Jon & Kate plus 8 budget?

[aheape1979]

Please watch the show and reply back with which one you could eliminate. Honestly. Sorry to hijack, but this was out of line, and needed to be squashed. JK did not intend on having this many children, GOD gave them this many!! As the daughter of a 14-year old, unmarried pregnant girl back in 1972 (legal RvW), I count my blessings for being alive, and will not even begin a debate on abortion, because I will never stop. Just please, watch the show a few times, and think about it really hard. Life is precious, how can we treat it like it is nothing?

As for Kate, I think she is brilliant. Rather than selectively killing a child or 2, she accepted GOD's gift for her and Jon. I am sure when JK prayed for GOD's will, and asked for his provision, they couldn't have possibly imagined the BLESSINGS they are getting now

I know from all of my budgeting for this crazily addictive little mouse, there is no way they could do it for their children without this show. All of the other things they get to experience with their children would never happen without it. My hat is off to all of the parents of large multiples. I have a hard enough time clothing, feeding, and entertaining (DISNEY) 2 kids, well 3 including myself! I think the product placement/kickbacks are way better than watching commercials. The products are shown in use over a longer period of time. I love watching the kids get their coats, and seeing all the different colors. In the real world, which girl would get the new coat, cause somebody's getting the twins hand me downs. I can bet they are giving all the old clothes/toys to charity, and not wasting their time with yard sales.

Whenever I hear someone complain about exploitation, I do wonder if it is a little true. Then, I think of a life at home with 8 kids
I would feel sad knowing they didn't get to experience mickey... But, wait, I'm 35 and haven't been to Hawaii yet I can't imagine saving up to take 8 kids. I think as long as the kids want to do it, they should stay on. My kids and I love the show, and it is a much better alternative than anything else they are putting on these days, besides Disney channel, of course.

Thank you for that! I totally agree. I don't think anyone sets out to have that many children. I experienced infertility issues, and easily could have ended up with 2 or 3 on the drug I was taking. However, God chose to bless me with just one. When you are undergoing infertility issues, you yearn for just one child. If God chooses to give you more than one, you accept that as a blessing as well.
Back on the Medicaid thing. . . J & K worked jobs and paid taxes before this all started. My question to those blasting them is. . . what if you found yourself in a medical situation after working and paying taxes. Isn't that what the system is for? I don't for one minute condemn them for allowing their children to get the same medical care for the same cost as many people who've never worked and paid into the system.

Sorry, I think science gave them that many. I'm not sure of the statistics, but I don't know if "God" has ever given anyone 6 kids at once. Maybe there is a reason.

Ok, this is going to get into a religious debate, and I don't think that is necessary. However, I KNOW that God gave me my children and I believe he knows every child, embryo, fetus, whatever before they are even born and loves them. Yes, science did help, but God made it possible.

 

[imsayin]

Ok, this is going to get into a religious debate, and I don't think that is necessary. However, I KNOW that God gave me my children .

Yes, we can agree to disagree. I respect your beliefs, but I KNOW that God did not give me my children.

 

[aheape1979]

Yes, we can agree to disagree. I respect your beliefs, but I KNOW that God did not give me my children.

I respect your personal opinion.

I think everyone should stop judging Jon and Kate because you can't really know a person's heart unless you're there and have walked in their shoes. I'm sure they are doing what they think is best for them and their family.

As for exploiting their children. . . do we say that about presidential or other political candidates' children? They are thrust in the spotlight, in tabloids, and such. Their parents made the decision to be put into the spotlight as well. This is kind of a different situation, but I think it serves to get one thinking!

 

[pweyl36]

The Gosselins also make monetary donations. They donated to RMH and pediatric cancer research. Is it necessary to do both (monetary and in-kind)? No, it's not necessary to do either, but they choose to do at least one (monetary) that we know of, they could very possibly be donating clothes they know they won't use, toys, etc.

That makes good tv.

 

[NaplesRI]

I happen to love this show and enjoy watching the kids grow up.
There is a lot of venom about them, which is too bad. I give them a lot of credit for doing all they can for their kids- isn't that what all parents want to do?
Does everyone have to agree the means by which they chose to do it? I think not.

