Jon & Kate + Eight Debate

[LittleMissMagic]

That wasn't my point. I agree, her kids always look groomed and well kept. I'v never felt they didn't. I meant that the old episodes had Kate looking more realistic in relation to what she was doing...taking care of the kids, making meals, etc. I for one always make sure my kids look presentable and aren't leaving the house looking sloppy. My point had nothing to do with those beautiful kids

I realize that wasn't the point you were trying to make. It just reminded me of something that I felt was positive about the Gosselins. I was in no way trying to counter your post - I just quoted so I could expand on your thought.

 

[3prettyprincesses]

I realize that wasn't the point you were trying to make. It just reminded me of something that I felt was positive about the Gosselins. I was in no way trying to counter your post - I just quoted so I could expand on your thought.

 

[Steph9072]

That wasn't my point. I agree, her kids always look groomed and well kept. I'v never felt they didn't. I meant that the old episodes had Kate looking more realistic in relation to what she was doing...taking care of the kids, making meals, etc. I for one always make sure my kids look presentable and aren't leaving the house looking sloppy. My point had nothing to do with those beautiful kids

I agree! Kate use to dress like I do as a SAHM. Now it is like she is dressing for the camera's. My attire on days that we are home is either sweats and a shirt or capri sweats and a shirt or shorts and a shirt. I refuse to put on my good clothes that cost a bit more to clean toliets and floors in. Besides I want to be in clothes that are comfy enough to get on the floor and play with my son. Or bake with my daughter and not worry about my clothes. I have to confess I have been on occasion to run to the store for a quick gallon of milk or loaf of bread in this attire.

As for my kids they have play clothes, going out/school clothes and church clothes. The play clothes are $3 dollar pieces from Wal-Mart and Target that if Red Kool-aid stains oh well. My kids are always clean and always start out neat. If we are away from home I hope they stay neat. But I don't want to freak out because Sam got mud on his shirt or Holly got paint on her pants...thats why I have Spray & Wash.

 

[ilandrazdsw]

I agree! Kate use to dress like I do as a SAHM. Now it is like she is dressing for the camera's. My attire on days that we are home is either sweats and a shirt or capri sweats and a shirt or shorts and a shirt. I refuse to put on my good clothes that cost a bit more to clean toliets and floors in. Besides I want to be in clothes that are comfy enough to get on the floor and play with my son. Or bake with my daughter and not worry about my clothes. I have to confess I have been on occasion to run to the store for a quick gallon of milk or loaf of bread in this attire.

And when has Kate been seen doing any of what you mentioned...oh, besides the infamous refridgerator scrub down and cleaning one house to move into and the other to move out of. Really how many celebrities do you see photographed in the same thing twice??? LOL

 

[3prettyprincesses]

And when has Kate been seen doing any of what you mentioned...oh, besides the infamous refridgerator scrub down and cleaning one house to move into and the other to move out of. Really how many celebrities do you see photographed in the same thing twice??? LOL

Good one!

That episode of her cleaning the fridge was crazy. She kept saying over and over again how gross it was and what kind of people leave it like and so on. I hope those poor people who sold that house to Kate weren't watching that particular episode!

How about the time she hired a maid? I remember she went around and moved stuff to check if it had been dusted, etc. It was eerily reminiscent of that crazy movie "Mommie Dearest". That's meant to be joke everyone!

 

[Steph9072]

I read somewhefoere that on the days that they film they have a chef come in an make the food for them...which is another thing Kate did in the beginning & can't do now.

I wonder dd swims three nights a week. If I told dh that it was just too much to fix dinner & take Holly to swim so I will hire a chef for those nights. I can hear him laugh at me now.

 

[LittleMissMagic]

How about the time she hired a maid? I remember she went around and moved stuff to check if it had been dusted, etc. It was eerily reminiscent of that crazy movie "Mommie Dearest". That's meant to be joke everyone!

Well, if I was hiring a housekeeper, I would check behind them as well. Gotta make sure I'm getting my money's worth!

