Whenever I visit my parents and sister I get sucked into their TV programs for at least a couple of weeks. Last year it was Rachael Ray and this year it’s Jon & Kate Plus 8. The more I think about it the more I feel as though this is the videodrone form of Montezuma’s Revenge–an unfortunate illness picked up on vacation that makes you very sick.
I had long had a policy that I wouldn’t watch J&K+8 after seeing them in Disney World. (My TiVo automatically records anything with “disney world” in the description.) Their obvious grab for the brass ring at the expense of their children was disturbing to me. My sister and mother watch it for the children and over the course of this vacation I found myself sucked into all the adorableness of 8 beautiful, cute kids.
As I watched the “Embarassing Moments” episode something sunk in that has so troubled me I’ve debated about even writing about it. I don’t want to bring more attention and publicity to this trainwreck, and the adage of “any publicity is good publicity” is fresh in my mind. After sleeping on it for several days and mulling it over in my mind I decided that it didn’t matter. I HAVE to say something. Even if no one hears me.
Kate slaps her husband. She slaps him hard enough to get a sharp “crack” and she slaps him frequently enough for it to not be noticed if you watch several episodes. It becomes a sort of background noise.
In the recent new episode they did a mash-up and she referred to them as ‘love taps’. I refer to it as ‘spousal abuse’. Maybe it’s my Mennonite upbringing, maybe it’s my parents long years of trying to curb my own angry childhood outbursts, maybe it’s just basic human dignity. I’m not sure. All I know is that I believe firmly that raising a hand against anyone in anger is completely wrong. There is no excuse for it. When you strike out in anger you murder a little bit of your own dignity, the dignity of the person you’re hitting and whatever relationship you have with that person. It’s inexcusable to hit.
This is a popular tv program that showcases spousal abuse as entertainment. If the roles were reversed and Jon was hitting Kate I have no doubt that women’s rights groups across the country would campaign to have the show taken off the air, but since it’s a woman hitting a man nothing is said.
I won’t allow the show in my home. I’ve written to TLC and to some sponsors of the show voicing my complaints. There’s nothing else I can do except repeat over again in my own little corner of the Internet that it is never alright to hit another human being out of anger or frustration..
Thank you for your post. I have never watched the show (frankly, I’d never even heard of it, but I don’t watch much TV). However, you point our a very valid issue: we have become intolerant of domestic violence against women and children (rightfully so), but the same actions against a man are seen as comedic.
A sad commentary on our current state.
Have you seen that he is now coming out and saying he left because he was tired of the abuse and she is denying she ever abused him. I watched the show once and got so upset about the way she talked to him I spent all night throwing up. My first husband was verbally abusive. People don’t realise that it doesn’t have to be physical to do the same damage.
I’ve watched the show before, but not often enough to notice that she slaps her husband. She reminds me so much of one of my sisters-in-law who always berate my brother that I can’t handle watching it. Glad I’ve missed the slaps. Holeee crap.
I am speechless. I have never watched this show, but I’ve certainly flipped by and stopped for a few seconds when I see the kids doing something particularly cute. But holy cow. That is outrageously terrible. How horrible for her husband!
Yow. As someone who grew up in an abusive household, I know what it’s like to struggle not to smack or slap just because. But do I have this right that this is a reality show with a real family in which the wife regularly slaps the husband? Is going on TV with this their idea of a cry for help, or what?
do I have this right that this is a reality show with a real family in which the wife regularly slaps the husband?
She verbally abuses him and the children as well. Of course that’s a much grayer line–what I consider verbal abuse someone else may consider just “arguing”. A slap is a clear-cut thing in my book. (As Kathy T. points out, K. Gosselin is constantly berating her husband in public places.)
I find it ironic that they say “hitting” is their number one discipline problem with the kids. I wonder where the kids got the idea to hit one another in the first place?
Is going on TV with this their idea of a cry for help, or what?
From what I gather, going on TV with this is their idea of a way to make money, which they need to rear their 8 children. For me, however, the idea of being entertained by human beings being cruel and abusive to one another is just…well, it crosses a line. It’s one thing to watch people eat bugs for money. This is sort of a Roman Circus cruelty thing in my book.
’ve certainly flipped by and stopped for a few seconds when I see the kids doing something particularly cute
The kids are PAINFULLY cute.
You know, I cannot get this out of my mind because the reason I do not watch this show is that I saw some special on multiples way back when and they were on it and she was going on about how much her husband hated her body and how he called her stomach Droopy Dog and I thought, “God, he’s a jerk. Why would I ever watch that?”
But the more I think about it, the more I can’t recall them ever showing him saying that and, bearing in mind what you’ve said, it now reminds me of that abuser move where the abuser seems so bent on making sure that you, too, see how awful the person they abuse is, like what other choice do they have but to be rotten to them. Can’t you see how rotten they are?
I’m still glad I don’t watch the show, but I’m a little unsettled by how quickly I assumed she was telling the truth about him being a jerk, when clearly she’s the one with the problem.
People are always raving about this show to me, and I’ve always hoped to catch it on vacation, from a how-does-she-keep-it-all-organized viewpoint.
But I’ve read at least 5 or 6 blogs recently that mention her disrespect and belittling of her husband. I’m almost glad I haven’t had the chance to watch the show.
I don’t feel great about my dirty floors right now, but I can’t imagine how I’d feel after slapping my husband.
