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 |
14,839 Responses to “Jon and Kate plus 8”
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13081. ambull said:
July 18, 2008 @ 3:05 pm
i know lillyann-
it’s so sad, but their a tough family…i don’t think these rumors will affect them too much
13082. Heather P said:
July 18, 2008 @ 3:16 pm
I know there have been several posts about how great Aunt Jodi is and all that, but if she did provide info that cast J&K in an unflattering light (which I am inferring from the message on J&K) how great can she be? I feel bad for them, even though ppl will say they chose to put themselves out there. I don’t think anybody knows how mean ppl can be until they are in the midst of the publicity, so while they may have thought they could handle it, I doubt they realized how intense the unwarranted scrunity would get.
13083. Lillyann said:
July 18, 2008 @ 3:28 pm
Heather,
You make some good points! I’ve about given up on trying to understand what motivates some people!
13084. ambull said:
July 18, 2008 @ 3:42 pm
mark my words…people that don’t like the show OR kate are going to have a HAY-DAY with her using the word “JEALOUS”…you know how they hate that word!!!
13085. ambull said:
July 18, 2008 @ 3:44 pm
sometimes you have to wonder why they dislike her or the show so much though???
13086. Heather P said:
July 18, 2008 @ 3:58 pm
Oh they will mince, dice, toss and skewer that comment until they about stroke out! LOL!
I have always wondered where the “intense dislike”
comes from????
13087. Patricia said:
July 18, 2008 @ 4:23 pm
Wow is all I can say about people. What gives people the right to be so critical. Yes Kate is a bit of a control freak, but how can you not be to manage 8 children that young. And of her treatment to Jon. I have a friend that is very like Kate and her husband is very like Jon. The animation of raising their voices is just part of who they are and is not a tone of anger. Frustration at times and just peer entertainment at others. When you don’t see the whole situation it can appear to be “angry” but is really not. I have heard my friend lisa on many occasions say something in that raised voice only to have her husband laugh and soon they both are. And lastly on her “self” time. She isn’t necessarily spending that friday while the kids are at Jodi’s on herself but more shopping for groceries, etc. And she has stated on several occasions that the hair coloring and whatnot is for Jon. And that she wouldn’t do it otherwise. Jon even takes her shopping for clothes. Just take one look at those children and how happy and balanced they are and one just knows that they are doing something right!!! I wish the best always to Jon and Kate and their wonderful family!!!
13088. GrandmafrmKs said:
July 18, 2008 @ 4:46 pm
Have you girls noticed that when clicking on, that it takes you directly to the page being commented on? does that make sence? hey now thats a plus, now if we can get beyond having to type in our address each time!!
Good Job IP Staff, Mr. Oz we knew you could fix us up.
13089. GrandmafrmKs said:
July 18, 2008 @ 4:49 pm
Hi Patricia, welcome to imperfect parent, well those of us who are imperfect, hope you enjoy this site, lots of lovely girls on here, As Hannah says “enjoy your self”
13090. Lillyann said:
July 18, 2008 @ 5:01 pm
Grandma
It is a BIG plus to be taken to the current page! Hats off to IP! I’m getting pretty fast at typing in my email addy every time too! LOL!
Welcome, Patricia! I see happy, loving kids as well!
13091. Jessica said:
July 18, 2008 @ 5:39 pm
We appreciate everyone’s patience.
13092. dot said:
July 18, 2008 @ 5:40 pm
GrandmafrKS, I didn’t call any names; you must have misunderstood.
I’m not under any bus, but if I were I’d probably be doing some mechanical repairs, LOL!
I love the idea of the NE article. That’s just the tip of the iceberg. Next, REPUTABLE media will follow this story up if there is any truth to it, and I believe there is.
I don’t see “happy loving kids”, as someone else said. I see sick Joel lying on the laundry room floor, I see Leah vomiting for attention, I see Mady having emotional fits on a regular basis, I see Aaden so overcome by discipline that he cannot speak, I see Alexis sleeping alone in a basement, I see 3 little boys in tears because they were denied their Birthday cupcake.