 

[ilandrazdsw]

Good one!

That episode of her cleaning the fridge was crazy. She kept saying over and over again how gross it was and what kind of people leave it like and so on. I hope those poor people who sold that house to Kate weren't watching that particular episode!

How about the time she hired a maid? I remember she went around and moved stuff to check if it had been dusted, etc. It was eerily reminiscent of that crazy movie "Mommie Dearest". That's meant to be joke everyone!

I actually felt really bad for the original owners. We don't know how long the house was on the market. The fridge could have been cleaned before they left, even left open to prevent mold and mildew, and then closed during a showing to fester. And seriously who moves a big chest freezer in a storage part of the basement to clean behind it every week???

Well, if I was hiring a housekeeper, I would check behind them as well. Gotta make sure I'm getting my money's worth!

TLC's $$$

 

[3prettyprincesses]

I actually felt really bad for the original owners. We don't know how long the house was on the market. The fridge could have been cleaned before they left, even left open to prevent mold and mildew, and then closed during a showing to fester. And seriously who moves a big chest freezer in a storage part of the basement to clean behind it every week???

No kidding. Hmmm, when was the last time I moved my fridge to clean behind it?? I don't want to say! I felt bad for the previous owners too who I'm sure knew they were selling it to Jon and Kate or should I say TLC? Anyhoo, I cringed when Kate when on and on about the basement freezer and fridge.

 

[armywife71]

I am new here on the boards, but recently heard that their new season starts in May. Jon has been quoted as saying that he couldn't afford a divorce as the child support would financially ruin him...I think it is a ratings ploy, although who could blame him for leaving her.
I am a mother of almost 9year old quadruplets and an 11 year old. One of our quads has Cerebral Palsy, and there are times I feel like I may very well go crazy between the five of them, but NEVER would I act like Kate does on or off TV....she has major issues. My husband and I have discussed how fun it would be to have the Super Nanny "Jo" visit the Gosselins and see what she thinks.
A lot of their show over the past year has just been on this side of ridiculous, Kate likes the drama, i.e. letting her kids help paint the new house, adopting not one but two puppies then acting like she has no idea how to take care of them, her ongoing meltdowns...as well as her spoiled older daughter Maddie...it has just led to predictable and boring TV.
On a better note, we are taking our quads on their first trip to Disney this August, staying at SSR 2 bedroom villa's for 8 days..(thank goodness for the military discounts) and yes I will let them get messy and be kids!

 

[3prettyprincesses]

I am new here on the boards, but recently heard that their new season starts in May. Jon has been quoted as saying that he couldn't afford a divorce as the child support would financially ruin him...I think it is a ratings ploy, although who could blame him for leaving her.
I am a mother of almost 9year old quadruplets and an 11 year old. One of our quads has Cerebral Palsy, and there are times I feel like I may very well go crazy between the five of them, but NEVER would I act like Kate does on or off TV....she has major issues. My husband and I have discussed how fun it would be to have the Super Nanny "Jo" visit the Gosselins and see what she thinks.
A lot of their show over the past year has just been on this side of ridiculous, Kate likes the drama, i.e. letting her kids help paint the new house, adopting not one but two puppies then acting like she has no idea how to take care of them, her ongoing meltdowns...as well as her spoiled older daughter Maddie...it has just led to predictable and boring TV.
On a better note, we are taking our quads on their first trip to Disney this August, staying at SSR 2 bedroom villa's for 8 days..(thank goodness for the military discounts) and yes I will let them get messy and be kids!

Welcome and happy 1st posting!

I enjoyed your perspective...you have quadruplets and an 11 year old and yet you see how ridiculous Kate's behavior is! I think Kate does like the drama.

I hope you have an awesome time at Disney with your kids!