I have never had a desire to watch this show, because there’s something obscene to me about couples who parade their unusually large broods about in the media, when there are so many people who are trying and trying and trying to have ONE kid, to no avail. But it makes me utterly sick to see spousal abuse celebrated, as it seems to be in this case, just because it’s a woman doing it to a man and not vice versa.
Of course, I suppose it’s possible that Kate’s behavior is put out there so that people can see it for what it really is. But I don’t get that impression.
I watched about 5 minutes of this show in a fit of bad judgment, long enough to find Kate really, terribly obnoxious (IMHO). As a result, I’ve never seen the slapping. I wonder if the lack of response from the “women’s rights” groups you mention might be because feminists and such are not really the target audience or that interested in watching this type of thing, so, like me, are not really aware of the situation.
I do think there is some unpleasant “treat men like idiots or otherwise badly as a kind of faux equality” that happens in a lot of sitcom television and commercials, and I don’t think that’s appropriate, either.
Rachel has a point. I, for one, wasn’t aware of this show’s existence until it was mentioned here, and I still don’t know what channel it’s on or when. One of the things about having hundreds of channels is that what’s a cult hit for some viewers doesn’t even exist for others.
Once upon a time, I was in protracted discussions on USENET (Yeah, I’ve been around *that* long) with feminists on the issue of woman on man violence. Almost without fail, self-professed feminists would discount that it ever occurred, that the man deserved it (aka, burning bed), or that women just cannot hurt men (the “it’s different” argument). The moderates in the group would agree with me that no matter which direction the violence flowed, it was wrong. But the self-described feminists would deny, deny, deny.
I am for egalitarianism, but I find many of the modern day feminists to seem to want a woman dominated world, and damn any man who proclaims himself a victim of a woman.
Sorry for the rant, but Rachel’s comment just brought back the memories of my aforementioned debates.
I wonder if the lack of response from the “women’s rights” groups you mention might be because feminists and such are not really the target audience or that interested in watching this type of thing, so, like me, are not really aware of the situation.
I think that’s part of what motivated me to write this post. The argument I had with Husband was that he thinks since the Gosselins seem to want attention that any attention–negative or positive–paid to them keeps the show going.
My thinking in saying anything was ultimately that there are folks out there who would be concerned about this type of thing but who probably have no idea its going on. Like me. I had no interest in the program on my own, but having watched it with family who like it I was flabberghasted.
Abuse as entertainment?
Almost without fail, self-professed feminists would discount that it ever occurred, that the man deserved it (aka, burning bed), or that women just cannot hurt men (the “it’s different” argument).
I know Rachel pretty well, and I don’t think she would ever think violence toward another human being is ever justified. I could be wrong, though. I thought that what she was saying is that there isn’t any collective outrage from feminist groups simply because feminist groups aren’t likely to watch a program celebrating hyperfertility and SAHMs.
In the original post I wasn’t calling down fire on feminist groups for not saying anything. My intent was to state the sad fact that there is no organised voice out there saying that female-on-male domestic violence should be stopped and at the very least should not be shown as light entertainment on a program that bills itself as a “Health and Wellness” show.
I consider myself a feminist–because I’m a woman–and an egalitarian–because I’m a person.
As a feminist I don’t think women should be encouraged to strive for equality through violence. Why should we cheapen our cause?
As a human I don’t think anyone should have to be systematically victimised in his or her own home.
First, I want to defend myself for watching this program. Mom just stumbled on it once not too long ago and showed it to me. We were both sucked in by the adorableness of the children. They really are precious and fun to watch.
I agree wholeheartedly about Kate’s abuse of her husband. It’s wrong. She appears to think that it is cute and funny, but it is disturbing.
Nevertheless, I think her verbal abuse is much worse. She is completely anal and admits that she’s “a little OCD.” (Which I think is a serious problem when she has to have the kitchen floor cleaned on hands and knees several times a day.)
Whenever things happen that she doesn’t like, she goes crazy and starts yelling at Jon for things that aren’t his fault and things he can’t control. Even when they show her screaming at him, she says that she wouldn’t have to scream at him if he would only….
Also, she often undermines Jon in front of the kids. He tried to discipline a child for hitting at Gymboree by putting him in time out. She went over, took the kid out of time out, and said, “Don’t let Daddy ruin your day.” The kid had done wrong, and Jon was trying to follow through with discipline, but apparently he wasn’t aware that Kate doesn’t do time outs during Gymboree for some unknown reason.
It is just so frustrating to see a man who is obviously a loving father and husband trying to do the best that he can with his children and having his wife belittle and abuse him.
It’s such a shame that these amazing children have to deal with this, and being on t.v., and trying to find their own identities in a house of 10 people.
Everyone thinks Kate is SO wonderful because she has 8 kids, but guess what? She has an army of helpers. People help her with laundry. She has nannies, friends and neighbors to help her all the time, plus Jon is a big help whenever he can be. He even changed jobs so that he could work from home and be around more to help.
The kids are so adorable, but Kate needs to stop being so self-centered and treat Jon a lot better.
We were both sucked in by the adorableness of the children. They really are precious and fun to watch.
They ARE precious to watch, and that’s why I set up the TiVo for it when I got home. That only lasted 48 hours, though. The slapping was too much for me.
I think her verbal abuse is much worse.
