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

[maxie]

A
Also, I didn't see or hear mention of the dogs at all last night, which seemed a little odd to me.

Most people don't talk about their dogs daily. Maybe it just didn't come up in a 10 minute interview.

 

[maxie]

this is just something I was thinking about.......

since Kate had the babies, is Jon is the ONLY adult that has stayed in her life? For whatever reasons.....at least a good number of adults we know about are no longer in her life....her mom/dad, Jodi, Beth, Nana Janet, etc.

I know we don't see everything in their lives but it (losing adults in her life) seems to be a trend......I can see that she might be hard to get along with.

Actually in the museum episode yesterday she mentioned that couple of her friends had recommended the place to her. Just because people don't appear on the show doesn't mean they don't exist.

 

[puffkin]

The thing that did stike me as odd, was the hair cut thing. Kate making Cara get her hair cut shorter than she wanted, and not letting Hannah get her hair cut shorter like she wanted, seemed a little off to me and controlish, however now that I've said that, my son half the time thinks he wants his head shaved completely, and well I don't let that happen, so

Also, I didn't see or hear mention of the dogs at all last night, which seemed a little odd to me.

They did show the dogs briefly. The kids were feeding them at the begining of the Globe Trotter episode.

I was thinking about the haircut thing. The way Kate was explaining it seemed a bit odd. I wonder if TLC makes them keep the little girls hair at different lengths so you can tell them apart? Just a thought, but it wouldn't surprise me.

Another thought struck me for the stores. If they were getting the clothes for free, don't you think the stores would have wanted some advertising? No mention was made of the store and they didn't show a sign or anything like that. I am sure that TLC arranged for the private shopping trips, but I just found it odd that the stores didn't advertise so maybe Kate did pay for the clothes? Who knows Also, if Kate did go there on a weekday morning, those stores don't open until 10. It is a pretty quiet strip mall, especially on a weekday morning. Even if the stores were open, it is pretty realistic that she could have shopped alone for awhile. It doesn't really bother me one way or the other, just pointing something out because we all make assumptions that may or may not be true.

 

[KristiKelly]

Most people don't talk about their dogs daily. Maybe it just didn't come up in a 10 minute interview.

Especially considering both shows were shot pretty much outside of the home so no real need to mention them.

 

[allison443]

i look at this situation (with jon) and it honestly reminds me of the kind of mindset/behaviours i've seen in both mid-life crisis men OR women i've known that got married realy young, had their kids early (and largely never worked outside the home) and then in their late 20's or early 30's something inside them kind of said "i've missed out, i want to do what i would have done in my teens and early 20's". with the women it's not unusual for them to start wanting to do more stuff on their own (and with a younger crowd), with the men it almost seems like they are at a loss as to what they want to do career wise and weather the family dynamic they are in is something they can see themselves continuing with (seen too many divorces in both groups).

jon was young when they married (what like 22?) and within less than a year and a half they had the twins, 3 1/2 years later the sextuplets came along. kates said something like he was kind of 'wild' when she met him and she had to calm him down or regin in him (something like that), he talks about how he was realy into sports and different activities but has'nt done them for years (i'm guessing because of the kids and earlier on because kate was'nt into them). he's had a spotty professional career at best with what does'nt seem to have been any real opportunities through enough time at any one employer to advance up and develop his professional skills (i seem to remember that he does'nt have much college and the jobs he's worked were fairly low level tech).

in the grand scheme of things this is a guy who was very young, very active and seemingly not what you'de think of as someone who could remotely imagine themselves in less than 10 years being a "sahd" to 8 kids.

i hope he's getting professional help. i just see him as needing to establish his own identity-and not by running off to a ski lodge or hitting the bars. he needs to find something that interests him and look to the demands of the lifestyle they've chosen and find a way to pursue it. i hardly think he's going to find much reward in being a "producer" on the show-the reality is that it's a common contract negoition ploy to give someone who appears on a t.v. show that title to up the financial pay-off and their job duties differ no more than what they've previously done.

little boys look to the dads as a role model, and what they see them doing or not doing can shape their attitudes and aspirations. those little guys need to see their dad doing something more than taking them to amusement parks and having their family time considered their dad's "job".

I agree with this post.
One problem is that Kate was ADAMANT that they will "never have a nanny" so I guess she means one parent has to always be home with the kids. Since she is loving her career of traveling, book signings, speaking, tv appearances, that leaves Jon as the one home with the kids. He just seemed tense in that day they showed him with the kids-the walk in the woods one.

 

[allison443]

Actually in the museum episode yesterday she mentioned that couple of her friends had recommended the place to her. Just because people don't appear on the show doesn't mean they don't exist.

I agree, I'm sure the kids must have friends too(especially Mady and Cara-they would have to have friends from school, wouldn't they?) but they aren't shown either.

