~ Kate Plus Eight ~

[Dee77]

I can't remember it well, maybe someone else can, but there was something about Hannah's looks that was a reason why Kate had her hair grown longer than the others. I can't remember what it was, but someone once posted something they had found about it.


You thought she was doing a lot of whining last night? I saw it as just a show of someone with a zillion kids going school shopping (yuck). If TLC didn't need to tape it, I think it would have been much easier to take the twins one night, the little girls another and the little boys another. I couldn't have survived taking them all, and listening to all those kids whine at the same time LOL.

I have no idea why she singles Hannah out as her favorite but it seems very unfair, she has 7 other children afterall, she reminds us of that fact every 3 minutes

As for the episode last night, yes I did think she whined quite a bit. She should move forward and show that she is capable of getting the things done for her family without all the drama and excessive complaining.

 

[Erin1700]

While I too thought the kids were horrible in the one store, it was nice to see a show about them for a change!!

 

[OhMari]

How many kids does Kate have?????


I ask only because it seems she thinks we all still need reminding after all these years... 8 hair cuts, 8 lunch bags, 8 backpacks, 8 pairs of shoes....


Also- is it just me or did her reaction to Hannah's haircut seem a little over the top?

I agree, we get Kate has 8 kids.

If they would of just shown the segment, Kate talking to the hair stylist, a reluctant hair stylist, Kate crying and how happy Hannah was, it would of been fine. But Kate had to pull the whole thing apart with her sit-down interview and the voice-over's.

I have a question. If your kids wear uniforms to school. How many uniforms do you buy. When Kate was doing the drill seargeant thing, on where things go after school, book bag, papers, school uniforms, one of the little girls said, their uniforms go in the laundry and you change your clothes. And Kate said, "right". I'm thinking Kate probably bought 3 uniforms. After Kate purchased 2 pairs of shoes for herself, she made the comment how she forgot about the uniforms and needed to go downstairs and purchase them.

 

[Buckalew11]

I remember a long time ago that there was a comment about Hannah's hair and why Kate didn't want to cut it--something about Jon's grandmother maybe?

Anyway, mom's often act like that at a child's haircut--whether it is a first haircut or a big change. I didn't find it unusual at all as a hairdresser. I try to be understanding, but, of course, to me it is only hair, you grow it out, you cut it off. Grown women with long hair who make a big deal out of 1" coming off drive me nuts!

Seeing all those lunchboxes last night overwhelmed me, lol. I have one child and that was enough lunch fixing for me! Day in and day out fixing all that...ugh.
I'd have to have an attitude adjustment, I guess. lol

Seeing them shop last night was also overwhelming. Watching them carry that big Croc shoe around and pull on it, unnerved me. I guess she is much more calm about that type thing than I am. I would never agree to film myself shopping with 8 children--talking about looking bad, lol.

We never did velcro I can see why they would--that's a lot of shoes to tie!

 

[mhsjax]

I understand that the first haircut is a milestone, what I found issue with was how only one of the girls was singled out as special with her hair in Kate's eyes. Hannah has always come across as her favorite but this took it to a new level, IMHO.

As for the constant reminding of how much she goes through for 8, it's a given, she doesn't need the sympathy vote anymore. I would think she would come across more empowering/endearing if only she didn't whine about it so much.

I watched the show. Wow, what a nightmare, shopping with those kids.

Ok, I may be about to defend Kate here. OMG what is the world coming to. Anyway, I had very long thick beautiful hair when I was young. Just like Hannah, I have never had it cut. Well, my friend next door got hers cut short, so I just had to have mine cut too. My mom begged and pleaded with me not to cut it. She also cried when I got it cut.

Hannah always said that she didn't want to cut her hair, she wanted it very long. Maybe Kate was acting like my mom, or even me with my daughter, just trying to be sure that it isn't a spur of the moment thing. sometimes that happens. I am trying to grow mine out a little, then I see someone with short hair and I want to cut it all off again.

I think Kate does have a special bond with Hannah, she says Hannah is most like her, which will cause problems later, it almost always does when mother and daughter are alike. Also Hannah was the first baby that Kate was able to hold, so I think she bonded with her first. Ok, my defending Kate is over, Lordy that was hard.

By the way, I laughed when Mady told her the shoes make her feet look wrinkily (sorry not a real word). Also just shook my head when Mady said Kate needed a whole room for just her shoes. Yep folks, she is just a single mom trying to get by raising 8 kids.

