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 Analyst) 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
Read more at the Jon and Kate site at Examiner.com
Tags: Discovery-Health, Jon-and-Kate-plus-8, Jon-Gosselin, Kate-Gosselin, Parenting, sextuplets, The-Gosselins, TLC, twins |
23,267 Responses to “Jon and Kate plus 8”
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22831. mully
June 24, 2009 @ 8:20 am
LOL…I was just thinking to myself.
Im not exactly a shrinking violet when it comes to confronting situations and people when the time calls for it. Especially, if I believe I am right.
Id have trouble confronting Kate Gosselin!
22832. mully
June 24, 2009 @ 8:32 am
Lauren: 90 plus here in Ohio and high humidity.
Welcome to summer!
22833. Lauren
June 24, 2009 @ 8:38 am
Hey, Mully, I know how SummerFun explained the 2 year separation box that Kate checked for the divorce proceedings. Maybe I’m being dense, but how does a person get away with lying to the court in a legal proceeding? It could just be a standard thing that people do to use a loophole of sorts and get their divorce finalized quicker. Still, it seems like a judge would frown on the practice of deceit just to get what you want when you want it. What do you think?
22834. Lauren
June 24, 2009 @ 8:39 am
I guess I am being dense, because SummerFun said it has nothing to do with speeding up the process! I don’t understand . . .
22835. Kelly
June 24, 2009 @ 9:08 am
Ambull:
I agree with you 100%.
I don’t agree that Jon was the best father or that Kate was the worst!!! I believe that in the beginning they worked well as a team, and somewhere along the road that was lost. Everyone needs to realize that it takes 2 people to make or break a marriage. I am really sick of hearing “poor Jon”!! If he was that perfect father that “worked his fingers to the bone”, he would have though of his kids and made an effort to make the marriage work instead of taking the easy way out.
Mully:
I did see episodes where Jon dressed the kids, who washed the clothes, made the breakfasts, filled the bottles? Remember Jon quit his job to stay at home and help with the kids?
My hope is that Jon and Kate get some help to learn how communicate and work together raising their kids. They made the choice to become parents and that should be their first priority.
I found this blog by accident….I will find another site that isn’t Jon Gosslin’s fan club. While I find Kate at fault for the way she treated Jon, I find him at fault for not standing up for himself and for not communicating.
22836. Valerie
June 24, 2009 @ 9:11 am
Lauren, I don’t understand the divorce process either. Maybe Kate checked that box because they have lived together as man and wife (if you know what I mean) for two years and not that they actually were in different locations. However, any judge could then question why they renewed their vows during this past year. Oh, What a tangled web we weave!!!!!!
I also am having a hard time logging on here. It is extremely slow lately.
Mully, Don’t sell yourself short. If I had to pick someone to go up against Kate, you’d be a perfect candidate. LOL
22837. Valerie
June 24, 2009 @ 9:13 am
I meant haven’t. I really should read what I type before I hit submit.
Everytime I hit submit this morning, the screen goes blue. Geez
22838. PJ
June 24, 2009 @ 9:36 am
http://divorcesupport.about.com/od/celebritydivorce/a/jonandkatedivorce.htm
22839. SummerFun
June 24, 2009 @ 9:37 am
You got it! Perhaps I wasn’t clear enough when I explained it. A no-fault uncontested would be faster than a fault divorce that is filed on the grounds of indignities because if charges (fault divorce) are brought (”indignities”) they must be proven, which involves the testimony of witnesses.
However, if he decides to contest the divorce (contested no-fault), then it would take longer. My guess is that if she wants to get this done fast, she is hoping that he’s not going to contest it. What gets involved here is are the terms of the divorce settlement, and if neither party can agree, then it’s going to take a long time for the divorce to become finalized. In this case, then, a no-fault doesn’t necessarly speed up the process, but if uncontested, it would be faster than a contested no-fault of a fault divorce filed on grounds of indignities.
Does that make sense?