Her verbal abuse is nasty beyond belief. The whole “don’t listen to daddy–he’s mean” thing that I saw on one show or another actually made me start to cry.
I didn’t make as big a deal out of the verbal abuse in the original post, though, because verbal abuse can be a gray area. Hitting is hitting is hitting.
My comment was not aimed at Rachel (sorry Rachel if it was perceived that way ;)); her comment merely stirred the memory.
I also don’t wish to paint feminism with so broad a brush. In my effort to limit wordiness, I sacrificed clarity. My intended comment was at the high-profile, mainstream feminist leaders, and some of the more radical adherents. There are many feminists that I get along just fine with!
I’ve seen this show a few times, like you – when visiting family.
My mom thinks the kids are cute, blah blah blah.
I had noticed the eye rolling and basic condescending looks Kate gives her husband, but I guess I’d missed the hitting part. I think I saw one show.
You’re right, that’s not healthy. And I’ll say that, even though I’ve not trod a mile in anyone’s shoes that has kids, much less 8 of them…
abbey and Kat, I think you both understood where I was coming from – no worries.
Every Comment I’ve seen so far is very negative. If you are so bothered by this show i can give you a hint… DON’T WATCH IT!!!
I’ve never seen jon become hurt by kates “love slaps.” He doesn’t even acknowledge it. What you might not have noticed in an episode is the amount of love that can be seen in the show, she is constantly loving her children. I wish all of you could be put in her shoes for one day, then i defy you to put her down again!
I have raised more than 8 kids five of which were my own I did not have a Jon to help me as much as he helps Kate I did not have nannies or anyone to help around the house it was hard but not impossible I do not find Kate to be a good mother and those of you who do must not have had a real mothers love or else you are just like Kate and thinks it hard raising kids cause the help is not doing what you want the way you want it. I have watched this show from the first but stopped because of Kate. I certainly would not want my little girl to watch this show and learn from Kate how to be mean and cruel with little concern for the feelings of others. I have heard many people call her a christian lady. If she has faith in God then why did she need to exploit her children and belittle her husband after all the Bible says women be submissive unto your husbands, why does she not trust in the Lord if her faith is so strong, he promised to feed her and her family and to clothe them so tell me one more time this woman believes in God. This woman believes in no one but her greedy selfish self with little or no regards to the human race. Sure she loves on her kids if not for them she would have nothing. I was raised that when you make your bed you have to lie in it. She chose to have these children. She was not forced, it was a choice made of her own free will and I bet if these same kids stop making money she would make their life as miserable as she has made hers. If she could not afford these babies why did she have them?
Brenna, none of us do.
Thing is, I don’t watch dog fights either, but I think the violence of a dog fight is something to speak out about. Same thing with tis show.
In fact, this show is as bad–if not worse–than dog fights. Little children are involved.
What you might not have noticed in an episode is the amount of love that can be seen in the show
If love isn’t noticable…does it exist?
If you’ve never seen this show, or have only seen it once or twice, then I’m afraid you’re getting the wrong impression. After reading the previous posts, one would think that Kate slaps Jon across the face with all of her strength, when in fact, her slaps are literally just taps. If you’ve ever hit someone in jest, sometimes it does make a slapping sound even though the person feels no pain. Someone mentioned that Jon doesn’t even respond – wouldn’t that mean that he doesn’t feel any pain? Also, Kate never does it in anger, always as a joke.
Another issue is that some people think the kids have hitting problems as a direct result of this “abuse”. If any of you have children, then you know that they don’t necessarily (or even often!) learn behavior like that from their parents. Children have influences besides their parents. Just something to keep in mind.
I’m not trying to say that they are the perfect couple or the perfect family. I’m just trying to put things in perspective so the non-watchers can view this show without bias.
I think that if you start a post with “I have never seen the show” then you should NOT comment on something like saying Kate abuses her husband. If you have NEVER seen the show how can you say that she has abused her husband. I DO watch the show regularly, and actually watching it now and she does NOT abuse her husband, she does NOT abuse her kids, and she does not talk down to her kids…she is parenting her kids, she is loving to her husband (like MOST married couples in the world), and she only taps her husband. If it was “abuse” then you would think that her “slapping” her husband would leave a red mark on his face…there’s NOTHING on his face. He even laughs about it in most of the episodes and makes funny comments on how “excited” he gets when she does it. Kate seems to be a good mom who just trys to deal with the every day life with 8 kids. I only have 1 kid and can honestly say that I have said some awful things to my son out of frustrations…if everything in my life was on tape then I could only imagine what people would say about me. And to be frankly honest, my response to all the people who have problems with Kate and Jon getting money and endorsments – who cares? Are you paying for them? No. Does it bother your paycheck? No. Are they asking you for money? No. So them getting help – who cares? I think it’s amazing that she wouldn’t be able to do it without help. And she can’t work…I would not want to imagine how much a daycare would charge them…they would fill up a day care! I mean think about it – 6 toddlers and 2 kids. I know how much my 1 year old son eats, and to feed 10 people…I have sympothy for them.
If anyone has a problem with my thoughts or just want to tell me your opinion you can send me an e-mail at Masonam2006@hotmail.com!
I do watch the show and Kate does have her faults. The worse is that EVERYTHING is Jon’s fault. When she talks down to him and hateful to him she says “if only you would do this…or if you wouldn’t do this…..” I am sorry I know people who can never admit that anything is their fault and it is horrible.
