Jon and Kate Plus 8. Official Thread!!

[Wonders10]

and you know, when it's all said and done... at the end of the day, there are far worse people out there than Jon & Kate Gosselin. Maybe worse isn't the right word. Pick whatever word you'd like: creepy, abusive, scary, backwards, nutbuckets ... whatever. This country is full of them. Lifestyles and cultures we know little to nothing about. And I have no doubt I would be horrified, surprised, or shocked (again, pick your favorite adjective) about some of the things that go on out there.

So true! In terms of reality tv families, as much as I may complain about Kate (although I would not consider myself a hater), she and her family do exude normal-ness to me. They don't try to always be the perfect family on camera. The Duggars on the other hand, freak me out. Not that there is anything wrong with them or that they are bad, just their lifestyle is so the opposite of anything I would consider living. Those bathing suits? Whoa. Not that the gosselins are better than the duggars. Definitely not saying that. Just agreeing with you that at the end of the day, every family is different and approaches life situations in different ways.

 

[Camster0307]

I just googled wholoesomewear. OMG Gotta show those pictures to my DDs!

Ditto! And double

 

[goofinoff]

My Hubby and I watched this show last night for the first time and laughed the entire time!! There was a part where they had gone for an outing and was saying how they hear parents with 2 kids say all the time who hard it is and that they would gladly trade places with them. We thought the show was very good and quite funny. Makes us certainly appreciate our two little angels!!

 

[GeorgiaPeach8]

Sorry for any confusion when I mentioned Duggars...I meant the author of the article on aol.com said many websites have mentioned the Duggars as better role models than J&K. I'm not aware of the Duggars saying they are good role models. When I mentioned swimsuits I was referring to website...Madge and I both looked today Duggars have totally changed website...swimsuit link is gone.

BUT WOW!!!--go to Duggars website and check out that house. My first thought was "and people are b*tching about J&K getting a few Gymboree clothes and a trip to SP." You know JimBo's salary alone can't support 18 kids and a house like that!!

I can't remember who posted the thing about Spiderman stickers being on the paper but it dawned on me after I posted that the paper must have had a brand on it or something. After the whole conversation about Kate's notes to Jodi/Beth I'm now looking at all the things that are blurred.

 

[sha_lyn]

The Duggars brag that they pay cash for everything and have never been in debt. I think they got a huge chunk of $$ when they sold their towing business or something.
I'm not fan of theirs. I think they are pretty strange, but I was under the impression that they did in fact pay for the materials without help. The entire family built the house, but I think they might have brought in subcontractors for things like the electrical.

 

[Wonders10]

Sorry for any confusion when I mentioned Duggars...I meant the author of the article on aol.com said many websites have mentioned the Duggars as better role models than J&K. I'm not aware of the Duggars saying they are good role models. When I mentioned swimsuits I was referring to website...Madge and I both looked today Duggars have totally changed website...swimsuit link is gone.

BUT WOW!!!--go to Duggars website and check out that house. My first thought was "and people are b*tching about J&K getting a few Gymboree clothes and a trip to SP." You know JimBo's salary alone can't support 18 kids and a house like that!!

I can't remember who posted the thing about Spiderman stickers being on the paper but it dawned on me after I posted that the paper must have had a brand on it or something. After the whole conversation about Kate's notes to Jodi/Beth I'm now looking at all the things that are blurred.

I only mentioned the Duggars because they are the only family mentioned here that I know who they are . My "issue" with them is that they are soooo wholesome and sweet that it's freaky to me. At least J&K (and family) show a varying degree of emotions. The Duggars (what I've seen) are like robots.

 

[madge]

The Duggars brag that they pay cash for everything and have never been in debt. I think they got a huge chunk of $$ when they sold their towing business or something.
I'm not fan of theirs. I think they are pretty strange, but I was under the impression that they did in fact pay for the materials without help. The entire family built the house, but I think they might have brought in subcontractors for things like the electrical.

the Duggars money comes from real estate investments and something to do with a car business (or maybe the towing?). It's my understanding that Jim Bob & the wife were very smart from a financial standpoint very early on in their marriage.

they have church in their house, and I've read that as a result, they have tax exempt status.

as far as the house goes - TLC covered part of the construction. I assume (and may be wrong) that by allowing the progress to be filmed there was an exchange of goods/services or money. The house was professionally decorated on the show, too. They've taken at least one trip that I know of, that I'm sure was on TLC's dime.... because they made a show out of it. They went to the Grand Canyon and Disneyland.