As far as checking both boxes, it was done so that in case it is contested, that she would be able to say that they lived separately and apart for two years, thus protecting herself. Separate and apart means that they have not lived together as man and wife for two years…NOT that they lived in separate households. Of course, how is one to prove that — it would be her word against his word.
I just found this…maybe it helps…
http://www.divorcemag.com/PA/
22840. NanaJan
June 24, 2009 @ 9:41 am
There seem to be differing opinions on who has been a better parent in this case. Let me sum it up:
They both stink as parents.
However, Jon put more physical labor into the care of the children.
Kate put more effort as a drill instructor into the care of the children.
See how simple that was? LOL
22841. Lauren
June 24, 2009 @ 9:49 am
Thanks, SummerFun. One more question: Would Kate have to prove to the court that they haven’t lived as man and wife for two years? For the last two years, they’ve said things like “we’re in this together,” and when asked about their “alone” time, they didn’t really answer, but said, “The kids do go to sleep.” So basically, she lies to the court, or she’s lied to the viewers (along with TLC) about her “realist reality show.” Seems like there would be serious repercussions either way. She’s damned if she does and damned if she doesn’t.
Aw, gee, Mully. . . we’ve all pretty much discussed it here and, well, if Kate ever comes around, we were going to push you out front! LOL (We’d have your back, of course)
22842. Stacey S_MOD
June 24, 2009 @ 9:54 am
First off I’d like to make a special request from all the ladies who have been enjoying summer….I have only seen the sun for like 3 days this month! It has rained EVERY SINGLE DAY for as long as I can remember & I’m going “bat shit crazy” in Massachusetts…. & with the exception of tomorrow (when I’ll be at work from 8-6) there is no end in sight!!!!
Secondly….I kind of agree with Ambull (Hi Ambull!!!)
I did feel for Kate on Monday night’s episode. We all know her actions more than likely have a great deal to do with Jon’s new attitude. He clearly got to his breaking point & he snapped….and I can’t say as I blame him. However, standing up for yourself does not mean you have to stand up & walk out. IF he had opened up months/years ago & communicated with Kate (which he himself as admitted he has a big problem with) they could have worked things out. Jon still seems to be on the pity party kick…he’s so wrapped up in what he’s missing out on. Kate is not the kind of person to admit fault…she has reasons, excuses, & justifications for all of her bad behavior….so I can see where it would be difficult to come to some sort of conflict resolution between the 2 of them….but I can’t believe they didn’t exhaust all the options before calling it quits.
Jon doesn’t appear to be upset at all. He even said…he’s excited (or something to that effect). He WAS the hands on doting dad….but now it seems like he’s all about him. Like I said in an earlier post….he has been caught making bad decision after bad decision & Kate has been caught…well…being Kate. It’s Jon that has changed….& not for the better. There is a middle ground between being a whipping boy & a selfish childish asshole & there is a middle ground between being an assertive organized person & a stark raving bitch…they seriously need to find it for the sake of those children!
I am truly sad for that whole family!
22843. Stacey S_MOD
June 24, 2009 @ 9:57 am
EXCELLENT article PJ…I couldn’t agree more!!! Thanks for sharing.
22844. Lauren
June 24, 2009 @ 10:03 am
It’s normal to feel pity for anyone in that situation. I just find both Jon and Kate to be insincere, so I’m having a problem finding any sympathy for either of them. They’ve been lying for so long.
In one of Kate’s interviews, she was defending herself when asked if she had pushed Jon towards this decision. (I think it was about a month ago, after the “Babe” scandal). Kate said no, she did not push him, “we are all responsible for our own actions.” My mind immediately went back to the old episode (Most Embarrassing Moments) where Kate stated that nothing was her fault, it was Jon’s fault that she reacted or acted the way she did. If Jon would only help her . . . “nobody helps me!”
So, I don’t believe that Kates takes any responsibility for her actions, but she will damn sure make certain that Jon pays for his.