 

[Buckalew11]

I think you are right...one needs to make sure the child is ready to have that hair cut. You can't glue it back on. Ive had kids beg for something like a braid, get done, looks precious and *nope*, take it down, they want it hanging down regular.

I grew my hair down to my butt until 1st grade. I was ready to whack it off also. At 45, I still have that long braid in a box in my attic!I should frame it and hang it in my shop! lol

 

[Buckalew11]

Oh and I just don't get people's fascination with owning shoes. I think it is a common thing though. I'd never remember what I had and didn't have and I don't take much time in the morning to decide on "which ones."

 

[southernbohemian]

I only watched the second half so I missed the haircutting drama. But I thought Kate was acting so terrible in the store - no wonder the kids were acting up. She's constantly blaming their bad behavior on the fact that it is dinner time, but she's the worst one.

I loved her comment about the lady in the shoe section who "must have thought kids should be seen and not heard." I don't care if I hear kids (as long as they're not obnoxiously yelling), but I do believe kids should not run all over a store as if they own it and their mom shouldn't be more preoccupied on buying herself shoes than watching her kids.

And when they were home and she kept asking them questions only to immediately scream "Shut up!" if they tried to answer her. I did like her rules about eating lunch and might put those into affect when my son goes to kindergarten next year.

 

[mhsjax]

I only watched the second half so I missed the haircutting drama. But I thought Kate was acting so terrible in the store - no wonder the kids were acting up. She's constantly blaming their bad behavior on the fact that it is dinner time, but she's the worst one.

I loved her comment about the lady in the shoe section who "must have thought kids should be seen and not heard." I don't care if I hear kids (as long as they're not obnoxiously yelling), but I do believe kids should not run all over a store as if they own it and their mom shouldn't be more preoccupied on buying herself shoes than watching her kids.

And when they were home and she kept asking them questions only to immediately scream "Shut up!" if they tried to answer her. I did like her rules about eating lunch and might put those into affect when my son goes to kindergarten next year.

I thought her comment about the lady was funny also. I bet Kate would be one of those moms that we love to talk about in regards to kids misbehaving in restaurants. lol.

She didn't seem to watch them at all. I know there are 8 but I have friends that have 5 and 6 and they are not at all like these kids. They really aren't very well behaved. At the age or 6 they shouldn't be squealing like the one little girls did.

I also hated how she talked to them, she asks them a question then tells them to be quiet in a very ugly tone. I can pretty guarantee that that crap won't fly when those kids are older, there are too many and they can over run her. She needs to learn to earn respect, not demand it. That works now, but won't later.

 

[Promomx2]

Wish TLC would make the show "Eight". I think the kids are about old enough to have the show just on them with Kate as a supporting role.

 

[DMRick]

By the way, I laughed when Mady told her the shoes make her feet look wrinkily (sorry not a real word). Also just shook my head when Mady said Kate needed a whole room for just her shoes. Yep folks, she is just a single mom trying to get by raising 8 kids.

Did she say a whole room, or a whole or another closet? I laughed at the wrinkly comment too..I would have put them back LOL...I have enough wrinkles without adding any.

She is a single (cause she isn't married) mom raising her 8 kids (and because I still believe she is the most responsible for them at this time, money and time wise). I don't know about the 'get by' part, because I think she can afford them now, which I don't think a couple other of those on TV can.

 

[southernbohemian]

I don't know about the 'get by' part, because I think she can afford them now, which I don't think a couple other of those on TV can.

I watched the Quints by Surprise show after Kate Plus 8 and once again got really disgusted by that couple pretending to be poor. I can't watch it. They went from being rich to being upper middle class. Boo frickin' hoo.

They were looking at McMansions and acting like they were shoeboxes. It was ridiculous. My mom was one of 7 and grew up in a 1200 sq ft house. Their "sacrifices" are so obnoxious. Especially when they go on and on about money and then do completely foolish things with the money they have (such as drive from Austin to Houston to look at puppies). And I hope that they paid the people who watched their kids while they went on a date night. I understand people being nice enough to volunteer to watch your kids when you're grocery shopping or even house hunting. But date night?

And their older daughter is going to grow up to be a monster. When they were letting her pick her bedroom and she was trying to get the largest one, as a parent I thought - here's a good chance to teach your daughter about empathy. "Eli, you know that we are crazy and think that all 5 babies should be stuffed in one bedroom so we can have a guest room. Since you get a room all to yourself, maybe it would be nice if you would save the bigger room for them." Instead they taught her to be selfish, "make sure you get the best view" and "look, this one has 2 closets!"

