Jon and Kate Plus 8, Official Thread--Part 7

[KristiKelly]

Almost looks like they are dressed up for Halloween! LOL

On another note- I miss big hair........ (((((((sigh)))))))

I remember the big hair days, I don't think my hair could handle that much hairspray again

I don't remember the parted down the middle look and just thought Jon looked cheesy, I didn't say they didn't look happy.

Wow--are you sure you watch the show? It's the one time where money didn't speak and they didn't go get some monstrosity.

I don't recall specifics, but it has sentimental value. Jon built it himself for the kids and was insistent on dismantling it and bringing it to the new house when they moved.


And the children enjoy it.

I remember the show, Jon's dad had bought it for the twins before he died and Jon wanted to keep it. He has actually taken it apart twice (I think) and moved it with them. I think it's very sweet that he wanted to keep it rather than buy a big brand new one. Kate kinda rolled her eyes at the whole thing though. She's obviously not the sentimental type.

 

[WaltD4Me]

Were all Michelle Duggar's pregnancies single births? Did she ever have twins or were the 18 one at a time? Michelle Duggar is my age, 44, whenever I think that, it just blows my mind. She has basically been pregnant for 12 of her 44 years. I can't even imagine.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Were all Michelle Duggar's pregnancies single births? Did she ever have twins or were the 18 one at a time? Michelle Duggar is my age, 44, whenever I think that, it just blows my mind. She has basically been pregnant for 12 of her 44 years. I can't even imagine.

She has 2 sets of twins, so only 16 pregancies (not including her 1 miscarriage after josh). Her current pregnancy is her 17th gestation.

 

[madge]

And it is hard to get 501(c)(3) status so I really doubt that they are somehow cheating on taxes and have had their home declared a tax-exempt church, especially with their very public profile.

it is my understanding (and I don't know their tax status) that the Duggar property has been declared a church, and as such, exempt from property taxes. it's been that way for years... since before the TV show.

now, I only know about my own tax situation ... but in large families such as the Gosselins (keeping it on topic) and Duggars ... how many children can you claim for tax credit? All of them? I'm just curious about that.

 

[DMRick]

Perhaps things are left out, but I don't think that TLC is in the business of trying to make the families appear as they are not. I don't know what would be in it for them.

I think they are in the business of ratings. Ratings brings them money. I think they have decided how they wanted the shows to go, and that's how they went. They could have easily shown a lighter side of Kate, like they do now. Because now it suits them.
They could easily show a rougher side of the Duggars (such as the discipline they have been reported to use in the past or the work the kids do) but IMO, that's not how they want that show to go.

 

[Motherofboys]

it is my understanding (and I don't know their tax status) that the Duggar property has been declared a church, and as such, exempt from property taxes. it's been that way for years... since before the TV show.

now, I only know about my own tax situation ... but in large families such as the Gosselins (keeping it on topic) and Duggars ... how many children can you claim for tax credit? All of them? I'm just curious about that.

There is no limit to how many children you can claim as dependants (as long as they are qualified dependants) on your federal tax return. So yes, J&K should have 10 exemptions on their federal tax return. For 2008, I think the personal exemption was like $3k a person so that is only like $30k deduction for them plus whatever they had in itemized deductions (which is likely why the mortgage was structured as a 10 year mortgage, to get hefty mortgage interest deductions now while the money is coming in). They make a lot though so I'm sure they still have a good amount of taxes paid in.

 

[momrek06]

GOOD MORNING EVERYONE!!

OT

I will say living here in CA...the Octomom has been very very quiet. I mean Kate appeared on Dr. Phil's show to "weigh-in" on the Octomom and yet I have not seen or heard a word out of her....sheesh, her kiddos must be sitting up now, crawling. They were JAN babies.

I thought maybe the Octomom would come out and comment on Kate as to what she is going through now that she is a SINGLE parent with 8 kiddos.......

