Jon and Kate plus 8
Posted
October 29, 2007 at
1:13 pm by
Jessica
If you haven’t caught an episode of TLC/Discovery Health’s “Jon and Kate plus 8“, it just may give you a little solace in the hardships of ones own parenting challenges. Jon (an IT Analysist) and Kate (a former nurse) Gosselin used in-vitro fertilization to help spawn 8 kids. One set are twins and the other six are from a subsequent litter.
Last season, I really liked the spunk coupled with the unconventional and imperfect parenting techniques used by Kate. Although she tended to run a tight ship, she was also human and threw political correctness to the wind when it came to the realities of having 6 toddlers and young twins only 4 years older than the sextuplets.
This season, I have to say, the reality parenting TV show has lost some of its charm with me. Although I enjoy, in a voyeuristic sort of way, watching parenting pained by temper tantrums and legal slavery by way of 6 more demanding children than I am left to deal with, I also have found Kate to be as bratty on occasion as her preschool broad.
In some ways Jon and Kate are very lucky. They have a cozy network of incredibly supportive family and friends who take and/or watch their children frequently. In the first couple of weeks of this season, I watched as Kate went to spa treatments, out to dinner with just her and her husband and plan a vacation by themselves in the Florida Keys. Personally, I know of very few 1.3 children families that are afforded so much free time as they are.
Another less than flattering observation I’ve made — Kate is not very nice to her husband Jon. While Jon is easy going and incredibly accommodating to his wifes idiosyncrasies, she is always snapping at him and making condescending remarks. Is it not enough that he spends all of his time at home helping with the children and goes to work on a daily basis to provide for his classroom of children and thus allowing Kate to be an “at-home mom”. Of course, I can’t imagine that 8 kids in childcare would be worth the effort of working outside of the home, but she always acts as if he is clueless and her life is so incredibly hard. Often times, she resorts to treating him like one of their toddlers.
One episode, Kate decided to hire a cleaning person. Through her exhaustive search, she finally settled on the one person who actually agreed to take the job on — so her prospects were limited. After the brave cleaning lady left, Kate then went around her house with imaginary white gloves, pointing out the hidden dust left behind. “Thanks for trying,” Kate said out loud, along with other rumbles of disappointment. The implication was that the cleaning woman was fired, not up to Kate’s high standards. Of course, you should get what you pay for, but cleaning after 6 toddlers and their bigger sisters, something is bound to get forgotten. Perhaps she should have cut the cleaning lady as much slack as she expects in return?
While Kate seems like a lot of fun and incredibly organized, it’s the little things — weird things — that seem to get her in a tizzy, like what shoes the older girls are going to wear to a carnival or if any of her family or friends puts her out by being one minute late. Sometimes you get the feeling that Kate is nothing more than a control freak, loving every challenge that comes her way, but at the same time, expecting others to reward her and recognize her for having it so tough, when in actuality, she really doesn’t. Sure, having 8 small children would drive the sanest person batty, it has also given them a much desired family and tv show. All in all, they have a pretty fortunate lifestyle.
As much as I like this show, I wish Kate would be less focused on herself and the indulgences of her children and complain less. Most families, even with less children, have their own unique challenges and have many other issues to deal with on top of it. Count your blessings Kate. You are not the first “over-worked” mother and you won’t be the last.
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Discuss on the blog comments or visit our Jon and Kate forums here:
http://www.imperfectparent.com/community/viewforum.php?f=205
Tags: Discovery-Health, Jon-and-Kate-plus-8, Jon-Gosselin, Kate-Gosselin, Parenting, sextuplets, The-Gosselins, TLC, twins |
18,436 Responses to “Jon and Kate plus 8”
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91. Robin Hoyer said:
December 31, 2007 @ 10:03 pm
I am sitting here watching Jon & Kate plus 8 and I just get so very bitter. My little story goes:
I had a tubal ligation in 2004. I already have a boy and a girl and didn’t want anymore children. So, I did the ‘responsible’ thing. Well, in june 2005 I found out I was pregnant. No big deal, right? Very wrong. I was pregnant with fraternal, not identical twins. So, not only did the tubal not work once. It didn’t work twice. So, I sit here and watch this show and I get so very bitter and yes jealous. I didn’t choose to have a litter, sorry, of children, and I really couldn’t justify getting rid of them when they came from love and a 13 year marriage. I know I don’t have to watch it but they are from my hometown, I now live in NC, and it’s one of those can’t help it moments.