I am happy for them that they get to do things that most of us would not be able to do. I feel no jealousy for that at all. Raising those kids is a challenge, and you can see that there are times when there are unhappy cranky kids. I'm sure we don't see all of that, because no one would watch. I think they do a great job editing this show so you can see both happy and cranky kids.

I agree that Kate's yelling at Jon has bothered me, but I have seen a calmer Kate as the years go on- has anyone considered that she has been under great stress and is perhaps now starting to relax more as the kids grow up?
I think there is a strong love between Jon and Kate (ok I know I can't know that) - no matter how you cut it, they have 8 strong reasons to work together.

I admire that they are feeding the kids organically and avoiding candy except for special times. I wish more of us did that.

Bottom line- I am happy for them for anything they get for those kids. I can't help but believe they still are budgeting and saving, because they are both smart enough to know this may not last forever.

 

[Mkaz]

How did this thread go from talking about their budget to a Jon & Kate bash fest? Do they have that much of an impact on everyone else's lives? I don't get it.

I am not a fan, and wouldn't choose to raise MY children the way they do. However, it is their choice. It is what works for them. I don't know if people are envious of them or what. Their life has no impact on mine so I don't care if they get free trips or products. It would be easy for me to sit here and make assumptions based on what they choose to show on t.v., but I haven't walked a mile in their shoes.

 

[cara3914]

I have not read the entire thread but I am sure that Jon and Kate are no longer on too much of a budget as they just moved in to a house in Berks County, PA last week that they paid $1.12M for which is a lot of money in this area. It is a huge home on 24 acres....can't wait to see how their viewers react to their new digs!

 

[WDWHo]

Who cares what they get? Sounds like sour grapes to me. Let me tell you something, if someone knocked on any of your doors tommorow and said let me give you XYZ for free, you would take it. The kids look like they are having the time of their lives. I say good for them!!! Those kids seem very well grounded. They have more rules and expectations of behavior then most of the families I know.

 

[TotalSnowWhite]

That makes good tv.

But other celebs do it out of the goodness of their hearts?

Honestly, does it matter what someone's reasons are as long as someone benefits?

I find that no one is completely altruistic. Some people do it for the notoriety, others to make themselves feel good, others as a punishment (community service), etc. Either way, good is being done, why knock it?

 

[pweyl36]

Sorry, I think science gave them that many. I'm not sure of the statistics, but I don't know if "God" has ever given anyone 6 kids at once. Maybe there is a reason.

I was just going to say the same thing, If god gave them that many then she would not have need drugs to help her get praganet.

 

[lindal]

for some reason I can't help myself.

Science gave them those children and Jon and Kate made the decision to have that many and I'm not saying because they didn't do selective reduction.

I went through years of infertility to have my twin girls so I'm VERY familiar with the different processes and procedures. Unless they had a totally irresponsible doctor there is no way they got pg w/ 6 children without knowing. I had ultrasounds throughout every infertility cycle. If I was growing too many follicles (possibly eggs that can be fertilized) they will cancel your cycle and advise you not to have sexual intercourse b/c of the risk of high order mulitples.

Kate must have had at least seven follicles (I think I remember a show where they mentioned Baby G that didn't make it). Either Jon and Kate went against their drs orders or they had an irresponsible dr who let them go ahead w/ the insemination. Either way Kate was a nurse and I'm sure knew what that meant.

I don't begrudge them for anything they get for free or how they live their lives but I do want to make it clear that it was their choosing to have 6 children at one time by going foward with the infertility treatments during that cycle.

 

[ekball]

I admire that they are feeding the kids organically and avoiding candy except for special times. I wish more of us did that.

To take this thread on yet another tangent...

Yes, organic/healthy/natural...wonderful. I'm all for feeding your family as healthfully as you possibly can. But seriously - I am so tired of hearing about the kids getting sick because they can't eat all organic for a week long vacation. They can't possibly believe that, can they?! I think they are slightly stretching the power of a mostly-organic diet (I've seen a number of non-organic products being pitched, um, I mean consumed on the show). It's piddly, but it drives me nuts when I hear that.