 

[Tink313]

I had always wondered how she would tell the kids to got sit on the step or on the floor in front of the closet when they got in trouble and the kids would listen & sit there and not move, like robots Now I know how she did it (blanket theory)

And to the above poster Beware of the Ice Cream

Anyway I love the show. The kids are so cute Colin is my favorite, & I too have a "Maddy" at home (my oldest) It is comforting to see another child flip out for no reason. Like when it was the twins brithday and Maddy came home pissed off and didnt care about the decorations That's is something my darling Victoria would do. To see that is amazing, do you notice that when everybody is having a good time and happy she not. I think it was the trip to Utha they asked her if she had fun or what was her favorite part she said nothing, my daughter would say that. And how maddy had a melt down in the happy place on earth, My daughter does that too(last year 1st year without meltdown My little girl is growin up) I love to watch this show with my daughter so she can see herself> She thinks its funny

So anyway I have just one last thing to say I respect Jon alot and I have to give him a hand Because in the way things are today any other man would had left a long time ago. He is wonderful He is younger then his very controlling wife and with the responsibility of raising those kids Anybody else would had left. Look at how many post said he should leave. Really, If he does those kids would suffer. I mean he does everything for them dress them, brushes their teeth, gets them up for school (she sleeps in) takes them a bath. The only thing we see Kate do is cook and tell him what to do.

She is my idol I wish my husband was more like Jon
Maybe she should make a book or a seminar on how to train your mate

 

[CampbellScot]

I've watched the show from the very first one hour documentary. I was always partial to Mady. She's darling...but clearly troubled. That child is a definite candidate for therapy. She needs the one on one time.

I don't think that Mady is spoiled brat. As a behaviorist I see an EXTREMELY anxious child in a very large group of children. She clearly feels out of control, she's given few boundaries and she acts out aggressively. I would say that some of that appears to be a predisposition to over reacting to stimulus...she is definitely her mama's child. She has learned to cope with being a voice in the crowd by being the loudest voice of them all. When Mady acts out she gets individual attention. This negative attention seeking behavior has only worsened over the years. The more her parents tune her out, the louder she yells. As she ups the ante on the negative attention seeking cycle, I worry about what choices she will make as she gets older.

If a person looks at the situation from Mady and Cara's perspective...they lost their entire lives when their brothers and sisters were born. They went from being the only two children with all the attention focused on them, to one of a crowd. They clearly could not compete with the needs and cuteness of a large crowd of children. Being a twin wasn't even special anymore. The twins had been bested by their younger siblings. Mady is extremely resentful. She resents the loss her old life, she resents the media circus that surrounds her younger siblings...This was well illustrated by her reaction to the sextuplets 3rd birthday. She made it clear that her birthday had not been as fussed over. It made her angry. I don't blame her.

On the other hand, Mady is very capable of being kind and loving. I can't imagine she likes her state of constant anxiety. Unfortunately it's become a very bad habit that has never been corrected. It's a tough cycle to break and it unfortunately it works for her. She gets the payoff every time. Mady isn't stupid. She's a clever girl doing what she can to cope with the life her parents have built for her.

I have to laugh at myself...this family is a science experiment for the mental health profession. They are fascinating...and sad at the same time.

I hope that John and Kate are not divorcing. I can't imagine they would. This show is their livelihood. If nothing else, John and Kate are business savvy people. They'll work it out.

 

[ilandrazdsw]

So anyway I have just one last thing to say I respect Jon alot and I have to give him a hand Because in the way things are today any other man would had left a long time ago. He is wonderful He is younger then his very controlling wife and with the responsibility of raising those kids Anybody else would had left. Look at how many post said he should leave. Really, If he does those kids would suffer. I mean he does everything for them dress them, brushes their teeth, gets them up for school (she sleeps in) takes them a bath. The only thing we see Kate do is cook and tell him what to do.

