Jon and Kate Plus 8, Official Thread-Part 3

[madge]

The same way every body else with 8 or more kids. Look at the table for 12 family. The dad works and the mom stays home. How do they do it?

I don't know about the Table for 12 family, but I think there have people on this thread who live in their area .. I think, until the show, they've survived on his job and donations?

other examples? The Duggars. Until they got to child 13, 14, 15 (? not sure ?) ... they got by without a TV show. Dad is very financially savvy, and they're debt free.

The McCaugheys? I know they reaped the benefits of an unusual birth early on, but I don't think they even did a yearly update this year. I'm not sure, but I think only dad works.

I have a friend with 7 kids, they're spread out over several years .. but they've gotten by over the years, sometimes on one salary.

 

[DMRick]

As far as the Table for 12 family, cops in NJ are paid very well. I have a friend that has been on the police force for the same number of years that I've been teaching and his salary is more than double mine. Benefits are really good too.

Our friend is a retired cop form NJ and his pension is more than my DH salary was.

Do we know that the table for 12 family didn't get any hep, financially or physically? Do we know if mom had to stay home because they needed someone to take care of their ill child? Different circumstances..and we don't know the answers to all of them. We're starting a lot later in these people's lives than we did in K & J's.

I do see how Maddy behaves. She's not the only child I've ever known that behaves like that, even with full time at home mom's. She's been like that since the series started. Maybe she's just a high strung child. Maybe she's just a brat. Maybe that's what TLC wants us to see, so we don't see the time's when she's sweet and loving and well behaved. There are mother's on this board who have given us a peek into their lives with their children. Some of their children are much like Maddy. Who knows if being on the show is helping or hurting Maddy. I'm sure no psychologist..and would have no idea if this show is harmful. Will Maddy write a tell all book someday? Maybe. Does everyone on this thread get along wonderfully with their teenagers and adult children? I think not..so maybe that book would have gotten written (Maddy's or our own children's LOL) with or without the show.

Hey, it's all speculation, from each and every one of us. Opinions are like belly buttons..we all have them, and that's what makes this board interesting. You show me yours, and I'll show you mine (opinion).

 

[madge]

I point it out because Kate says she is a stay at home Mom. Kate used to be a stay at home Mom, but she isn't anymore. She is a working Mom. Which is fine, you do whatever works for your family. But when she makes statements like "I start everyday with my kids just like every other Mom" or "Like every other stay at home Mom" she is lying. She is gone more than she is home. I don't call that a stay at home Mom, I call that a working Mom.

agreed.

one of the components of her speech at churches is where Kate talks about being able to stay at home with the kids. she hasn't done much of that lately.

Jon may very well be there during the day, most days. He seems to have the most trouble staying home at night. LOL

 

[DMRick]

Jon may very well be there during the day, most days. He seems to have the most trouble staying home at night. LOL

You have that right LOL!

How long has Kate been touring? Has it been months, a year or just during their hiatus. Does anyone know?

 

[3prettyprincesses]

Sorry, that was the the way I read it.

I just wonder why people care so much that Kate wants to write books and go on book tours? Would people be critical of other working mom's schedules? Or volunteering moms? Or mom's that don't work/have to work but put their kids in daycare/preschool a few days a week anyway? Why would anyone need to judge that mom's decision?

Of course you can express your opinion. We all can. It is what we do on message boards.

I see a difference in saying, "Gosh, that Kate treats Jon terribly on camera" and saying that she is making a mistake by writing books and doing a book tour (as all or most all people do when they write a book) and being away from home during that time. I just do not understand why anyone thinks they should judge that.
That's just my opinion though. And we all have one...

Because she says she's a stay at home Mom. Kate has said herself many times that the show allows her to be home with the kids. That's she's just another stay at home Mom trying to get through her days like every other stay at home Mom. Well, we've all seen her schedule. If she wants that career than admit it and stop trying to play both sides. I have no problem with a Mom that has to work outside her home, I wouldn't criticize her. However, Kate is trying to have her cake and eat it too. I believe the reason why she is doing so is to perpetuate her image for the sake of the show. Would the show be as popular if it were Kate gone most days? My guess would be no. I'll bet the kids miss her alot when she's gone too. Who knows what Jon is up to or doing when he's home with them.

 

[DreaGirl]

You have that right LOL!

How long has Kate been touring? Has it been months, a year or just during their hiatus. Does anyone know?

The first book was released in 10/08, so that is when the book signings began.

As for the speaking engagements, I believe that has been going on for a year or so. I know at one point, they were both going and were gone 2-3 weekends a month. Then it became only Kate and she was gone 2-3 weekends a month.

 

[DreaGirl]

Jon may very well be there during the day, most days. He seems to have the most trouble staying home at night. LOL

Very true Madge.

 

[C.Ann]

You show me yours, and I'll show you mine (opinion).

-------------------

Good thing you clarified that.. I could just see you getting tossed off the boards had you not..

 

[madge]

How long has Kate been touring? Has it been months, a year or just during their hiatus. Does anyone know?