 

[allison443]

I would bet when they started doing the show a few years ago, they did it for financial considerations only. They weren't in the best financial position and I guess they decided they needed to do it. Obviously they couldn't foresee how successful it would be, if it would continue beyond one season, if they would love it as much as Kate does, etc.
However, now perhaps they have (hopefully!) saved/invested their earnings, they are obviously in a good financial position, and maybe Jon is thinking more long-range now.
I mean, the show can't last forever.
Kate in my opinion is positioning herself for a continuing career as a speaker, spokesperson, etc.
Maybe Jon is asking himself what is he going to do with the rest of his life? He's only 31, right?

 

[madge]

Another thought struck me for the stores. If they were getting the clothes for free, don't you think the stores would have wanted some advertising? No mention was made of the store and they didn't show a sign or anything like that. I am sure that TLC arranged for the private shopping trips, but I just found it odd that the stores didn't advertise so maybe Kate did pay for the clothes? Who knows Also, if Kate did go there on a weekday morning, those stores don't open until 10. It is a pretty quiet strip mall, especially on a weekday morning. Even if the stores were open, it is pretty realistic that she could have shopped alone for awhile. It doesn't really bother me one way or the other, just pointing something out because we all make assumptions that may or may not be true.

Gymboree has been supplying the Gosselin kids clothes for some time, since very early into the series. I have no idea what the nature of the arrangement is, but I've read on Gymboree boards where Kate comes into a store, gets what she wants and signs a release and leaves. There have been large Gymboree boxes spotted in the garage (at the old house). From what I understand, Gymboree sends them entire lines at a time.

whether this is a Gymboree/Gosselin arrangement or Gymboree/TLC arrangement, I don't know.

 

[OhMari]

I don't usually post on this thread, but how many times did they say that John was at his mother's? Wow! Over and over and over. Okay, we get it, but it did seem like they were harping on that theme a little too much.

Edie

Makes you wonder, who is was trying to convince?


Does Kate dress the twins the same, when they go to school?
I sure hope they stop dressing the tups the same when they start Kindegarden.

 

[katieam1]

I watched the first time in a long time. I got the feeling that Jon was not happy with a bunch of things mainly the whole negatives of him not being Jon anymore but I also got out of it that maybe he does not enjoy being home with them as much as he thought. Some people are better at going out and working away from the home. Some people are better stay at home parents than others. I know I LOVE being a stay at home parent but some of my friends say they could never do it and like the time away. So maybe that is also a factor. Maybe some of it is also how they both have seemed to change. Positive/Negative through the seasons they have changed in a lot of ways and some people handle it differently and it seems like they both handle things so differently that they have grown apart. It seems to be a very common thing with couples/families who let the cameras in I have noticed. Hopefully it works out for them, individually/together and their family either way things end up.

 

[madge]

I mean, the show can't last forever.
Kate in my opinion is positioning herself for a continuing career as a speaker, spokesperson, etc.

without the show, what is the draw? and I mean this as a sincere question.

I can see her as a spokesperson & doing endorsements, and making a go of that for a while .. but a speaker? I've seen Kate speak in public. She's, um .. really, um .. um, you know, um, engaging.

 

[mickeyboat]

I agree, I'm sure the kids must have friends too(especially Mady and Cara-they would have to have friends from school, wouldn't they?) but they aren't shown either.

I remember thinking last night when someone mentioned that Cara took her signed basketball into school the next day that I wonder what the other kids think of all of her culturing. At some point they will probably all just roll their eyes.

 

[katieam1]

I don't usually post on this thread, but how many times did they say that John was at his mother's? Wow! Over and over and over. Okay, we get it, but it did seem like they were harping on that theme a little too much.

Edie

I also noticed that too! It made me wonder a little bit because how much they kept saying that! Like they really wanted you to believe that so they said it so, so much!!

 

[maxie]

Makes you wonder, who is was trying to convince?

Maybe it was just the way the interview was edited.

 

[brockash]

I also noticed that too! It made me wonder a little bit because how much they kept saying that! Like they really wanted you to believe that so they said it so, so much!!

I'm guessing the reason they spoke about Jon being at his mom's to help her, is because of the negative publicity it received. There were many articles flying around that Jon had moved out ect. and I think they were just trying to explain it, without actually mentioning all the gossip.

 

[tayandjensmom]

I just found this thread last week, and have been cross eyed with all the reading ! Love it... My 2 daughters and I have been JK&8 fans for a long time.
Kate has been making me crazy (more so then normal) the last few episodes though. STOP playing with your earrings already !!! Someone needs to get that message to her. I was ready to crawl into the tv and smack her.
I've never liked how she speaks to Jon. So controlling and demeaning, like others have mentioned. She needs to step back and do a reality check. No matter how happy she is with everything, your husband is not. And I see real problems ahead for these 2.
And one more thing, while I'm venting.... these kids have no idea what normal is. Every event they attend is a full blown production with loads of free stuff and meet and greets. Really, is it necessary ? What are you teaching your kids? Love how Kate is always talking about doing the family things and being able to take the kids to so much. Yes, its great you can, when everything is paid in full for all 10 of you !
Thanks for letting me post....I'll go back to my reading. Lisa

 

[maxie]

\
Kate has been making me crazy (more so then normal) the last few episodes though. STOP playing with your earrings already !!! Someone needs to get that message to her. I was ready to crawl into the tv and smack her.

