Jon and Kate Plus 8. Official Thread!!

[sha_lyn]

Oh please! I know a ton of parents of small children who keep a spare potty in their car; baby speciality stores even sell "inflatable" potties to be used for just that purpose. And it doesn't matter if it's for a long or short car trip; it's to eliminate the hassle of pulling over and going into a possible "nasty" public bathroom. I'm sure Kate did do one last potty stop before they left the park; but as any mother knows, a small child's need to pee to could change in minutes. She probably was asking one more time before they all got buckled into the car and drove away.

I know my parents did it when I was little. Heck they would even take it to the drive-in so we wouldn't miss any of the movie LOL

 

[MM27]

watched the sesame street program and a few things struck me as odd- they made a point of saying they had a 'healthy lunch' then showed/talked about eating hot dogs-does sesame street place offer organic dogs?

I think Jon was joking when he said that they were having a healthy lunch. He said it and then looked at the camera and smiled.

That wouldn't surprise me. If I recall correctly, Beth went with them then she left a day before the trip ended and Jodi went up there to make the trip back with them. That seemed very odd to me and I was wondering if there was more to it.

Beth said that she had to leave a day before the family because she needed to make it home for her youngest daughter's birthday.

Oh please! I know a ton of parents of small children who keep a spare potty in their car; baby speciality stores even sell "inflatable" potties to be used for just that purpose. And it doesn't matter if it's for a long or short car trip; it's to eliminate the hassle of pulling over and going into a possible "nasty" public bathroom. I'm sure Kate did do one last potty stop before they left the park; but as any mother knows, a small child's need to pee to could change in minutes. She probably was asking one more time before they all got buckled into the car and drove away.

I don't know who she was asking about going potty, but Kate always says that no matter where they go Alexis always says she has to go potty as soon as she gets buckled into her carseat. I guess it would be easier to let her go in the parking lot than having to stop once they started their trip home.

This statement puzzles me. First, people criticize the Gosselins for getting all these things for free; now we have posters who are criticizing them for being "not acting in a finacially responsible manner" if they DO pay for themselves. Besides, we've pretty much determined a few pages back that the show, in all likelihood, covers the cost for these excursions. And I believe it's probably one of the main reasons that Jon and Kate continue to do the show - to give the kids opportunities to do things that they probably couldn't afford to do on their own.

Seriously, I saw no reason for that last comment other than to get a "dig" in at the family.

I agree with you 100%. Not necessarily here, but more so on other message boards, people are downright nasty. Kate can hug one of the kids and people dissect everything about it. She probably did it as an act for the camera, did you see the face she made when she was doing it, eww look at her pants, what's with those earrings.

I remember when Jon and Kate took Cara and Mady to American Girl for their birthday and Kate commented that even though she was happy for them, she was a little sad because in the back of her mind all day she was thinking about how she might not get to do that with the three little girls when they were old enough because of the financial aspect.

I'm glad TLC is letting them have these experiences. Let's face it, if Kate was still a nurse and Jon still in his job, they wouldn't be able to afford even these day trips.

 

[madge]

It's fairly obvious from my posts that I enjoy the show and don't like all the Kate-bashing. I'm not one of the "sheep" though(a term that has been tossed around here). I do think Kate does alot of crazy things that I don't necessarily agree with; but she's a person and a mother who has her own way of doing things and it's what works best for her.

and I'm the opposite ... I'm sure obvious from my posts that I'm not a fan.(although I am not the basher that some here would like to think that I am)

I can't decide exactly what bothers me about the show. Some of the episodes are fine, cute even. But others .. are just train wrecks. It's definitely a love/hate relationship for me. LOL.

I have wasted a lot of time reading blogs & message boards - good & bad - about the Gosselins. I'm always amazed at the extremes people will go to on the subject ... some of the sheeple, oh boy ... they're every bit as bad as the bashers. I've never seen anything like it for a TV show.

I hadn't really done any reading (other than here) since the Sesame Place episode aired on Monday. I checked out GWoP this morning, and I was immediately struck at how much nastier that blog has gotten in the past 2 days.

I've always had the opinion of "as ye sow so shall ye reap" where Jon & Kate are concerned. They've made the choice to put themselves out there, for better or worse. The overzealous fans, pictures all over the internet, accessibility to the house, sending the gifts, etc. Obviously some very well meaning folks out there. But on the other side of the coin is a growing amount of people that don't agree with what the Gosselins are doing and going to lengths to have the show taken off the air, advocates step in on behalf of the children, etc. I'm beginning to see where this could all go bad quick. Bad, how? I'm not sure. I can't put my finger on it.

 

[ClarabelleCowFan]

That wouldn't surprise me. If I recall correctly, Beth went with them then she left a day before the trip ended and Jodi went up there to make the trip back with them. That seemed very odd to me and I was wondering if there was more to it..

Beth said on the show she had to get back for her daughter's birthday.