 

[madge]

I only mentioned the Duggars because they are the only family mentioned here that I know who they are . My "issue" with them is that they are soooo wholesome and sweet that it's freaky to me. At least J&K (and family) show a varying degree of emotions. The Duggars (what I've seen) are like robots.

I've got some issues with Mama Duggar's parenting style. LOL.

 

[barkley]

Sorry for any confusion when I mentioned Duggars...I meant the author of the article on aol.com said many websites have mentioned the Duggars as better role models than J&K. I'm not aware of the Duggars saying they are good role models. When I mentioned swimsuits I was referring to website...Madge and I both looked today Duggars have totally changed website...swimsuit link is gone.

BUT WOW!!!--go to Duggars website and check out that house. My first thought was "and people are b*tching about J&K getting a few Gymboree clothes and a trip to SP." You know JimBo's salary alone can't support 18 kids and a house like that!!

I can't remember who posted the thing about Spiderman stickers being on the paper but it dawned on me after I posted that the paper must have had a brand on it or something. After the whole conversation about Kate's notes to Jodi/Beth I'm now looking at all the things that are blurred.

the duggars had personal family wealth (his dad had private real estate holdings that made $$$ being sold to walmart and other big name box stores, weather they benefited from that i don't know )and that they amassed prior to having kids (car lots, car washes, rental properties). they chose to hold off having children until they felt they could afford it. while i don't agree with their manner of raising their children (nor managing to get their home and acreage declared tax exempt by virtue of holding church services)-i've yet to see them solicit the public for funds or donations. the premise of their shows has always been that they operate on a cash only basis and to this end they are very involved with family budgeting and financial responsibility education.

given that jim bob held a state political office for several years and as such his financial records would have been open to public scruitiny-i suspect that any skeletons in the closet about their use of public assistance medical benefits or privatly solicited financial donations would have been quickly brought to light (one of the only issues his detractors could site was his committment to supporting tax credits for homeschoolers, stating he had a personal financial stake in it due to their practice of homeschooling all of their children).

i'm not a big fan of either family-but i have to say that when i hear the duggars talking about how expensive it is to raise their kids and then see them eating tater tot casserole in their obviously home sewn clothing it rings a bit truer vs j&k making the same comments while the kids are in obviously corporate donated clothing and traveling with one or more child care assistants from expensive activity to expensive activity (all schedualed in between the parent's nights out, plastic surgery and day spa trips).

 

[Camster0307]

Holy crap - the Duggar house is amazing!

 

[TotalSnowWhite]

From what I heard....friend of a friend type of thing....she was on injectibles...the doc wanted to cancel the cycle due to too may follicles being produced (resulting in a much higher chance in multiples) but she moved forward with it.

To be honest...having been in her shoes (still am) when dealing with infertility and all the craziness that goes with it...I probably would have pushed ahead as well. They tell you that multiple follicles increase your odds of success in an IUI....I am sure she didn't think that all of them would take.

I enjoy the show...I find it fairly entertaining...I must be shallow because I am not looking for anything from the show except a little entertainment.

Agreed. I am currently undergoing testing for PCOS, and if it turns out I'll have to do treatments to have biological children (DS3 is actually DCousin whose mom passed away 2.5 years ago), so be it. If there happen to be six babies in there when it happens, I will absolutely go the same route Kate did and keep them all. I couldn't bear to know that one of my children didn't get a chance at life because of my decision.

I know! Isn't it crazy? My niece would not even attempt to eat half the foods they eat. That's good though. Kate has made mention many times that she is not a "short order chef" so she makes what she makes and they either eat or don't eat. That rationale has probably made them try more foods and realize that they like most of them.



ITA - if I am ever in the infertility boat (knock on wood) I would also try many routes and many attempts as my body and budget would allow. I really do not think Kate should be faulted for wanting a family.

I've started using that with DS. She said something like "If they don't want dinner, they can eat breakfast tomorrow." I tell him the same thing!

I can't remember who posted the thing about Spiderman stickers being on the paper but it dawned on me after I posted that the paper must have had a brand on it or something. After the whole conversation about Kate's notes to Jodi/Beth I'm now looking at all the things that are blurred.