I hear more about the Duggars and the Gosselins almost daily in the media...esp since the oldest Duggar boy got married and now has a baby and Michelle being pregnant...BUT the Octomom is keeping very much to herself.

 

[3prettyprincesses]

I think they are in the business of ratings. Ratings brings them money. I think they have decided how they wanted the shows to go, and that's how they went. They could have easily shown a lighter side of Kate, like they do now. Because now it suits them.
They could easily show a rougher side of the Duggars (such as the discipline they have been reported to use in the past or the work the kids do) but IMO, that's not how they want that show to go.

True but there was obviously something about these families that TLC found appealing. Something in the family's dynamics made TLC think it would appeal to the public. I do think they edit the show to suit their agenda but there is definitely something to work with in the first place otherwise the shows would never have started.

 

[mhsjax]

And that is just what TLC wanted you to see. That's how this show is meant to be shown.
As for teh Duggars, I have no idea if, when the camera's are off, there are temper tantrums. I know before they were a series, they supported the 'spare the rod and spoil th echild' theory. They never mention that on the regular shows. I think a smooth loving family is where TLC wants their show to go. And maybe it is..but as I said, I'd be willing to bet, what we see is not what it is all the time.

My mom grew up one of 23..for her and many of her siblings, working so hard was not fun. They each were responsible for other's as well...and much of the cleaning and cooking and working outside. She was one of the youngest and still her memories were not of going out and playing in the yard.

Wee then maybe they should make Jon and Kate a smooth loving family. Cause they could use it. WE will have to disagree on this one. Like I said I have family that I spend a great deal of time with and they raise their kids like that, right down to home schooling and those kids are the best behaved and mature well rounded unspoiled kids I have ever seen. If one of them had ever had a temper tantrum like any of the Gosselin kids there was have been big trouble. and I have never once seen them spank their kids. I wonder how the Gosselin kids memoriers will be, with an over baring mother who refused to let them get dirty or do the things that most kids do.

 

[daughtersrus]

I find the "buddy" system they have to be "slavish" Children should NOT have to raise children. Mowing the lawn, doing the dishes, taking out the trash, vacuuming- those are chores. Being responsible for a young sibling is having a free nanny.

What's the difference between having a free nanny or having a free gardener, cleaning lady, laundry service...?

 

[MAKmom]

What's the difference between having a free nanny or having a free gardener, cleaning lady, laundry service...?

What?

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

True but there was obviously something about these families that TLC found appealing. Something in the family's dynamics made TLC think it would appeal to the public. I do think they edit the show to suit their agenda but there is definitely something to work with in the first place otherwise the shows would never have started.

This is my point.

My family is not calm and in anyway like the Duggar family. I have zero patience.

I'm in bed sick right now and trying to get my kids to pick up all their crap that they have sprinkled throughout the house. DH told me to be nice about it. So in a lovely voice, they've been asked several times to do what is needed. After a few delays, they were warned that if the next time ugly nasty mommy would come out and it wouldn't be pretty.

I just have no patience and my kids are kind of lazy I have discovered.

In my home--it would be difficult to film a Duggar-like dynamic. We just don't have it. The house is in chaos (especially now) and my first inclination isn't to be polite. I know that's not how other families do it--but I'm in the crowd of "I'm the mom--do what I say!"

It would be difficult to convey me as patience as those moments where I am truly relaxed and able to get compliane out of my children by being nice are rare.

Is what we see 100% the whole truth--of course not. We aren't watching big brother so we don't have 24 hours of continuous footage to sort through.

But the chances of the G's or the D's faking it for the camera are extremely slim to none (as for what their dominant traits are!) I do think Kate has a nice side to her and it crops up occasionally--but in her world, that is probably a difficult trait to muster as it is in my world. I only wish I could keep my home as clean as she does and I don't care if she has helpers or not. I wish my home were as clean as the Duggars--but at this rate, my children try to avoid the chores as much as they can as I've discovered the past 2 weeks of morning sickness.

