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 |
19,245 Responses to “Jon and Kate plus 8”
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18421. mully said:
December 3, 2008 @ 7:46 pm
LOL @ SheRO…Im sorry things got out of hand on the other blog. It just irritates me to no end when people cant read whats right before their eyes and then they twist and turn what was actually said into something that wasnt meant or intended at all.
18422. sallygoodun said:
December 3, 2008 @ 7:57 pm
Charlene, thanks for knowing what I meant.
Valerie, thank you also. I had read your blogs and Charlene’s also and thought that you both covered it well and I did not need to try to explain but then further on someone else wrote that I was unfairly criticizing a child in my blog or something like that, so I felt that I needed to say something in my defense.
It kind of reminds me of the game gossip, or telephone, where the kids sit in a circle and whisper something to the next person, then when it gets around back to the first person, whatever was whispered has changed into something completely different. Oh well, I think I will just watch from now on, or not. I really like to see the new episodes to see how the kids are doing.
I am so sorry for those that have lost loved ones, especially now during the holidays. It is so sad and takes so long to not hurt so much.
18423. CarolAnn said:
December 3, 2008 @ 8:52 pm
I got that word from watching “The Steve Harvey Show” Mully!! Cracked me up
Hey all, please say a prayer for my nephew tonight, he is going in tomorrow to find out what they are going to do about his cancer, he just told us that he has a knot on his spine too.
For anyone who doesn’t know what I’m talking about…my nephew has oral cancer…it’s on his tongue/throat..and now who knows where. I’m trying to be strong for his mother (my sis) but I grew up with this nephew and it’s sooooooooooo hard.
18424. Mismis12 said:
December 3, 2008 @ 9:22 pm
Maybe not… but funny
Sorry for misunderstanding Sally… thats just the way I interpreted it…
18425. luvs2sun said:
December 3, 2008 @ 9:31 pm
CarolAnn - Special prayers for your nephew!!! A friend of mine was telling me just the other day that her college roommates daughter who is only 26 has tongue cancer. I just can’t imagine how awful that must be. We are all praying for your nephew CarolAnn - remember “power in numbers!” Also….. I want you to try and blockquote, I want to see if it works for you!!!!
Sally - Don’t worry about how your post was taken the wrong way, certain posters try and find fault just to stir things up. Everyone who can think for themselves knew exactly what you were saying. Don’t apologize.
If Hannah is in fact “chubbier” than her siblings, I think it is a good thing. The pediatrician always told me that kids that age lose weight quickly when they get sick and it’s best to have some “reserve”. If you think about how Hannah looked as a newborn with tubes sticking out of everywhere, she has come a long way. She is a gorgeous little girl as are all the kids. I think Hannah looks a lot like Kate. Kate said in the book that she has a special bond with Hannah because she was the first to come home, right?
After seeing those babies as newborns, how could Kate even utter to Joel “I don’t even want to hear you breathe?” I wonder if she thinks before she opens her mouth.
18426. Stacey S_MOD said:
December 3, 2008 @ 9:36 pm
I’m doing very well thank you! How are you?
18427. momof3_ipmod said:
December 3, 2008 @ 9:45 pm
CarolAnn, I will definately keep you and your family in my prayers! I hope everything goes well. ((hugs))
Ambull, GREAT to see you back!
Luvs, hope you feel better soon!
Stacey, (waving like crazy!) I miss ya girl! I tried calling you earlier! Hope you’re doin great!
18428. mully said:
December 3, 2008 @ 9:49 pm
Wow. It amazes me over and over again how on this blog, no matter how much mudslinging there might be, we can still find a way to take care of each other and each other’s needs.
CarolAnn: Your nephew will be remembered tonight in my prayers.
Its funny in a way. I was taught as a young child by the nasty nuns to say my night prayers every night. I think I believed them, because not a night goes by that I dont do it. Some nights more than others, but I always try to say a few words to kinda sum up the day and thank God for a chance at another one tomorrow.
Take care of your sis and yourself CarolAnn.
18429. luvs2sun said:
December 3, 2008 @ 10:00 pm
Absolutely Mully! I really wish I would win the lottery (I guess I should play if I want to win) and I would take us all on a crazy cruise! I wouldn’t mind spending time with you ladies, it would be so much fun!
Thanks for all the well wishes, I was getting really nervous with the chest pains. You know I lost my girlfriend earlier this year. She complained of chest pains and by the time her boyfriend came home she was hunched over the computer, dead from a heart attack. She was 50 years old! It was so sudden.
I had an EKG in the dr’s office today and everything was fine, I probably pulled a muscle coughing too hard.
18430. Mismis12 said:
December 3, 2008 @ 11:07 pm
I wonder what “certain” posters your talking about here… unbelievable… practice what you preach… maybe others will take the hint
18431. *Jan* said:
December 3, 2008 @ 11:15 pm
Mully thinks she can hide from me.
Hehehe
Better give up now, Mully.
Jan follows the sound of snoring.
18432. *Jan* said:
December 3, 2008 @ 11:28 pm
CarolAnn —Praying for a complete recovery for your nephew.
Val—I got the cupcake hat pattern on line. It’s a knitted winter hat and it’s golden brown on the band that would be pulled down to cover the little kid’s ears. Then above that, the pale pink yarn has a rippled effect, which is where the edge of the cupcake would be. The pink is, of course, the frosting. Then the pattern suggests a red pom pom on top as the cherry. I also bought some sparkly beads to sew atop the frosting, so it will look like “sprinkles”. I think I will be knitting this at night on my vacay.
