Jon and Kate Plus 8, Official Thread-Part 4

[joyjoy]

I get it. Too bad if the kids are thirsty they have to sit there and wait. It's perfectly normal, they are used to it etc.

For Pete's sake, it's not like they were tied up and abandoned in the desert for a week. Not one of them was suffering. And Kate sipped the water because she was about to speak, not because she was dying of thirst, either. And certainly not to torture her children. Pretty much anyone about to give an interview does that.

 

[longstangetrip]

For Pete's sake, it's not like they were tied up and abandoned in the desert for a week. Not one of them was suffering. And Kate sipped the water because she was about to speak, not because she was dying of thirst, either. And certainly not to torture her children. Pretty much anyone about to give an interview does that.

It is not child abuse or neglect by any stretch but is SO un-nurturing and so un-motherly. Kate seems to not think about water for herself at all until Mady's continued requests. Then a lightbulb goes off, she asks for water and drinks it in front of the kid! She continues to ignore Mady as she puts it on the floor. Then she half heartedly acts like she's going to give her a drink and ...oops out of time! Then she asks about those dumb Olive Garden cups they have been drinking out of for a solid year. Give the kids a water bottle. Preferably their own pink or blue Nalgene since you are so "green." And like someone said earlier, so what if they had water while the cameras were rolling? I know it's not a matter of survival as some have pointed out, but it is so, so thoughtless.

 

[kidshop]

http://www.tmz.com/2009/06/17/kate-and-8-plus-jon/

Oh good, I was getting worried. Ok, is there a helmet law in PA for kids? Here in FL it is 16 and under for anything with wheels. Is it against the law for the kids to ride without helmets?

 

[lsyorke]

And DMR's assessment is what beside speculation???

Another perspective on the situation. Look, I'm not saying Kate is perfect, but the obsession with these people is bizarre.

 

[madge]

Ok, is there a helmet law in PA for kids? Here in FL it is 16 and under for anything with wheels. Is it against the law for the kids to ride without helmets?

12 and under, from what it looks like:
http://www.dot.state.pa.us/BIKE/WEB/bikelaws.htm

 

[Mom2Nick]

For Pete's sake, it's not like they were tied up and abandoned in the desert for a week. Not one of them was suffering. And Kate sipped the water because she was about to speak, not because she was dying of thirst, either. And certainly not to torture her children. Pretty much anyone about to give an interview does that.

Your opinion is that she specifically took a sip because she was about to speak. Other people have the opinion that what she did regardless of WHY she did it was cruel. She's grown woman, I am sure she can make it though an interview without water yet the fact that she choose not to says a lot to some. The fact that she did not have water with her and only asked for it after Mady begged says a lot as well.

 

[joyjoy]

It is not child abuse or neglect by any stretch but is SO un-nurturing and so un-motherly.

I respect your opinion on what constitutes nurturing and motherly behavior.

My personal belief is that sometimes children, especially some children prone to dramatics, feel entitled to have their every tiny discomfort addressed immediately or they're going to DIIEEEEE. I for one feel that snapping to attention and instantly handing over whatever it is they demand at any given moment doesn't really do anything for anybody in the long run.

Anyway. That's just what I think. I think Kate is money hungry, insecure and kind of b****y to her wimpy husband, but I don't think she's a bad mother.

 

[HillPete]

For Pete's sake, it's not like they were tied up and abandoned in the desert for a week. Not one of them was suffering. And Kate sipped the water because she was about to speak, not because she was dying of thirst, either. And certainly not to torture her children. Pretty much anyone about to give an interview does that.

Sure, it wasn't the end of the world, the kids weren't dying of thirst, but neither was Kate! Her behavior is typical of the bully that she is. If your child came home and told you about a kid in his class that savored a cupcake or a piece of candy or something that your child wasn't able to have, right in front of your child, you'd think that kid was acting like a spoiled brat! It was a rude, narcissistic thing to do to an eight-year-old child.

