Jon and Kate + 8...Are they exploiting their 8 kids they were blessed with?

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Permalink Reply by Mary on January 26, 2009 at 10:16am

I have mixed emotions about their family. I think if my family was that big one of the main concerns would be to provide for them and to give them all the good things I was brought up with. In the other hand I wouldn't feel at ease having all those strangers around my children all the time. I think their intentions are good but sometimes it is to much for them to handle. Maybe they are greedy although I think that once you buy a 1.3 million house you'll need to keep up the lifestyle and the income so you can afford such place (utilities, maintenance, etc) Maybe they got to involved in all the fame and the money that they don't know where to draw the line anymore. But the real question is who doesn't want the best for their children? Maybe the do make good money but maybe they want to secure a professional education for their children and sending 8 children out to college IS NOT gonna be easy nor cheap.

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Permalink Reply by Parents of Twins & Multiples on January 26, 2009 at 10:26am

I agree with that! I know how that is with struggling. I have 3 and 1 on the way. That's why when I seen that article I figured it would be a great discussion! Thanks for the reply

Trisha said:

Ok, this may sound rude, but just because you wouldn't choose that path for your children doesn't make it wrong or exploitative for theirs. Who are we, or anyone for that matter, to tell them how to raise their children? No one can possibly know what is best for their children other than them. One of my biggest pet peeves in life is people perceiving to know what is best for someone else's child/ren and telling them how they think they should be raising their children.

Jon lost his job and was then without a job for almost a year because no one would hire him based on the fact that he had 8 kids. It meant their insurance would skyrocket and they weren't willing to risk that. Anyone who has ever been through a job loss and subsequent job search should be able to appreciate that. Do they get help? Yes. But honestly, what parent doesn't need help at some time? They also donate a lot of money back to the hospital where Kate lived for 3 months and to organizations that help kids with cancer.

I don't think people should be judging them based on a tv show. Until you've walked in their shoes, you can't possibly know anything about what they've gone through.

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Permalink Reply by Amy {Mom Spark & Mom Made That!} on January 27, 2009 at 12:33pm

It seems when people are doing well, (i.e. purchasing large homes, going on vacations), we tend to judge them harshly and negatively. Why? Why not be happy for their family? Are we jealous?

If I had eight children, I would definitely want the space for my children to run, if I were blessed to do so.

I do not think the show will be on forever, eventually the audience will loose interest as they get older. I do not think the children will be affected long term for being on tv.

What you see on tv isn't always the entire story of their lives, what they've been through or their financial status. Kate writes books that also brings income in, I'm sure, and there is nothing wrong with that.

Be happy for those little kiddos!

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Permalink Reply by Amy {Mom Spark & Mom Made That!} on January 27, 2009 at 12:37pm

BTW- That blog is a little creepy. Why do we care about looking at slideshows of their house? Watching the show is one thing, geez.

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Permalink Reply by HeidiWF on January 27, 2009 at 12:42pm

I think it is great that they share their lives with us. It is always interesting to me to get an honest idea of how other people parent. The fact that they lose it sometimes with their kids and with each other is comforting :)

Trisha said:

Ok, this may sound rude, but just because you wouldn't choose that path for your children doesn't make it wrong or exploitative for theirs. Who are we, or anyone for that matter, to tell them how to raise their children? No one can possibly know what is best for their children other than them. One of my biggest pet peeves in life is people perceiving to know what is best for someone else's child/ren and telling them how they think they should be raising their children.

Jon lost his job and was then without a job for almost a year because no one would hire him based on the fact that he had 8 kids. It meant their insurance would skyrocket and they weren't willing to risk that. Anyone who has ever been through a job loss and subsequent job search should be able to appreciate that. Do they get help? Yes. But honestly, what parent doesn't need help at some time? They also donate a lot of money back to the hospital where Kate lived for 3 months and to organizations that help kids with cancer.

I don't think people should be judging them based on a tv show. Until you've walked in their shoes, you can't possibly know anything about what they've gone through.

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Permalink Reply by Marta Hoelscher on January 27, 2009 at 9:08pm

I wonder if they have to put away a percentage of the money for the kids like child actors parents are required to do?

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Permalink Reply by Shannon on January 28, 2009 at 7:47am

but they aren't actors... they aren't portraying someone else. They are just living their life while being filmed. But I am sure J & K have put away a lot of money for the kids, because the show won't be around when they are all in college! :)

Marta Hoelscher said:

I wonder if they have to put away a percentage of the money for the kids like child actors parents are required to do?

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Permalink Reply by Briana on January 28, 2009 at 11:52am

I agree. I have my own personal thoughts but if they feel they are doing the best for their family and their kids are being taken care of...it really isn't my place to judge.

I do have a problem with TLC saying the show allows her to be a SAHM. If she was truly a SAHM, then she would be home more than promoting the show, KWIM. Not that I have a problem with working mothers or SAHM just don't try to call it something it isn't!

Melissa Smallwood, Multi-Tasking Mama said:

I think that if they are comfortable in doing the show and have weighed the pros and cons and came to the conclusion it is best for their family then it is none of our business or place to judge.

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Permalink Reply by Michelle Branco on January 28, 2009 at 11:54am

All the crticism of them seems really mean-spirited to me. They have been blessed with 8 healthy children (a miracle, really), but they also have challenges that few other parents can even get their heads around. Would I want cameras in my house? No, but if everyone agreed with me, the whole genre of reality tv wouldn't exist.

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Permalink Reply by RainbowMum on January 29, 2009 at 6:04pm

I read the book. I so wanted to like them, but was unimpressed. He seems pretty cool, but Kate appears very ungrateful. I don't think I'd like her too much in real life.

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Permalink Reply by Tracy Evans on February 1, 2009 at 6:22pm

John and Kate are doing what couples do everyday they are working to take care of their family.
They just happen to work in front of the camera. Anyone who gets that kind of gig is very lucky. And of course, the more popular the show becomes the more money they'll make. What's wrong with that? Not a thing. More power to them.

It's so easy to sit back and judge a couple just based on what you see on television isn't it?

Tracy
http://themoxiereport.blogspot.com

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Permalink Reply by Becky on February 1, 2009 at 6:33pm

I've watched the show a lot and I do agree that she can be a real jerk to her husband...but I also know that I would never want to trade places with her...all the cooking and cleaning she has to do, not to mention the laundry gives me nightmares. I say have at it, good for you, and good luck...I'm just glad it's not me.

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