how the other half live

[mrsrat]

Is anyone watching this

I did... What did you think?

I watched it, thought what a lovely bloke the dad was from the "richer" family, really went out of the way to make the other family feel welcome in his house, and put Levi at ease.

Was lovely that the "poorer" family were so appreciative of the cheque and all the other help. I just wondered whether they all stayed in touch after the programme.

Hmmm I wasnt sure about the 'rich' family they were a bit smug and twee were they not?

Felt sorry for the poorer family and was shocked at how well Levi coped when he went out for Sunday lunch.

It is a VERY odd show isnt it? Cant stop watching it though!

By shocked I mean in a nice way!

Only seen bits of series 1 (it's all on 4od, I'm catching up), but it's compelling isn't it?

Not sure if it's good or bad - can't help feeling sad for the neighbours' kids a bit, can you?

The neighbour's kids?

You know, when things are brought in to the flats - in the one I saw from series one, for example, the mum had a table delivered, bunks beds for her children. She obviously totally deserved it and I thought she was fantastic, but I assume there were other families with small children living around her. I wouldn't like to be mummy explaining, yes, someone else has got brand new stuff, but you can't.

Not trying to suggest it should be done differently, it's just sad.

Oh I see what you mean - Last 2 havent lived in flats though and have lived in pretty ok houses so who knows? To be honest everyon goes through that though dont they? I know ds sees things in other people's gardens etc - like next door have a massive sandpit but he knows he isnt getting one because we cant afford it. It's life.

Ah, ok, I haven't got to S2 yet. I do take your point - just with the first episode, where the woman and her daughters lived in a tower block, I did wonder.

It's not an easy one, that's for sure.

(pushed send too soon)

I mean to say, there's a difference between not having a sandpit and not having a bed, or not having a pair of shoes when yours are leaking. I'm guessing many of the families who lived nearby were also under the poverty line.

The mum of the poorer family reminded me of a lady I know with a severely autistic son. She has become so beaten down by the daily grind that she doesn't offer new experiences to him any more. I completely understand her frustration but I think that's why it's so important to have a good support network of people that your child trusts. Rich chappie challenged her preconceptions of what Levi was capable of and she loved the result.

Doing up the house and garden gave the family a change in their environment which obviously gave them a real boost.

I think the most fundemental change in the poorer family's outlook though, is just the fact that someone is interested, encouraging and has expectations that challenge the rut that they've (understandably) got into.