Keep the kids clean or have fun?

[dogluva]

I am a get dirty mom for the most part. I do try and "steer" my kids toward vanilla ice cream over chocolate when we are out and in good clothes. As a mom of twins + 1 I do see Kate's issue. She matches her kids clothes, (as do I- mine are 3 and I will stop when they are in grade school) and if 1 outfit gets totally ruined and stained she is down 5 other matching outfits. I do think she sometimes goes too far but when I think it is multiplied by 8 it sure does make a lot more sense!

How old are your kids? my kids? would rather die than wearing matching clothes. Why do you feel you have to do this. I am not judging (maybe I am sorry), just curious. they are eight individuals-why do they need to match?

I will never forget when I took my youngest three for ice cream. I let them order what they want. The family next to us had their three eating vanilla ice cream (no sprinkles) with bibs on. they were all over five, it was embarrassing watching them. If they had a teeny tiny bit around their mouth, the father ran over and wiped it with a napkin. Very entertaining as well. the kids looked sad. Couldn't even enjoy an ice cream. Meanwhile my kids are running around filthly (we had just come back from fishing) and probably had no shoes on.

 

[dogluva]

I am a get dirty mom for the most part. I do try and "steer" my kids toward vanilla ice cream over chocolate when we are out and in good clothes. As a mom of twins + 1 I do see Kate's issue. She matches her kids clothes, (as do I- mine are 3 and I will stop when they are in grade school) and if 1 outfit gets totally ruined and stained she is down 5 other matching outfits. I do think she sometimes goes too far but when I think it is multiplied by 8 it sure does make a lot more sense!

Sorry, I just reread your post and you said they were three. sorry, I thought they were all different ages. I can totally understand dressing triplets. I don't know what I would do if I had them!

But really, if one outfit is ruined, can't you still use the other two at least at home? Seems like a waste.

 

[HerdOHuds]

You know it is more than just 'throwing a change of clothes' in the van. The amount of laundry Kate must do is unimaginable to me. There are plenty of times that I say 'no sandbox today!' just because I swept the kitchen floor (where they come in from the box) and I don't feel like walking around on sand again and there simply isn't time to sweep it up again.

You know we get to see the spaz out times because it makes for good tv. I am certain that there are times when Kate is prepared for the mess and lets them enjoy it.

Really, people. Get a grip. 6 children the same age is in no way comparable to 2 or 3. And then Mady and Cara too??!! Just the logistics of arriving at the crayon factory while it is still open must take some major planning.

Dealing with a car trip and snacks and food out and potty breaks and markers too? Yeah, no way would I let the kids play with markers when we are out. How many people will have to corral the other children while one goes to change 1 or 2 clothes? And markers on the hands and face and ears and ankles (knowing my 4) would just be so grating to see and know that it could have been stopped if only. . .

I don't disagree that there are times when kids should and certainly will get messy, muddy, grimey, and sweaty. But there are also times that you just would rather avoid the hassle.

For us, if the laundry pile is too high, then I am more likely to say no to the mess or be irritated if the mess occurs. And kudos for Kate for keeping it going and not being afraid to do the outings just because the messes make her nuts.

 

[1stluvispooh]

I am glad to see that that episode bugged other people as well. I just wanted to cry with Cara when she was crying saying "you never let us do anything!" Well I understand that she would have to possibly work on getting a stain out of 8 kids clothes but if you ask me perfectly clean children look a little strange. Their kids for gosh sakes they are suppose to get dirty. But what gets me the most is Kate is always saying that she wants to give her kids "experiences" Well not letting them use markers or eat their own ice cream at age 3 isn't giving them an experience! Unless you count frustrating them an experience!

 

[labdogs42]

But what gets me the most is Kate is always saying that she wants to give her kids "experiences" Well not letting them use markers or eat their own ice cream at age 3 isn't giving them an experience! Unless you count frustrating them an experience!

That's what gets me, too. Don't take them to the CRAYOLA factory if you don't want them to use markers. Don't take them to the BAKERY if you don't want them to eat icing. I find her rules confusing and I'm sure her kids do ,too. I totally admire Jon & Kate for taking the kids to all of these places, I just wish she'd lighten up a little and let them have some more FUN sometimes!

 

[Stephres]

That episode made me cry: I felt so bad for the kids. Everything was washable; there was no reason not to let them play.

My kids are perpetually dirty but I can understand keeping the mess to a minimum if you have eight but cannot get my head around forbidding washable markers. Personally I think she already said no when her husband pointed out they were washable and didn't want to admit she was wrong.

