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.
———————————-
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 |
17,825 Responses to “Jon and Kate plus 8”
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241. Carrie Anne said:
January 21, 2008 @ 9:36 am
I never thought that mabye the twins friends’ would be watching the show but you are right Sally. How horrible would it have been when you were a kid to know that your whole life is on TV–and then you go to school and possibly get teased for it? I think Maddy acts a LOT like Kate–and that is why half the time she is perceived as nasty and an all around brat! I have to say, Kate is nasty and pretty much a brat too! She seems to always get what SHE wants–by saying nasty things, hitting, and throwing what I would call an adult tempertantrum sometimes! What was the deal when they went to pick out the beds? Why did they ALL have to go? Do you think that the kids know they went to get their beds? No–and the one poor kid was constipated and crying and she didn’t put down the brochure for one minute as she absently rubbed his back when he climbed on her. You could tell she was so annyoned that she was being bothered. I don’t think the kids had to be present when they purchased the beds–it would be enough that they saw them delivered and set up, etc.
I just feel sorry for all the kids because they don’t get a lot of time with the parents. I never see either one of them sitting and playing with them or even reading a book!! It’s always rush rush rush it seems like. Maybe everything will change once they are ALL in school but who knows. It could get worse because the more “popular” this family becomes, the more teasing, etc. those kids will have to endure because of it. Judging from articles I have read that are based in PA, it seems like plenty of people aren’t too fond of this family to begin with, so to continue on this path it might not be in their best interest.
242. momofmultiples said:
January 21, 2008 @ 8:45 pm
There were so many comments, I didn’t read thru them all…..so basically this is to anyone who DOES NOT have multiples. I don’t mean more than one child I mean twins, triplets etc…
Having multilpes myself you cannot begin to understand the need for organization, it takes over your life! Staying at home all day and being the main caregiver you just get set in your way and anyone who tries to help just ends up getting in they way. So I can definetely understand Kate’s remarks to Jon, deep down we love our husbands or we wouldn’t have embarked on this journey with them. But sometimes as much as we want and need the help, it just comes out the wrong way! I love this show and I love Jon & Kate, because it truly shows that parenting is the hardest job you’ll ever have!
243. momofmultiples said:
January 21, 2008 @ 8:55 pm
Question for Mary in #238, you mentioned “Kate’s website”….can you tell me where to find that?
Thanks
244. Paulette said:
January 21, 2008 @ 10:07 pm
to momofmultiples - the website is http://www.sixgosselins.com
There is another forum you can link to that was started when the show was also on the Discover channel.
245. jenna roberts said:
January 21, 2008 @ 11:36 pm
The shows are 30 minutes each. I am not sure how any one viewer can adequately assess this family and its “disfunctions” when you are only seeing a tiny part of their life together. As with any television show or news related excerpt you will be shown the side they want you to see. The producers must know what they are doing because look at all of us who continue to come back!
246. Shyla said:
January 22, 2008 @ 5:44 am
[quote comment="138189"]Sounds to me like Shyla might really be Kate in disguise, denying that Jon might really like to get out of the house ASAP. In my opinion anyone in their right mind would. His wife is almost completely lacking in patience. Even if he left her, he would never be free of her because some of the children have already picked up a lot of her ways. As for Jon sounding spiteful, impatient and even ugly, I think he picked it up from Kate. I think he is basically a easy-going even-tempered guy, or maybe someone with enough manners to respect other’s rights, even if they are children. I cannot stand to be around people who do not even try to spare others’ feelings at least some of the time. It is interesting to watch this play out. I notice that Maddy sounds happier this season. Maybe Kate is learning something after all. I have not been a perfect parent myself, but I have always disliked people who automatically assume that everything they do or say is the correct way and even the only acceptable way. It is such a selfish, narrow-minded, inflexible, undesirable personality trait.[/quote]
And Sally - look at you, insulting someone (actually two people, Kate and I both!) you don’t even know.
Since you obviously don’t like Kate very much and THEN go on to say that you think I am her twin… I assume that is a backhanded insult toward ME?
I think the narrowmindedness of your words speaks volumes all for itself. Good luck with that.
I refrain from arguing too much about Jon and Kate online, because I have yet to find enough mature people. And the post that I have just quoted proves it, tenfold.
