Jon and Kate Plus 8 official Thread, Part 2!!

[mickeyboat]

I remember an episode when John hollered " no girls in the boys' room." There was even some comment that the kids tended play in the boys' room because it used to be the nursery for all of them.

Sounds to me like they do have rules in place to keep rooms off limits to the others, but that the boys don't mind so much if the girls come in, so the rule isn't always enforced.

Denae

 

[TotalSnowWhite]

Have you ever seen the girls in the boys' room? I can't recall that I have. Yes. Jon and Kate make a point to say the girls need more privacy. As they went over the numerous territory rules, the boys' room was fair game.

Must have missed that. I'll have to keep an eye out for it in the reruns. Actually, a friend of mine is able to get DVDs at close to cost, so I may have him get me the series so far on DVD so I can add examples to my posts.

To say that those who work with kids should never expect "physical aggression" is ridiculous. It is part of life when several children are present. Now, adults shouldn't condone hitting, kicking, etc., but that's completely different than expecting it.
I disagree. Parents often get exactly what they expect.

Does that only apply to negative behavior? I know several parents who expect their children to be perfect angels, but that doesn't mean it's going to happen.

Kate mentioned the smaller bedrooms and larger family rooms so the kids would have more room to be together. She doesn't want them in their rooms all the time. They aren't being "kept apart."
She also mentions room to spread out. In my experiences little kids don't spread out, but pile up. She obviously doesn't want them in their rooms all the time, but with all the physical boundaries, they are being kept apart.

Physical boundaries as in different bedrooms?

What do you think is developmentally abnormal about the Gosselin kids? And to what/whom are you comparing them?
I said the fighting.
My siblings, children, nieces, nephews, students, neighbors, family friends, Sunday School students, Bible School participants, Church nursery charges, Girl Scouts, Youth Group, other televised "reality families", etc.

You cite students. Are you a teacher? I'm trying to see where you're coming from as far as being knowledgable on developmental milestones and the like, especially in a group setting.

Again, I will say that quads (especially all girls) are still completely different than the Gosselin situation and can't really be compared. Do the quads have older siblings (that add the jealousy)? Are there boys in the family? There are too many factors to say that "Oh, their mom doesn't allow hitting, why are the Gosselins any different?"
I think it is interesting that you brought the boys up as I see them as being portrayed as being less aggressive and better behaved. Obviously because "we" don't allow it doesn't always make it so. The contrast between the other televised multiples and large families is interesting to me.
I appreciate your point of view! I would HATE to have my parenting and/or kids' behavior scrutinized on TV!
__________________

I've seen several episodes where the boys are fighting (Colin was pushing and hitting Alexis, I believe, on an episode just this week). You didn't address the older sibling, which is where the majority of this physical conflict discussion came about (the Mady kicking incident). I don't know much about the quads, so I don't know. That is a huge factor in Mady's personality, I imagine.

 

[TotalSnowWhite]

I remember an episode when John hollered " no girls in the boys' room." There was even some comment that the kids tended play in the boys' room because it used to be the nursery for all of them.
Sounds to me like they do have rules in place to keep rooms off limits to the others, but that the boys don't mind so much if the girls come in, so the rule isn't always enforced.

Denae

I do remember that now. Thanks for the reminder.

 

[TotalSnowWhite]

I have a lot of students out and on special activities today. Can you tell I've got extra time on my hands?

 

[newtodis]

Ok so I was killing some time at work and found a couple of links about the show. I don't recall reading them here (but I guess 100 and some pages could blur together! ) Now, I'm not really on one side or another and not trying to stir the pot....just adding a couple of links that I found today.

So, what do the octuplets have to do with the Nielsens? Maybe nothing. Or maybe all the news about the babies' arrival last Monday led to increased interest in that night's new offering of TLC's resident full-house series, Jon and Kate Plus 8 (3.7 million viewers—tops for cable reality shows), which was up 76 percent from the previous week.
#1 from this link: http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/b82179_babies_boost_jon_kate_plus_8_kids_dog.html

Of course, as soon as news broke last week that California woman Nadya Suleman gave birth to octuplets, media outlets scrambled to talk to TV's most famous mother of multiples, Kate Gosselin of the hit TLC show, "Jon & Kate Plus 8." Kate and her husband are currently raising a pair of twin girls and sextuplets--all conceived via in vitro, as Suleman's children are.