 

[C.Ann]

I'm also curious..for those no longer watching the show, do you look at the pictures and the you tubes and the interviews?

Can only speak for myself (as a "non-viewer").. If someone posts a link here that is from their local newspaper, I will click on it.. If there is a link to an article where it is actually Jon or Kate giving the interview, I will click on it.. (That is information coming directly from them - not "sources say"..) I will also click on any link that implies an article is written by someone from the clergy.. Why? Because one of these days I'm hoping it will be Kate's father speaking out.. Everything else I comment on is based on what all of you viewers and non-viewers have posted here.. I suspect I am not the only one on this thread who is doing this..

I feel bad for these kids, especially Cara and Mady. I wonder what they are going through in school, with this stuff all over the place. They're getting to the age where kids can be really mean, and it can't be easy for them to have this family drama all out in the open, and then having to face their peers day in and day out.

We are supposed to believe that they are being totally sheltered from all of this and are completely unaware of the "big pink elephant" sitting in the middle of their living room - as well as all of the info in the rags sheets (out in plain view at numerous stores); all of the news clips on t.v.; their own show (which Kate has said numerous times that they "love" to watch); the thousands and thousands of web sites devoted to not only Jon & Kate, but poor Mady as well; the paparazzi constantly chasing them around (shouting ugly questions, no doubt) and Kate herself telling them to "hurry up because the paparazzi are going to get us"; Jon & Kate no longer living together (apparently) and barely speaking when they are together; and on and on and on.. Honestly - for anyone to believe that these children are not hearing and seeing way more than they should be is simply ludicrous.. They would have to be living in a cave - with no modern conveniences - being homeschooled, for that to be even the remotest of possibilities..

I no longer watch the show, because it is no longer interesting to me. I think watching the show on TLC is what determines if this show will be on or not, and I hope that it is not any more. Ratings rule the tv world and I hope more people stop watching to end the insanity.

The more people that stop watching, the sooner it will go away.. At that point, Jon & Kate can concentrate on their children and giving them the privacy and the respect that they deserve..

But to ask for the water, take a drink and put it away, and then to finally acknowledge Mady when it was clear she was upset... I just found that to be a poor example. Kate put herself first.

But isn't everything she does "for the kids"???

She should have been wearing a helmet, if no other reason than to set a good example for her kids, and yes they should be making their kids wear helmets. I don't know why they seem so uneducated about the helmet thing, but yes I agree it's very very stupid and sets a bad example.

Based on Jon & Kate's behavior lately, I think "setting a good example" for their kids isn't even on their radar..

I have to disagree...I don't think asking your kids to sit quietly while you talk to another adult is work - I expect that of my children. The cameras to the Gosselins is "normal" for them..

Sitting quietly - under those hot lights - for who knows how many "takes" -(as 8 little "props" while Kate) is doing the majority of the talking is work for those kids.. They weren't playing in their yard; they weren't at an amusement park; they weren't running around with their dogs - they were working..

ratings continue to drop:
http://www.usmagazine.com/news/jon-and-kate-ratings-continue-to-decline-2009166

Down 31% from last week!!! More and more people are now seeing this show for what it has really become - a "gravy train" - and no longer care to support it..

. They are working. The interview is of no benefit to them.

Agreed.. They wouldn't have even had to be sitting there if they weren't "working"..

The police and CPS get involved when someone grabs the arm of a child and spanks their bottom in your area? Ours wouldn't even with a picture of it..

You are absolutely wrong on that count.. I have 3 very close friends who currently work for CPS (in "our" area) and not only must the police respond, they are mandated to file a report with CPS - which then must be followed up on (in person) by a CPS worker within 48 hours of them receiving said report.. The same applies to any report they receive via the hotline - even if it comes from a complete stranger..