22845. PJ
June 24, 2009 @ 10:04 am
http://www.pottsmerc.com/articles/2009/06/24/news/srv0000005671307.txt
22846. SummerFun
June 24, 2009 @ 10:09 am
If he contests it and she checked that box, then, yes, she would have to prove it. That’s what gets sticky (plus embarrassing). They renewed their wedding vows. They pledged their love, and I would expect that to mean they vowed to live together as man and wife. It’s on tape. A judge is going to say, “you renewed your vows and you both promised to be together forever, celebrated the renewed union, and didn’t co-habit with your spouse?” She will have to prove that they didn’t live together as man and wife, and he will have to prove that they did. Too bad they didn’t film that part of their marriage! It’s about the ONLY part that wasn’t caught on tape for the world to see.
I’ve been saying this all along — she doesn’t have the intelligence of foresight to look into the future when she weaves her lies, not being able to see the consequences of her actions and her words.
Of course, she would be able to point to the “you are not allowed in Mommy and Daddy’s room under penalty of severeness” to prove that the REASON the kids weren’t allowed there was not out of privacy for the parents, but because Daddy wasn’t sleeping there. That’s on tape, and it could go in her favor.
22847. ambull
June 24, 2009 @ 10:09 am
Kelly, agreed too…I just don’t see him putting forth an effort, unless it was off camera. I tend to think we have a pretty good idea of what went on though b/c it was played out for us.
Mully, yes, I would have a hard time confronting her too…but as a husband he should have stepped up…FOR THE KIDS and his marriage. I just think he’s thinking of himself a little too much right now. I just hate to see people take the easy way out. Marriage is such HARD work, mine isn’t peaches and cream at this moment and that’s maybe why I have a personal interest in this?! My hubs and I try so hard to communicate what we’re feeling so we are both VERY clear about things. We love each other so much and we made sacred vows, and so we are willing to put forth the extra effort. I know everyone is different, this is just my opinion on it.
I know how much everyone really despises Kate, but this is a tender situation and I think she is genuinely hurt…any fault of her own, yes most likely but it doesn’t take away from the fact that she’s been hurt by Jon’s indiscretions.
I’m still very shocked that they’re not cancelling the show. It’s hard enough for those kids to suffer through a divorce, but then to televise it…DISGUSTING!!! Words fail me about it really…
22848. PJ
June 24, 2009 @ 10:11 am
This is one of the attorneys dealing with the divorce that was mentioned in one of the articles I have sent past two entries. I think I know who retained this one….
http://www.hangley.com/attorneys/bios/Cheryl_Young
22849. ambull
June 24, 2009 @ 10:14 am
HI STACEY!!!!
Sure have missed chatting with you…hope you’re doing fabulous!!!
22850. SummerFun
June 24, 2009 @ 10:14 am
You don’t know Kate — there is no need to feel for her, believe me!
What is with these Greek letters? Are you seeing them, or is it just me? It’s really difficult to read the posts. They are not in all of the posts, just some of them. Did I spend too much time in Tarpon Springs?
I think that many men would be excited to have been released (after ten years) from the claws of a controlling, domineering woman. I would imagine it’s like a breath of fresh air to be a freed slave.
22851. SummerFun
June 24, 2009 @ 10:18 am
She’s in control, and the show is a money-maker for TLC. She wants the money and the freebies — they want the profits. Neither one of them cares about the children, which is really disgusting morally, ethically, and whatever way you look at it.
At least all of the memories of this whole fiasco will be on tape for the children. When they write their tell-all books, they’ll have documentation of the fact that they had no childhood. That’s what it’s all about — the memories and life experiences. The kids really have that now, except I’m not sure these are the memories or life experiences that Kate planned at the onset.