And while much of America is arguing about whether Suleman--who is single, living with her bankrupt parents, and has publically come out with her desire to be a TV "parenting expert"--was irresponsible in having so many children, in an interview with Michael Starr of The New York Post, Gosselin, a Christian, says, " I believe that every life that is created has a purpose. However, personally, I would never have set out to even have a seventh child - especially if I was a single parent!"
From this link, which also includes some budget tips from a previous interview: http://blog.beliefnet.com/idolchatter/2009/02/kate-gosselin-of-jon-kate-plus-1.html

I personally thought this one was most interesting, at least the quote in the last paragraph from TLC:
The stars of The Learning Channel's reality show "Jon and Kate Plus 8," about a couple with sextuplets and twins, are paid, and have received a slew of freebies through the show, including trips to Hawaii and New York, a tummy tuck for mom and hair plugs for dad.

TLC President Eileen O'Neill said production companies that work with TLC have already made offers to Suleman's family, but the network is waiting to see how TV-friendly the family is.

"We're certainly like the rest of America; we're waiting to see how this develops," O'Neill said. "The number of children or scale of the multiples is intriguing, but it also comes down to what are the family's lives like?"
Last paragraphs from this story: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5ilIx-PXnXPpwF1a_nlRYF00fzBIQD964FOAO0


This is also very interesting and has a date of today on the article:
Indy MomsLikeMe.com Magazine recently interviewed by e-mail Kate Gosselin of “Jon and Kate Plus 8,” who’s appearing at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. today at the Indianapolis Home Show at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. Following are highlights of what Gosselin told the magazine about her family and raising eight children — twins and sextuplets:

Question: What are you passionate about?

Answer: Raising my children to become loving, hard-working, productive members of society who love the Lord!

Q: What’s the nicest thing someone has ever done for you?

A: Probably the most meaningful were the repeated anonymous gifts we received back during the first year of the babies’ lives — when we so needed the help so badly! It made the difference for us between surviving and not surviving!

Q: What is your guilty pleasure?

A: I go to the spa once a month. That is a recent tradition I have started for myself to incorporate relaxation into my life. It’s something I don’t have much of!

Q: Who or what is your inspiration? Do you have “words to live by?”

A: Parents of children that are ill are my inspiration. I look at them and realize that they have no idea how long they have with their child, what news they will receive that day that will change their lives. They work hard taking care of every aspect of their children’s lives. They go on and make the most of each day. That inspires me! It makes me SO grateful that my children are healthy enough to fight! I live by a few sayings: “If I don’t laugh, I’ll cry” and “Bedtime always comes eventually!”

Q: How big of a role does faith play in your life?

A: It plays a very big role! If it weren’t for God walking beside us and guiding us through this crazy thing we call life, we would have drowned a loooong time ago!

Q: Is it lonely being the mom of eight kids? Do you have time for female friendships?

A: Lonely is not a way I would ever describe my life — that is for sure! I don’t have time for friends in the traditional way but I do keep in touch with my friends as best as I can.

Q: What’s the most significant thing you’ve learned as the mother of eight children?

A: To relax and not let little things bog me down! At one time, everything was a big thing and I think that recently I am able to let the little things slide.

Q: Up to this point, what was the hardest time to get through with the twins and sextuplets?

A: Without a doubt, that first year. Well, actually, the pregnancy through the first year.

Q: How do you keep records of the children’s lives? Do you keep albums? How do you organize all of your mementos?

A: We do take pictures but we also document our memories with our show! It has worked out very nicely and was actually one of the reasons we wanted to do the show in the first place!
Here's the link: http://www.indystar.com/article/20090204/ENTERTAINMENT/90204035

 

[newtodis]

This article's interesting as well. I just find some of Kate's answers kind of ironic - or maybe I'm just biased...I don't know.

Kate Gosselin has a piece of advice for the Whittier mom who gave birth to octuplets: People will judge you, people will gawk at you, but "keep your head up, and do your absolute best for your children."

Kate is the star of TLC's hit TV show "Jon & Kate Plus 8," which follows the never-boring life with her husband, Jon, and their eight children -- a set of twins and a set of sextuplets.

"I felt like I had octuplets ... I had eight in three years," Kate said. "[The news of the octuplets' birth] caused me to review the feelings and emotions I had when my six were born! So overwhelming!"

The birth of the octuplets to Nadya Suleman, a Whittier woman "who loves children," has raised concerns about the number of embryos implanted and whether the procedure was within medical guidelines.

We asked Kate to reflect on the day-to-day realities that lie ahead for the new mom, the octuplets and their six siblings. (Truth be told, we originally tried to interview the Duggars, who have 18 kids and their own TV show on Discovery, but they declined because, believe it or not, they said they couldn't relate to having eight infants all at the same time.)