So, they cry poverty yet they can go to Disney World, spend $3000+ on new bunk beds and such, get a huge van I would kill for, trips to Florida….need I go on? And they have all these friends to take in their kids so they can have alone time. Here I sit with my 4 kids two of which a true miracles and no one wants to give me anything. The only alone time I get is when everyone goes to sleep. I struggle every month to buy diapers. We go through 1 gallon of milk a day. We had to buy a mini van and that’s $600 a month. I have no one around, my husband was military, no family, no one to give me a break or helping hand and Kate Gosselin requires more and she can act the way she does and do what she does and it’s ok…..she had 6 kids at once.
Everyone I’m sorry for going on and on. I am jealous. I will admit it. What happened to me was an accident of nature. What happened to her was a choice/risk that she was willing to take.
My husband gets so upset with me watching this show becasuse I turn into a royal “B”.
But that’s my story.
92. Joanne said:
January 1, 2008 @ 12:26 am
I like this program, but I don’t like how Kate treats Jon. These poor children need to have a break from their parents. someone give them help with their parenting and couple interacting. She needs to stop being so pushy and stop complaining so much.
93. Leslie said:
January 1, 2008 @ 2:07 am
I really feel the same way a lot of you do…Jon is underappreciated. I do not yet have children, however I do have 4 nieces and nephews that I spend a lot of time with. My sister in law and brother both work over 60 hours a week and have a newborn as well as a 4 year old…never do they snap at each other. They take each challenge with a smile. I guess that may only come with certain personalities, however, I feel they need to be more of a team and Kate needs to stop putting him down. For example, in one never seen before episode she tells him basically to go away because he puts on a swin suit wrong!!!!!!! How funny to me!!!! Why not laugh instead of being a nag? Siriuosly woman! And as far as the medicaid, I agree…I used medicaid when I was a pregnant 19 year old single woman who wanted care for only my child, I fronted the rest. Take responsibility, you have careers. You planned the pregnancies. My goodness. Another thing, they expect everyone to help because they have 8 kids, that is nothing crazy, they made the choice and knew the risks. Kate is not a neat freak, she is a control freak but does not want to work for it. She would rather give orders and sit back. I know she loves her children and husband very much, but she needs not to take all that for granted. God gave her these children because she wanted them, now take care of them and stop being a B****. Especially to Jon, he works, and takes care of the kids. I know many men who work, come home, and don’t help much at all…she is lucky. Having kids takes 2 and so does raising them!
Best of luck to them none the less…the kids are adorable!!!!!!!!!!!!
94. denise said:
January 1, 2008 @ 1:51 pm
Wow…. Judgemental people… I can only dream of that many kids… I am controlling with my one son and husband.. Can u honestly imagine what it takes to run her household.. She needs to be that way.. I think it works for her and Jon remember he stays cause he wants to!
95. Paulette said:
January 1, 2008 @ 3:34 pm
Yesterday TLC ran a marathon of the show and I watched alot of it - starting with August 2006 when Kate got her free tummy tuck and lipo right up to the Disney trip in August 2007. Watching it back to back like that, you realize how much Kate does get to do in a year’s time and how truly unappreciative she is. Parents with much smaller families would LOVE to get to do the things she and her family get to do and have the help and support she has. Let’s see - the free tummy tuck, boob job and lipo, the valentine’s dinner, the 30th birthday party and trip to the Florida Keys for her and Jon, the day at the spa for Mother’s Day and the Disney trip (I am sure I am leaving something out - oh, yes the fact that she interviewed and could afford a cleaning person even though none met her standards) I know I’ll be criticized for this but she has a GREAT life but is never satisfied. I don’t think the people that comment on here are really jealous, they would just like to see her show some appreciation to Jon and the other friends and family members that are always there to help her. Her brother and sister-in-law, her friend Beth, Nana Joan and Nana Janet - they all seem to be at her beck and call. On one episode, the birthday carnival, she mentioned that their parents (hers and Jon’s) are not involved in their daily life. What does that mean? It seems they are estranged from them for some reason. Does anyone know?
One thing that really stuck with me was when Jon told her she needed to start asking for things and saying please rather than just ordering everyone around and demanding her way. She said “Can’t it just be understood that I am saying please?” His reply was perfect - “Not when you are trying to teach and set an example for 8 children.” That is my problem with her.
Take a look at the older girls, especially Mady - On the Disney trip, Kate said “This is the WORST camera in the world” (very dramatic) - then on another episode, Mady says “She is the MEANEST person on earth’ (wringing her hands) - see any parallels there?