18433. Stacey S_MOD said:
December 3, 2008 @ 11:50 pm
CarolAnn,
My thoughts are wth you & yours!
18434. luvs2sun said:
December 4, 2008 @ 12:41 am
Jan - That sounds cute, is that for Markie?
18435. mully said:
December 4, 2008 @ 1:49 am
I figure its late enough now that I CAN hide from now cos I hear her over there in the corner snoring away.
Teehehehe!
18436. mully said:
December 4, 2008 @ 1:53 am
Its so late I even forgot to type Jan’s name in the above comment.
Go to bed Mully!
18437. carminn said:
December 4, 2008 @ 4:55 am
hey all carminn here from western australia, just found this blog site by accident don’t know what the fight was over but there r more imortant things in life to worry about, goodluck to the lady with the ill nephew, i work with clients with disabilities and c their hardshis all the best, and can i have the cupcake hat aswell pls that sounds awesome cheers all merry christmas…
18438. *Jan* said:
December 4, 2008 @ 10:01 am
Luvs — The hat will be for little sister, Taylor, who just turned 5. Markie is 7 and in second grade. The hats I maded for him have footballs, etc…on them…LOL
18439. *Jan* said:
December 4, 2008 @ 10:03 am
LOL Look — a new word: “maded” LOL
18440. Valerie said:
December 4, 2008 @ 2:28 pm
CarolAnn, Thoughts and prayers are still with you.
Stacey, I’m fine. Hope all of your problems are slipping away. I can’t remember who was sick, but my thoughts and prayers are still with you also.
Jan, The hat sounds adorable. Too bad that I can’t knit. I should have paid attention when my Mom tried to teach me years ago. Sounds like a relaxing hobby.
Luvs, Feel better soon. A friend of mine just got over bronchitis. It took two weeks. Take your meds and RELAX.
18441. CarolAnn said:
December 4, 2008 @ 2:37 pm
Ya’ll are the bestest! Thanks for the prayers and support, he will be going in Jan 12 for surgery/radiation to follow.
But we “maded” it through LOL (using Jans new word!)
Well has anyone started holiday baking yet? I’ve got to make about 200 cookie dough truffles next week and I’m tired already.
18442. Valerie said:
December 4, 2008 @ 3:04 pm
Stacey, I need your HELP. I registered in the Community because Summer mentioned that she wanted to PM me. However, everytime I put my username and password in, the same screen pops up asking for my username and password. What am I doing wrong.
18443. Stacey S_MOD said:
December 4, 2008 @ 3:05 pm
You know….I don’t think it matters all that much what is said on the blogs….I don’t think J&K are going anywhere anytime soon…I am seeing them in the “main stream” media everywhere now!
This was a link I saw on the MSN homepage today!
http://a-list.msn.com/default.aspx?cp-searchtext=Jon&20and&20Kate
18444. Valerie said:
December 4, 2008 @ 3:22 pm
Stacey, Never mind. I tried again and this time it worked.
Summer, if you still have something to share with me, I registered and my username is Valerie.
18445. Stacey S_MOD said:
December 4, 2008 @ 3:42 pm
Sorry Valerie, I just saw your post. I’m glad it all worked out for you.
18446. Mismis12 said:
December 4, 2008 @ 4:00 pm
I completely agree… they are all over now and not just on TLC…
18447. Valerie said:
December 4, 2008 @ 5:20 pm
CarolAnn, Glad you (maded )it through today. Glad the surgery is after the holidays. I hope you all can have a peaceful, happy holiday.
Holiday Baking?????? I can’t even think about it right now.
I just can’t seem to get that Christmas spirit yet. I guess working in retail for so many years has really taken its toll. I’ve been seeing holiday decorations and hearing Christmas music since early October. I already started working extended hours and I’m usually totally exhausted by the time Christmas rolls around. I usually don’t even put up the tree till a couple of weeks before.
Maybe it’s because my B’day is the same day and it all just blends together.
Why so many truffles? They sound so good. Any left over send my way.
18448. Sassa Frass said:
December 4, 2008 @ 5:34 pm
Hi guys. Long time no see.
I have a question. I was watching some of the older episodes (like the ones from last season and the one before) and noticed that Kate looks much better these days.
Do you guys think she has make up and hair before the shoots? It looks that way to me.
Maybe its just her hair style that i like better or something. It reminds me of the transformations of the people on American Idol. Once they make it to the top 12, they have their own stylist, make up, wardrobe etc.
Kates looking good. I used to love her so much and i still like her. I just think she acts like a “celebrity” now. She’s just a “mom” with a reality show IMO. I really think it’s going to she and Jon’s head.
18449. *Jan* said:
December 4, 2008 @ 6:24 pm
Yes, everyone is made up for television, so I’m sure they do the same. ALso, before appearing on some program, like a morning program, their staff makes the people up.
Glad you like her hair. It has become quite notorious. LOL
18450. CarolAnn said:
December 4, 2008 @ 6:47 pm
Valerie thanks for the good words! I make so many truffles because I make goody boxes for my daughters workplace. In the past I’ve made dozens of different kinds of candy/cookies but they all love the truffles the best..go figure! They also love the red velvet cakes too, so I make “mini” ones.
LOL at Kates hair, my sister says Kates hair drives her crazy!