Jon and Kate Plus 8. Official Thread!!

[Wonders10]

Hi everyone! I've been reading this thread for the past few weeks and it's addictive...like reading the Enquirer at the checkout stand in the grocery. Anyway, I love the show and I have been watching it since the middle of the first season. Kate does get on my nerves at times but more so recently. And I guess I am one of those that is on "team jon" if I had to pick sides

Anyway, I decided to post because I just kept talking back to the computer screen after reading posts so I figured I should just post what I'm saying.

I didn't quote anyone so I'll probably forget half of what I was thinking.

As for the mini-potties, it does seem a little ridiculous. I get thay they are preemies/multiples and development is slower but they are all clearly potty-trained (or so Kate lets us believe via the show). My only rational reason for the potties is that some of the kiddos still struggle with potty-training.

I am especially sick of kate harping on jon's weight and how "fat" he is. He is hardly fat and barely overweight! And the fact that she is still on his case even though he is making a strong effort to go to the gym and get healthier is even more annoying.

As for last night's episode, some of you have a point as to why they went to the bakery (the producers wanted it) because Kate looked miserable. As for the mess, she knew where she was going and what was going to happen - why not prepare for that? And I'm not singling out jon for not bringing a change of clothes because he was not the one freaking out about the mess.

Also, I sure hope that this was a second bday celebration done solely for the show because it was a sad excuse to celebrate a birthday. I mean let's look at the twins bday episode this season...they went out to dinner, opened gifts, had cake. The 6 didn't get any of that in this episode so I hope it wasn't their actual bday celebration.

As for that blog....whoa! Drama! I don't know what to believe but if it is actually jodi's sister writing it, I feel bad for jodi. Some of it does sound VERY far-fetched, even for OCD kate.

ok I think that's it for now. Again, for all my nit-picking I still understand that it is a show and we see what the producers want us to see. And I still watch the show regularly. Those kids are the cutest!

 

[Wonders10]

ITA.... I guess a lot of ladies just have a big crush on him or something.
I keep expecting to read a post criticizing Kate for what was said about not eating food that the kids made/touched, when Jon was right there saying the same thing and making the same gestures.

I totally forgot about that part. I was surprised by both their comments, but more so by Jon because he is the laid back, less obvious germaphobe of the duo.

I do not have kids. But I have a very close niece and nephew. And they help me cook/bake sometimes. And I have no problem eating anything they touch. Once, she was helping me make rice krispie treats and I caught her licking every single marshmallow before putting it in the bowl.

And we still ate them...they were yummy!

And I'm not picking sides, just pointing out what I saw - jon was clearly taking a bite from a slice of cake while they were cleaning up. Of course it could have been store bought cake, etc. Just saying. Oh and this was right about the time that Kate made a comment about him undoing all his gym efforts

 

[SharpMomOfTwo]

I didn't see the episode everyone is talking about, but I have seen the show in the past. Kate, to me, just seems like she needs to take a step back and chill!!! (Though I understand that can't be easy with 8 kids!!) I have heard many not-so-flattering things about her, and though I don't know her personally, from watching her deminor (sp??) on the show, I tend to believe they are true.
Someone wrote:

"Kate is being criticized because she didn't bring a second set of clothing. Didn't anyone hear what she had to say about that? She didn't bring a change of clothing because she didn't want Jon to fuss at her about having to change 8 kids. So, it is one of those things that no matter what she does, she can't win."

She could have "won" 100% by just letting it go!! Look people, KIDS GET MESSY!!! The last time my kids had cupcakes, I had to literally pick the icing out of their noses!!! The key is NOT TO FREEK! I mean, oh my goodness, they are kids, let them be kids!! Does that mean that I let my kids to and eat whatever they want - heck no, but I let them enjoy themselves especially on special days (I understand that it wasn't really their birthdays, but they are 4, they don't get that.) I feel so bad for them, I mean, they are going to grow up walking on egg shells (probally already do) if they get anything dirty. Personally, I don't "dress down" my kids if I know they are going on a "messy date" I just deal with the stains when I get home, but if you can't do that, then either make then eat in the nude (done that once or twice!) or put something old on them!!
Rant over

 

[Wonders10]

Look people, KIDS GET MESSY!!!