HAPPY KIDS. Right.
13093. Heather P said:
July 18, 2008 @ 5:48 pm
I have read some other (ie highly critical) sites that are saying they made the comment because of damage control which got me thinking…
I think it is a wonderful example of turning the other cheek, a great example of their Christian faith. I would have a very hard time not wanting to lash out and say mean things about the ppl talking about me. Way to take the high rode Gosselins!!
13094. iowafan said:
July 18, 2008 @ 6:12 pm
Just passing thu…
1) Hello and hope you’re having a good week.
2) Why on earth do some of you even WANT to believe the worst about this family??? (you know who you are)– What have they done that effects you this much? What is the force that drives you to seek out the negative? Yes, all opinions are welcome…..BUT some of the gossip and assumptions I read make a few of you seem like cynical females who REALLY need your hormone levels evaluated… Don’t you want to give them the benefit of the doubt?
I just don’t get it.
Bless you hearts….
13095. iowafan said:
July 18, 2008 @ 6:15 pm
I’m sorry–that should read “What have they done that AFFECTS you this much?” in my above post.
…must be grammatically correct..
13096. Heather P said:
July 18, 2008 @ 6:20 pm
Dot…
There are just snapshots
1. I have seen many kids over the years vomit when they get upset. Two out of my cousins 4 children have nervous stomaches. Their pediatrician said it was ok and it was there way of dealing with things.
2.Alexis woke up all the other children at all hours of the night. It is a fully finished & furnished basement, not a dungeon. I grew up sleeping in the basement, from the time I was 2 until I moved out. Loved it and loved the privacy.
3. I think we established that the cupcake episode was for show, not the real party. And I have denied my children things before..one even got sent to his room on Christmas Eve because he could not straighten out his attitude.
I could go on, but the point is there are two sides to everything
JMO… Small pictures of their day in no way indicates the whole thing and their are plenty of epis where the children are loving and laughing.
13097. Heather P said:
July 18, 2008 @ 6:22 pm
Wow…that had alot of typos…sorry, should have proof read it first.
13098. Lillyann said:
July 18, 2008 @ 6:22 pm
I am the someone that said I see happy/loving kids
Kids that freely show their love for each other and their parents
Kids giggling
Kids dancing
Kids being inquisitive
Kids that are empathetic
Kids playing and having fun
Kids being tender
Kids helping one another
Kids being silly
Kids just being kids!
Ok, I’ll stop now, LOL!
13099. ambull said:
July 18, 2008 @ 6:23 pm
dot-
do you have kids? did NONE of them ever act out…OR were they the perfect child and you the perfect mother???
13100. Lillyann said:
July 18, 2008 @ 6:28 pm
Waving, iowafan
13101. iowafan said:
July 18, 2008 @ 6:36 pm
Waving back Lil!
I wish I could be as kind as MO3 all the time, but after reading some of this crap….yikes!!
How’s Cali?
13102. GrandmafrmKs said:
July 18, 2008 @ 6:45 pm
Dot, first of all I am not the one who said at first about you being under the bus, that was your friend Patty,
2nd- if you believe any of this garbage is reputable, all I can say is you are one lucky women who has not been harmed by lies that the media put out there, In our families case concerning my dead sister their excuse was they mis printed, Bull S$$$! No they loed, can’t misprint that much stuff.
3rd, I had my son laying on the ground while I was doing laundry , and he was sick, but it was better than leaving him alone.
4th, if you read my earlier post you would see how I feel about not a basement but a nicely decorated family room, what is wrong with her sleeping there, it’s not all by her self, if she was an only child where would she be, my grandkids love sleeping in our family room alone.
5th, Leah vomiting is no worse than a child holging their breath until they pass out, The Dr said throw some could water on him every time he does and don’t give into him, he was a spoiled little kid and that was his way of scareing mommy into giving into him. Just as Leah does, when Kate told her don’t you do it, she did’nt,
6th Aaden being disciplined, oh my God none of those kids are disciplined enough, they are spoiled, and they are acting out b/c they want their way, and Kate is only one person, and I think she does a good job,
next, Mady, well Jon just needs to let her know who is boss and it sure is not her, he needs to do more than talk to her, she is sweet, but I have one just like her, and mommy and daddy just say (like Kate) with Kelsee you just never know, Well it pisses me off, they better be finding out, but she is so sweet, yeah, well why not she is in control.