 

[cheermom1]

I think what most people have the major beef with is the way Kate when it comes to certian things like when they went to disney and she freaked out about the ice cream on the kids clothes i mean what kid has ever gotten dirty? Kate does go WAY over board on a lot of things even telling one of her kids that their faverate toy would have to be thrown away b/c he got gum on it again what kid hasn't had that too? she sits in her chair and barks orders i haven't really seen her do much then says how tired she is all the time. Please I have 5 kids I know not as many as they do but I have half the kids on our street b/c I won;t let them stay at their houses as long as the other parents do so they all come to my house anyway, I just don;t sit and bark orders plus you have to let the kids be kids that is how they LEARN!!

 

[penn19]

I happen to love this show and enjoy watching the kids grow up.
There is a lot of venom about them, which is too bad. I give them a lot of credit for doing all they can for their kids- isn't that what all parents want to do?
Does everyone have to agree the means by which they chose to do it? I think not.

I am happy for them that they get to do things that most of us would not be able to do. I feel no jealousy for that at all. Raising those kids is a challenge, and you can see that there are times when there are unhappy cranky kids. I'm sure we don't see all of that, because no one would watch. I think they do a great job editing this show so you can see both happy and cranky kids.

I agree that Kate's yelling at Jon has bothered me, but I have seen a calmer Kate as the years go on- has anyone considered that she has been under great stress and is perhaps now starting to relax more as the kids grow up?
I think there is a strong love between Jon and Kate (ok I know I can't know that) - no matter how you cut it, they have 8 strong reasons to work together.

I admire that they are feeding the kids organically and avoiding candy except for special times. I wish more of us did that.

Bottom line- I am happy for them for anything they get for those kids. I can't help but believe they still are budgeting and saving, because they are both smart enough to know this may not last forever.

I remember watching an episode where they were shopping at a warehouse store and they were buying coke and hamburger meat. Not that I care even WHAT they eat, but don't be holier than thou about the whole organic thing. I LIKE watching the show normally, but last week Kate was on Bonnie Hunt and she was spouting her organic philosophy. She makes it sound like you are this horrible parent if you don't feed organic stuff to your kids. "its their little bodies".

 

[luvsJack]

I think its great that they get so many things for free. The kids may not get to do a lot of things they do without free trips and such. My issue is with Kate's attitude toward her husband and everyone else. She is a bit "holier than thou" and that makes her hard to watch (impossible for me so I don't watch the show any longer). And the constant "I need help", there are a lot of mom's with multiples who have a much harder time than she does; have to work full time, don't have their husband home with them, make less money, and do it with less help. It would be nice to hear her being appreciative of what they have and what has been handed to them. All parents go through times of stress; whether they have one child or a dozen. Luckily most do it without the "bow to me" attitude that Kate has with her husband. I would think that he has been under a great deal of stress also but has continued to treat her much nicer than she treated him.

I think the kids (even the twins) are wonderful children and I think these two are doing a good job of raising them. Hopefully they won't become the usual mess of TV kids. I really think Kate is a great mom, I just don't like the woman's personality. But then thats why I choose to turn the show off.

 

[JackJack08]

I just find it kind of sad (and unusual really) that they seem to have no friends and family anymore. They are having a falling out, with everyone. What does this say about them? I still shake my head, at the episode when they were buying new beds for the kids. And they took them all along. They were running, jumping, yelling all around the store. (Because of course, they were bored...and who can blame them.) I'm sure the salespeople were glad to see them leave. Kate kept changing her mind and their poor little guy, was so constipated, he was in tears, in the middle of the store. She could have cared less...she was too interested in picking out the "perfect" bunk beds. She is soooo irritating.

 

[madge]

I've seen both of the episodes that were just TV specials and Jon was working in both of them. I don't remember anything about Medicaid (that's not to say it isn't true though).

I haven't finished reading the whole thread - but I don't think it was ever mentioned in any of the shows about the Medicaid thing. JK8 had a nurse for a while, and actually went to court to have the nurse for a second year:

Mother Of Sextuplets Faces Loss Of Medicaid-Funded Nurse (Society has a responsibility, says Mom)
Associated Press ^ | May 8, 2005

Posted on Tuesday, May 10, 2005 4:27:46 PM by Wolfie

Mother of sextuplets faces loss of Medicaid-funded nurse

WYOMISSING - A Berks County woman with year-old sextuplets and 4-year-old twins will appeal for continued nursing help from Medicaid beyond a one-year cutoff.