That was me. I figured that was the case because we do the same thing. On DS's CD player, there is a Lightning McQueen sticker on "play," Mater on "stop," etc., etc.

i'm not a big fan of either family-but i have to say that when i hear the duggars talking about how expensive it is to raise their kids and then see them eating tater tot casserole in their obviously home sewn clothing it rings a bit truer vs j&k making the same comments while the kids are in obviously corporate donated clothing and traveling with one or more child care assistants from expensive activity to expensive activity (all schedualed in between the parent's nights out, plastic surgery and day spa trips).

In all likelihood (that word never looks right to me), TLC or the destination is footing the bill for those outings. I'm also assuming that they're not out getting teeth bleaching, tummy tucks and buying clothes every other day. I think that paragraph (or run-on sentence ) totally blows things out of proportion. I'm not saying that they're not more financially comfortable than they were before the show, but you make it sound like they're blowing money left and right, and I honestly think that's not the case.

 

[Camster0307]

i'm not a big fan of either family-but i have to say that when i hear the duggars talking about how expensive it is to raise their kids and then see them eating tater tot casserole in their obviously home sewn clothing it rings a bit truer vs j&k making the same comments while the kids are in obviously corporate donated clothing and traveling with one or more child care assistants from expensive activity to expensive activity (all schedualed in between the parent's nights out, plastic surgery and day spa trips).

Paid for by TLC, by the way.

And who can blame them? Quite frankly, I'd LOVE to have a plastic surgeon offer to give me a free tummy tuck!

Seriously, though - I don't hear Jon and Kate talking about the tough times as much anymore; and as a pp mentioned, they're smart to take advantage of the opportunties the show affords them. They have eight kids; I'm sure their looking to cash in on their 15 minutes of fame as much as possible and I don't blame them!

 

[sha_lyn]

I know that on one of the shows it was said Jim Bob's first business was a wrcker/towing service and I think salvage/used parts store. The realestate does ring a bell too. Maybe the selling of the first business paid for the land and/or first house. I know selling of it paid for something related to where they live/lived.

I was under the impression that they had kids right from the start, but I just read the website about them waiting 4 yrs, but If I'm counting right, that means she was 16 when they go married. YIKES!

 

[Camster0307]

Agreed. I am currently undergoing testing for PCOS, and if it turns out I'll have to do treatments to have biological children (DS3 is actually DCousin whose mom passed away 2.5 years ago), so be it. If there happen to be six babies in there when it happens, I will absolutely go the same route Kate did and keep them all. I couldn't bear to know that one of my children didn't get a chance at life because of my decision.

Some people just don't "get" it.

Here's a and some ixiedust: for good luck! Wishing you all the best!

 

[TotalSnowWhite]

Some people just don't "get" it.

Here's a and some ixiedust: for good luck! Wishing you all the best!

Aww, thanks! I think that may be one of the reasons I love the show. I know now what she was feeling then (before the kiddos), and I know how extremely, ridiculously, uncontrollably thankful I'd be to have kids whether it be one or six or twelve!! I don't always agree with her choices, but I can definitely appreciate her. As they say, it may be a crazy life...

 

[sha_lyn]

I've got some issues with Mama Duggar's parenting style. LOL.

Yep... several issues

Agreed. I am currently undergoing testing for PCOS, and if it turns out I'll have to do treatments to have biological children (DS3 is actually DCousin whose mom passed away 2.5 years ago), so be it. If there happen to be six babies in there when it happens, I will absolutely go the same route Kate did and keep them all. I couldn't bear to know that one of my children didn't get a chance at life because of my decision.

I've started using that with DS. She said something like "If they don't want dinner, they can eat breakfast tomorrow." I tell him the same thing!

That is pretty much the rule here and it has IMHO led to 2 kids that will eat almost anything. In fact they both have expensive taste in food and have never cared for the kids meal choices in most restaurants. I never make them eat "everything" however. IE DS doesn't like asparagus, so when before he got all grown up and moved out, he had to eat the main dish and starch, and could fix a salad, eat raw carrots or a left over veggie.
DD's "don't likes" are things easily to avoid IE walnuts. Not really something that is in dinner. She will eat them in baked good if the pieces are fairly small.
DD like her brother isn't crazy about asparagus, but we found she likes it with balsamic vinegar on it.