I feel like a failure as a mom actually. Kind of sad.

Our portrayal on television wouldn't be pretty despite the best of editing to make us look as fabulous as possible.

I yell, I scream, I rant, I rave--I do nice things to....but I also battle personal issues on how I deal with a crisis in my world such as all this crap all over my house.

 

[newtodis]

GOOD MORNING EVERYONE!!

OT

I will say living here in CA...the Octomom has been very very quiet. I mean Kate appeared on Dr. Phil's show to "weigh-in" on the Octomom and yet I have not seen or heard a word out of her....sheesh, her kiddos must be sitting up now, crawling. They were JAN babies.

I thought maybe the Octomom would come out and comment on Kate as to what she is going through now that she is a SINGLE parent with 8 kiddos.......

I hear more about the Duggars and the Gosselins almost daily in the media...esp since the oldest Duggar boy got married and now has a baby and Michelle being pregnant...BUT the Octomom is keeping very much to herself.

She has been quite quiet - maybe because she's working on her own show?? Didn't they say when they did the special that Fox was giving her a show? Maybe she's finally gotten some advice that it's better to keep quiet than to be on every magazine.

What's the difference between having a free nanny or having a free gardener, cleaning lady, laundry service...?

Speaking as someone who raised their brother, a "free" nanny like the Gosselins have and a sibling being used as a "free nanny" are two VERY different things. I was a parent by the time I was in fifth grade - probably before then - and it wasn't my choice. I grew up all too quickly. How - as a very young teenager - did I know the "right" and "wrong" choices to make with my little brother?? I had no idea and my parents weren't the example to look for to get some guidance. I try not to comment on the Duggars because I don't know enough about them but what I do know I don't like. Living in an environment where I wasn't a "kid", I cannot stand the Duggars for doing that to their children. I'm a firm believer (J&K included in this) that if you have children, that was your choice and you should raise them. That means being there for them and not dumping them off on someone else so you can go and have a good time or whatever. That doesn't mean I don't think parents can't have a life (I go to work to support my family as does my husband) but they're your kids, you should raise them - not your family, your kids, your neighbors, whoever. If you're not ready for kids, don't have them. I know things happen (rape, ect) where women have made the choice to keep the baby which is great and weren't always in the position to choose if they wanted to get pregnant or not. There are way too many people out there that want to have kids and cannot and would do anything for that child you had just to prance around and show off (the general "you" - not meant for anyone in particular). I'm sure the Gosselins and Duggars love their children - I don't doubt that at all.

 

[DMRick]

I just wanted to point out that it takes quite a bit of work and some $$ to file for and get tax-exempt status, and there is a lot of work that goes into maintaining it correctly too.

Is tax-exempt and non profit the same?

Here is some info I ran into about their house while looking to see if they are property tax exempt because they use it as a church (haven't found actual facts about that yet). I wonder why J & K never thought of doing that?


The Duggar Family House
Discovery Channel has been instrumental in helping the Duggars with financing for their new home, which was built just for them. The planning, construction, and eventual move in to the new home was documented in 16 Children and Moving In. Appliances, furnishings, and food have been donated to the Duggars through private sponsors and large corporations.

The house took three and a half years to complete, and was planned and built with hard work and input from the entire family every step of the way. With over 7,000 square feet of space, the house is more than twice the size of their former home. The house has:

Nine bathrooms
20 feet of kitchen counter space
Two of each major kitchen appliance
An industrial kitchen for entertaining and holding meetings and seminars
Two garages used for storage rather then vehicles
A school room
A playroom
Four washers and four dryers
An intercom system
There is even a climbing wall in the house.

 

[MAKmom]

I have only seen it mentioned here too. I don't feel like the Duggars are the type to work the system either. Anyone that wanted hard facts could check out guidestar.org to see if they have a listing on their as a public charity. It might be hard to find though if you don't know the name of the church.