Kate Gosselin, whose husband has a 90-minute commute to a state job in Harrisburg, said she cannot safely manage eight small children.

The sextuplets - only the second set born in Pennsylvania and among fewer than 30 sets born worldwide - arrived 8 weeks premature but are thriving as they near their first birthday Tuesday.

"I will shout from the highest mountain that these are my children and I love them and I need help," Kate Gosselin said.

While the Gosselins appreciate the volunteers who streamed through their home in the early months, the children's routines improved with the arrival of Angie Krall, a licensed practical nurse who spends 30 hours a week with the family. Medicaid provides the temporary nursing support for premature babies, Gosselin said.

"She's fine-tuned and I trust her," Kate Gosselin said of the nurse, Angie Krall. "She's as good as a parent in this home."

The family cannot afford to pay Krall on their own, she said. Jonathan Gosselin, an information technology specialist who now works in the Gov.'s Office, was unemployed for much of last year.

Kate Gosselin said she feels society has a responsibility to help with the children, since modern medicine promotes the use of fertility drugs, which can lead to multiple births.

She has talked by telephone with Bobbi McCaughey, the Carlisle, Iowa, woman who delivered the world's only set of surviving septuplets in November 1997. McCaughey named the loss of privacy and the oversight of volunteers as among her biggest difficulties, Kate Gosselin said.

On the bright side, the Gosselin babies seem to have skirted the health problems that can plague premature babies and multiples. Each now weighs between 18 and 22 pounds.

"I look at six healthy babies and I feel a lot better, because it could be a lot, lot worse," Jonathan Gosselin said.

 

[madge]

I have not read the entire thread but I am sure that Jon and Kate are no longer on too much of a budget as they just moved in to a house in Berks County, PA last week that they paid $1.12M for which is a lot of money in this area. It is a huge home on 24 acres....can't wait to see how their viewers react to their new digs!

link? proof?

 

[girli565]

for some reason I can't help myself.

Science gave them those children and Jon and Kate made the decision to have that many and I'm not saying because they didn't do selective reduction.

I went through years of infertility to have my twin girls so I'm VERY familiar with the different processes and procedures. Unless they had a totally irresponsible doctor there is no way they got pg w/ 6 children without knowing. I had ultrasounds throughout every infertility cycle. If I was growing too many follicles (possibly eggs that can be fertilized) they will cancel your cycle and advise you not to have sexual intercourse b/c of the risk of high order mulitples.

Kate must have had at least seven follicles (I think I remember a show where they mentioned Baby G that didn't make it). Either Jon and Kate went against their drs orders or they had an irresponsible dr who let them go ahead w/ the insemination. Either way Kate was a nurse and I'm sure knew what that meant.

Thank you for explaining that, you did much better than I ever could.

My cousing went through infertility treatments and got one baby, but they were always going in for the ultrasounds to make sure she would not have higher order multiples. The doctor was very concerned with that and made it one of the first priorities other than my cousin's health and making a baby.

Every conversation I had with her we always discussed the mutiple concern, for someone doing IVF this is always a major concern. 6 babies is really not something recommended by IVF doctors, and the one my cousin saw won't even implant more than 3 fetilized eggs.

So maybe having 6 children was irresponsible, but who is to blame? J&K or their IVF doc?

 

[Kycha]

Thank you for explaining that, you did much better than I ever could.

My cousing went through infertility treatments and got one baby, but they were always going in for the ultrasounds to make sure she would not have higher order multiples. The doctor was very concerned with that and made it one of the first priorities other than my cousin's health and making a baby.

Every conversation I had with her we always discussed the mutiple concern, for someone doing IVF this is always a major concern. 6 babies is really not something recommended by IVF doctors, and the one my cousin saw won't even implant more than 3 fetilized eggs.

So maybe having 6 children was irresponsible, but who is to blame? J&K or their IVF doc?

It is my understanding they did IUI and not IVF.