22852. Debbie M.
June 24, 2009 @ 10:19 am
Sometimes when things are going on we don’t realize who we are hurting sometimes it’s not only the person we love the most in our lives but, sometimes it’s ourselves. Though we just don’t take the time to take a step back and see what we are really doing until it’s to late. The pain and heartache that the children are going to go through because of two adults stupid immature behavior could have been avoided. I truely believe that with alot of faith in God and intensive family therapy they still could have a chance and could make things work. Both of them need to step back and take a look at the choices they each have made and do what’s best and I don’t think it’s over yet. There is alot of growing up that both of them need to do.
22853. Stacey S_MOD
June 24, 2009 @ 10:22 am
I do see the weird characters…I have NO idea what that’s all about!
I don’t “know” Kate….& it wouldn’t surprise me to find out after the fact that we’re all being duped once again….but I saw emotion from her & it pulled me a little…from Jon I saw nothing….nothing at all….regardless of whose fault it was or how they got here….one should be saddened…at the very least ambivalent at the end of a 10 year marriage…it’s still a loss.It just looked as though he could give a rats ass.
I miss you too Ambull….so glad to see you!
22854. ambull
June 24, 2009 @ 10:25 am
Summerfun…
She isn’t the devil reincarnated. I understand you “know” of her b/c of where you are geographically located, but like I said before divorce HURTS no matter who you are…with all due respect, have a heart. He was deceptive with her and that was wrong, I don’t care what she did in their marriage. She’s type A, she’s narcassistic, she’s anal, she’s bitchy, she’s rude….she’s human and she’s not you or I. I don’t agree with her ways and furthermore I don’t respect her all that much, but to condone a man to be released from being a slave by easily giving up and divorcing his wife with 8 children just boggles my mind…JMO.
And, yes, some words are coming through Greek like…wierd!
22855. PJ
June 24, 2009 @ 10:28 am
This might take some of the mystery out of what is legal or not concerning their divorce..
http://www.divorcelawinfo.com/PA/padivexpln.htm
22856. SummerFun
June 24, 2009 @ 10:31 am
In order to make things work, one must WANT things to work. Why put the effort into something if it’s not part of the Grand Plan? Jon has done his duty in procreating, and he served his purpose. I would believe that a narcissist’s mind is a complicated one. Don’t get me wrong — I don’t believe he is blameless. I think both of them are immature non-parent material, but I do think that he finally had enough of it, stepped up to the plate and said that it ends here and now. Make things work? They “renewed” their vows and she promised to be patient, loving, tolerant (not exact words, but sentiments the same). It was a farce! He knew it, she knew it and now the public knows it. Fool me once, shame on me…
She’s a good actress — she’s been hanging on the Hollywood scene and has picked up a few tips. Like I said, if you knew her!
22857. Stacey S_MOD
June 24, 2009 @ 10:34 am
Well Summer….maybe you’re right…I guess I’m just a softy & I can’t help what I feel.
I will say this though…I’m glad I don’t “know” Kate Gosselin!
22858. PJ
June 24, 2009 @ 11:15 am
Hi Stacey S!!!!!!, sorry for the delay in reply!!! Your welcome!!
Hi Lauren!!!!! good to see you!!!
22859. PJ
June 24, 2009 @ 11:36 am
http://www.starmagazine.com/kate_gosselin_custody_divorce_lawyer/news/15754
22860. Valerie
June 24, 2009 @ 11:53 am
Call me jaded, but Kate is right where she wants to be. The whole teary eyed performance was just that - a performance. Who in their right mind would feel the need to sit on the couch and go into such personal matters on national TV. The only reason either one did it was because “the show must go on”. Without the show, Kate’s career would be down the tube and both of them would have to give up the high life they find so all important.
Right now, both of them disgust me. I wonder how they are explaining all this to the kids. Mommy and Daddy are not going to live together anymore. Mommy and Daddy are not going to be married anymore even though we just renewed our vows and promised to be together forever. Mommy and Daddy still love you and we promise that we always will. But guess what kids, The Show Must Go On. So, when Mommy is home the cameras will still follow you around and when Daddy is here, the cameras will still follow you around.