She is my idol I wish my husband was more like Jon
Maybe she should make a book or a seminar on how to train your mate

I have a DH that is fully involved with the children. He is also 2 1/2 yrs younger than me.
I think there are 3 reasons why DH takes an active role in the children's lives...1)DH truly loves and cares for/about his children, 2)He respects me and my position as a SAHM (he's gone 3-5 week at a time for work with only 1-4 weeks home between) and realizes that I do his and my parental duties when he is gone, and 3)DH's parents were well, IDK...his dad worked the same schedule that DH works now and his mom, although loving was very do as I say the first time without too much playing with the kids. But ultimately he does "Daddy Duty" because they are his children and they are his responsibility.
Maybe Kate used the blanket method to train Jon?

 

[ilandrazdsw]

I've watched the show from the very first one hour documentary. I was always partial to Mady. She's darling...but clearly troubled. That child is a definite candidate for therapy. She needs the one on one time.

I don't think that Mady is spoiled brat. As a behaviorist I see an EXTREMELY anxious child in a very large group of children. She clearly feels out of control, she's given few boundaries and she acts out aggressively. I would say that some of that appears to be a predisposition to over reacting to stimulus...she is definitely her mama's child. She has learned to cope with being a voice in the crowd by being the loudest voice of them all. When Mady acts out she gets individual attention. This negative attention seeking behavior has only worsened over the years. The more her parents tune her out, the louder she yells. As she ups the ante on the negative attention seeking cycle, I worry about what choices she will make as she gets older.

If a person looks at the situation from Mady and Cara's perspective...they lost their entire lives when their brothers and sisters were born. They went from being the only two children with all the attention focused on them, to one of a crowd. They clearly could not compete with the needs and cuteness of a large crowd of children. Being a twin wasn't even special anymore. The twins had been bested by their younger siblings. Mady is extremely resentful. She resents the loss her old life, she resents the media circus that surrounds her younger siblings...This was well illustrated by her reaction to the sextuplets 3rd birthday. She made it clear that her birthday had not been as fussed over. It made her angry. I don't blame her.

On the other hand, Mady is very capable of being kind and loving. I can't imagine she likes her state of constant anxiety. Unfortunately it's become a very bad habit that has never been corrected. It's a tough cycle to break and it unfortunately it works for her. She gets the payoff every time. Mady isn't stupid. She's a clever girl doing what she can to cope with the life her parents have built for her.

I have to laugh at myself...this family is a science experiment for the mental health profession. They are fascinating...and sad at the same time.

I hope that John and Kate are not divorcing. I can't imagine they would. This show is their livelihood. If nothing else, John and Kate are business savvy people. They'll work it out.

I find your post very interesting. The twins were only 2 when their siblings were born, yet that one event seems to have basically "ruined" (a better word could have been used, I'm sure) their lives...or at least Mady's. Usually the birth of a sibling or siblings is a happy event and the older child/ren are prepared and taught how to handel the event...granted it is usually one or two babies at a time. As a Behaviorist do you think they were properly prepared for the arrival (not that I think even J&K were prepared for 6) or that J&K could have done more to keep Cara and Mady involved and not like second class citizens?
I know that certain things surrounding the pregnancy and then coming home with the babies could not have been avoided, like C&M staying with the grandparents while K was in the hospital and bedrest and so many people in and out of their house to help care for the babies. Hindsight is 20/20, but maybe if the parents would have allowed help to stay just a little longer for them to spend one on one or two on one time, could that have made a difference?

 

[LittleMissMagic]

I find your post very interesting. The twins were only 2 when their siblings were born, yet that one event seems to have basically "ruined" (a better word could have been used, I'm sure) their lives...or at least Mady's. Usually the birth of a sibling or siblings is a happy event and the older child/ren are prepared and taught how to handel the event...granted it is usually one or two babies at a time. As a Behaviorist do you think they were properly prepared for the arrival (not that I think even J&K were prepared for 6) or that J&K could have done more to keep Cara and Mady involved and not like second class citizens?
I know that certain things surrounding the pregnancy and then coming home with the babies could not have been avoided, like C&M staying with the grandparents while K was in the hospital and bedrest and so many people in and out of their house to help care for the babies. Hindsight is 20/20, but maybe if the parents would have allowed help to stay just a little longer for them to spend one on one or two on one time, could that have made a difference?