I think it would be perfectly normal to have a nervous little habit when being filmed for television. Nothing wrong with that. Wouldn't you be self conscious being filmed for a national audience?

You know there is a OFF button on your television right?

 

[MichelleVW]

Makes you wonder, who is was trying to convince?


Does Kate dress the twins the same, when they go to school?
I sure hope they stop dressing the tups the same when they start Kindegarden.

From what I've seen of them getting off the bus they are dressed alike because they are wearing uniforms. When they showed the little kids at preschool they weren't dressed alike.

I just found this thread last week, and have been cross eyed with all the reading ! Love it... My 2 daughters and I have been JK&8 fans for a long time.
Kate has been making me crazy (more so then normal) the last few episodes though. STOP playing with your earrings already !!! Someone needs to get that message to her. I was ready to crawl into the tv and smack her.
I've never liked how she speaks to Jon. So controlling and demeaning, like others have mentioned. She needs to step back and do a reality check. No matter how happy she is with everything, your husband is not. And I see real problems ahead for these 2.
And one more thing, while I'm venting.... these kids have no idea what normal is. Every event they attend is a full blown production with loads of free stuff and meet and greets. Really, is it necessary ? What are you teaching your kids? Love how Kate is always talking about doing the family things and being able to take the kids to so much. Yes, its great you can, when everything is paid in full for all 10 of you !
Thanks for letting me post....I'll go back to my reading. Lisa

Ok, the earring thing has been driving me nuts lately....

What is normal?? My kids have been all over the world traveling and to them it's all free. My DH just bought them a 2004 Mazda Rx-8! (I think it's a bit much, but it is fun to drive!) Plus they have had amazing seats at sporting events, met the Jonas Brothers etc....Seriously I will tell you that my kids are spoiled rotten and have done way more than many kids. So what is normal to one family isn't normal to another family.

 

[barkley]

A little off topic, but if anyone watches Toddlers and Tiaras, one of the little girls on tonights episode is from Wyomissing (same basic area as J&K and me). I am interested to see the show because pageants are not common at all in this area.

Our little corner of the world is really a hot bed for reality tv

i don't know if it was the same little girl, but when i was watching that show last week and saw one of the 6/7 year old girls i was thinking "she looks familiar to me" then i saw her mom and BAM i remembered. a few years ago bravo had a show called "show moms and dads" that featured parents hell bent on getting their little darlings into showbiz. the little girl on t&t was on that show and could'nt have been more than 3 or 4 at the time-i remember her mom on interviews after the show started airing and how she could'nt believe the hateful letters the family was receiving, the nasty comments on the bravo site-people saying she should be reported to cps for manipulating her child (similar to the j&k comments on the anti sites)...and how she regretted letting her dd be filmed because it exposed her to so many crazy people. now just a few years later that little girl's still doing the pagents and mom yet again signs on to have her profiled in another reality show (if you watched the bravo show or the t&t show she's a cute little blonde whose mom doles out pixie sticks when she hungry or cranky-in the original show it was the little paper straws, on the new ones it's those big honkin 15 or 16 inch tubes).

 

[marshallandcartersmo]

I just found this thread last week, and have been cross eyed with all the reading ! Love it... My 2 daughters and I have been JK&8 fans for a long time.
Kate has been making me crazy (more so then normal) the last few episodes though. STOP playing with your earrings already !!! Someone needs to get that message to her. I was ready to crawl into the tv and smack her.
I've never liked how she speaks to Jon. So controlling and demeaning, like others have mentioned. She needs to step back and do a reality check. No matter how happy she is with everything, your husband is not. And I see real problems ahead for these 2.
And one more thing, while I'm venting.... these kids have no idea what normal is. Every event they attend is a full blown production with loads of free stuff and meet and greets. Really, is it necessary ? What are you teaching your kids? Love how Kate is always talking about doing the family things and being able to take the kids to so much. Yes, its great you can, when everything is paid in full for all 10 of you !
Thanks for letting me post....I'll go back to my reading. Lisa

I am a rare watcher, watched just bits and pieces last night and a couple shows over the years.

But I have to agree with you here. My kids have been on trips, and shows, and plays.....but everytime we go somewhere the place isn't magically emptied so they can have the place all to themselves (there wasn't anyone on the tube run, or at a play place I saw them at one time, etc.) and they didn't get to meet Elmo or get goody bags.............

If we go on a trip they know it's not free, instead mom and dad saved money so we could go somewhere special.