And plus - I’m not going to spend hours on end debating over a reality show that I know darn good and well has been sliced and filtered a thousand different ways by professional editors.
Kate has her OCD-ish problems and control freak issues, definitely. And do you think the show doesn’t milk that for all it’s worth? You bet they do.
247. Paulette said:
January 22, 2008 @ 7:22 am
I don’t spend much time posting anymore either, Shyla.
Kate’s whining has gotten her pretty much everything she wants.
She now has Jodi taking the kids one morning a week, a nanny there 2 mornings a week AND Jon has a new job that gets him home to complete his “list” for her by 3 every afternoon.
So, she has them 2 mornings a week and afternoons when they most likely nap.
And weekends when Jon is also home.
For her to complain so much about stress and continue to do this TV show I think shows where her priorities are. I no longer pity Jon, either. He is just as responsible as she is for allowing the show to continue and even though I think Kate’s “issues” are hurting her kids, I think that this TV show is going to be the thing that is most destructive to them in the long run.
Just a quick jab at her - did anyone notice last night when Jon came home from work and put a notepad or folder or something on the kitchen counter - she never even took a breath - It was “Glad you are home don’t put that on the counter.”
And I was so annoyed when she squeezed his cheeks and pretended he was saying what she wanted him to say.
That was probably something Jon would have preferred was edited out.
248. momofmultiples said:
January 22, 2008 @ 11:11 am
Thanks, Paulette!
249. Preesi said:
January 22, 2008 @ 11:40 am
[quote comment="138291"]Staying at home all day and being the main caregiver you just get set in your way and anyone who tries to help just ends up getting in they way. So I can definetely understand Kate’s remarks to Jon, deep down we love our husbands or we wouldn’t have embarked on this journey with them.[/quote]
I cannot believe all you WOMEN who are CONDONING abuse!
Lemme ask you THIS:
“If Jon was YOUR son, would you be pissed off and outraged at the way Kate treats him?”
Kate is mean, nasty, abusive and UNAPOLOGETIC.
You never see her say “Im sorry” EVER!
250. momofmultiples said:
January 22, 2008 @ 11:54 am
Like I said, Preesi, my message was directed to those of us with multiples. Having more than 1 child demanding the same thing at the same time is completely overwhelming and like Kate’s says “it doesn’t always bring out the best in us”. Jon is a big boy and doesn’t seem to hate his wife like everyone is implying he should.
251. Preesi said:
January 22, 2008 @ 5:19 pm
[quote comment="138430"]Like I said, Preesi, my message was directed to those of us with multiples. Having more than 1 child demanding the same thing at the same time is completely overwhelming and like Kate’s says “it doesn’t always bring out the best in us”. Jon is a big boy and doesn’t seem to hate his wife like everyone is implying he should.[/quote]
Momofmultiples?
Your argument MIGHT be valid IF:
1) *IF* She was ONLY abusive towards him when it was a hectic day and they were doing something with the kids together.
2)*IF* They didnt have a Nanny, Laundry service, Jodi taking them each Friday, 3 other Babysitters (Beth, Joan and Janet), free tummy tucks, free trips, a million $ contract with Discovery Health, A $350,000.00 house on one $50k salary (say free house) etc.
3) *IF* It was 1802 and they lived on the Prarie…
The fact is, is that Kate is rude AND abusive to Jon ON camera, during NON stressful situations when they are just sitting there talking to the producer.
She is MEAN to him when he is goodnaturedly JOKING with her ( “You are not my Daddy” “Your name is Jon!”) She has a sick NEED to put him in his place!
Last night I witnessed her SLAP him and treat him like a 5 yr old!
I could UNDERSTAND if she did it once in awhile DURING a stressful situation, but she does it all the time and the most telling thing of all is that you never hear, IM SORRY!
YOU Never hear the Dilleys, or Duggars or any of the other parents of multiples do it…
Just Kate…
And most of Kates Stress is caused by HER in her own mind…
Kate actually doesnt do much all day..
Jon gets the twins off to school.
Their house was free, the IKEA furniture was free, They secretly have laundry service,free trips, free Gap Clothes, free Juicy Juice, Free nanny service. Babysitters galore, and other perks for being on tv…
Not much stress there!
So what does Kate actually do?
mops the floor 3 times a day, and cooks organic from scratch and takes care of her kids that she conned 2 drs to give her fertility drugs early to make…
HER OWN MOM said Kate always wanted twins.