Sheesh, I'm so tired of the argument that J&K need the show in order to survive. They can make it work just like tons of other large families. Maybe that means not buying a million dollar home and the other perks they've grown accustomed to. No more matching Gymboree clothes or trips to Starbucks. Sure they'd have to cut corners but we already know Kate loves her coupons. It seems ridiculous to me to assume that unless they do the show, they will not be able to provide for their kids. As far as college goes, that's far down the road and there's nothing wrong with the kids taking out loans if they need to or working summer jobs to make $. Since when is a college education supposed to be handed to your kids on a silver platter?

They certainly don't need the show to survive. If they have 1/2 a brain they could live for a long time off the money they have already made. However we are talking about Gimme gimme Kate and I'll take one of those Jon.

I couldn't agree more.. Thousands and thousands of very large families have - and will continue to surive - on far less than Jon & Kate have made off of their children.. Perhaps not the same "lifestyle" they have become accustomed to, but they're certainly not going to end up homeless, living out of shopping carts under a bridge somewhere.. Let's not be ridiculous here.. It's a matter of "priorities" - and their priorities at this time are more, more, more..

 

[blissventure]

Sure, it wasn't the end of the world, the kids weren't dying of thirst, but neither was Kate! Her behavior is typical of the bully that she is. If your child came home and told you about a kid in his class that savored a cupcake or a piece of candy or something that your child wasn't able to have, right in front of your child, you'd think that kid was acting like a spoiled brat! It was a rude, narcissistic thing to do to an eight-year-old child.

It was indeed rude, narcissistic, and I'll add that I think it was cruel. And finally, it was totally unnecessary.
I guess she won...she got her drink.

 

[mla1977]

Your opinion is that she specifically took a sip because she was about to speak. Other people have the opinion that what she did regardless of WHY she did it was cruel. She's grown woman, I am sure she can make it though an interview without water yet the fact that she choose not to says a lot to some. The fact that she did not have water with her and only asked for it after Mady begged says a lot as well.

I'm not a huge Kate fan or a John fan, but I can speak from experience that when I need to talk, sometimes I just need a drink. I do a lot of training and have walked out of the sessions with sore throats because I haven't had anything to drink. I also find that it is physically harder to talk when my mouth gets too dry. To have to give an interview with a dry mouth wouldn't fun, so it makes sense that she wants a sip of water before she starts. Additionally, it looked to me at the very end of the clip that she may have been reaching for the water again (possibly to give to Mady, but who knows), but had to stop (maybe because they said they were about to start).

 

[3prettyprincesses]

For Pete's sake, it's not like they were tied up and abandoned in the desert for a week. Not one of them was suffering. And Kate sipped the water because she was about to speak, not because she was dying of thirst, either. And certainly not to torture her children. Pretty much anyone about to give an interview does that.

If that is true, then Kate should've given water to BOTH Cara and Mady since they were answering questions too. Isn't that part of the interview, answering questions? Cara and Mady both spoke during it so where was their quick sips of water that are necessary to give an interview?

 

[blissventure]

If that is true, then Kate should've given water to BOTH Cara and Mady since they were answering questions too. Isn't that part of the interview, answering questions? Cara and Mady both spoke during it so where was their quick sips of water that are necessary to give an interview?

And good grief, Kate isn't the Secretary of State answering questions for a network evening news deadline.
If Kate had really cared, she certainly could have said, "Let's take a minute and give the kids a drink."
The whole argument that there wasn't "time" is ridiculous to me. Kate wasn't willing ask for a tiny bit of time on behalf of her kids...but she certainly made sure she got a swig herself--right in from of the children. She's pretty full of herself.

 

[joyjoy]

I'm not a huge Kate fan or a John fan, but I can speak from experience that when I need to talk, sometimes I just need a drink. I do a lot of training and have walked out of the sessions with sore throats because I haven't had anything to drink. I also find that it is physically harder to talk when my mouth gets too dry. To have to give an interview with a dry mouth wouldn't fun, so it makes sense that she wants a sip of water before she starts. Additionally, it looked to me at the very end of the clip that she may have been reaching for the water again (possibly to give to Mady, but who knows), but had to stop (maybe because they said they were about to start).