In all likelihood (that word never looks right to me), TLC or the destination is footing the bill for those outings. I'm also assuming that they're not out getting teeth bleaching, tummy tucks and buying clothes every other day. I think that paragraph (or run-on sentence ) totally blows things out of proportion. I'm not saying that they're not more financially comfortable than they were before the show, but you make it sound like they're blowing money left and right, and I honestly think that's not the case.

I know the tummy tuck was donated by the surgeon. Don't know if the rest of the surgery were donated, paid by the show or what.
The teeth whitening I believe was done by the former partner of Jon's late father. Is so the speculation is that they get their dental service either free or at cost.
But I do get what you are saying. Its not things they will run out and get done all the time.




Oh and didn't a dentist donate services to fix the teeth of the mother of the McCaughey septuplets. Where's the public outrage over that?

 

[GeorgiaPeach8]

Seriously, though - I don't hear Jon and Kate talking about the tough times as much anymore; and as a pp mentioned, they're smart to take advantage of the opportunties the show affords them. They have eight kids; I'm sure their looking to cash in on their 15 minutes of fame as much as possible and I don't blame them![/QUOTE]

ITA...the problem is so people are watching them out of order and dont realize. I think they have become more sensitive to the idea that every time they say something about $$ being an issue someone assumes they are begging for money. Like Kate's comment about planning and saving for a dream house. I'm not a sheeple (I'm always the skepitical one at my house) but I don't know why some comments can't be taken just as they were said.

also, I think there is a SLIGHT mellowing in other areas...on one of the recent shows Kate made a self-effacing comment about not letting the little kids have scissors early enough and now they don't cut as well as other kids.

On the Duggars...I didn't realize there was so much personal wealth. They may not have donations but if they are not paying taxes on the house that is one heck of a donation on Arkansas tax payers. My property taxes alone ere $1500 last year. That would be more than $100 extra bucks a month. And that is before I worked the system...can they take off their car...it is a church van??

 

[madge]

On the Duggars...I didn't realize there was so much personal wealth. They may not have donations but if they are not paying taxes on the house that is one heck of a donation on Arkansas tax payers. My property taxes alone ere $1500 last year. That would be more than $100 extra bucks a month. And that is before I worked the system...can they take off their car...it is a church van??

I have always had the impression that daddy Duggar can squeeze $1 out of a penny. He just seems smarmy to me. He may be a perfectly nice man ... but the preacher/politician personality gives me the willies. LOLOL.

There used to be a HUGE thread about the Duggars on the DIS. I have no doubt there are many blogs and boards about them as well. Because let me tell you, people feel as strongly about them as they do about the Gosselins.

 

[mickeyboat]

Snow White - I hope your treatment is successful for PCOS. I have two daughters who are PCOS success stories! I was treated with Metformin for #1 and got PG right away. Then I must have become Fertile Myrtle, because without any meds, while still nursing and not having gotten my period, I got PG with #2 when #1 was less than 4 months old.

I think I need a show on TLC!

Denae

 

[troobabiee7]

In my opinion, there's no comparison between the Gosselins and the Duggars. Of course you want your kids to be well-behaved, but kids whining and being bratty every once in a while proves they're normal. The Gosselin kids are cute, loving and always take care of each other, but they also fight, cry and disagree. That's what kids are supposed to do! Plus Jon and Kate didn't willingly have 8 kids. Of course people can have as many kids as they want, but these are the cards they've been dealt and they're doing their best to keep the household in order while giving all the kids the individual attention they need.

The Duggars, on the other hand, are robots. I hate to say it, but every time I've seen them there hasn't been a peep out of any of them, and the kids all take care of each other while mommy and daddy lock themselves up in their room for alone time to make some more babies I just don't like the whole notion of kids raising kids, which is what I've always seen on all the Duggars specials. Like I said, of course people can have as many kids as they want, but to have 18 kids when you can't even give the kids you already have the individual attention they usually need from their parents is just... And the kids always look so sad. Between having church at home and being home-schooled, it's like they're in their own little "cult" and cut off from the real world. I dunno, something's just not right with them.

And like someone else mentioned, in specials we've seen the Duggar kids eating Tater-Tot casserole and wearing home-sewn clothes. There's nothing wrong with that (besides the fact that Tater-Tot casserole can't actually be healthy on it's own) but they can't possibly complain about their financial situation without getting a huge backlash. If you can't afford it, stop having kids!