Exactly!

Ok so Kate is OCD. Well she better get over that real quick. Because her kids are going to spill stuff on themselves, get muddy/dirty at the park, etc. And I am so sick of her whining about the laundry and the stain removal. Half of the "stains" she is talking about would come out in a regular load of laundry, without all that extra stain stick stuff and all the extra work. And if she does still have help with the ironing/folding/putting away, then I am really sick of the laundry whine.

 

[TanyaLovesPooh]

Kate was way out of line with the whole "don't make a mess" thing. I think Jon is showing that Kate's numerous buttons are becoming more and more annoying for him. I have noticed during the couch interviews that they have seemed like they are under more stress lately. I hope that I am wrong though.

I would love to see every one of those kids get to make a mud pie! Or get to see what mud feels like squishing between your toes. I like Kate and am OCD myself but come on, stains are not the end of the world. Sometimes stains don't come out, so what...those become the "play clothes".

As far as the cupcakes being covered with deadly food coloring, I don't think once a year would hurt anyone.

 

[momto2nenas]

As far as the "stain phobia" she has.... those kids ONLY wear Gymboree clothes, my kids mostly wear Gymboree clothes. The stains ALWAYS come out! I have maybe had 1 stain I had to swipe the stain stick on more than once to get it out. Never have I scrubbed and scrubbed and spent "hours" in the laundy room as she claims on kid stains in Gymboree clothes. Just sayin'.

 

[Wonders10]

As far as the "stain phobia" she has.... those kids ONLY wear Gymboree clothes, my kids mostly wear Gymboree clothes. The stains ALWAYS come out! I have maybe had 1 stain I had to swipe the stain stick on more than once to get it out. Never have I scrubbed and scrubbed and spent "hours" in the laundy room as she claims on kid stains in Gymboree clothes. Just sayin'.

I've been shopping at gymboree, looking for my niece and nephew and those clothes are not cheap IMO. Granted they have sales, but to have to buy 6 tops and bottoms or 3 dresses and 3 boy outfits, could cost a lot of money to develop a decent sized wardrobe! Oh how Jon and Kate are struggling financially

They are cute clothes though!

 

[sha_lyn]

I've been shopping at gymboree, looking for my niece and nephew and those clothes are not cheap IMO. Granted they have sales, but to have to buy 6 tops and bottoms or 3 dresses and 3 boy outfits, could cost a lot of money to develop a decent sized wardrobe! Oh how Jon and Kate are struggling financially They are cute clothes though!

2 words... product placement

 

[wdwgirl03]

I remember watching this show a couple times last year when I was at school (probably when I should have been doing studying!) but recently my mom and sisters got into this show so I've been watching it more now. Those kids are adorable! I guess Friday morning is the one where they go to Disney World so I am definitely going to have to see that!

 

[Stinkerbell317]

I honestly don't see why it would be that big of a deal to chenge their clothes before they went to the bakery. The little ones are 4! It's not like they are babies and can't do things themselves. I didn't get that at all. Throw $4 Target tees on the boys, and $6 sundresses on the girls, and be done with it!

 

[momto2nenas]

I've been shopping at gymboree, looking for my niece and nephew and those clothes are not cheap IMO. Granted they have sales, but to have to buy 6 tops and bottoms or 3 dresses and 3 boy outfits, could cost a lot of money to develop a decent sized wardrobe! Oh how Jon and Kate are struggling financially

They are cute clothes though!

Not that I have proof, lol, BUT I have read on another board from someone who works at their local Gymboree that they get all their clothes for free. Kate phones in her order and its bagged and ready when she get there. So free clothes PLUS the fact they rarely stain.. all the more reason she is overreacting to the whole clothes issue.