Kate answered questions via e-mail from Chicago, where she is doing a book signing for Multiple Blessings: Surviving to Thriving with Twins and Sextuplets.

Q.: What is the new mom experiencing physically? Emotionally?

A.: Right now, the mother is likely exhausted yet grateful that her babies are here and doing well so far! She is probably inundated with offers from people, companies and the media. Her main focus now though is her babies and their health.... Nothing else matters right now. She is feeling overwhelmed and as though she is in a fog. Feelings of helplessness and fear threaten to overtake! We relied on prayer and lots of it!!! We were blessed with all healthy babies and still don't forget that miracle!

Q.: She’s feeling exhaustion, no doubt, but does she even have time to be exhausted with eight new mouths to feed?

A.: She will ignore her exhaustion and will have to for the rest of her life! The babies' health matters most now. But it will be important for her to take care of herself too or she will not be of any use to her children!

Q.: She is said to be planning on breastfeeding. What do you think about that? Is that even possible?

A.: I think by 'breastfeeding' she plans on offering the option to each baby ... but will pump and supplement for all of them. I pumped/breastfed for six months for my six.... Quite a feat! It was the least I could do for my babies! There is literally not enough time to exclusively breastfeed six let alone eight babies.

Q.: What is she likely to be worried about as she contemplates a future with 14 children? (Other than those college payments.)

A.: Right now, the issue is getting through each day, each hour, each minute. Every day will have issues of its own.... She can and will survive!

Q.: What can she do to help her other six children adjust to their new life?

A.: She can get them involved in the care of the babies.... Point out their unique qualities.... And, no joke, help the other kids learn which baby is which. Quite a job! I remember Cara and Mady being frustrated with themselves when they got babies confused at first! It didn't take long! Taking time with each child will definitely be a challenge!

Q.: Will she have to be willing to ask for help when she needs it?

A.: There is absolutely no way she will survive without tons of help!!! Period.

Q.: What’s the one piece of advice that you didn't get, that you’d like to pass along to this new mother?

A.: There are no words to describe the overwhelming emotions that will flow from you -- ones you will have to suppress till way later, ones that you think will overtake you. People will want to help, people will want to simply gawk, others will judge you. Through all of this, keep your head up, and do your absolute best for your children.... You'll never regret it.

Q.: What would you do if you had 14 children? Can you imagine it?

A.: I cannot imagine having any more than eight. It would be almost double my workload and even though I am very organized, I could not do it well!

-- Rene Lynch
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/showtracker/2009/01/kate-gosselin-o.html

 

[longstangetrip]

"You cite students. Are you a teacher? I'm trying to see where you're coming from as far as being knowledgable on developmental milestones and the like, especially in a group setting."

Yeah snow, lotta years. Nearly 500 kiddos! oh...I need to sit down.
You're right; the quads I mentioned have no older siblings. All kids are (obviously) different. I just hope Kate and Jon's parenting style and the cameras don't exacerbate Mady's "strong" personality. Newborn tups would be hard on most three and a half year olds. I thought she seemed really beligerent on the latest interviews. Jerking away from Kate, wiping her arm off where she had touched it and saying "quit bossing me" among other things. Happy kid? Not at that particular moment.

 

[madge]

Many viewers may not take part actively in the internet madness that follows JK8, but it's the internet that brings the show into the light for other mainstream media. Reporters and news shows probably aren't sitting around watching JK8, they're getting their news via the internet, too. I'm a journalism (public relations) graduate, and the media, both local and national, are getting the majority of their "tips" from the internet. Press releases are done through emails, shows are being broadcast online, the internet is quickly becoming a heavy hitter in mass news. Those people who have brought "negative" attention to JK8 on the internet are absolutely boosting their ratings (whether people tune in to see the carnage or are tipped off by mentions of the unusual family-type).

absolutely. I was a journalism major way back in the day ... and have been fascinated by the internet's effect on the news, especially in the last few years. you're absolutely right in what you're saying .. about all of it!

ETA: Thank goodness your power's back!! I needed some intelligent debate! The cut and paste discussion was getting old.

you're welcome

I do feel bad participating in the dialogue, though. I haven't seen an actual JK8 episode since the St. Jude's show before Christmas.

 

[madge]

more from TotalSnowWhite:

Because every day, relatable reality is BORING!!

EXACTLY. And therein lies a problem .. people complain because it's boring. Then they complain because the shows aren't relatable for whatever reason...

that's why I think the weekly show has run its course. it's time to move to yearly updates, IMO.

