Jon and Kate Plus 8. Official Thread!!

[mickeyboat]

I'm 99% sure she told the music teacher she bought it.

I also don't think it's horrible that the girls aren't in any extracurricular activities, but my 12 yr. old DS has been playing baseball for 7 yrs.(spring) & has been taking drum lessons for 3 yrs.(summer) He also stays after school 3 days a week for an hour.(baseball, robotics, band) My 7 yr. old DD played baseball for 2 yrs.(spring), soccer for 2 yrs.(fall) & recently started gymnastics. My point~there are many activities kids can do (for free) & except for baseball, the other activities don't take up much time. Now, as for $$...thanks God the activities are spreadout throughout the year.

I think it was more of a logistical issue than anything else, and a financial issue related to the logistical issue, not that they could not afford the activity fees.

Now that Jon is home earlier, and they are able to hire people for once-in-a-while child care, they are free to let the girls participate in more activities.

 

[sha_lyn]

I think it was more of a logistical issue than anything else, and a financial issue related to the logistical issue, not that they could not afford the activity fees.

ITA. I have a friend with 18 month old twins. She was bed ridden for much of the pregnancy, and ended up pulling her DS (who would have been about 8 then) out of sports and other extra curricular activities. She is just now getting to the point where she can easily get out of the house with the twins on a time schedule. She plans on letting the older one get involved in activities again this summer.

 

[lucas]

Loved the new shows.

 

[MM27]

the music teacher in my school teaches violin and I have about 7 girls that take lessons. I think only one of them is renting their violin. As someone else said, I don't think there is much of a price difference.

I'm curious to know about the move too.

 

[momx2]

DD took up violin this year and it was not much cheaper to rent one! It was actually only a $20 difference so we bought it and DD got a really nice violin with the case. If you damage or loose the rented one they charge you about double what it costs for a new one!

I guess it is just where you live. It was much cheaper for us to rent for my DD's one semester of violin classes at school. She quit at Christmas. But she is now taking piano outside school and loves it.

 

[Poohnatic]

My DH was watching last night (we usually watch the midnight show, since I work til 10 on Monday nights) and I sacked out before it began. When he saw the girls were at Young Chef's, he started shaking me "Sue, wake up! They're at Young Chefs" I didn't even budge. Our younger son goes to one and loves it, so DH was very excited that they chose to send the twins to one.

Then he told me that Kate messed up the recipe. The recipes are really easy, easy enough that my son can do them without us helping. Guess baking isn't her thing, but he said she readily admitted that.

My older son had piano from almost 5 until he was almost 7. After that, we took a long break-my younger son started cooking school and they both joined scouts last year. It can be hectic when both parents work full time, and with that many kids, I can understand why Mady and Cara didn't do any until now.

Suzanne

 

[momx2]

The laundry room looks like the only place in the house that kids aren't running through it. Plus, if that day was Kate's laundry day, it would be easier to keep an eye on him. And it is possible that they have radiant heat so the floor would not be cold.

Maybe I missed it, but I don't remember them saying they bought Mady's violin. I can't imagine they would buy a violin that she is going to grow out of. And I guess it is just me, but I don't think it is horrible that the girls weren't in extracurricular activities until now. I mean they are only 7. What extracurricular activity could they have been in anyway? My brother has five kids and they decided the kids would not get involved in extracurricular activities until they were in 3rd grade. This was due to budget and time constraints.

It was stated on the show that she put him in the laundry room so he wouldn't throw up on the carpet. Could have radiant heat, but I doubt it and the machines were running when Jon wnent and got Joel out. The door was closed, it was dark and Jon took Joel to the bedroom so Joel could watch TV. Joel then threw up in their bedroom, so don't know how long the poor little guy got to stay.

Kate stated they bought the violin, but maybe it wasn't much. I just know if Maddie stays with violin, she will outgrow it quickly, but maybe the price difference wasn't that much.

In my area if you wait until 3rd grade to get involved in sports you won't make it. Crazy I know, but that's the way it is. The twins may not want to play sports so activities would be limited. My girls have played soccer since they were 4, softball at 6 and basket ball since kindergarten, but not all kids are into sports. But at 4, 5 and 6 it's not about sports, but learning to socialize and follow rules.