Oh please! I know a ton of parents of small children who keep a spare potty in their car; baby speciality stores even sell "inflatable" potties to be used for just that purpose. And it doesn't matter if it's for a long or short car trip; it's to eliminate the hassle of pulling over and going into a possible "nasty" public bathroom. I'm sure Kate did do one last potty stop before they left the park; but as any mother knows, a small child's need to pee to could change in minutes. She probably was asking one more time before they all got buckled into the car and drove away.

Dumping pee out of a kid's potty would be no more gross than letting a dog pee in a public area. Ever stop at a rest area?

Also one of the girls (Leah?) always HAS to go potty as soon as they buckle her into the car so that is probably the one that was asked if she needed to go one more time.

I've done my share of criticizing Kate, and I still cringe at the way she talks to her husband, but I wanted to share one of the most heart-warming moments with Kate that I saw on the show. I think it may have been Cara's special day, and she was alone with Kate in the car. Kate turned to her with such love on her face and said, "I'm just going to stare at you for a little, ok? I don't get to do that enough." (or something to that effect)I've seen that clip more than once, and it always makes me get teary. It's something I have said to my little girls before, and it's such a moment of pure love.

I missed that episode! I have never doubted that Kate loves her kids. I think she is just overwhelmed - I know I would be!

 

[Lizbee]

I love watching this show!!! Kate is very organized and she does give me ideas on how to organize my self. I kind of think she has to with those little one's.

 

[madge]

I'm glad TLC is letting them have these experiences. Let's face it, if Kate was still a nurse and Jon still in his job, they wouldn't be able to afford even these day trips.

should TLC start financing experiences for all big families, then? If Jon & Kate had 8 children, one at a time, they likely wouldn't have gotten the attention of a TV network. No TV show. They would have had to get by on what they had. Jon & Kate Gosselin aren't the only family in America that has 8 children. There are large families in this country that may not even have the salary that Jon & Kate had before the show ... how do they afford day trips or vacations? Like everyone else - they either save their money, charge it, or don't take vacations.

Jon & Kate are in a unique situation, I admit that.... and I am not sitting here on my big comfy couch suggesting that I wouldn't take advantage of a similar situation if it was offered to me.

 

[huey duey & luey]

should TLC start financing experiences for all big families, then?

that is a silly statement, they are basically employees of TLC and are getting perks from their employer

 

[mantysk8coach]

OMG...not sure if this has been posted in this thread yet, but this is soooooo funny!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gGf1WZmOhMk

They were scary accurate!

 

[madge]

that is a silly statement, they are basically employees of TLC and are getting perks from their employer

right. I understand that. And you're exactly right.

this is what the PP said..

I'm glad TLC is letting them have these experiences. Let's face it, if Kate was still a nurse and Jon still in his job, they wouldn't be able to afford even these day trips.

TLC hired the Gosselins because they are a unique family. Taking these trips is part of the show. But to say that TLC is letting them do this? Nope. As you say, they are employees of TLC. Employment has its perks, I guess. LOL.

If it weren't for the show, they would be a large family making ends meet. They would afford things the same way other large families do.

 

[TotalSnowWhite]

right. I understand that. And you're exactly right.

this is what the PP said..



TLC hired the Gosselins because they are a unique family. Taking these trips is part of the show. But to say that TLC is letting them do this? Nope. As you say, they are employees of TLC. Employment has its perks, I guess. LOL.

If it weren't for the show, they would be a large family making ends meet. They would afford things the same way other large families do.

If that were the case, you'd have no idea because you wouldn't know who they were.

Maybe "letting" was a bad choice of words for the PP. TLC makes these experiences financially feasible, though.

 

[mrstomrice]

OMG...not sure if this has been posted in this thread yet, but this is soooooo funny!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gGf1WZmOhMk

They were scary accurate!

Aw, shucks! It has been removed

 

[madge]

If that were the case, you'd have no idea because you wouldn't know who they were.

Maybe "letting" was a bad choice of words for the PP. TLC makes these experiences financially feasible, though.

exactly! on all points.

There's no way for me to say what I want to say without someone twisting it, but I don't mean it to sound bad if it does. But here goes, anyway

The Sesame Place trip was what I thought it would be - in that I assume they got in free, had private visits with characters, no waits, lots of help, etc. It was also an adorable episode with the children. I also assume that it was largely done for production value - not a trip where they decided to go, and the Figure8 folks tagged along. That may be an incorrect assumption ... but I think we all agree that the trip was done for the show. I haven't seen otherwise. And that's fine. That's what I expect of the show in the coming episodes. More outings/trips and less days at home.

The real reality is we only see a snippet of what happens. An edited version of the Gosselins reality. No one on this board (that I'm aware of) has any idea really and truly what happens on the show or in their private life. We are all forming our own conclusions based on what we see and how we live our own lives. It's easy to sit in front of a computer and question & criticize people we don't know ... to people we don't know. It's easy for it to get out of control.

 

[mantysk8coach]

Aw, shucks! It has been removed

Really? It's still there when I click on it.

 

[huey duey & luey]

exactly! on all points.

