn't.

13.  She shoves veganism down our throats:  Just, no.  Sure, they are vegan and it is mentioned frequently, but she NEVER says anyone else should be vegan or that her way is the best.  Personal choice and she's one of the smartest vegans about it.  The kids get checked regularly to make sure their diet is giving them everything they need.

14.  She's unsafe:  People freaked out over little ones climbing over a gate.  Bubblewrap your own kids, if you like.  Taina knows her kids and her house.

15.  Her channel (and linked kids' channels) are a set-up:  So what?  Why is it a problem that she may have deliberately set everything up to ensure a greater outreach or even viral reaction?  Sure, people love an underdog story and the seemingly insignificant earning their place among the youtube gods by rising from their humble beginnings, but there is NOTHING wrong, unjust, or immoral about utilizing what is available to grow you channel and grow it quickly.

16.  Those names:  People have accused her of narcissism for naming her children those "crazy" names.  As someone with an unusual name, I think it's fun.  So what.  Lots of people name their kids different names.  She's definitely someone who desires to live life to the fullest.

People hate her because she is beautiful.

People hate her because she has money.
People hate her because she has sweet children.
People hate her because she is organized.
People hate her because she knows herself.
People hate her because she is religious.
People hate her because she is successful.

People hate her because they envy her.

I like her.
I like her children.
I like her home, her style, her skills, and I like her videos.
They are cheerful, pleasant, and fun.

Don't like, don't watch, don't hate.