For me Kate looks the worse in the interview part of the show. I can cut her much slack in the way she acts while “life” is going on around her. Kids are hard and like someone else said I don’t want anyone filming ALL my mistakes there are many. The way she belittles Jon and corrects him all the time in the interviews is what I find the hardest to watch. I like the show, I think the kids are cute but kate needs to watch how she comes across to Jon. I think it will bother her when she realizes how ugly it comes across. Again I am talking about in the interview parts of the show
when you put your 8 little children on tv, showing their most private moments to the public, just for the money, you have no right to tell people not to judge… having 8 children does not make you a better parent then someone with 1 or more kids…This show is not about the kids any more, it is about the perks that they get…..Kids are only this age once, so for the last 3 years she has a problem with them getting dirty, i do not understand how anyone can defend that…put on old cloths if its such a problem……and just because you have 8 children is not reaon to yell and embrass your husband in public…who brings 8 kids to toys r’ us, so they can buy presents for each other, without them seeing it……My main problem with the show is there is no honesty.. she has a chief, (she does not make 30 meals a day), she has people doing her laundry, she has more help then they tell you on the show… why do they have this need for pity… why didnt they just say, i have 8 kids, and alot of help, we are very luckly for it…,
I had a father that verbally abused my mother and have never forgotten. My mom still has scars inside today and we cry when we revisit those times in conversations. Although I do not know if Kate plays to the TV crew to “pretend” to America that she wears the pants or something–I do know that her kids are watching everything. Even on the show she says that they love to watch the videos of themselves — from the show. So they see their mother yell at the father all the time like he has no brain and the poor man is running from end to end trying to please the woman! But the worse part is that now she has taken this family down another road…
GREED–using kids for greedy purposes. Its one thing to ask for help and accept some donations. But to trott off all over the country–4-5 times a month for 2-3 days each time on speaking engagements?? Do you really have so much to offer the world–that it is more important than spencing time with YOUR own kids? WHO pray tell is watching your kids while you are gone all this time? Is it one of your many nannys? Do you take the hired housekeepers? How about your full time ORGANIC chef? What MOST people do not know is that on TLC they make it appear that JON AND KATE do all this alone. Do you see the chef? NO–you see Kate over there packing a lunch or making a meal and then cleaning up after it–saying her day is cook a meal, clean up after the meal, start another meal , clean up again from the meal–BUT WAIT–the viewers do not see the housekeepers nor the real chef that makes all that food… WHY???? We see Jon bathing the kids and dressing the kids and brushing their teeth and making beds blah blah–all the while thinking he does all this because Kate is cleaning and cooking and doing laundry in the background–WRONG! NOT that anyone who could–would not hire all this help. I WOULD do it now–and I only have 2 kids! But I am not on TV LYING, and I am not writing a BOOK FULL OF LIES about how I am a superhero–super religious–nor am I going to churches begging. SO this is why so many fans are DONE and the rest will follow.
The family thing is a hoot–because MOST of the comments on these BLOGS all over the Internet–ARE them writing back and fourth to one another!!! Its hilarious because the more upset they become while writing they slip up and give out little details no one knew about!
While I know nothing personally about Jodi nor the sister or even Kates family, I do know several neighbors. (Reliable people that I trust.) They have never heard the arguing nor the outbursts like you see from Kate on TLC. However more than one has told me that very rarely do they see these kids outside and when they do–NEITHER parent is with them. Yes there is an adult–but rarely a parent. One friend in fact said that when Kate is outsid with them that she is always sitting in a chair while another adult is running all over watching out for the kids. So see the bottom line is–DO not try to decieve the public. IT IS OKAY to have help and to even need it–But why LIE to america and pretend that the two of you are sperman and superwoman! PLEASE and also raise your kids on your own for crying out loud—both of you can manage a job! Unless using your children as an income is just too easy to pass up!
Well, this is really funny. I have read all these comments and it sounds like a bunch of people commenting on a few episodes that they have watched. Well first of all, you have only watched a few episodes so how would you really know what you are talking about. Second, they only air about one hour each week of their lives, and really it isn’t even that long because there are commercials. So, you really don’t know what is going on the rest of the time. I have seen through the several episodes that I have watched that the hitting and bickering goes back and forth between them both. As far has having help, bravo to them! With 8 kids they are going to need it. They do not come across as though they do laundry all day, they have said in several occasions that Kate washes and dries the clothes and someone come and folds them and someone else comes and puts them away. I have heard that they have a cook, great for them but I am sure it is still a challenge to pack 8 lunches, get 10 people settled for dinner and to make sure that the kids are eating their dinner. I am glad they have the help. As far as getting jobs, I think that if Kate got a full time job (which is what I think that she would need in order to support this family) then she would be paying most if not all her income to childcare. I think that it is great that they have found a way to make money, like everyone else in this country, and still be able to stay at home with their kids. All the free things have been getting are great. I know that with my daughter I want her to have everything out of live, she deserves it. So do these kids, it is just harder to give them since there are so many of them. These 8 kids are going on trips and vacations that they would have never been able to do if they didn’t have this show. And with this show some day they may be able to go to college. Can any of you do that with 8 kids on your income? I highly doubt. Way to go Jon and Kate for doing what works best for you!
Some people need to relax more. You do realize that you see edited snippets out of hours of film? I’m seeing a lot of transference and co-dependence here.