I just feel that maybe some of Maddie's horrible behavior is because she is demanding attention. Kids will do what they have to do to get attention. I thought is was wrong when the 6 got the huge birthday with ponies and the whole circus theme and the twins got the homemade cake on a school night and dinner out and they were kept out too late to enjoy opening their presents. Nothing wrong with the homemade cake, etc but the 6 got much more than the twins. IMO, the twins are going to resent it one day (Maddie already does) and I don't think the parents are doing enough to make it equal. I know I struggle with equality with just having my 2. But I think Jon and Kate are going to really have to work at fostering the sibling (between twins and the 6) relationship. This is just my opinion.

 

[Camster0307]

Just have to mention, re: the twins' birthday party. In that episode, Kate said it was up to the girls to decide what they wanted to do for their birthday. Both girls wanted to have a friend sleepover instead of a big party. I've always asked my girls what they wanted to do for their birthday; sounds like Jon & Kate left it up to them also.

 

[Kycha]

I just feel that maybe some of Maddie's horrible behavior is because she is demanding attention. Kids will do what they have to do to get attention. I thought is was wrong when the 6 got the huge birthday with ponies and the whole circus theme and the twins got the homemade cake on a school night and dinner out and they were kept out too late to enjoy opening their presents. Nothing wrong with the homemade cake, etc but the 6 got much more than the twins. IMO, the twins are going to resent it one day (Maddie already does) and I don't think the parents are doing enough to make it equal. I know I struggle with equality with just having my 2. But I think Jon and Kate are going to really have to work at fostering the sibling (between twins and the 6) relationship. This is just my opinion.

Hmmm. I recall the girls getting a trip to New York City to the American Girls store. It was the whole shebang. Buying dolls...having lunch/tea at the restaurant...seeing the show.And if I recall correctly, Maddie was a brat then too.) Anyway, I think Maddie is having a problem with sibling rivalry/attention seeking and honestly nothing that Jon and Kate do will be good enough for her. Cara doesn't seem to have as much of a problem as Maddie. I just think that is the way Maddie is. She would act the same way whether she had the 6 younger siblings or not.

 

[momx2]

Hmmm. I recall the girls getting a trip to New York City to the American Girls store. It was the whole shebang. Buying dolls...having lunch/tea at the restaurant...seeing the show.And if I recall correctly, Maddie was a brat then too.) Anyway, I think Maddie is having a problem with sibling rivalry/attention seeking and honestly nothing that Jon and Kate do will be good enough for her. Cara doesn't seem to have as much of a problem as Maddie. I just think that is the way Maddie is. She would act the same way whether she had the 6 younger siblings or not.

You're right. The girls did get to go there, but it wasn't for their birthday. I don't remember Maddie's behavior on that episode, but if she is true to character, I'm sure she did act out. My oldest daughter has some of the same issues that Maddie has, not as bad, but it can be bad any given day. Trust me, Maddie does not enjoy being the way she is. She is hurting inside for some reason. My DD is very sensitive and has been since the moment she was born. She does try to control her behavior now since she is older, but she still demands does demand more attention than her sister. I know we don't see everything that goes on in their house, but I truly feel sorry for Maddie and I feel she is missing something inside. So many want to say, it's just how Maddie acts, but I see a little girl hurting inside for some reason and no one seems to want to know why.

 

[CDoobee]

Hmmm. I recall the girls getting a trip to New York City to the American Girls store. It was the whole shebang. Buying dolls...having lunch/tea at the restaurant...seeing the show.And if I recall correctly, Maddie was a brat then too.) Anyway, I think Maddie is having a problem with sibling rivalry/attention seeking and honestly nothing that Jon and Kate do will be good enough for her. Cara doesn't seem to have as much of a problem as Maddie. I just think that is the way Maddie is. She would act the same way whether she had the 6 younger siblings or not.

The trip to NYC and the American Girl Store was for their 6th birthday. The "friends sleep over" party was for their 7th
birthday.

 

[waltsgirl]

I agree that Maddie needs some help. There seems to be some issue there that needs to be uncovered and addressed. I feel bad for her.

 

[ShannonRT]

I've seen every episode and I'm almost positive the trip to NYC was for their 6th birthday.

Anyone else have any experience with Young Chef's Academy? We have one here and just last week started researching the classes for DD. She LOVES the Food Network and would really enjoy this. The only problem is she's worried it'll be full of only little kids. She's 12 and would really like at least a few kids closer to her age.

 

[Kycha]

Anyone else have any experience with Young Chef's Academy? We have one here and just last week started researching the classes for DD. She LOVES the Food Network and would really enjoy this. The only problem is she's worried it'll be full of only little kids. She's 12 and would really like at least a few kids closer to her age.