I just wanted to point out that it takes quite a bit of work and some $$ to file for and get tax-exempt status, and there is a lot of work that goes into maintaining it correctly too.

I don't think they are are working the system. They really are a Home Church with 80 members.

 

[DMRick]

And you may be the next type of family they are looking for. Actually, you sound a bit like the Roloff's, so I think your family is covered LOL.

This is my point.

My family is not calm and in anyway like the Duggar family. I have zero patience.

I'm in bed sick right now and trying to get my kids to pick up all their crap that they have sprinkled throughout the house. DH told me to be nice about it. So in a lovely voice, they've been asked several times to do what is needed. After a few delays, they were warned that if the next time ugly nasty mommy would come out and it wouldn't be pretty.

I just have no patience and my kids are kind of lazy I have discovered.

In my home--it would be difficult to film a Duggar-like dynamic. We just don't have it. The house is in chaos (especially now) and my first inclination isn't to be polite. I know that's not how other families do it--but I'm in the crowd of "I'm the mom--do what I say!"

It would be difficult to convey me as patience as those moments where I am truly relaxed and able to get compliane out of my children by being nice are rare.

Is what we see 100% the whole truth--of course not. We aren't watching big brother so we don't have 24 hours of continuous footage to sort through.

But the chances of the G's or the D's faking it for the camera are extremely slim to none (as for what their dominant traits are!) I do think Kate has a nice side to her and it crops up occasionally--but in her world, that is probably a difficult trait to muster as it is in my world. I only wish I could keep my home as clean as she does and I don't care if she has helpers or not. I wish my home were as clean as the Duggars--but at this rate, my children try to avoid the chores as much as they can as I've discovered the past 2 weeks of morning sickness.

I feel like a failure as a mom actually. Kind of sad.

Our portrayal on television wouldn't be pretty despite the best of editing to make us look as fabulous as possible.

I yell, I scream, I rant, I rave--I do nice things to....but I also battle personal issues on how I deal with a crisis in my world such as all this crap all over my house.

 

[newtodis]

This is my point.

My family is not calm and in anyway like the Duggar family. I have zero patience.

In my home--it would be difficult to film a Duggar-like dynamic. We just don't have it. The house is in chaos (especially now) and my first inclination isn't to be polite. I know that's not how other families do it--but I'm in the crowd of "I'm the mom--do what I say!"

It would be difficult to convey me as patience as those moments where I am truly relaxed and able to get compliane out of my children by being nice are rare.

But the chances of the G's or the D's faking it for the camera are extremely slim to none (as for what their dominant traits are!) I do think Kate has a nice side to her and it crops up occasionally--but in her world, that is probably a difficult trait to muster as it is in my world. I only wish I could keep my home as clean as she does and I don't care if she has helpers or not. I wish my home were as clean as the Duggars--but at this rate, my children try to avoid the chores as much as they can as I've discovered the past 2 weeks of morning sickness.

I feel like a failure as a mom actually. Kind of sad.

Our portrayal on television wouldn't be pretty despite the best of editing to make us look as fabulous as possible.

I yell, I scream, I rant, I rave--I do nice things to....but I also battle personal issues on how I deal with a crisis in my world such as all this crap all over my house.

I think we could be twins - other than the fact that I'm not pregnant (congrats by the way!!! ). I totally agree with above. For what it's worth - I'm sure you're not a failure as a mommy!! I've been struggling with that myself lately as well actually. I spent a lot of time this weekend with my boys and debating if this working full time (recently accepted a promotion that takes a bit more time from home, but more money) gig is worth the exchange of not being as home or as stress free as I was previously. for you today! I'm sure my family's tv show would be interesting at the very least because there's always something going on at our house - but it wouldn't be all nice and sunshine at our house all the time. They'd have to tape a LOT to get enough of that to make a show I fear.

try and have a good day!