For those of you that support Kate and think she is wonderful, I agree you have to be organized to keep going in her situation. But where does it say that to be organized you also have to be rude, mean and unappreciative?
Opinions are one thing and everyone is entitled to them, what we are not entitled to is our own version of the facts and the facts are-
She chose to have this many children and she chose to do this television show. She IS rude, mean, controlling, obsessive, nasty and unappreciative and no amount of editing of the show will change that.
The rest is all opinion and what each of us reads into it.
I enjoyed very much the comment that said Jon stays because he wants to. How do you know why Jon stays?
Why do I watch? Because the little kids are so adorable and Jon amazes me.
96. kathy said:
January 1, 2008 @ 3:39 pm
Glad to see that I’m not the only one that notices how she is condensending to Jon. I don’t like that one bit. I watch the show mostly to see the kids but the producers are putting a little to much effort on the parents sitting on the couch and their commentary. She’s definately a control freak but it’s necessary with this crew.
97. Deborah Farias said:
January 1, 2008 @ 3:50 pm
I mostly enjoy the show. However I cringe when both parents pick up the children by their upper arms -ouch! Why not pick up the children around their bodies?
Where are the grandparents - in another city? Was Jon adopted?
Thanks!
98. Toney said:
January 1, 2008 @ 4:37 pm
I think Jon and Kate are amazing parents.. I have 4 kids of my own and I often find myself acting like Kate. My heart goes out to them because I go crazy with my 4 I couldn’t imagine having 8.. I don;t agree with anyone who has bad stuff to say about them because what would you do if you were in their shoes.. No one understands what they go threw in one day so how dare you judge them.
99. PRWins said:
January 1, 2008 @ 7:06 pm
[quote comment="134192"][quote comment="129251"]Gee… I’ve been to your web site and your blog Kadi. What’s your excuse for 7 kids in 7 years? Are you about to be on a “reality” show and give Jon and Kate a run for their money?[/quote]
I think the person who posted this is a real punk! There are plenty of people who have large families and who do you think you are questioning this nice lady about why she has seven children. By the way, most men and women are proud and happy to have each and every one of their children you piece of work. I sure would like to stick some Birth Control up inside your body and see if you like what it does to you! Punk!
To all of the other posters who seem so intent on judging, remove the rock out of your own eye and all the specks you are speaking of will not seem so great.[/quote]
Why don’t YOU go to Kadi’s blog and see the result of this exchange before you open your big mouth???!!! This happened quite a while ago… have you been in a coma?
Ironically, Kadi IS going to be on tv with her family.
100. Cris said:
January 1, 2008 @ 9:49 pm
I think “Wendy” may be Kate lurking on this site…it would fit in with the controlling attitude.
101. Jenna Roberts said:
January 2, 2008 @ 1:55 am
To the punk you know who you are!!!!!
I read all of it and I think you are a punk! Who cares you weirdo, let her go on TV why do you care so much!!!! You are a low class punk!!!! Get a life!
102. Vicki A said:
January 2, 2008 @ 3:00 am
I have really gotten hooked on the show as well. At first I thought that Kate was very inappropriate and demeaning to Jon, but many times, when he barks back at her, she seems very worried that he is upset with her and often makes joking comments that he may leave the family. I think she really fears that deep down. When they are doing the segments with just the two of them on the couch, she almost gets teary-eyed and seems in disbelief when Jon compliments her. I think Jon and Kate love one another very much and they balance each other out, Even though Kate has personality issues, she provides above average care for her family.
103. amysue said:
January 2, 2008 @ 5:11 am
[quote comment="126072"]I wonder how many of the people who run Kate in the ground really understands the true meaning of being a mother and wife??? The people who lay around watching the soaps all day with their feet propped up and kids running around with crapy diapers and eating what they want has no idea the true meaning of real motherhood or being wife!! Kate can be a real stinker at times BUTTTTTT look at how good she takes care of them kids and the clean house she has..PLUS, she’s a devoted wife to Jon..What real wife and mother don’t have times of being bitchy?? Any normal woman with kids would have to relate to her..That’s if the house,kids,husband, grocery shopping,cleaning, and the normal things are done..I’d rather keep working my 8 hour shifts than to go through what Kate does..SOOOOOOOOOo what if they get free gifts! It just shows the good hearts of the people who give them…I hope they get LOTS more gifts and nice things..I believe that the people who seem to think Kate is bitch should watch little people….There’s Amy talking to Matt like a dog and only seems to be in a decent mood when they go on vacation..I feel sorry for Matt and think Amy is the bitch!!!!!That house is nasty, the kids disrespects and act like pigs, Amy looks and acts like a bulldog and what’s her excuse for the way she is?? It sure isen’t from all the hard work she does and the taking care of kids..At least Kate shows affection and she can sit with jon and laugh…Kate and Jon plus 8 keep rocking and keep up the good work work!!!!!!![/quote]
Yeah that is now I would like to see this in 10 years when all those kids are teens and mom kate is trying to control them. It should be interesting. I think the kids on Little People are teens and that is a whole different world. I feel more love in that house. I feel sometimes kate is just going through the motion and not enjoying it.