She WANTED THESE KIDS…
Dont complain or be nasty to Jon if she did…
NO EXCUSES!
252. Shyla said:
January 22, 2008 @ 5:22 pm
I never tried to say Kate was perfect. If you look at her, she is not the average mother. She is very precise. And in this day and age of processed foods and McDonald’s on every corner in America, I deeply admire she and Jon’s dedication to organic nutrition for their kids, and how efficiently Kate manages her household.
But she is very OCD-ish, no doubt. Like when they were carving pumpkins and she freaked out and had to clean up right away. That’s not normal.
But notice something — does this behavior seem to make her happy? No, it doesn’t. You can see her frustration and tiredness. She brings a lot of the stress of raising this family on herself, no doubt. But it’s not something she can easily help. We all have our faults.
I’m just saying in my previous posts, that Jon is hardly perfect himself. And that whinyness of Mady’s? That really whiny/victim thing she does sometimes? That is Jon to a TEE, in my opinion. haha.
People who think Jon is never annoying, never gets into moods of his own, and NEVER instigates tifts needs a BIG-TIME reality check. There are a number of episodes where he is almost like a ninth child.
I’ve stopped chatting with people, because some of them are just ridiculously unreasonable when it comes to Kate. Even when she makes jokes, which she often does (and are very funny!), they are completely overlooked. In fact, some people even go so far as to pretend they didn’t know it was a joke, and take her seriously… just to keep complaining. It’s so immature. They’ve already got her pegged as the wicked witch of the west, no matter what she does or says.
Some of these viewers are just pathetic. Because based on how they talk of Kate online, you would think that if they really thought she was such an abusive wife and mother, they would be reporting her to social services somewhere in Pennsylvania….. NOT voyeristically watching the show every single week while they shovel in popcorn.
253. Paulette said:
January 22, 2008 @ 5:52 pm
Shyla -
Then, I’ll ask the question one more time - if she is so stressed and her own behavior is what is causing alot of her frustration - WHY DO THIS SHOW?
And, Jon is like a ninth child because that is how Kate treats him.
Last night, she was so perturbed with the eye doctor because the appointments took longer than SHE thought they should. Can she not just appreciate that the eye doctor is doing a thorough job and not question him?
And, I was disappointed that we missed the first poop picture ceremony for the boys. I guess it was decided that just the girls needed to be traumatized by that image for life.
I have no doubt Kate took the pictures, but the producers said enough is enough - this is just freaky and we’re sorry we aired it the first time.
254. Preesi said:
January 22, 2008 @ 5:54 pm
[quote comment="138487"]I never tried to say Kate was perfect. If you look at her, she is not the average mother. She is very precise. And in this day and age of processed foods and McDonald’s on every corner in America, I deeply admire she and Jon’s dedication to organic nutrition for their kids, and how efficiently Kate manages her household.[/quote]
JON isnt the one doing Organic… Kate is.
Jon has no say in life…Its all what Kate wants.
Then she gets to play the martyr about everything shes done for them, and make them feel guilty and emotionally blackmail them with her hard work every chance she gets…
[quote]I’m just saying in my previous posts, that Jon is hardly perfect himself. And that whinyness of Mady’s? That really whiny/victim thing she does sometimes? That is Jon to a TEE, in my opinion. haha.[/quote]
Mady is never paid attention to…She is SCREAMING FOR ATTENTION. Instead she gets shunned and labeled a whiner…
Really truly you need to know psychology to SEE whats truly happening…
Kate is a narcissist, plain and simple.
[quote]People who think Jon is never annoying, never gets into moods of his own, and NEVER instigates tifts needs a BIG-TIME reality check. There are a number of episodes where he is almost like a ninth child.[/quote]
Ohhhh, I get it.
Housewives who are mistreated by their own hubbies LOVE Kate… That is what clouds their thinking…
255. Preesi said:
January 22, 2008 @ 6:04 pm
[quote comment="138490"]
And, I was disappointed that we missed the first poop picture ceremony for the boys. I guess it was decided that just the girls needed to be traumatized by that image for life.
[/quote]
Thats exactly why she did it…To use against then later…
256. Paulette said:
January 22, 2008 @ 6:16 pm
I’m with you on that, Preesi.