 

[Motherofboys]

Is tax-exempt and non profit the same?

Here is some info I ran into about their house while looking to see if they are property tax exempt because they use it as a church (haven't found actual facts about that yet). I wonder why J & K never thought of doing that?


The Duggar Family House
Discovery Channel has been instrumental in helping the Duggars with financing for their new home, which was built just for them. The planning, construction, and eventual move in to the new home was documented in 16 Children and Moving In. Appliances, furnishings, and food have been donated to the Duggars through private sponsors and large corporations.

The house took three and a half years to complete, and was planned and built with hard work and input from the entire family every step of the way. With over 7,000 square feet of space, the house is more than twice the size of their former home. The house has:

Nine bathrooms
20 feet of kitchen counter space
Two of each major kitchen appliance
An industrial kitchen for entertaining and holding meetings and seminars
Two garages used for storage rather then vehicles
A school room
A playroom
Four washers and four dryers
An intercom system
There is even a climbing wall in the house.

Sounds like quite a home!

You have to be non-profit to be tax-exempt under the IRS code. But there is a lot more that goes with it, I don't know if they are a public charity or not - nothing comes up under the name "Duggar" on guidestar but I doubt they would name their church anything with their last name in it!

I don't know a ton about them, is the dad a preacher? They have a congregation? It would be interesting to know how that all works out.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Sounds like quite a home!

You have to be non-profit to be tax-exempt under the IRS code. But there is a lot more that goes with it, I don't know if they are a public charity or not - nothing comes up under the name "Duggar" on guidestar but I doubt they would name their church anything with their last name in it!

I don't know a ton about them, is the dad a preacher? They have a congregation? It would be interesting to know how that all works out.

The church could be non-profit, but their real estate income would not be.


I just recently found out that a pastor can make a conscientous objection (or whatever it is called) to paying income taxes out of their income. But it can only be on their pastoral income. If they wrote a book or earned income from elsewhere outside of their church, they would be taxed on that.

So it isn't all cut and dried that the Duggars are getting out of all of their taxes. Far from it.

But people form churches all the time, and if they've opted to use their home as a church--they are no different than my church or anyone else's church. The church is not for profit.

I have no idea about JimBob being a pastor, but he wouldn't necessarily have to be if it is simply his property being exempted as a place of worship.

Also someone posted the discovery article and I find it a little bit misleading. The family did a lot of work using their own money and their own blood sweat and tears. They are debt free--so getting a loan to speed its finish was not an option.

However--they are no different than any other home on a show that gets finished, built, remodeled or whatever with contributions.

The contributions are considered income--but again, depending on the tax status of the house as a church--likely then these would be pure contributions and they wouldn't be subject to income taxes.

Shows like This Old House, Extreme Home Makeover or similar shows--the homeowners are not as lucky and get the good fortune of paying their portion to Uncle Sam. And they are at the mercy of what these "kind" companies determine is the value of said item. (my parents had a contributor who lied in what they told the show and what they told the IRS and my parents were stuck paying the tax bill on the declared value.)

 

[DMRick]

Yep, it is a slow K & J day LOL.

The dad on teh Duggars is a preacher, and they have a congregation and as far as I have read they meet once a week. They also rent out the house with the large area for groups and meetings and also cater it as a way to have income. I have read the older two girls do the catering, but I don't know if that is fact. Our 501 (c) with the cat rescue group has nothing to do with property taxes (more to do with sales taxes, and being able to be in places for adoptions that only allow 501 (c)'s and it allows us to apply for grants. I know our church is non profit and that does allow us to not pay property taxes.

Sounds like quite a home!

You have to be non-profit to be tax-exempt under the IRS code. But there is a lot more that goes with it, I don't know if they are a public charity or not - nothing comes up under the name "Duggar" on guidestar but I doubt they would name their church anything with their last name in it!

I don't know a ton about them, is the dad a preacher? They have a congregation? It would be interesting to know how that all works out.