Thank you. You make perfectly good sense. I thought the exact same thing as she was grabbing behind her seat and then ran out of time.

 

[mrsksomeday]

Kate didn't ask for any water until Mady had asked for it several times. If she was unwilling to give Mady water she shouldn't have taken a drink either until the interview was over.

 

[blissventure]

Kate didn't ask for any water until Mady had asked for it several times. If she was unwilling to give Mady water she shouldn't have taken a drink either until the interview was over.

I saw it that way, too.

BTW, I am always glad to read here. Lots of opinions, that's OK.

 

[lucas]

J&K also wouldn't let the kids hold their drink cups at home for movie night. The kids had to go to the cups. I'll have to watch it again but J&K probably got to hold their drinks. Maybe this was being mean to the kids, too.

 

[C.Ann]

And good grief, Kate isn't the Secretary of State answering questions for a network evening news deadline.
If Kate had really cared, she certainly could have said, "Let's take a minute and give the kids a drink."
The whole argument that there wasn't "time" is ridiculous to me. Kate wasn't willing ask for a tiny bit of time on behalf of her kids...but she certainly made sure she got a swig herself--right in from of the children. She's pretty full of herself.

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

Bingo!! We have a winner!!

If everything Kate does is "for the kids", that's exactly the way she should have handled it.. If she "couldn't" (meaning the crew is in charge rather than Kate) well then guess who has sold her children out for fame and fortune??

 

[TomLovesBecky]

I'm not a huge Kate fan or a John fan, but I can speak from experience that when I need to talk, sometimes I just need a drink. I do a lot of training and have walked out of the sessions with sore throats because I haven't had anything to drink. I also find that it is physically harder to talk when my mouth gets too dry. To have to give an interview with a dry mouth wouldn't fun, so it makes sense that she wants a sip of water before she starts. Additionally, it looked to me at the very end of the clip that she may have been reaching for the water again (possibly to give to Mady, but who knows), but had to stop (maybe because they said they were about to start).

All I can say to this is I don't care how many cameras started rolling...my thirsty child would ALWAYS get a drink of water when she asked for one. Not in 45 minutes, but NOW. It's not the end of the world to wait a few minutes for water, of course...but it's also completely normal to provide WATER for your kids whenever they ask for it, rather than expecting them to sit there under the lights, silent and still, for God only knows how long. And I certainly wouldn't get some for myself, drink it in front of her, and then put it down as she whines that she's thirsty. That is just sick, sick, sick. She isn't doing this "for the kids"...she is USING those kids for her own personal gain. Period. I used to feel sympathy for her, but now she has completely gone off the deep end and is a total narcissist. Kate needs serious help, and I hope those poor kids get some sort of respite from their "work"/lives in the very near future. PLEASE, can't someone regulate this child labor?? Ugh.

 

[rileyroosmom]

I said a long time ago that I was done with this thread.....curiosity killed the cat.
Anyway, about the water. I believe Kate was doing live interviews, which means you can't say give me a minute. She didn't deny the child water, she said when they were finished. The interview probably lasted all of 5 minutes. Add me to the list of terrible mothers as I have denied my children their requests many, many times. I don't think the clip showed Kate in the best light. Yes, she drank the water and didn't share, yes, she drank the water without giving it the child first. However, be honest, if you have more than 1 child you know what would happen. As soon as you give to one, the others want to, even if they haven't asked. A lot of time would have been needed to give 8 kids a drink, and as I said, there is no "just a minute" in live tv.

In my opinion, everyone needs to relax. The child wasn't in a hot car or left outside, she certainly wasn't dehydrated. Was she thirsty, tired, bored, done with it all, miserable.....yes, but her mother didn't deny her anything, she was asked to wait. Because Kate took the drink, she looks bad. I don't know about anyone else, but when I speak publicly, I need a drink of water. Also, Kate did try to give the kid water, someone off camera said there was no time.