It’s amazing to see how many people on here can criticize Kate and Jon without actually being in their situation. It’s very easy to criticize and bring down other people. What I see is a family who goes thru the daily struggle of raising 8 children. Who wouldn’t get frustrated. Who wouldn’t feel tired. Who wouldn’t roll their eyes. Please, as if anyone here was perfect! It’s sad to see how everyone focuses on the negative yet no one sees the times that they are loving to eachother. Like the time Kate went out of her way to surprise John for his birthday with a trip to Key West. In that show there was no eye rolling, no screaming, no slapping because they were alone! The daily stress can really take a toll on these people. I believe that unless you have a set of twins and sextuplets, you should keep your comments to yourself. And besides, I’m sure TLC makes sure they get those things on tape to get people like you talking. Stop wasting your time!
I rarely come back to threads I’ve left behind, but I have to point out that it’s amusing that all these folks are turning up to bash Kat for something she wrote more than a month ago, where the initial conversation stopped after a couple of days, to bash the initial participants for not moving on and having a life. I won’t say it reaches the level of irony, but it’s enough to make me wonder a little.
I stumbled upon this website when reading more about Jon&Kate plus 8. I think it is horrible for you people to sit here and degrade this family, especially Kate, for being human. I can only imagine how difficult it is to raise a family of this size. I feel the episode shows Kate doing her very best to create a loving family environment. Her children seem so happy and through this show are able to have some amazing life experiences…I’m sure if you people had cameras on you at all times, they would also show you behaving in similar ways….No family is perfect. You really need to get a life and worry about some more serious issues. I commend Jon and Kate for doing as great of job as they do raising their family….It probably doesn’t make it any easier with people like you criticizing their every move. Every family has their weaknesses so why dont you work on fixing the ills in your own family instead of projecting on of what looks to be a very happy marriage and family…
Kate does not “abuse” Jon. This is the absolute most ridiculous thing I have ever heard. You people obviously don’t have anything better to do than pin your probelms onto someone else. Kate gives Jon “love taps”, and she is not alone. I also give my husband love taps and I know hundreds (even more) of women who do the exact same thing. It’s all in the eye of the beholder. Everyone has their own opinions and are entitled to them, but who are you to judge others,…before you start judging make sure your hands are clean. The internet is a glorious revolution sweeping the nation;however, most of you are giving it a bad name. When you post something on the internet, it is forever imprinted on the minds of millions. I have some advice for each of you who complain about the show…
Step 1.) GET OVER YOURSELF
Step 2.) GET OFF YOUR BACKSIDE
Step 3.) PICK UP THE REMOTE
Step 4.) CHANGE THE FREAKIN’ CHANNEL
***YOU ARE AN ADULT, IT IS COMPLETELY YOUR CHOICE TO WATCH WHAT YOU WANT TO WATCH. EVERY TAP THAT A PERSON RECEIVES FROM ANOTHER PERSON IS NOT, I REPEAT, IS NOT ABUSE. PEOPLE THINKING THAT WAY IS EXACTLY WHY THIS WORLD IS IN THE SHAPE THAT IT IS IN. EVERYTIME A PARENT SPANKS OR SCOLDS A CHILD,…OH! IT’S ABUSE,…ABUSE, ABUSE! OH, PLEASE GIVE IT A REST. HERE IS A LITTLE MORE ADIVSE FOR YOU…….IF ONLY YOU WOULD SHUT YOUR MOUTH AND LET THAT BE YOUR WISDOM
And I’m sure everyone would love this of Jon did it to Kate.
P.S- Sweetie, using the cap lock just makes you look like an idiot.
I want to suggest that Jon and Kate sit real close together maybe have some contact while speaking to the camera on their interviews…. cozy up to each other. They seem to have a big grudge against each other.
Just wanna say that the above “Ginger” #32 is not me.
Kthanxbai.
Ginger (not GingerSnaps): If this blog pisses you off so much- go away. We all have a right to our opinions. Mine is that the show is a snoozefest– and I have a right to write and state it.
Wow… if I don’t watch this show will the kids stop being exploited?
I don’t care about Kate or Jon. (Incidentally, in his own way, Jon has proven to be as atrocious a parent as Kate.) I DO care about those children. In their new web site, Kate writes that it is wonderful that they can be with their kids all day while they are WORKING. If Jon and Kate are working, what are they kids doing? There wouldn’t BE any show without those kids. Kate also writes that “Our life is the show and the show is our life.” What kind of crap is that? Do you really think that is a “normal” and “healthy” environment for those kids to live in? Those children are all showing signs of stress. Their home is a tv set. They have no “haven” to go home to.
Paul Peterson, founder of “A Minor Consideration,” a non-profit organization to lobby for children in show business has written:
“Jon & Kate Plus 8” is not the same as “Meerkat Manor.” Children are not the same as animals being filmed in their natural state. There are, or at least there should be, rules when children are employed [or participate in] the Entertainment Business. Make no mistake, after four years of their most private moments being broadcast to a nation of voyeurs, the eight children who make up the “+ 8” are ‘performers’ in every sense of the term. They need and deserve the protection of the Law. But what if there are no Laws? Children in the entertainment business, in case you didn’t know, are exempt from Federal Child labor law, and have been since 1938. Pennsylvania has no published child labor laws for kids in entertainment. Ask yourself the following: If anyone in the Gosselin home is being paid, who owns the money? Are there limits to the number of hours a child may work per day, and anyplace they can’t be filmed? In the end there is only one question worth asking. “What will become of these children?”