Actually, Cara and Mady were nearly four years old when the twins were born (remember the season with six two year olds and two six year olds?).

 

[ilandrazdsw]

OK. Even still, then at that point/age they could have been included in the activities (not little momy responsibilities). I somewhat remember the specials, but I don't remember them really spending time with the twins...of course this could have been all editing too. It really is just so sad all the way around. Every child has their own personality, bu tthe parents really do need to teach appropriate ways for the children to express themselves...AND the parents have to be aware of the children and listen to them, not only when they are grabbing at mom's leg, crying, or acting out. When it gets too quiet in my house my first instinct is to be thrilled and take a second for myself, but instead I see what the children are doing...Often I catch them being good and take that opportunity to praise them and watch what they are doing wether it be coloring, playing games or even watching a movie (then I question then about it to get their minds going). Parenting is a 24/7 job...you are on call all the time, even if you are sleeping!

 

[3prettyprincesses]

OK. Even still, then at that point/age they could have been included in the activities (not little momy responsibilities). I somewhat remember the specials, but I don't remember them really spending time with the twins...of course this could have been all editing too. It really is just so sad all the way around. Every child has their own personality, bu tthe parents really do need to teach appropriate ways for the children to express themselves...AND the parents have to be aware of the children and listen to them, not only when they are grabbing at mom's leg, crying, or acting out. When it gets too quiet in my house my first instinct is to be thrilled and take a second for myself, but instead I see what the children are doing...Often I catch them being good and take that opportunity to praise them and watch what they are doing wether it be coloring, playing games or even watching a movie (then I question then about it to get their minds going). Parenting is a 24/7 job...you are on call all the time, even if you are sleeping!

True, kids need to be communicated with. That is how they learn to express themselves. The best time to do that isn't always when they're whining and hanging on your legs! I love to just talk to my girls. Just tell them that I love them and ask them things about themselves, etc. We talk all the time and I think it's important because it makes them FEEL important, you know? When they tell me crazy stories that they think are real or ask a really funny question (not meaning to be funny of course) I try my hardest to answer/listen seriously. My Mom did that for me, everything I told her as a child (or at least remember telling her) she showed so much interest. She was awesome and it made me feel like I was very important to her because of how she responded.

Perhaps that is the problem with little Mady on the show. I'm sure she's acting out because that's how to get Mom or Dad's attention. It appears (at least from the editing!) that Kate favors Hannah and Alexis and that Jon favors Cara and Joel. Plus it can't be good for Mady to hear on the episodes (we know they've watched them) that she is always moody or you never know what mood she's in or that Cara is so much better with the little ones than her. I feel for her and I don't think she's a bad child, just desperately in need of regular one-on-one time. Honestly, Jon and Kate knew going into fertility treatment what the potential outcome could be, multiple births and they already had twins. I don't know, I just wish they'd cancel the show and prioritize each other and their kids.

 

[caralyn817]

I have also thought about the possibility of them getting a divorce as well. I honestly feel bad for Jon. She is constantly nagging him about him not asking her what she needs done and also harping on the fact that he bought a shower head which the coupon. Come on! You're living in a million dollar home and you are concerned about a coupon for a $50 shower head. She disgusts me! I mainly watch for the kids and Jon. Anyways back to the divorce, if they are to get a divorce poor Jon would have nothing. He would be paying so much in child support plus I'm sure she would want allimony. She chooses not to work and would expect that to continue, because basically she wouldn't be able to handle that. Just my opinion!

 

[LittleMissMagic]

Come on! You're living in a million dollar home and you are concerned about a coupon for a $50 shower head.

That's why people that have money have money - they're careful how they spend it.

Of course there are some things you let slide. Like if you buy a toy and then a week later it's on sale for $5 less - not many people are going to take the time to return the toy and purchase it again with the discount.