I was also raised by a narcissist and if you have read my previous posts, I have stated my family background and that I am now an elementary school psychologist.
My mother is still alive and involved in my life.
She has mellowed a great deal, mostly because she knows I figured her out long ago.
She still tries her tricks once in awhile, though.
257. Carina the Lawyer said:
January 22, 2008 @ 7:28 pm
What is truly interesting though is how Kate [who i like] seems to be married to Beth and her family. My Godness, how much more could the Gosselins depend on Beth & Bob. But how obvious that Beth’s daughter Tiffany got the job of being a nannie for nannies4hire by Kate! Also, do you ladies recall last episode where Jon mentioned that he was looking to change his job and Kate said that she hates change and that Jon had been thinking about this opportunity for some time… well go figure he’s now working for Beth’s husband. Wow… i honestly wonder how long this friendship is going to last I find it odd though how quickly these 2 became bestfriends… one would have expected Kate and Beth to know eachother all their lives, because of how close they are. And honestly, Kte does not seem to be too fond of Jodi and her kids [except for the baby boy]. And i like how someone n a previous comment said that the family gets free “juicy juice”… yeah how obvious was that yesterday They made sure to show the juice bottle and say its name in both episodes. Honestly, i also think that Mady is nice to Baby Ben, because did you ladies notice how when he fell on his butt and began crying Mady looked at Jodi Mady had on such a scared face… meaning that Jodi probably disciplined Mady on how to treat her baby and that’s why Mady is so nice to her cousin. Also, how many kids does Jodi have: 4. Damn, those PA ppl sure like having lots of kids!!!
258. ANN-MARIE said:
January 22, 2008 @ 7:29 pm
This show is becoming too nauseating to watch–surely there could be other programming than watching little kids being potty trained. It’s time the network gets some new and more informational programming on-instead of airing something that shows the exploitation of kids for money.
259. momofmultiples said:
January 22, 2008 @ 8:03 pm
Preesi said:
YOU Never hear the Dilleys, or Duggars or any of the other parents of multiples do it…
Just Kate…
Gimme a break!! Those people have their own children raising the younger ones! That is no comparison. Mulitples mean two or more children born at the same time!!!!!!! Not just a big family.
260. Preesi said:
January 22, 2008 @ 8:31 pm
Momofmultiples?
Perhaps you werent aware that the Duggars have 2 sets of twins.
Their second birth was a set of twins.
BTW Narcissists usually USE religion…
I do not think Kate is a Christian… Shes very greedy.
She could stand to use the Duggars house rules:
Duggar house rules
(posted in dining room)
1.
Always use soft words, even when you don’t feel well.
2.
Always display kind actions, even if you have been mistreated.
3.
Show joyful attitudes even when no one else is looking.
4.
Have sincere motives with no thought of self gain.
5.
Think pure thoughts.
6.
Always give a good report of others. Never talebear unless physical harm will come to someone. Use Matthew 18.
7.
Never raise a hand to hit.
8.
Never raise a foot to kick.
9.
Never raise an object to throw.
10.
Never raise a voice to yell.
11.
Never raise an eye to scowl.
12.
Use one toy/activity at a time.
13.
Never let the sun go down on your wrath. (Don’t go to bed angry or guilty.)
14.
Amendment J.O.Y. – make serving your family a priority – put Jesus first, others second, yourself last.
261. momofmultiples said:
January 22, 2008 @ 8:45 pm
I like those rules, I think I will post them in my own household but I will add:
“Judge not, lest ye be judged”
262. jenna roberts said:
January 22, 2008 @ 8:50 pm
So just wanted to hear the thoughts from those of you who seemed to miss the first episode where Jon was making fun of Kate’s weight. I haven’t seen too many posters mention this so I think in all fairness this should be addressed by those of you who are labeling Kate as an abuser and the sole person responsible for any and all dysfunction in the family.
263. Preesi said:
January 22, 2008 @ 9:01 pm
Jenna? can you refresh our memory?