This worse thing about this show is that those children have no privacy and have been given the burden of supporting this family since neither Jon nor Kate has a job. Mady, who is a moody girl, is constantly belittled on camera by her parents, even when she is behaving well. “Today’s a good day, but you never know with Mady”. My heart breaks for all those children. They’ve been shown in the shower, on the potty, and with their swimsuits falling down. Why show that stuff? Cute little bathtub photos are fine if they are kept privately by the family, not for public consumption.
Tell me, would any of you let someone else film your young children in various stages of undress and but it on the internet (they are all over You Tube) let alone on television?
Just thought I’d comment, since I actually do group therapy with men who have been convicted of domestic assault.
I don’t watch the show, have never watched the show, and likely never will. Those who want to skip my comment because of that should stop reading now.
I agree with Kat; it’s never alright to hit another human being out of anger and frustration. It doesn’t matter if it doesn’t hurt, it doesn’t matter if the abuser really loves the victim, and it doesn’t matter if they both do it to each other.
I work with men who use all of the excuses listed above. They tell me that, unless I live in their world, I can’t judge them. Fine. The judge judges them. If they don’t want to go to jail again, they have to figure out another thing to do.
Also, verbal abuse, while harder to define sometimes, may be more harmful than physical abuse. Victims usually take longer to get over it.
Again, I don’t watch the show, and I’m not about to start. But if either Jon or Kate abuses the other, it’s wrong, and me refusing to watch doesn’t make the problem go away.
You’re an idiot. She doesn’t hit him out of aggression or anger. It’s playful, not abusive. She has a mic on so everything you hear is much louder than it seems on tv. So that crack really isn’t that big of a crack. If you actually watched the show, you’d understand that she’s not physically abusing Jon.
most of the people on here preaching about abuse have never watched the show. lighten up, people… if you actually watched the show, you’d understand that she doesn’t hit him out of anger or frustration. It’s a playful gesture that you all are reading way too hard into.
“You’re an idiot.”
A great way to make your point.
For those of you who do watch the show, haven’t you noticed that Kate is not smacking Jon any more? I’m sure that she still does it… it just isn’t being shown.
It’s so obvious that this is in response to comments on the internet.
And I don’t think it is just a “love tap.” She is obviously getting out her frustrations with Jon — his inability to provide for them so they don’t have to pimp out their children, his not jumping to her every command, his being a wimp and letting her walk all over him, etc., etc.
I think that Jon isn’t happy. I think that he probably wonders what the heck he’s gotten himself into marrying her. Kate is very overbearing and loud and orders him around. When not ordering him and the kids around or slapping him, she stands with both hands clasped together as if waiting to “bark another order!” He probably couldn’t leave her because of child support. Poor guy!! She is definitely making money off of her kids. I feel sorry for her kids. She definitely has her favorites too. Seems like Leah and Alexis are her favorites! It definitely shows in Mady. Mady is eaten alive in jealousy and resentment. Cara is the quiet and reserved one. Curious to see how they all will turn out. I hope they will be fine. Such a sad situation. Bless their hearts.
In an episode Kate actually talks about how she slaps Jon, they both laugh about it and continue to say that it is a joke and there is really nothing meant by it, they also go on to say that they have learned not to do that around the children. I think that we should all remember that this is a TV show, and that at the end of the day producers do not care how to portray the family, they are only concerned with ratings.
There is a button on every remote control, television set, and cable box. It is called an on/off button and the symbol is universally acknowledged. For those who don’t like Kate or Jon or the way they are rearing their children please switch the button to the off position. They aren’t perfect parents, and from the tone of many of the posted comments, neither were many of yours. The Gosselin children will survive and more than likely become productive members of society because a day care provider isn’t raising them. On a final note…you aren’t living under the Gosselin’s roof so you don’t know what you’re talking about. Give it a rest.
Wow…all I have to say is you people are pretty negative! Kate is a wonderful mother and she doesn’t abuse or treat her children badly in any way. To raise 8 children is extremely hard work! She cares about nothing more than those children and giving them a good life. She puts herself aside everyday for all of thier needs, making sure they are met. Kate only allows them organic and healthy foods, and she never will cook out of a box, because she cares so much about their well being! All I know is taking care of 8 kids properly, is a big enough task let alone having to cook healthy home cooked meals everyday at the same time. I don’t know many people who could accomplish that in one day! What I get from the show is totally different than what the rest of you have gotten out of it. She would not let anyone ever hurt those kids and her main focus from day one has been making sure they have a great life, whether it makes things harder on her or not. As for her slapping Jon…I wouldnt call those slaps! If she was physically hurting him I could understand all of your anger, but come one now…she doesn’t hit even close to hard enough for it to hurt him! He laughs most the time when she does it so obviously he doesn’t mind it. If he had a problem with it, I don’t think he would be married to her. It seems to be all in good nature and it seems more of a joke than anything. She has never physically hurt Jon. That’s their relationship and it obviously works! I would just like to see everyone else here raise 8 children and see how they would do! That has to be one of the hardest jobs in the world and she does it with such grace. She seems to be a wonderful caring mother and I couldnt imagine anyone doing it better!