 

[Aliceacc]

I've never seen the show, so I'm talking about my own 3 kids.

Once they hit middle school, my kids will hit that EWWW!!! stage when it comes to dirt.

For the time being, they can get as dirty as they want. As long as they get on that school bus clean, walk into church clean, and are clean when they arrive at a restaurant, I'm perfectly OK with them getting down and dirty.

I'm also not a big fan of constant hits with the hand sanitizer. My kids aren't all that delicate-- they can put up with the occasional germ without any serious consequences.

 

[labdogs42]

Personally I think she already said no when her husband pointed out they were washable and didn't want to admit she was wrong.

That could be true. I think a lot of Kate's unreasonableness comes from her feeling like she can't change her mind. Someone needs to remind her that it is OK to change your mind sometimes!! I'm one of those parents that isn't afraid to tell my kid that I have changed my mind. Sure, I try not to do it ALL the time, but sometimes new information will change my decisions (like finding out about the markers being washable for example) and I'll explain why I'm changing my mind. Kids need to know that adults are allowed to change their minds, too, I think.

 

[ChristusG]

Kate annoys me LOL. Yes, I'm sure that 8 children are a handful....but she is WAY too uptight in my opinion.

I'm a "get dirty" kinda mom. In fact, just a few weeks ago, my girls (ages 1 and 4) were covered head to toe in mud. I know some parents dont allow paint and play-doh. Nothing that a little soap/water (for the paint) and a mini vacuum cleaner (for the play doh) cannot cure. We play, we get dirty, we clean up, and we go on. Getting dirty is part of being a kid. Sometimes my kids walk around with marker stained fingers.....big deal.

 

[exwdwcm]

yeah, that disneyworld and ice cream clip did it for me. i actually am a LOT like her- total control freak, neat freak, type A. my house is always spotless. family said, oh that will change when the baby gets here. he is 9 months and i still keep it clean and clean up his toys each night.

but seeing her at the end of the episode and seeing how she regretted how 'freaked out' she was about the ice cream, well it made me think that i need to relax too- especially in a special situation like that. we will go to disney many times, but my DS will only be young once and why not let him drip ice cream all over his shirt or get soaked in a fountain. it's vacation and he will have a ball. we can worry about the mess later. i think in certain situations, the fun, memories and your little one's good time far outweighs a dirty shirt. i really am working at 'letting stuff go' like that and just LIVE IN THE MOMENT, who knows when you will have another like it.

one of the best times my niece had on our last trip when she was 2.5 was playing in the fountains at DTD. we had no change of clothes handy, but so what. we changed her later on or bought her new ones. she had a blast and we have the best pictures from it.

 

[imthatgirl]

there are many times where i just let my kids get dirty, but there are also times where i want them to stay clean.

in that instance, she should have never given them ice cream if she didnt want it on them. that was her fault. she says the kids were cranky and needed sugar, maybe they were cranky and needed to leave the park.
but anyway, they were there seeing the princesses and maybe she didnt want pictures of ice cream clad kids?
personally, i wouldnt want my kids covered in icecream in florida summer heat. but if it were to happen id pull out the wipes scrub them down and move on.

 

[exwdwcm]

there are many times where i just let my kids get dirty, but there are also times where i want them to stay clean.

in that instance, she should have never given them ice cream if she didnt want it on them. that was her fault. she says the kids were cranky and needed sugar, maybe they were cranky and needed to leave the park.
but anyway, they were there seeing the princesses and maybe she didnt want pictures of ice cream clad kids?
personally, i wouldnt want my kids covered in icecream in florida summer heat. but if it were to happen id pull out the wipes scrub them down and move on.

well and i think the differnece is planning and being prepared. you can get dirty and change into other clothes before getting pics if you are prepared iwth extra clothes. that is my plan, but a little ice cream in the pic just reminds me of the fun time we had making a mess and letting him enjoy too. sometimes those are the inside jokes for our family. lol

 

[imthatgirl]

well and i think the differnece is planning and being prepared. you can get dirty and change into other clothes before getting pics if you are prepared iwth extra clothes. that is my plan, but a little ice cream in the pic just reminds me of the fun time we had making a mess and letting him enjoy too. sometimes those are the inside jokes for our family. lol

like i said, if it were me i would have just wiped them down. but if she didnt wnat them messy, she shouldnt have given it to them.
i dont carry any extra clothes, ever. so if they get dirty, thats it, they stay dirty.

