redrosesix
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Feb 29, 2008
- Messages
- 5,033
I disagree that divorce means being a part-time parent. No, divorced parents don't get to see their kids everyday. But divorced parents who are really committed to their kids still show up on non-costodial days to drive soccer car pools, haul to doctor and dentist appts., watch school plays and ballgames or attend parent conferences. These are divorced parents who are trying to make the best of a bad situation. Some divorced parents (the impression I'm getting from Jon) is that when he isn't "on-duty" his life is his own. I work with a lady like this. In fact, I'm sure it was the real she finally decided to divorce. Some people are too selfish for the 24/7 requirement.
I also disagree that having a nanny makes either Jon or Kate part-time parents, with 8 kids even when the nanny is there, there is plenty of work to go around. I'm sure there have been two skinned knees at once or two kids that needed correction or re-direction. With 8 kids and no spouse, I would imagine a nanny only saves your sanity not allows you time to sit on your butt.
Well, it's great when it can work well between the parents so that both can attend important things with the kids -- I know of a lot of families where they have to take turns attending school concerts, holidays, etc. The parents can't be in the same room as each other, and the kids miss things like weddings and family reunions if they fall on the wrong days.
And I think it's really premature to say how either Jon or Kate are going to work things out so soon -- yes, Jon got an apartment in NYC but he just moved in. Who's to say that will last? Or whether Kate would be there if something happened, but Jon wouldn't. Even if they were secretly separated for a long time, they've only been taking turns away from the kids for about a month. I just think it's too soon to tell, especially with not knowing how Jon's exploits are going to play out -- maybe she isn't as surprised as we are about Hailey -- maybe she's madder than we could ever imagine.
As for the part-time/full-time parent comment, I just want to clarify that I was only speaking about the time requirements, and the need for both parents to be available at all times. And I want to add that even though they have lots of money, I wouldn't hold it against either of them if they felt they had to get a real job -- some people need to work. It would be a great example to set for their kids, since I'm sure there's no way that all 8 of them can have their own reality TV show when they grow up.