104. PRWins said:
January 2, 2008 @ 9:42 am
[quote comment="134772"]To the punk you know who you are!!!!!
I read all of it and I think you are a punk! Who cares you weirdo, let her go on TV why do you care so much!!!! You are a low class punk!!!! Get a life![/quote]
The word “punk” went out about 30 years ago.
But I think “MORON” is still in vogue. I think that fits you to a t. You can’t write. You obviously can’t grasp what you read. (Look up “running sentences.”)
Exactly WHAT is your problem? I don’t give a damn if she goes on tv. You talk about getting a life… yet you’re still commenting on something that was over and done with months ago.
Please go away.
105. Jenna Roberts said:
January 2, 2008 @ 10:34 am
The same could be said for you! You keep on coming don’t you! You are a punk and probably abusive if you ask me. Loser! If you don’t like it then stop reading my posts and get off the site you “moron.” Complete sentences, what am I writing an essay, get a life.
106. Jenna Roberts said:
January 2, 2008 @ 10:45 am
I think the P in your name stands for Punk!
107. Paulette said:
January 2, 2008 @ 12:31 pm
This is a site for comments and comments are basically opinions, which, in many cases, come off as judgemental. If you cannot be respectful of everyone’s opinion, regardless of whether it agrees with yours or not, then stay off.
And whatever is going on between Jenna and PRWIns - it has nothing to do with this site and none of us really care so please take it elsewhere.
108. Jenna Roberts said:
January 2, 2008 @ 12:48 pm
To Paulette,
Maybe you should have been standing up for the lady PR was picking on in the first place. She also is a mom with a lot of children(just like Kate), seven to be exact and that is what my posts have been concerning. I think he is a low life for having treated her badly when all she did was come on this site and post her opinions. Give me a break, are you offended the comments are not always nice and polite?Maybe you should go elsewhere.
109. Jenna Roberts said:
January 2, 2008 @ 12:53 pm
I just realized you are one of the posters bashing Kate. Sounds like the pot calling the kettle black don’t you think….
110. Paulette said:
January 2, 2008 @ 1:04 pm
I do not “bash” Kate. I do not subscribe to the type of parenting she practices in many cases.
I enjoy reading everyone’s opinion when they are well-presented and well-spoken and can admit that some of her supporters do make some excellent points. I feel she is doing more harm than good in the long run with alot of her obsessiveness and think (again, my opinion) that is evidenced by the behavior of her older twins.
I do not think that they seem as happy as some people on here think. I would LOVE to see a show that interviews other people that know them - say Jon’s co-workers or some of the cleaning people that she interviewed or that work for her. That would be interesting.
111. Sally said:
January 2, 2008 @ 2:56 pm
I agree that Kate works very hard trying to control everything for her family. She really needs to learn some self-control. The way she treats her husband is inexcusable. When she starts yelling at her husband, commanding him to “come here” or yelling HELLO-O-O across a crowded store at the top of her lungs to her husband when he is already doing what she asked him to do, and belittling him publicly during the Christmas shopping trip, she is furiously angry and having a real adult type temper tantrum. I wonder if all of them will want to be close to her when they are grown and have a choice of where and how to live. While she is cleaning her perfectly clean house, she needs to clean up her act. She excuses her actions as being because she is under too much stress. I think that she is causing unnecessary stress for all of them, especially Jon.
112. Kadi said:
January 2, 2008 @ 4:54 pm
PRWins:
I will be letting you all know when our episode airs, as soon as I get the info. Still waiting to hear, myself…
I’m not saying that we will give Jon and Kate a run for their money. We do not have close to the stress that they do. But I also do not have close to the help that she does. Our situation is very different and with one less kid.
I will neither bash nor commend Kate. Everyone is different, and television will show you however they deem most profitable. I’m not saying that Kate isn’t how she seems, however. I just don’t know her personally.
