I write a lot about mega multiples on this site because they are rare, but interesting. I have recently started watching Jon and Kate Gosselin’s show on TLC called ‘Jon and Kate Plus 8’.
The popular network follows the family through their everyday life of chaos as they try keep peace and control in their home.
The couple has a set of twins and a set of sextuplets, all born by fertility treatments.
Kate delivered the sextuplets on May 10th, 2004. The babies arrived at 30 weeks gestation weighing between 2.5lbs and 3lbs. At birth all babies need to be on ventilators.
With each episode that I watch, I am utterly amazed at Kate’s ability to keep her household under control.
She prepares all of the families meals from scratch and tries to use as much organic food as possible.
The couple estimates that monthly grocery bills only run them approximately $150/week with their monthly bill sitting between $600-$800.
Each baby has their own crib, but they all share a room. Instead of having big bulky highchairs the couple has opted to use wooden restaurant type model that can be stacked on top of each other when not in use.
When the subject of mega multiples comes up, most people argue that it is virtually impossible for each child to feel special in a home with so many kids.
Jon and Kate do many things to give each child an identity and let them all know they are special. Last year for their 2nd birthday, friends and family sang happy birthday 6 times so that each child could have their own birthday song.
This show is reality TV without the backstabbing, scandal and shocking surprises. Kate Gosselin is Betty Crocker,Martha Stewart and the mom next door all wrapped up in one.
They don’t believe in keeping up with the Jones’, they just want what’s best for their kids.
For parents who think that their life is chaotic, watch this show. It will put everything in perspective. This mom NEVER stops.
The show airs at 10:00 tonight on Discovery (US) and Monday nights at 10:00 on TLC in Canada.
I, myself, never miss an episode. It is so re-freshing to watch a young couple coping well with their children. Jon is a real ‘hands on’ daddy and does it so well. His even temperment and sense of humor is always great to watch. Kate, is an amazing Mommy. Her organizational skills are outstanding and making organic meals and not junk food (chicken fingers and fries) says it all. It can be done, and done right if you want to take the time to do it. All of the children are so precious and fun to watch. I do have to say that I have a few favorites but I seem to love all of them just the same. Keep up the wonderful work Kate and Jon you truly are amazing parents.
i watch the show from australia, where i now live with my 4 1/2 yr old daughter. she SO wants a baby sister;as i can’t explain to her how she herself was never supposed to have made it to life, i can’t promise a baby sibling either. instead we watch the gosselins.
for all you out there picking on kate: you have no idea what goes on in a marriage. at least when the kids are put down and it is just the two of them, he is lovingly attentive to her. some of us have husbands who barely notice we are alive! personally, i’ve had so many miscarriages, i can’t (don’t want to) recall the number; my insides, my metabolism, some say my emotional stability (and the rest of my body) are shot because of the effects of infertility treatments; i’m sure kate’s body has that feeling of similar abuse. yet jon makes sure he complements her and cares for her.
if he ever wanted to pick up some extra money, i suggest that he give lessons in “how to be a good husband”—i’d sign my husband up for the first term and buy a shot gun to encourage him to attend! (joke)
kate may seem tough but those drugs can wreck one’s endocrine system, thyroid glands,joints, sleep patterns, thing that the docs themselves had no idea would be affected by the meds use. give the woman a break!
Hi kate why is Madi so mean to the kids but never go in to time out . will Hanna ever get a hair cut ? were do you live and who loves aadin more
jon do you ever get collin and joel mixet up and can aadin see or dose he need glasses if you didnt have 8 would you have more then 3 and is cara doing good on the piano…
All be watching
My 20 year old daughter and I watch your show faithfully. We have made it a programed it as a series recording on the T.V. and we watch them every night. Some nights we watch 2 hours of the show. I’m happy to see that Kate got a new camera. The children are adorable and so loving of one another. I applaud your discipline technique. Kate can you please give Jon a little more time to talk. I’m sure he has alot to say but you never let him finish a sentence. I know you don’t do this intentonally, but you should see his face when you over talk him. Keep the episodes coming and may God bless you all.
Hi, kate i love youre show i relly like alexis shes like a bundule of fun and leah is so cuteand so is hannah and the boys are so cute i wish u the best
Love Katie
Hi, I just love this show, how is kates hair cut in the back her stylist does a good job. it is so cute. and what does she do to keep in shape besides running after the kids. and why does she get on Jon aboout his looks his hair his weight and all. He is a good man love him as he is… Good men are a dime a dozen…her comments hurt.I know she loves him and wants the best for him but, encourage don’t belittle. U think?? also I think they are doing a wonderful job with their family. I hope this show stays on for a long time…
Hi my name is amara I am 9 yaers old and I watch your show every day and night I have never missed an episode when you have a new episodcan you give me a shoutout if you are reading this I know everybodys name aaden,alexis,hannah,collin,joel,leah,mady and cara.One day I I wish I could meet all of you guys.
I am a mom of a 24 year old, whom I love dearly. I am also a teacher. I love your show, and love to see how your children enjoy life. Kate, you are an amazingly organized mom. Jon, you are such a delight to watch interacting with your children. Some dads aren’t as “hands on” as you are;the children are and will always benefit from your involvement.
does anyone know where jon bought kate’s purse on valentine’s day??