I did notice in last night's episode that there were a couple of older children in Maddie and Cara's class. They looked to be about 12 to me. Maybe you could call and find out if there is a particular class that caters more to your daughter's age group. Funnily enough, that Young Chef's Academy(from last night's episode) is just down the road from me and I have never heard of it before. Looks like a lot of fun for kids though!

 

[Poohnatic]

I've seen every episode and I'm almost positive the trip to NYC was for their 6th birthday.

Anyone else have any experience with Young Chef's Academy? We have one here and just last week started researching the classes for DD. She LOVES the Food Network and would really enjoy this. The only problem is she's worried it'll be full of only little kids. She's 12 and would really like at least a few kids closer to her age.

I can answer this one. My 8 year old son has been going to Young Chefs for a year and a half now. He loves it, and like your daughter, he is a huge Food Network fan.

The classes are broken down by age. For instance, the location we attend has classes for 3-5, 6-10 and 10-15 years old. Each month, there is a subject and each group gets to create the same meals, there's just different levels of student involvement.

If you want to know more, PM me. We Young Chefs and the confidence attending the classes have given my son. He does a lot in the kitchen by himself.

Suzanne

 

[mommytobug]

I love this show. I did hear Kate say that Maddie's teacher suggested that she have some extracurricular activity. So, that shows me that Kate is open to suggestions. How many moms get mad when teachers make suggestions? I think they are trying really hard to show things they do with the twins since so much emphasis has been on the sextuplets. I know they dont do everything like I would, but I dont have 8 kids and I think they are doing the best they can...and doing a good job. I also noticed the Bible verses on the cabinets. That was impressive to me, them trying to teach all of them.

 

[offwegotoneverland]

Re the whole laundry room thing. My DS is at grandma's for spring break and started throwing up. (without seeing the show) He's laying on the kitchen floor for the same kind of reason apparently.

Just thought that was funny! (It does have radiant heat by the way and he's 12 plenty big enough to get up if he's not happy there)

 

[ireland_nicole]

Just a couple quick things;
1. I don't personally put my kids on the laundry room floor, but-they both recently got over the flu and both wanted dark and quiet, and I found my son sleeping on the floor more than once. I would think the white noise of the machines would be a lot more soothing than intermittent screaming anywhere else. Also, the door may have been closed to help ensure a dark, quiet place if that was what he preferred. As I wasn't there, I can't speak to motivation, but I'm just trying to give another possible perspective.

2. My kids have multiple special needs, but one of my DD's in Sensory Integration Dysfunction. Kids w/ this (up to 1 in 10 to some degree), are affected to a much greater degree by sensory input, i.e. the feel of tags, seams, shoes, restrictive clothing, levels of light, sound, etc. These things reeeaaaallly bother them, and it seems like the end of the world. I'm not saying Mady has this, but it would be consistent with observed behavior on the show, and if so, would not be her fault.; although I agree, having 6 sibling who undeniably get a lot of attention probably contributes, but I thing that's the case w/ all older siblings of multiples.

3. Re: the germ phobia: having had two extremely early babies, it is necessary to protect very immature and fragile immune systems. It can be hard to get out of that mode later (unless you're like me, and are naturally a little closer to the slob end of the spectrum )

Thanks for being patient, that's just my 2 cents

Nicole

 

[ARLO1]

I do appreciate that you do have special needs children but as far as kate goes she did put the baby in the laundry room so there wouldnt have been such a mess if he threw up.

As far a mady goes she just needs to have more attention than she is getting. her way of getting it is either by being moody or by being loudish. dont forget shes only 6 years old and never had her alone or special time by being a twin and then having 6 more siblings. I kind of know by being 1 of 5 and the middle child and do tend to be the moody child of the family. I couldnt imagine being in the situation she is in.

by the way.. I do love the show and look forward to watching it weekly. but i dont understand the help she gets(laundry folding/putting it away and having multiple people coming in to watch her kids the way she does)

 

[TinkerbellMama]

I can answer this one. My 8 year old son has been going to Young Chefs for a year and a half now. He loves it, and like your daughter, he is a huge Food Network fan.

The classes are broken down by age. For instance, the location we attend has classes for 3-5, 6-10 and 10-15 years old. Each month, there is a subject and each group gets to create the same meals, there's just different levels of student involvement.

If you want to know more, PM me. We Young Chefs and the confidence attending the classes have given my son. He does a lot in the kitchen by himself.

Suzanne

Do you go to the one in Winter Park? I looked it up online after reading about it on this thread (have not seen the show in a month or two) and plan to take my son there in December, when he will be 4.