 

[DMRick]

When I saw the 'tiny' house they were going to have to end up with, I couldn't believe my eyes. The one was 4400 square feet!! My goodness, what a sacrifice LOL.

The father was at fault for the little girl picking the biggest room (the mom realized what a mistake that was). He gave her a choice. She's just a young kid, of course she would prefer the biggest.

I don't get why the 4th room couldn't hold half the quints, and put a day bed in his office or the basement for guests. Why would guests get a room to themselves and 5 kids in one room to make it happen?

They do talk about money a lot and the lack of it, don't they (I wish I had the same lack as them)? I assume they are getting paid to be on TV. And they spend $1000 on food a month? What are they feeding those kids? Even if I have my three teenage grands here for a week (and they can put the food away for sure), I don't spend $250 for the week.

I watched the Quints by Surprise show after Kate Plus 8 and once again got really disgusted by that couple pretending to be poor. I can't watch it. They went from being rich to being upper middle class. Boo frickin' hoo.

They were looking at McMansions and acting like they were shoeboxes. It was ridiculous. My mom was one of 7 and grew up in a 1200 sq ft house. Their "sacrifices" are so obnoxious. Especially when they go on and on about money and then do completely foolish things with the money they have (such as drive from Austin to Houston to look at puppies). And I hope that they paid the people who watched their kids while they went on a date night. I understand people being nice enough to volunteer to watch your kids when you're grocery shopping or even house hunting. But date night?

And their older daughter is going to grow up to be a monster. When they were letting her pick her bedroom and she was trying to get the largest one, as a parent I thought - here's a good chance to teach your daughter about empathy. "Eli, you know that we are crazy and think that all 5 babies should be stuffed in one bedroom so we can have a guest room. Since you get a room all to yourself, maybe it would be nice if you would save the bigger room for them." Instead they taught her to be selfish, "make sure you get the best view" and "look, this one has 2 closets!"

 

[whitneyNC]

When I saw the 'tiny' house they were going to have to end up with, I couldn't believe my eyes. The one was 4400 square feet!! My goodness, what a sacrifice LOL.

The father was at fault for the little girl picking the biggest room (the mom realized what a mistake that was). He gave her a choice. She's just a young kid, of course she would prefer the biggest.

I don't get why the 4th room couldn't hold half the quints, and put a day bed in his office or the basement for guests. Why would guests get a room to themselves and 5 kids in one room to make it happen?

They do talk about money a lot and the lack of it, don't they (I wish I had the same lack as them)? I assume they are getting paid to be on TV. And they spend $1000 on food a month? What are they feeding those kids? Even if I have my three teenage grands here for a week (and they can put the food away for sure), I don't spend $250 for the week.

That's just how big the "tiny" house Kate last had to get out of was! How ironic. I think all the babies in one room makes sense while they are really little.
I like Ethan and Casey's show very much. I never thought they pretended to be poor; only downsizing. Alot. They said Ethan's salary had been cut by $75,000 last year! Wow. They are blessed for sure, and seem really sweet to one another. I hope they don't stay on TV! I think she said the $1000 included diapers/wipes and some were still on formula? It is still a lot. I like their Texas dialect too;very cute. They seem crazy about each other and their kids even with all the chaos. Oh, the screaming kids. She doesn't seem to have much help, and didn't seem stressed about packing them up to go to his MBA graduation out of town at 7:45am. I don't know, quite a contrast to Kate imo.

 

[DMRick]

That's just how big the "tiny" house Kate last had to get out of was! .

The houses they were looking at were a ton bigger than K & J's old house. Did you see those houses? Those upstairs rooms weren't converted attics. They were big full size bedrooms. And the kitchen..it was a huge kitchen, not like J & K's. And they had a huge dining room, not just the eat in kitchen. And the front room was very very big with a huge hall you walked into, with a beautiful staircase. No comparison in my opinion to where K & J used to live. The houses they were looking at to downsize looked much more like K & J's new house. Maybe they mispoke when they gave the size, because you sure couldn't compare the ones they were looking at to K & J's old house.