There's no way for me to say what I want to say without someone twisting it, but I don't mean it to sound bad if it does. But here goes, anyway

The Sesame Place trip was what I thought it would be - in that I assume they got in free, had private visits with characters, no waits, lots of help, etc. It was also an adorable episode with the children. I also assume that it was largely done for production value - not a trip where they decided to go, and the Figure8 folks tagged along. That may be an incorrect assumption ... but I think we all agree that the trip was done for the show. I haven't seen otherwise. And that's fine. That's what I expect of the show in the coming episodes. More outings/trips and less days at home.

The real reality is we only see a snippet of what happens. An edited version of the Gosselins reality. No one on this board (that I'm aware of) has any idea really and truly what happens on the show or in their private life. We are all forming our own conclusions based on what we see and how we live our own lives. It's easy to sit in front of a computer and question & criticize people we don't know ... to people we don't know. It's easy for it to get out of control.

I totally agree, taking aside how everyone feels about Kate, the "perks " they receive are no different than any other reality TV. I dont know why they get such bashing for it. MTV "real world, the Hills, Newlyweds, Little People Big world (think I watch too much reality TV ) , all have shown vacation and such episodes. I am sure these trips were also paid for by their respective networks for better episodes. Why the Gosseleins' take such heat for it I dont understand

 

[mrstomrice]

Really? It's still there when I click on it.

It worked this time...the first time the message said it was removed! I'll have to watch it later!

 

[madge]

I swear, I'm gong to cry. I just spent 10 minutes typing out a well thought out reply and it's not here ....

 

[nuke]

Personally for me I don't care one way or the other about the family trips to theme parks and activities that they are getting for free. What bugs me and was a huge turning point in how I felt about Kate and Jon were the hair plugs, teeth whitening, and parental shopping sprees. To me that is selling out your children for your own gain.

 

[madge]

here's the short version of what was eaten by the internet

I get that it's a TV show. I get that there are perks to that. That's what Jon & Kate are compensated for.

But in addition to that, there were speeches. Speeches about how hard it is raising a family of 10, how they had to go through couch cushions to find change, how they had faith that God would provide. And then they passed the plate for a love offering. The Gosselins have a TV show, and pass the plate. WTH? In addition to their compensation for being on the show, the Gosselins receive countless gifts from viewers ... they are truly blessed. My issue is that we never, ever see them give back to the community. We hear them speak about consignment stores, instead. (I also read something about Kate having an ebay user ID and sells there, but I don't believe that)

Privately booked speeches have been replaced by professional representation - I don't think they'll be in venues where love offerings will be collected. I think they'll be doing more large events and less churches. That could be incorrect on my part.

It seems like they've grown wayyy beyond the people they were in the earliest episodes of the show. As the PP mentioned, the superficial stuff (personal trainer, hair plugs, teeth whitening) doesn't seem to jive with the young parents we all saw 3-4 years ago.

My biggest hope is that someone listens & respects the wishes of those children. If a time comes where they ask not to be involved, I hope Jon & Kate respect that.

 

[MichelleVW]

OMG...not sure if this has been posted in this thread yet, but this is soooooo funny!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gGf1WZmOhMk

They were scary accurate!

omg that was funny!!

 

[mickeyboat]

here's the short version of what was eaten by the internet

I get that it's a TV show. I get that there are perks to that. That's what Jon & Kate are compensated for.

But in addition to that, there were speeches. Speeches about how hard it is raising a family of 10, how they had to go through couch cushions to find change, how they had faith that God would provide. And then they passed the plate for a love offering. The Gosselins have a TV show, and pass the plate. WTH? In addition to their compensation for being on the show, the Gosselins receive countless gifts from viewers ... they are truly blessed. My issue is that we never, ever see them give back to the community. We hear them speak about consignment stores, instead. (I also read something about Kate having an ebay user ID and sells there, but I don't believe that)

Privately booked speeches have been replaced by professional representation - I don't think they'll be in venues where love offerings will be collected. I think they'll be doing more large events and less churches. That could be incorrect on my part.

It seems like they've grown wayyy beyond the people they were in the earliest episodes of the show. As the PP mentioned, the superficial stuff (personal trainer, hair plugs, teeth whitening) doesn't seem to jive with the young parents we all saw 3-4 years ago.

My biggest hope is that someone listens & respects the wishes of those children. If a time comes where they ask not to be involved, I hope Jon & Kate respect that.

I guess it does not bother me so much as I expected their lives would change because of the show. I also don't think that on the show they play the "poor, young, struggling parents" card anymore. They understand that doing the show has its benefits and downfalls, and they try hard to balance one with the other. Things have definitely changed for them.

Are they actually still passing the plate? I think some of the information we are seeing on the internet is old, so we may not know the current situation.

Whether they made the right choice to do the show, I don't know -it remains to be seen. I, too hope that Jon and Kate respect the kids' desires not to do the show anymore, should that day come. I can't help but think they are getting all they can out of the show while the kids are small.

Denae