I’m sorry that the show and the way Kate treated her husband was so upsetting to you. I must admit my family acts that way alot and alot of times the slap or “love pat” is out of love and not of anger. I’m surprised that someone would take somnething like that so seriouly and so to heart. I love my husband dearly and we have our own thing we do, but its never meant in anger and I have smacked his behind out of love in the past. This is a wonderful family that was the first to come out there with a reality show. The Duggars are now next and I could only imagine with 18 what people will say about them. I would never judge, but you need to take the show as a view into a families life that is not yours. Everyone parents their kids differenly, everyone treats their spouses and their relationships differently. I think that its terrible that Kate has gone though such a backlash based on hearsay that may or may not be true. I encouage you to watch the show more and Im sure you will see a loving couple that is just trying to live thier lives with their adorable kids their way. I love that they are enjoying their new found fame and popularity and I wish the best for them and the Duggars as well. Because someday when the show is over and people find a new family ot trash, the Gosselins and their family will be set and finally getting the privacy they deserve.
http://theanti-gosselinswithoutpity.blogspot.com
“the Gosselins and their family will be set and finally getting the privacy they deserve. ”
If they want privacy, I don’t think starring in a TV show is the way to get it. In other words, I doubt they really want privacy. They may be a loving couple; if so, great. If he likes the “love taps,” fine. I have a lot of men come through my program who believed that they hit or intimidated their partners out of love, until they ended up in jail. That may not be applicable to Jon & Kate at all; I just wouldn’t take her word for it.
Kate is a biaatch and maddy is a bigger biaatch get that show off the air anyone agree w/me they dont need anymore money
It’s so sad to me that people get on here and say nothing but negative things over someone you don’t even know. The show is put out in a way to entertain, just because you watch the show does not mean that you know these people or their feelings or what was really going on. If you do not like the show, than do not watch the show. The first lady said that Kate hits Jon out of anger, I have watched every single episode of that show and never once has she hit Jon out of anger, never once! They play around ALOT and that is her way of flirting, it is in no way abuse and if you actually watched everything you would see that. My husband and I wrestle down to the floor and play hit all of the time and in no way are we angry by doing it, it is us having fun. But the great thing about Jon & Kate is that they are so confident in their marriage and their parenting that they could care less what anyone thinks of them. All they need to judge them is God and not negative people that have to find a bulletin just to vent their own frusterations. Look inside yourself and see what is truly making you angry, not a TLC show. Self acceptance is the key to a happy healthy life.
Jon is a grown man–does no one see that? If he doesn’t like the way Kate treats him… Again, he is a grown man with a mind of his own. Get over the Kate bashing. He has free will, he is not an idiot. They are on the greatest adventure of their lives that no one else could possibly relate to. And they a both fairly young parents. They must be closer than anyone not living their lives could ever understand. They obviously love each other.
Really.
I can’t believe some of you people, how can you judge someone. We are not to judge (even if these people are on TV) I watch the show and have never seen some of the things you guys are saying. The thing is you are all jealous they are making money. And I don’t think they are doing it because of greed, they are good caring parents doing it for all the right reasons….Their CHILDREN! As for the kids hitting each other, every child in this world has hit another child. So, it doesn’t mean that they have seen their mom hit their father. Goodness, what is wrong with some of you people?! Why should it matter if they have help? I think we all would want help if we had EIGHT children so close in age. Not to mention, we are not seeing all of their life, only edited parts of their lives. GOOD JOB JON and KATE…Goo Gosselin’s!!!!!!!
“Kate never does it in anger, always as a joke.”
Slapping is a JOKE? Hitting someone is a JOKE? I hope nobody ever JOKES with me that way.
Yvonne, and all those who advise to shut the TV off/change the channel when we don’t like what we are seeing this note is for you…
Shutting the TV off or changing the channel will not stop the abuse in that household. Jon and the kids are being abused, plain and simple by Kate, verbally and physically. If you can guarantee me that by not watching this show, that the abuse will stop, I will gladly do just that.
Until that time, I will advocate for this show to be taken off the air by whatever means I can, letter writing, boycotting sponsors, alerting child advocacy groups, blogging, awareness campaigns, whatever it takes.
PLEASE…there are so many more important things happening in the word to get in such a fit over.
Why don’t those of you who hate Jon & Kate focus your energy and become advocates for relief/charity/human rights groups in foreign countries where children are truly abused.
Look at the BIG picture, prioritize your energy, I think we all need a clearer perspective here!!!
(Why do I get sucked in? *sigh*)
I do focus my energy on being an advocate for those who are abused in this country. I certainly don’t hate Jon & Kate, but if the show does seem to portray abuse as “not a big deal” then it really hurts the people for whom I advocate.
Adam…don’t make heresay a foundation for rebuttal. Watch the show for yourself.
I agree that if you do not like the show, just change the channel. I cannot stand it personally and therefore I do not watch it.
I agree with the idea that we do not know their relationship and in the inner workings of their household. If they have extra help, so be it. It’s asinine to complain about that. Judging someone based on a reality television show is a terrible way to evaluate them.
What I cannot agree with is the idea that people have “love taps” and hit each other in their relationships but it’s “no big deal.” It’s abuse, plain and simple. When you get mad and hit someone else, you have lost control. You can no longer be considered rational. It’s not a joke and it’s not funny. Anyone who does it should be ashamed of themselves.