I do get ill at the way she talks to her husband, but I’m not a perfect wife either. I’ll keep you posted!
113. Jenna Roberts said:
January 2, 2008 @ 5:57 pm
Best wishes to you Kadi!
114. Preesi said:
January 2, 2008 @ 7:24 pm
Im gonna set it to you all straight…
Kate is a narcissist.
My mother is a narcissist.
Because I grew up with it and KNOW what its like.
I am KEEN to pick it up in others.
I am therefore TELLING YOU WITHOUT A SHADOW OF A DOUBT THAT KATE IS MENTALLY ILL.
KATE IS A NARCISSIST!
I am scared for those children!
STOP excusing Kates bad piggish narcissistic behavior!
She is sick in the head…
Read this, its Kate:
http://www.geocities.com/zpg1957/narcissists
All you women in here that say you are LIKE Kate?
Please seek therapy…
115. Lin said:
January 2, 2008 @ 9:33 pm
No, I disagree, that is not Kate and as a mother that raised 4 boys, 5 years apart, I know that Kate will mature right along with her kids and her relationship with her husband will also mellow and mature.
My family now is at a turning point, we are almost empty nesters, hubby and I now have time for a decent conversation with each other and we act almost human, but Lord help me, I can just imagine what our house would have looked like on a TV show when I had the tornado twins running wild! My last 2, not really twins, but were 10 months a part … those years when my boys were 2,3,5&7, right up until the youngest was 12 were wild… oh and don’t forget the puppy, she survived too and is now a senior at 15… LOL. Give Kate a break, she is doing what many of us have never had to do, so we can’t compare and she is doing the very best she can!
116. Star Humbles said:
January 3, 2008 @ 4:35 pm
I have been watching this show for a while now. I am a mother of 5 children all born within 7 years. My oldest son was 2 when my twins were born. It was very hard but not impossible. My last two came along when the twins were 4 and 5 1/2. I also helped raise 3 step-children all the same ages as my own five. So I did raise 8 the age range of 7 years apart. They are now ages 29-37. Plus there were always other children there.I still can manage having 4-5 grandchildren for the weekend just fine. My home was lively but not chaotic as Jon and Kates is. Their children are NOT well behaved and the twins are totally bratty most of the time. They pick on the “babies” who are now 3. They mouth off to Kate. You can tell that the crying is forced to gain attention. There is clearly a lack of individual attention. Yes, it CAN be done, I know. It is no wonder because she is teaching them well at mouthing off since she does it, too. They are clearly overwhelmed and in my opinion, they need the Nanny to come in and help Kate learn how to be a mother and not a control freak. Like most young couples today, they do not understand the concept of discipline and I don’t mean “time-out”. A disciplined lifestyle is not chaotic.I do not see this marriage lasting.
117. amysue said:
January 4, 2008 @ 3:42 am
It is a tv show people and for that it is good it is interesting and fun to watch. However, I question the Gosselins in their wants/needs they are unclear on which are which. I do not know what I would do if I were faced to feed eight children but I do know even if some one offers you something if it is excessive then just say thank you for the kindness but that is too much and I can not accept feed a homeless child with that money or donation.
118. amysue said:
January 4, 2008 @ 3:58 am
It is a tv show people and for that it is good it is interesting and fun to watch. However, I question the Gosselins in their wants/needs they are unclear on which are which. I do not know what I would do if I were faced to feed eight children but I do know even if some one offers you something if it is excessive then just say thank you for the kindness but that is too much and I can not accept feed a homeless child with that money or donation. Afterall the gift of giving is more Godly and to give another blessings is truly a Christian value. Not making a choice to have more kids than you could ever accomodate. Its not like this is just out of their control the are not born Black and have to deal with the prejudice issue they chose this life and it seems they chose to market it as a way to pay for it. I do not know what I would do but I heard see was awlful unappreciative on the show Home Delivery
119. Lovejonandkate+8 said:
January 4, 2008 @ 7:59 am
I would like to correct the original story about Jon and Kate. Kate did not have IVF she had IUI these are 2 completly different things. IVF is implating fertilized embryos. IUI is implanting only sperm. Usually the woman is given meds to increase the amount of eggs she produces but they would never know how many. This is how she had 8. She did not have 8 implanted or anything crazy like that. The chances of multiples are high but 8 is very unusual.
120. correcting the correction said:
January 4, 2008 @ 11:01 am
Yes, octuplets are extremely rare, I think only one case where all 8 survived is known to exist.
But Kate had sextuplets not octuplets. 6 + older twins = 8.