Just one more thing, you see 3 little boys in tears, well guess what, evidently, they did’nt want the darn cake very badly or they would have eaten their dinner, and my kids done with out too, and they will say they don’t even remember that. These kids are not scard for life, where do you guys see that, it’s just wishful thinking on your part,
13103. ambull said:
July 18, 2008 @ 6:46 pm
iowafan-
i agree…i TRY to be nice (not that i’m that mean at all) but it’s hard when ppl talk such trash!
i give it up to heather too…she’s so friendly about things!!! you go girl
and MP3 is great too…of course momof3 is fabulous! 
i’m pretty sure momof3 will have a cow when she sees some of what has been discussed today though!!!
13104. ambull said:
July 18, 2008 @ 6:49 pm
momof3…where are you when we need you LOL
13105. GrandmafrmKs said:
July 18, 2008 @ 6:54 pm
Hi there Missy Elvis, how ya doing darlin,? You are so right about momof3, she will hold her tongue almost until it is yanked out, she is good at that. Love her to pieces.
Lil’ I love what you wrote about the kids, I have to agree with it all,
I do not see unhappy kids, only when they don’t get what they want, but heck we as adults act out worse than kids do, It’s all about being human, and flesh and bone.
Ambull, think you’ll get an answer to your question?
Good to see you girls on tonite, I think I spoke to soon about the page thingy, when I came on it took me way back again,
Elvis did you see how wacky this site was this morn? whew it was messed up.
13106. doodlebug said:
July 18, 2008 @ 6:59 pm
Hi, Ladies!
Long time no see!!!
Took a long break from the wackiness on the Internet surrounding the Gosselins. Too negative. Too much of the same old, same old.
Just when I decide it’s safe to come back … wackadoos have gotten the attention of the “media” (snarf).
Wanted to come back on real quickly to express my admiration for the Gosselins speaking out against the onslaught. Bravo Gosselins!
What little I saw of the NE article (eewww, cooties) seems to be regurgitation of “insider” information from certain “truth-seekers-concerned-about-the-lies-and-the-children” blogs.
Way to have credibilty on your side!
Yawn.
13107. GrandmafrmKs said:
July 18, 2008 @ 7:01 pm
Ambull, momof3 won’t have a cow, she will be dis-appointed that there is so much trash talk about those stupids links to other sites, I don’t think she ever reads them, maybe. But I’m sure most are tired of those links, like we can’t read the first 20 times they are posted.
And then some newbie on the forum started a new topic “A picture is worth a thousand words” Oh Lordy Be, I love the way mommax3 responded to that, Yawning and sleepy faces, soooooo cute.
But see again, guess that person just thought we should know about the negative, let some one say some thing positive about Kate, they won’t be posting that will they?
13108. Lillyann said:
July 18, 2008 @ 7:03 pm
iowafan
CA is fine…hot but not as hot as a couple of wks ago! It’s nice to see you passing through
Yeah, where is momof3, anyway??? I could use a dose of her kind heart, right about now!
Grandma, it didn’t take me back to the first page. Hmmmmmm! Try again and see what happens.
13109. Heather P said:
July 18, 2008 @ 7:06 pm
Ambull…Thanks for the compliment, you have a wonderful spin on things as well!
Grandma, your points as always are right on target!
13110. Mary Beth said:
July 18, 2008 @ 7:07 pm
I have been away all day and reading this I could not help but notice that there was basically nothing about the show discussed. All that was spoken about was the NE article, dislike for what other posters are saying and calling each other names.
Grow up ladies and let’s get back to discussing some of these episodes!!
Now….I will through this one out. Did anyone see that funny Aaden running around in Beth’s house with a beret on for days? Don’t you think his personality is hilarious with his being a different animal all the time, wearing hats, and those cute little glasses???