 

[Wonders10]

Not that I have proof, lol, BUT I have read on another board from someone who works at their local Gymboree that they get all their clothes for free. Kate phones in her order and its bagged and ready when she get there. So free clothes PLUS the fact they rarely stain.. all the more reason she is overreacting to the whole clothes issue.

Wow! I'd believe it. Even if she has paid for them, I think she is overeacting to any stains on clothes. Heck, I'm 28 years old and I still staiin my clothes.

 

[madge]

I've been shopping at gymboree, looking for my niece and nephew and those clothes are not cheap IMO. Granted they have sales, but to have to buy 6 tops and bottoms or 3 dresses and 3 boy outfits, could cost a lot of money to develop a decent sized wardrobe! Oh how Jon and Kate are struggling financially

They are cute clothes though!

I don't think Jon & Kate actually pay for the Gymboree clothes.

or the Juicy Juice

or the Johnson's baby care products

or any other products strategically placed on the show.

 

[Camster0307]

A. - I've seen those kids in clothes from the Gap; so they don't ONLY wear Gymboree clothes. And, interestingly enough, I remember a thread last fall on the Budget Board (or Families Board- don't remember) about people having a very hard time removing stains from Gymboree clothes and couldn't figure out why. There were alot of posters claiming to have this problem - who knows?

B. - Funny, but last year after the sextuplets had their big carnival theme party for their third birthday, we saw many posts about how over the top that party was; and poor Mady and Cara for not getting a big party like that. This year, Jon & Kate keep it simple and they still get criticized.

C. I have a very good friend who has OCD; her kids are 16, 13, and 9. She is still as obsessive today about them as she was when they were toddlers. The high-schooler comes home w/ a stain on her shirt - the shirt comes right off and goes into a bucket of Oxy-Clean to soak. She is what she is and I don't think she'll ever change; and I'm going to bet that neither will Kate. Maybe she just can't help it. I'm going to guess it wasn't her idea to go to the bakery and she did look tense; but I'm thinking the producers thought it would be fun to watch Kate "freak out" and over-react. It's all about making interesting tv.

And, I also have to question why the bashing is always directed at Kate. Alot of posters were criticizing her for not letting the kids eat their cupcakes, but if you watch the couch interview, there's Jon chiming in how they get no dessert if they don't finish dinner. He seemed to be on board about this too, yet everyone blames Kate.

I really enjoy this show. I think the kids are just precious and I think Jon and Kate do a pretty good job of handling it all. Through it all, we get to see the good, bad, and the ugly. I'm not going to judge or criticize any choices that they make for their children. I don't think any of us should.

 

[Stinkerbell317]

I totally agree with Kate not allowing the non-dinner-eaters to have their cupcakes. That's a BIG rule at our house too. HOwever if it was on my kid's birthday I may give in a little. )

 

[Wonders10]

A. - I've seen those kids in clothes from the Gap; so they don't ONLY wear Gymboree clothes. And, interestingly enough, I remember a thread last fall on the Budget Board (or Families Board- don't remember) about people having a very hard time removing stains from Gymboree clothes and couldn't figure out why. There were alot of posters claiming to have this problem - who knows?

B. - Funny, but last year after the sextuplets had their big carnival theme party for their third birthday, we saw many posts about how over the top that party was; and poor Mady and Cara for not getting a big party like that. This year, Jon & Kate keep it simple and they still get criticized.

C. I have a very good friend who has OCD; her kids are 16, 13, and 9. She is still as obsessive today about them as she was when they were toddlers. The high-schooler comes home w/ a stain on her shirt - the shirt comes right off and goes into a bucket of Oxy-Clean to soak. She is what she is and I don't think she'll ever change; and I'm going to bet that neither will Kate. Maybe she just can't help it. I'm going to guess it wasn't her idea to go to the bakery and she did look tense; but I'm thinking the producers thought it would be fun to watch Kate "freak out" and over-react. It's all about making interesting tv.

And, I also have to question why the bashing is always directed at Kate. Alot of posters were criticizing her for not letting the kids eat their cupcakes, but if you watch the couch interview, there's Jon chiming in how they get no dessert if they don't finish dinner. He seemed to be on board about this too, yet everyone blames Kate.