 

[madge]

I have a lot of students out and on special activities today. Can you tell I've got extra time on my hands?

this thread has been busier in the last week than it has in a month.

 

[madge]

(Truth be told, we originally tried to interview the Duggars, who have 18 kids and their own TV show on Discovery, but they declined because, believe it or not, they said they couldn't relate to having eight infants all at the same time.)

I have to say .. this impresses me. I think Jim Bob Duggar is a wise man, although I don't think I'd go as far as to say that he has his head screwed on right .. because I don't. But I do think that over the years, he has learned how to be very media savvy, though his political life and now his TV career. He seems to be very focused on what he wants for his family. Good for him for not claiming to know what that mother of octuplets is going through.

 

[noahynav]

I was wondering if anyone else noticed this.....

In this weeks episode it looked like Kate got a new fridge in the new house. It was all stainless, whereas the one she spent 4 hours cleaning matched the woodwork of the cabinets.
Why bother cleaning the fridge if you're just gonna buy a new one anyway?

So am I seeing things? Anyone else notice?

 

[madge]

I was wondering if anyone else noticed this.....

In this weeks episode it looked like Kate got a new fridge in the new house. It was all stainless, whereas the one she spent 4 hours cleaning matched the woodwork of the cabinets.
Why bother cleaning the fridge if you're just gonna buy a new one anyway?

So am I seeing things? Anyone else notice?

that was mentioned here... I think someone said that the model shown in the episode was prone to mold and that may explain why there's a new fridge?

 

[bookgirl]

I was wondering if anyone else noticed this.....

In this weeks episode it looked like Kate got a new fridge in the new house. It was all stainless, whereas the one she spent 4 hours cleaning matched the woodwork of the cabinets.
Why bother cleaning the fridge if you're just gonna buy a new one anyway?

So am I seeing things? Anyone else notice?

Sub zero's have panels. They all have stainless steel, but you can get panals that match your cabinets. I'd bet they had panals and they took them off so that the fridge matched the other appliances and not the cabniets.

 

[Camster0307]

ETA: Thank goodness your power's back!! I needed some intelligent debate! The cut and paste discussion was getting old.

I think I'm insulted.

 

[GeorgiaPeach8]

Wow...this thread is busy! I went out for a few hours and the pages racked up

ITA..this is J&Ks new reality. I think if they gradually start working in this concept, the show could go on a bit longer. As I said previously, I would prefer a twice a year update...with less commentary/interview time. I like watching Kate and Jon but the are both getting plucked apart on the internet and in the media. I can't believe people are stupid enough not to realize that Jon isn't a poor, pitiful saint and Kate probably isn't a raging b*tch. What we see is being carefully selected for the best ratings. Their true personalities are somewhere in the middle.

Just goes to show some people never develop critical thinking skills. I teach HS social studies, my students are always shocked when you tell the something about some famous person that knocks the shine off them. It is very hard students (and obviously some adults) not to rate people on an all or nothing scale.

Having said that, I did want Jon to tell Kate to SHUT UP over the BB and B receipt. I was hoping he'd say.."I'll give you $20 if you'll give it a rest!" This what my husband would have said.

Madge--Thanks for asking about ice...unbelievalbe--tree on roof, no power for 6 1/2 days, branches everywhere in yard.

 

[madge]

I think I'm insulted.

I missed you when you were MIA after your WDW trip and computer virus! Remember?

whatever happened to Sha_lyn? I figured as soon as I came back with an opinion, she wouldn't be far behind ...

 

[madge]

Madge--Thanks for asking about ice...unbelievalbe--tree on roof, no power for 6 1/2 days, branches everywhere in yard.

we had the same thing. that's why I was asking. LOL.

my power went off around midnight wednesday AM and came back on Monday midday. I know several people who still don't have power. School starts back tomorrow .. but we're the exception rather than the rule. I live about 40 miles south of Louisville ..

 

[TotalSnowWhite]

I think I'm insulted.

You know who I'm talking about!! Besides, you and I almost always have the same POV. Makes it kinda hard to debate.



I don't have time to read everything in depth, but I had to make sure Cam knew I wasn't dogging her!!

 

[OhMari]

Do you think the lady that had the children in CA,
is now going to hurt Jon and Kate?

I think Jon and Kate have sort of been flying under the radar
with their show. To me, it has sort of been a little "cult show"
we watch on TLC.
But within the last 2 weeks, or even just the last couple of days
the whole situation has been brought up on every venue possible.
If I were Jon and Kate, I would maybe not do any interviews for awhile.