Keep the kids clean or have fun?

[HerdOHuds]

Wow! Jamesmommy. Judgemental much?

If the clothes are clean then what exactly is the problem? Trying to keep matching outfits together in the wash is a hassle all on its own. Then add 4 more children than I deal with, and consider that you are not seeing the whole picture, like how just moving the laundry from the washer to the dryer will be interrupted AT LEAST 3 times, then maybe some folks could cut Kate some slack.

 

[holly7347]

She did the same thing during their disney trip. They were hot and hungry so she got them all an ice cream. Well when it is hot ice cream melts and when it started dripping on them she freaked out and took all the ice cream away and started spoon feeding them herself

I think there is a time and place for everything. I am trying to teach my kids to eat neater because they are girls with long hair and if I am not watching them all the time they get food in their hair. Then of course they scream and cry when I try to brush their hair. To get past that I am teaching them to wear headbands while they eat to hold their hair back. But DH feeds them dinner since I work evenings and he isn't the best at remembering.

But as far as playing I am a pretty much anything goes. If we are playing some place where there is a possibility of getting dirty I don't dress them in their Sunday best. If the fun is going to be wet/muddy I take a change of clothes just because my DD's don't like wearing wet clothes.

 

[mrsturtle]

kids should have fun, get dirty.... and then get baths!! haha! material things getting ruined are just that- material things. anyone with kids understands this- at least i would hope so!!

 

[RMulieri]

I find this so amusing, those of us that know her and her family know that this is Kate.She is a total Control Freak always has been.Most people just avoid her or avoid pushing her hot buttons.She likes things just so and if they aren't look out....I actually think this show has reigned her behaviors in quite a bit.

 

[imthatgirl]

I find this so amusing, those of us that know her and her family know that this is Kate.She is a total Control Freak always has been.Most people just avoid her or avoid pushing her hot buttons.She likes things just so and if they aren't look out....I actually think this show has reigned her behaviors in quite a bit.

wow, i would sure hate to be the person in my circle of friends known for being someone who most people avoid.

 

[kjetjl]

I've read through a lot of these posts.

I have 6 kids (granted not 8 and not all the same age). I have gone through various stages of "cleanliness" and worrying about what others think of larger families. (Add the fact that we homeschool and the "what will people think" factor increased for a while.)

We are one, big, dirty family. But hey, the kids are having fun and I am enjoying myself and my kids a lot more! I can have a clean house and clean clothes when they are all grown up.

p.s I just reread the poster who adopted and was scrutinized so much. I would definitely "clean up my act" if it meant the possibility of legal problem with my kids. Yikes! Cheerios on the floor! I sure hope they evaluate the love the parents exhibit to the children and their level of happiness as much as dirty dishes in the sink.

 

[labdogs42]

p.s I just reread the poster who adopted and was scrutinized so much. I would definitely "clean up my act" if it meant the possibility of legal problem with my kids. Yikes! Cheerios on the floor! I sure hope they evaluate the love the parents exhibit to the children and their level of happiness as much as dirty dishes in the sink.

I find it kind of horrible that that's all CPS can worry about on home visits. Cheerios on the floor. What a shame. In this instance (the lady who adopted three foster kids), I can see the need for a "cleaned up" appearance for the kids' sake. That's the point -- you are doing it to give your kids a better life because you know that CPS will look for that stuff. Kate is doing a lot of it just because she's a control freak and to the kids' detriment, not to make their lives better.

 

[disneyworldmomma]

Putting clothes in the washer and then moving it to the dryer is not doing laundry.

YEAH thats what i was saying

 

[disneyworldmomma]

Interesting! I actually think that is kind of great. I don't know how I would afford eight kids, so I think I would probably be looking for a TV deal, too, if I had sextuplets! It is essentially Kate's career to do the show. Sure, the kids are kind of child stars at the same time, but at least they all get to work from home! And they do get to do a lot of cool stuff as a benefit for the show (e.g. Disney, Dutch Wonderland, Park City skiing, free piano...). I didn't know about the personal chef, etc. I could use one of those!

Yeah how about FREE plastic surgery and hair plugs!!!!

 

[disneyworldmomma]

Wow! Jamesmommy. Judgemental much?

If the clothes are clean then what exactly is the problem? Trying to keep matching outfits together in the wash is a hassle all on its own. Then add 4 more children than I deal with, and consider that you are not seeing the whole picture, like how just moving the laundry from the washer to the dryer will be interrupted AT LEAST 3 times, then maybe some folks could cut Kate some slack.

I dont think she was being judgemental at all the truth is the truth she washes and dries the clothes when shes forcing them to nap anyway (no interruptions)

 

[disneyworldmomma]

I'd be willing to bet that if a camera crew followed you and your family around, it wouldn't appear as if you don't even like children. I could probably look the other way with a lot of Kate's behaviors but the fact that she simply radiates dislike for children/the messes children come with and shows little to no 'mommy' caring behaviors towards them that really made me stop watching. Several of the first episodes that I saw really made me upset at her treatment of the children. The blocking them into their rooms for 'naps' and when they venture out after they are done, if it isn't the time that she "allows" they are punished by being forced to spend and extra 20mins alone in their room after everyone else is allowed up. That's not discipline in my book, it's just plain mean and spiteful.

