The Octo mom and 14 unfortunate souls

There is much shrill and judgmental press around the so-called 'Octo-mom' these days...the woman with six kids at home, who just gave birth to octuplets implanted in-vitro. Octo-mom is apparently unmarried, has no source of independent income and has been scolded publicly by her own mother. She also has been said to have had cosmetic surgery to emulate Angelina Jolie's appearance.

Some of that may turn out to be untrue or exaggerated. What IS true is that the six kids already at home are very young and they need love, shelter, consistency, security and parenting. The eight children in the hospital are medically fragile. They too need love, shelter, consistency, security and parenting.

Regardless of how much this mother loves her children, she does not seem prepared to meet their needs financially - or worse - emotionally.

Octo has made a website to enable people to donate, appeared on TV and by some accounts, is shopping a reality tv deal. Unlike, say Jon and Kate plus 8 or other multiple-birth families, this is not a feel-good story. Few magazine covers seem to await Octo mom. And, few companies have stepped up to donate diapers, formulas, a vehicle for their transportation, strollers, etc.

While I can understand the mom is toxic to corporate brands, those kids did not choose their circumstances. To not make sure that they have what they need or to establish a basic standard of care is unconscionable. The mom is a train wreck to be sure, but that train has unwitting passengers in need of protection, shielding and empathy.