264. jenna roberts said:
January 22, 2008 @ 9:11 pm
Sure Preesi,
They were sitting together chatting with the producer and Jon started talking about his displeasure with Kate’s appearance after having the six babies. He talked about how after Kate had the twins she bounced back quickly but the same was not true after the sextuplets. I am describing this with nice words but he was not as pleasant to her in his tone or words. His comments seemed to be cut downs to her but I would like to know what everyone else thinks! If my husband ever said those things to me after I had our twins, I would have died inside.(let alone having it said on tv)
265. Vickie A said:
January 22, 2008 @ 11:50 pm
Paulette- I agree that was ridiculous that Kate tried to squeeze Jon’s cheeks to make him say what SHE wanted him to. Guess she was trying to soften the fact that she had slapped him in the face for not wanting to kiss her. Also, when I saw that Beth’s daughter had a nannie for hire bag, I thought to myself that the nannie service must be free and that way Kate does not have to pay Beth’s daughter… that has to be the only explanation for her going through all of the trouble of registering with that company. I usually do not find much wrong with Jon, but I was in SHOCK that the boys had to potty OUTSIDE like new puppies!!!!!!!! Even Kate did not like that too much. It seems to me that she has gotten a little apprehensive about scolding Jon for not doing things like she wants him to with the kids, because he has probably told her that if she does not like the way he does it, then she should not leave them with him. She kind of bit her tounge when Jon was talking about the boys pottying outside in the cold weather. Kate seems lethargic and bored during the interview more and more with each episode. Aunt Jodi has probably gotten her can full of Kate and that is probably why the two couples are not together a lot. We certainly do not see Kate returning the favor for Aunt Jodi. If Jodi has 4 kids, she would probably enjoy a break too. Maybe Kate’s Mother, who is Jodi’s Mother in Law, helps Jodi. Jodi mentions a lot that she does this or that “to help Kate, or make it easier for Kate to do other things.” Aunt Jodi seems like a sweetie and probably does this just because she thinks of others more than herself. It seemed like Kate was questioning why there was so much peeing going on at Aunt Jodi’s ,but was afraid to indicate that Jodi did not suspect that they just wanted the candy, like Jodi did not have the sense to know if they were scamming her for the candy corn!!! And after poor Collin sat on the potty IN THE DARK for 30 minutes, he got one lousy MINI m&m???? Not even a full sized m&m..Please!!!!!!! He deserved to have a King Size Snickers after that!! ha One good thing is that, as someone said above, Mady seems happier and is being nicer. Or her fits are being edited. I hope the first is the case. Mady seems to be drawn to Jon and maybe since he is around more, she is more content. It does sadden me that none of the children get much one on one attention. I know Kate has her hands full, but I felt myself getting a little emotional when Collin and one of the girls were on the way to the doctor and he was talking and expressing his thoughts to Kate while she was driving. She noticed he did this and maybe that will trigger her to give each a little more individualized attention. They look like little baby birds flocking together,wanting a drop of food when Jon is leaving for work, wanting hugs and kisses. Oh well, for some reason, I had many observations last night. I guess these blogs make us think about all of this while we are watching??????
266. Vickie A said:
January 22, 2008 @ 11:54 pm
Also, I noticed that this new book that is coming out from Kate was co-written by….. you guessed it… BETH.
267. Vickie A said:
January 23, 2008 @ 12:00 am
Jenna,
I remember them talking about Kate’s extra skin on her stomach looking like a big ball of soft dough and I think he may have said it was “disgusting”. He said the kids pulled and tugged on it. They were talking about her plastic surgery. It was a little rude for TV.
268. jenna roberts said:
January 23, 2008 @ 1:38 am
Vickie A,
I do remember something said to that effect. Though I thought this episode happened before her surgery(somewhere at the beginning? Thanks for your input on the subject:)
269. Lin said:
January 23, 2008 @ 9:07 am
I had a few minutes so I thought I’d check in here and see how you’re enjoying the new season!
Well I see not much has changed, if anything, you are worse, why not do some BETH BASHING now, that should be fun!
270. Marc said:
January 23, 2008 @ 9:20 am
I can’t resist posting. I found this board just doing a quick search to try to find out how much these guys get paid to have a production crew film their every move. My fiancee loves the show and I think it’s cute, but all of you guys are ridiculous. Seriously, what kind of lives do you lead that you feel the need to come on here and blab your opinions about Jon and Kate and their kids and their lives??? Who friggin’ cares what you think or whether you think they’re awesome or whether you think Kate yells at Jon too much? And how do you even have time to read all of this stuff and keep up with it? Get a life of your own!