 

[MNdisneymom]

Count me in on the let them get dirty side...within reason. I mean, I wouldn't let my DS 5 go stomping in mud puddles on the way into church on Sunday morning, but if it were after church and he was wearing his rain boots, go right ahead!

I love John and Kate (and so does DS--although he says they yell too much!) but she has got serious control issues. I wonder what she is going to do when the kids (esp. the little ones) start to object to being dressed alike. And one other thing--she still has the 3 year olds wearing bibs at all mealtimes. Does that seem a little whacky to anyone else? My DS is not the neatest kid, but I know he wasn't wearing a bib at that age unless eating something really messy (like spaghetti.)

 

[PollyannaMom]

I figure "the dirtier they come home, the more fun they had." (But then again, I only have one of my own and occasionally a couple extras to clean up after!)

Both those episodes did bug me, though. I would certainly consider the Crayloa Factory a get-messy zone! - It's no shame there to walk around with marker on your clothes. I felt so bad for the kids! And at Disney I bet Kate had these perfect pictures in her head, and was afraid she'd never get back, and.... But eating ice cream without getting it on you is still too much to expect from little ones.

 

[brandylouwho]

I love the show (and my 4 year old does too) but if you haven't noticed, Kate is a little umm, uptight at times. I am hoping that is "played up" for entertainment purposes, but my husband is annoyed as heck by her most of the time, and feels very sorry for Jon.

But, Kate also reminds us both of his ex sister-in-law, so our point of view may be a bit tainted.

To me it felt mean to take the kids to this cool, interactive place and then not really let them partake in all the fun. She should have brought those personalized smocks for them to wear!

 

[imthatgirl]

Count me in on the let them get dirty side...within reason. I mean, I wouldn't let my DS 5 go stomping in mud puddles on the way into church on Sunday morning, but if it were after church and he was wearing his rain boots, go right ahead!

I love John and Kate (and so does DS--although he says they yell too much!) but she has got serious control issues. I wonder what she is going to do when the kids (esp. the little ones) start to object to being dressed alike. And one other thing--she still has the 3 year olds wearing bibs at all mealtimes. Does that seem a little whacky to anyone else? My DS is not the neatest kid, but I know he wasn't wearing a bib at that age unless eating something really messy (like spaghetti.)

yes!! those kids are 4 now. and they dont seem anywhere near as old as even my little guy who will be 3 in august. it does seem a bit like she doesnt want them to grow up. i used to give her the benefit of the doubt, because they were premature, but they should be well caught up by this age. they go to preschool this year. we'll have to wait and see if she even sends them?

 

[1stluvispooh]

That could be true. I think a lot of Kate's unreasonableness comes from her feeling like she can't change her mind. Someone needs to remind her that it is OK to change your mind sometimes!! I'm one of those parents that isn't afraid to tell my kid that I have changed my mind. Sure, I try not to do it ALL the time, but sometimes new information will change my decisions (like finding out about the markers being washable for example) and I'll explain why I'm changing my mind. Kids need to know that adults are allowed to change their minds, too, I think.

Flexible isn't in Kate"s vocabulary

 

[eyeheartgoofy]

I enjoy watching Jon & Kate, but last nights episode took the cake. I know she is a super freak about clothes and can agree that getting out stains on clothing for 8 kids might be a tad bit trying, but GEESH - it is not like they were using permanant Sharpies (Kate would FREAK at the Kidcot stations!!)! She had all of those kids dressed in head to toe Gymboree for the occasion. Maybe she should get some cute Target outfits for outings where food or play is involved, or just accept that she is going to have to engage in stain removal on outing days.

I really felt bad for Maddie and Cara - they are definately old enough to handle messy projects that include markers. It was terrible when both of those girls were crying and begging to use markers. Can you imagine being a 7 year old in the first grade and being DENIED the use of markers on a project that was designed to be used with markers?

I pity the preschool teachers who have all 6 of the little kids next year - preschool is messy!!!

 

[lilybrooke14]

I thought she went overboard at the Crayola factory, but I actually kind of felt sorry for her at Disney. YES she totally over-reacted, but she has a litter of 3 year olds, and some CMs come out with trays of ice cream for them. She can't really say no, because it'll make her seem like the bad guy, but she doesn't want them to spend the whole day in dirty, sticky clothes either. I wouldn't want my kid to either. I'd have let her have the ice cream, but I'd have been able to help her and make sure she didn't get much on herself. With 6 though? No way! For them, it's possibly a one time trip. I bet she didn't want all of the pictures of sticky little children. They can have ice cream at home, in just underwear. Mickey rice crispie treats would have been a better treat, and still been a pretty good photo op.