I really enjoy this show. I think the kids are just precious and I think Jon and Kate do a pretty good job of handling it all. Through it all, we get to see the good, bad, and the ugly. I'm not going to judge or criticize any choices that they make for their children. I don't think any of us should.

A. Gap clothes are just as expensive as Gymboree clothes. My only comment on this was that they are pretty pricey clothes to wear all the time - especially if there are times when jon and kate discuss their financial struggles (but as others have commented - apparently they aren't paying for a lot of thier clothes, or other things for that matter.

B. I had no problem with the carnival party and I have no problem with something quiet at home. My "issue" was that no one sang happy birthday, blew out candles, opened a gift, etc. But again it seems this was a staged bday party not the actual one.

C. OCD is definitely a serious disorder. We all have it to an extent I'm sure. I'm not bashing her for having it at all, but it is hard to imagine exactly what is going on in her head when most of us simply see a mess/stain that can be easily cleaned up and to her it is 50x worse.

D. It's easier to "bash" Kate because she always seems to be the one freaking out, yelling, complaining, etc. even if Jon is in 100% agreement with her some of the time. They are a unit, but she stands out more in her behaviors, hence gets the brunt of the bashing. Unfortunately for her.

I totally agree with Kate not allowing the non-dinner-eaters to have their cupcakes. That's a BIG rule at our house too. HOwever if it was on my kid's birthday I may give in a little. )

You just said it! I'm all for rules, but on your kids birthday (especially for your sextuplets that are so healthy, etc) you would probably give in a let them eat a stupid cupcake on their birthday. That's all I'm saying.

 

[goodeats]

I couldn't she made Cara and Mady wear shoes that didn't fit just because they matched their outfits. I'm sure they had other shoes that would have fit, even if they weren't 'perfect'. Kate is HUGE on the appearances.

I also didn't like how Hannah got spoonfed and coddled to, so she could get her cupcake, but the boys didn't appear to get the same opportunity.

 

[JBurke]

I have just recently started watching the show and have never critized Kate before, but after last night's episode I cant help it.

One day she is going to wake up, the kids will be older and she will be sad to see all the fun she has missed out on.
Could she have looked any more miserable at the bakery?
Jeez-let the kids have some fun. What's so terrible about letting them have 2 cupcakes? Let them lick the icing. If you are so worried about organic food-why take them to a bakery to make cupcakes? Her being so grossed out that people have touched the fondant-whatever. Get over it. She is so worried about germs, but the kids are sick every other show.
Why not just put on some oversized t-shirts on them so they wont get dirty? That's what I do when my kids want to paint or do a messy craft. It doesnt require a whole other special outfit. Are stained clothes that big of a deal?

 

[Wonders10]

I couldn't she made Cara and Mady wear shoes that didn't fit just because they matched their outfits. I'm sure they had other shoes that would have fit, even if they weren't 'perfect'. Kate is HUGE on the appearances.

I also didn't like how Hannah got spoonfed and coddled to, so she could get her cupcake, but the boys didn't appear to get the same opportunity.

See I took the shoe situation completely differently - I was under the impression that the twins wanted to wear them but they didn't fit and they were upset over that and wore them anyway.

 

[sha_lyn]

I do agree about the shoes, but then again we have seen that shoes seem to be an issue with the twins, Mady in particular. If the shoes really are getting too tight, then shame on Kate However my kids have suddenly had shes fit or not fit depending on whetherr or not they want to wear them.

As for the OCD...one of my best friends is in treatment right now for OCD and bi-polar. The truth is she can't help her behaivor especially when several phobias are being challenged at once.
On Mondays episode I think it was really a combination of her problems with new places and of mess. Add to that the stress from getting ready that morning and if she were like my friend, she would be in bed in isolation the rest of the day. Jon was really stressed out that AM too, and as others have said, they both looked very tired. I can't help but imagine that the crew showing up that AM..."Oh BTW the producers have arranged for te kids to decorate cupcakes since we didn't get to film their actual birthday"