I wouldn't consider diapers or wipes food. It said food, so I assumed they meant what you eat. It was an overlay on the TV, not what the mom was saying. $250 a week is a lot of groceries for 5 babies, one little girl and mom and dad..at least in my area. I thought they said the babies drank milk, not formula..are they the ones that drink a gallon a day? In our area that would be about $30 a week for milk. That would still leave a lot for food..of course it depends on what the food is. We have WIC in this area, so their milk could be free. They have had diaper drives also (and got a lot of donations before they took down their blog and changed it to mention giving to the less fortunate), at least twice, although if they use 50 diapers a day (man those kids must wet a lot) they would go through them fast. Just seems they are always mentioning money and their lack of it.

His salary was cut a lot, I agree..so I guess they figured going public on TV with the kids will make up for it. So, if the salary was cut, and they get the minimum that K & J got for each of their shows, shouldn't that mean they are making what they did last year? Or is it only $20,000 a season? I can't imagine they would share all their private stuff for $20,000 for the whole season.

They are often shown with help. Maybe that's just when her husband goes to work. It's hard to keep all of these families straight, but doesn't a family member come in and do all her laundry? THey have mentioned their helpers quite a few times.

 

[DMRick]

Is the last home of K & J the Elizabeth street home? If so, that home is listed at 2906 square feet. One of the homes the quints parents looked at and liked (don't know if it was the one they actually bought or smaller or bigger) was listed at 4400 square feet. That's quite a bit bigger.

 

[whitneyNC]

My mistake. I thought their Elizabethtown house was around 4000 square feet. The new one is over 6.

I thought that blurb on the screen said groceries. You are right, the big families kind of run together. I LOVE the latino couple. They are precious. Talk about a tiny house!


I don't think the quints' family would qualify for wic vouchers! I hope not anyway.

 

[southernbohemian]

Is the last home of K & J the Elizabeth street home? If so, that home is listed at 2906 square feet. One of the homes the quints parents looked at and liked (don't know if it was the one they actually bought or smaller or bigger) was listed at 4400 square feet. That's quite a bit bigger.

Jon and Kate's old house was 2906 including a basement and a converted attic room. The Joneses didn't end up buying the 4400 sq ft house (which even if it was a good deal - you still have to think of the crazy high utilities and high property taxes), they went with one probably closer to 2800-3000. Very few houses in Austin have basements, so, that's all above ground planned space. I don't think it's comparable at all. Not to mention the fact that it is McMansion style so everything feels bigger with 2 story ceilings and open concepts (which I can only imagine is going to be deafening).

 

[descovy]

As I recall... the 4000+ sq ft house was a foreclosure. mom was excited because it was in their price range... and about the same size as current house... same size for less money.

But they found it had an offer on it.

The house they settled on was 3000+ sq ft. No, not tiny. But at 8 people that's about 400 sq ft/person. A lot of families live in more room that that (1600 sq ft for family of 4)

Plus, and this has always been a bone of contention as a suburban texas homeowner... the houses are large here. but NO basement (storage), small lots, and if it says 2 car garage... that is strictly 2 cars. not 2 cars + equipment.

My family of 5 lives in a 2700 sq ft house. It's a "just right" kinda size. None of the rooms are amazingly large, and we have to be smart about clutter... christmas decorations, lawn equipment.

 

[southernbohemian]

I wouldn't consider diapers or wipes food. It said food, so I assumed they meant what you eat. It was an overlay on the TV, not what the mom was saying. $250 a week is a lot of groceries for 5 babies, one little girl and mom and dad..at least in my area. I thought they said the babies drank milk, not formula..are they the ones that drink a gallon a day? In our area that would be about $30 a week for milk. That would still leave a lot for food..of course it depends on what the food is. We have WIC in this area, so their milk could be free. They have had diaper drives also (and got a lot of donations before they took down their blog and changed it to mention giving to the less fortunate), at least twice, although if they use 50 diapers a day (man those kids must wet a lot) they would go through them fast. Just seems they are always mentioning money and their lack of it.


They are often shown with help. Maybe that's just when her husband goes to work. It's hard to keep all of these families straight, but doesn't a family member come in and do all her laundry? THey have mentioned their helpers quite a few times.

Groceries are high in Austin, so it didn't seem like a crazy high number for me. I just thought she could easily cut it down if she wanted to. And 50 diapers a day does sound kind of high for their age - I think my son only did 10 diapers a day when he was a newborn. By 1 years old it was probably 4 or 5 max.

I haven't seen all the episodes, but the one I watched last night they kept referring to the people there as volunteers. They are probably very nice people to be able to keep people volunteering at their house for that long. Kate ran most of her help off right away.