Jon and Kate started promoting themselves as speakers on their website in February 2007, around the time of the TV show.
http://web.archive.org/web/20070218143206/http://www.sixgosselins.com/


http://web.archive.org/web/20070222115341/www.32flavorspr.com/kateg.html

 

[3prettyprincesses]

The first book was released in 10/08, so that is when the book signings began.

As for the speaking engagements, I believe that has been going on for a year or so. I know at one point, they were both going and were gone 2-3 weekends a month. Then it became only Kate and she was gone 2-3 weekends a month.

Jon and Kate started promoting themselves as speakers on their website in February 2007, around the time of the TV show.
http://web.archive.org/web/20070218143206/http://www.sixgosselins.com/


http://web.archive.org/web/20070222115341/www.32flavorspr.com/kateg.html

You guys always have the best information!! Thanks!

 

[DreaGirl]

Jon and Kate started promoting themselves as speakers on their website in February 2007, around the time of the TV show.
http://web.archive.org/web/20070218143206/http://www.sixgosselins.com/


http://web.archive.org/web/20070222115341/www.32flavorspr.com/kateg.html

Wow Madge, I didn't know it went that far back. Thanks for the info.

 

[Morganpics]

There have been many sensible, thoughtful comments here. My only addition to Kate going off to do speaking engagements is not only the money, but perhaps her home life is so unpleasant she would rather be on tour. Whatever the reason, I personally think there is some serious struggling going on between them.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

Then those cameras should have been out of there so they could focus on their family. I really hope the rumors aren't true because nobody wants to see a couple divorce- especially one with kids.

 

[3prettyprincesses]

Jon and Kate started promoting themselves as speakers on their website in February 2007, around the time of the TV show.
http://web.archive.org/web/20070218143206/http://www.sixgosselins.com/


http://web.archive.org/web/20070222115341/www.32flavorspr.com/kateg.html

Wow Madge, did you see the link under "How Can I Help" on their website? I clicked on it and it said "Monetary donations please email the Gosselins at..."

"Gift cards to Walmart or Target for our very basic needs".

 

[madge]

Wow Madge, I didn't know it went that far back. Thanks for the info.

I love the wayback internet archive site ..

this is the first listing of sixgosselins.com .. May 7, 2004. Amazing what can happen in just 5 short years.
http://web.archive.org/web/20040507020034/http://www.sixgosselins.com/

 

[DMRick]

I personally think there is some serious struggling going on between them.

I understand that you personally think that..I just don't get how any of us can know, considering they show us an hour a week of their lives, when they are on, and nothing (well, except when Jon gets his picture taken) in between. We see Kate's speaking schedule, but I don't see anything that says she isn't home tomorrow for a birthday party, or even a few days afterwards. Seems like most of us are making judgement calls, both those of us who think she may be coming home in between talks and signings, and those who think she's seldom home. We simply don't know. I don't even know if her entire family is with her right now, or leaving to be with her after the birthday party. Maybe right now Jon's things have been thrown to the curb, maybe they are talking serioulsy right now together while we are all sitting here typing. Maybe Jon's friend is at their house and they are all visiting together, trying to figure out how everything got so whacked out of place.
Too bad that person who helped put in the vaccuum system didn't sneak in a camera and we could be watching it all happen.

 

[madge]

Wow Madge, did you see the link under "How Can I Help" on their website? I clicked on it and it said "Monetary donations please email the Gosselins at..."

to be fair, I don't think that's necessarily unusual for these types of websites. I know I've seen others with Paypal or ways to give.

"Gift cards to Walmart or Target for our very basic needs".

Kate mentions that in her speech... people asked what they could do to help, and it was finally decided that the best thing to ask for was gift cards. they were going through basics at an alarming rate, in spite of many donations. And I have no doubt that they were. I think the first months/year were really very difficult. I can't imagine how overwhelmed they had to be.

It's a few months into things before they start making subtle (and then more pointed) references to needing a new van.
http://web.archive.org/web/20050320030906/http://www.sixgosselins.com/

and then they finally got one!
http://web.archive.org/web/20050813235647/http://www.sixgosselins.com/

 

[Promomx2]

For those who question the critics of Kate, I am a sahm, and I am insulted to see Kate on tv and say that she is a inspiration to mothers, and how she consistently says one thing and then her actions are complete opposite.

 

[brockash]

Um, they have a reality show.

J&K were doing it the same way for the first few seasons. They are no different at this point.

 

[brockash]

For those who question the critics of Kate, I am a sahm, and I am insulted to see Kate on tv and say that she is a inspiration to mothers, and how she consistently says one thing and then her actions are complete opposite.

I can understand if you personally don't find her inspirational, however, I don't think she's lying when she says she has many moms tell her that. I'm sure a lot of ppl. tell her that. It's just like with any celibrity, some will love them and think they're inspirational and others won't at all.

I can also completely see ppl. being upset that she talks about always being a SAHM while she's out doing speaking engagements and writing books ect. I guess I've just never really thought about it, or cared. I think I always assumed that she meant she used to be a full time SAHM and that even now, she doesn't have a usual 9-5 ect. job but I can definetly see the other side of that.