And then the one where one of the babies has a blow out in their crib and Kate is left to deal with it. It really appeared that if the cameras hadn't been there that she might have called someone else to come in and deal with it. I hope she was ashamed of herself when she saw that episode.

Sorry for the venting. I didn't mean for it to turn into one. Obviously the whole thing riles me up and I truly just feel so badly for all the kids, esp the twins.

THIS IS PERFECT!! Thats exactly how i feel about her.I became at mom at 20Kinda young) and i don't think i HAD to learn how to love my kids i just did.And sometimes i think shes still needs some help with that

 

[princessCKL]

I'm waiting for Jon and Kate plus 8 TEENAGERS! If she thinks she could "lose her mind" now, just wait.

 

[princessCKL]

One more thing, I do enjoy watching Aunt Jodi. She seems to be much more flexible with the kids.

 

[imthatgirl]

ok, wait a minute, i am by far not a fan of the choices that family has made for their family, but to say or to imply she doesnt like her kids. come on, thats ridiculous. not all moms are maternal. im not, doesnt mean i dont like my kids.in fact i dont like kids at all, but my kids are different. i love my kids more than anything, but im not the kiss every boo boo kind of mom. well maybe i was when i had one child, but now with 3 if they arent bleeding or broken, get over it.

i understand her need to keep those kids structured, not only does she have 8 kids, they are almost all the same age. if she didnt have a specific nap time and stick to it, she would have chaos. i cant even imagine what that would be like. and ive seen that blow out episode, i dont know what you mean by she should be ashamed of it? she took the girl and washed her up, what else should she have done?

like i said i dont support this show, and i do think they should be ashamed of themselves for selling their children for their own financial growth, but i would never acccuse her of not loving her kids.

 

[MrsJ Henry]

WOW... I think we are all making alot of judgements about a family that we see small little tidbit of their week each week. So much discussion over the "disney trip" and it is about a 3 minute part of their trip. My goodness. Does anyone have positive things to say?
How about when she made valentin's day so special?
How about when she plannned a surprise trip to florida for her husband?
What about taking the kids one by one on special outings?
What about SOMETHING positive?????
I like that she admits to her faults and she is willing to put herslef out there so much for all of us to judge her?
Geeesh... they are a family good and badqualities like all of us.

 

[Goofy'slady]

Thank you to the last two posters above me for some understanding. And I didn't want to be the first to say that I think (while everyone is entitled to their own opinions) that alot of you sound very judgemental and a tinsy bit envious of what she's been able to receive from different companies; ie. Disney.

Would you like it if someone turned the table on you and started critizing every little thing you did in your life and base those opinions on only a small amount of time- 24mins. They do edit the show, ya know. I'm sorry if someone came up to some of you and offered to film your family I'm sure you'd be like "okay, so what's in it for us" and no one would blame you for taking some of what came your way. Yes, she might have her ways about doing things but like I said in one of my previous post; it works for them. She seems to realize that she has faults and she is working on them whether or not you get to see her doing it or not. Remember that ALL of us moms have one particular thing in common with Kate and that is that we're all IMPERFECT/HUMAN! We're gonna err, we're gonna have those days when we yell and say some things to our spouses and dare I might even say to our kids *gasp* that we might look back on and regret. You do your best to make up for those days and you move the heck on.

She does alot of things for her family and both she and Jon have said repeadidly(sp) that they are grateful for whatever blessings are sent their way. Really ladies go back and re-read some of your post and what a few other moms might take from them. They sound very judgemental.

In the words of Forrest Gump "and that's all I have to say about that"

 

[lovinpoohbear]

I would like to say that I watch this show and like it alot, cannot imagine having 8 kids!! I just thought it a little strange that when the kids get sick and are vomiting that she puts them in the laundry room on the linoleom floor so in case they throw up, it is easy to clean up. She said some of the kids don't make it to the bucket on time, but I just thought to put them on the floor with a blanket was cold hearted. No flames, I just thought it was mean.

 

[delmar411]

One more thing, I do enjoy watching Aunt Jodi. She seems to be much more flexible with the kids.

Aunt Jodi is gone because the show felt they needed to pay her too. Kate won't allow anyone else in her life to get paid for their time and appearances on the show. So Kate cut her off from the kids and hired some random stranger to come in and help with the kids.


I would love to see the teen years. 8 kids verses Kate. Good Luck with that!

 

[tomboy_m]

About selling their kids for their own financial gain... Helloooo there are 8 small children to care for 5 of which were probably not in their master financial plan in the beginning. Kids are expensive, how would you propose that they earn enough money to support all of the kids in the manner they want to. The monthly bills would be outrageous and imagine the cost of college. Give 'em a break.

 

[delmar411]

I would like to say that I watch this show and like it alot, cannot imagine having 8 kids!! I just thought it a little strange that when the kids get sick and are vomiting that she puts them in the laundry room on the linoleom floor so in case they throw up, it is easy to clean up. She said some of the kids don't make it to the bucket on time, but I just thought to put them on the floor with a blanket was cold hearted. No flames, I just thought it was mean.

It is a LOT strange and mean. I'd never tell a sick child to go anyplace than their comfy beds. Cleaning up puke from carpets and sheets is just another one of those little gifts that comes along with motherhood.

Think about it this way. If your child went to daycare and you were called to pick them up because they were vomiting and you found them laying on a towel on the hard floor because the teachers didn't want to clean it up from elsewhere....how exactly would you react?