I also wanted to say how much my sister and I love the show, we do not miss an episode including the reruns. Keep it going, you guys are great. God Bless!!!
I have been searching everywhere for kate’s handbag. does anyone know what it is????
hi im rebecca im 13 years old i really like the idia of haveing a special day for all ur children but one thing id ask you is how will aford braces for ur kids that need it or how will you hadle the cost in the fucher? or when your children get into fation and the new in stiles at expencive stors?
i just wanna say that i looove love love the show and everytime it starts and u guys say its a crazy life but its our life it makes me very emotional i dont know why even wen im not pmsing hehehehe i hope u guys dont stop filming beause the show is really good
hey jon and kate i love your show and i have a guestion can i babysit you kids i would love to i am great with kids if you would like me to write me at cottoncandychels@aol.com
My 5 year old greandaughter and I have watched the show from day one. We are about to quit watching it becaue of the way Kate treats Jon. It is obvious Kate loves being on TV. The discipline the other children get, doesn’t seem to reflect the discipline Maddie and Cara receive.. I can’t believe the tantrums Maddie throws. Kate, you explain as “Maddie having one of those days”…….She sounds spoiled and undisiplained……Kate, you claim to be a nurse, and yet you were grossed out when you had to take Jon’s stitches out,,,,,,, You think maybe TV has gone to your head????? I am sure all the extras like your tummy tuck, Jon’s hair inplant, etc. were paid for by the show…..If you continue to abuse Jon and show favoritisim to Maddie and Cara, we will quit watching your paid program…….I think I have seen you maybe work one-on-one with possibly 2 or three of the children………Hold each one, once in a while and who cares if they get their hands dirty………My grandughter has been helping me put in a garden since she was 2…..Guess what, she now has her own golf clubs and can play better than most adults…..Got her hands dirty too….Kate,get off your high horse and ne yourself. (without cue cards and directions from your producers.)
OMG….what a horrible post by Dottie Hill. I feel quite the opposite. How boring if Kate didn’t have character. How frantic the family would be if she weren’t in control. Treat Jon badly?? Does this person know what she is saying? Jon is a big boy, man. He can defend himself. He has had words with Kate and she and he have worked out the many kinks together. There is love in that family. It is so apparent. I hope again, Kate and Jon hit the “delete” button on that one. I absolutely love this family. It makes me wish that I had had a loving husband and would be there for me with so many little ones. Thank you for this show. I adore it so much. All my love from Littleton, Colorado.
Wow, I agree with Sherrie. Do any of you who are posting negative remarks about Kate have a set of twins and sextuplets? Who are you to judge anyone in that situation? Jon and Kate are BOTH great parents. They love each other and know how to deal with each other’s personalities and that is all that matters. They provide very normal lives for their eight children who are all happy and healthy. Jon and Kate do an AMAZING job with their family and I couldn’t imagine any two people being able to do anything better.
Reasons I no longer have any respect for the Gosselin parents:
1. Jon needs to get a real job and stop living off the show and his kids.
2. They are not grateful for the freebies they get. Kate sells her kids free clothes from Gymboree and Gap kids etc on consignment. In fact, ever wonder why the kids play in the garage and driveway all the time? It is so the kids don’t get grass stains on their clothes. Kate can’t get top dollar for dirty clothes. How about giving back by donating those clothes to other more needy families.
3. KatesStates they don’t have a college fund for the ‘tups. When in fact, PA Lt Gov Catherine Baker Knoll donated the PA TAP fund for all 8 of the kids when the ‘tups were born.
4 Kate Treats Aunt Jodi like crap. Won’t let her get paid for letting the TV crews into her home and taking care of her 8 children. It is true, check out Jodi’s sister’s blog with a video message from Jodi.
5. LEAVES her 8 sick children with Aunt Jodi and Uncle Kevin when AJ and UK have 2 (out of 4) suck children of their own. God bless AJ and UK. And the all important reason was so they could fly across country and get HAIRPLUGS for John. NUTS!
6. Claims to be so green but always uses paper plates??
7. Joelgate-who leaves their sick child by himself on the laundry room floor?
8. They have had so much given to them and from what I understand, none has been donated back. I remember checking their website in the very beginning. They were auctioning off items that had been donated to them. How about giving back to the community that gave you so much??????
9. They make $65,000 / episode but claim to be so poor and can’t afford anything.
There is much more but I can’t even write it all down. I have no respect for those parents. God bless those sweet kids. I hope they make it out of this OK.
I watch the show almost every week. I think the Gosslins are an interesting bunch. Kate seems to be a caring mom and John a good dad and husband.They both do a good job raising so many kids. However, I am one of those people who thinks that Kate need to treat John a little better. I DO NOT think that Kate is a bad person but she treat John like a child and doesn’t let him make any decison about running thier household.In the episodes where they get in arguments Kate always end up getting her way and a lot of the time she starts the arguments. I think because Kate is older than John and she has to keep 8 children organized all day she ends up treating John like one of the kids. Kate means well but she needs to learn to compromise with John. Kate is lucky to have a husband that always lets her have her way. Anyway, I will continue to watch the show and I hope there are many more seasons to come.
does anyone possibly know where they bag came from that Jon bought Kate on Valentine’s Day or what brand it may be?
I love your show i am 9 I am your biggest fan Can I have your adress? I know someone can help with 8 kid’s