I agree at first wathcing the show a reaction of Huh?! That is a normal knee jerk reaction to seeing, the kids screaming, Kate hitting (or love patting)or Jon’s short fuse with all his children……In reality we all do it…..you just don’t see it because you are not being taped….You mean to tell me anyone reading this has never, ever, rolled there eyes, clenched there teeth just waiting at a redlight, or a line at the store or the bank or get upset becuase your parents, spouse, best friend or someone in your life just frustrated you…… You think that because the person in the drive-u that is behind you or in front of you sees you throwing your hands in the air or honking your horn because you are upset it is taking so long that your reactions dont impact them…of course, probably with a good laugh….The bottom line you may not be doing exactly what the Gosselins are doing but we are all doing something that the other doesn’t agree with……Usually the ones that protest toooooo much are the ones to watch closesly.
WE ALL CAN COMPLAIN ABOUT THE SHOW, BUT YOU KNOW WHAT , KATE IS LAUGHING ALL THE WAY TO THE BANK. I DON’T WATCH THE SHOW ANYMORE , AND I REALLY WISH THEY WOULD TAKE IT OFF THE AIR, PS KATE DO YOU READ ANY OF THESE COMENTS? HELLLLLLLLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Its a good show
they are just playing she doesn’t beat them
some times she is not so stable but when u have 2 sets of multiples you can critize
you are all crazy ladies
Wow. I just accidentally came across this thread.
All I have to say is this: if you ever actually WATCHED the show before judging the family in it so ridiculously, you would know that Kate does NOT hit Jon out of anger, she “hits” him out of playfulness. I JUST tonight watched an episode where they’re bickering and she smacks him and it DIFFUSED the situation: Jon immediately broke into a smile and said in a flirty, lowered voice “Oooh, she slapped me!” and Kate cracked up in laughter, and they hugged and kissed.
What in the world are you talking about???
I find it really sad that you would do this when you obviously have absolutely no clue what you are talking about. How horrible.
I think next time my kids ask me if hitting is ok, I’ll just tell them that because Kate Gosselin hits Jon “out of playfulness” that hitting is just great and everyone should do it.
You people are crazy she is not slapping him like you think if you have ever watched the show you know those slaps are nothing, its barely a tap!! I am sure they add that crack in the sound effect department, so everyone needs to get a life!!
Very sad that someone would call an 8 year old child a *!#@.
As Kelly said she hit me then they kissed.
Does she hurt them no.
I don’t think she wakes up each day and thinks
‘how can I hurt John today.”
It’s called a Love Tap jon laughs it off
Jon has asked Kate ON CAMERA to stop hitting him. Then she did it again.
Maybe it’s playful, but when someone says they don’t really like it and to stop, you should stop. Especially if that someone is your spouse. But then again, Kate puts Jon down in front of his own children, so why would she care what he wanted?
Anyone remember this? “Don’t listen to daddy. Daddy’s mean. Ignore daddy.” Said Kate to Collin.
Anyone claiming that Kate doesn’t abuse Jon either doesn’t watch the show or doesn’t know the definition of abuse. A psychologist would absolutely label Kate’s treatment of Jon as “emotional abuse”. I wouldn’t go so far as to say she physically abuses him, though she clearly doesn’t have good boundaries and steps out of line by smacking him hard (and yes, it’s not just soft “love taps”.) It’s the constant correcting of him, teasing him, chastising and barating him that is emotional abuse, and she does it to her children quite often as well. It is not healthy. But then again, looking at their choices as a whole, they have certainly not put the best interests of their children first ever, so I’m not surprised.
Listen my opinion I think she thinks its cute! to hit her husband I mean cause if you havn’t noticed since all of the surgeries shes had her confidence is up big time!!! she thinks shes so cute all of the sudden Oh well good for her she does look alot better than when they first started the show with tummy tuck and all remember what she looked like when they first started with the one hour special her hair was brown she was heavy and now shes blond she lost alot of weight shes rich now her life is just wonderful good for her
No one would joke with a stranger by slapping them. That’s a ridiculous notion. I wouldn’t be laughing with a person I’ve only known for fifteen minutes and rib them like I do my husband.– I wouldn’t even talk to a person like I do with my husband. Any person who looks outside on my relationship with my husband would think we’re being abusive to one another but we know our boundaries and we know when enough is enough, that there’s a time and a place for everything. If any one of you came up to me and pointed your finger at me, judged me for what goes on between my husband and me would deserve MY foot up YOUR ass. Abusive enough for you? You have absolutely NO right to judge what goes on between people when you don’t even know them personally.
Does he exhibit any of those characteristics of an abused spouse? Do any of those babies show that they are being emotionally abused? The amount of people that go tromping through their house and seen an abused, neglected child would not turn their back. Am I putting a lot of faith in humanity? Probably. But considering the amount of self-righteous jerks that are commenting on this ridiculous blog entry, I’m sure it’s safe to say that someone would call the authorities.
The Goselins are living life the best way they know how and for that, they deserve kudos. Anyone of you pontificating yuppies couldn’t live five minutes in her life and come out like a saint. You should feel ashamed for thinking you understand something that you have no idea about.
The rest of you sound like bitter bitches. Worry about your own miserable lives before judging someone else’s. I’m pretty sure none of you walk on water.
I think you’re nuts. She doesn’t abuse her husband. And anyone who agrees with you is just as insane as you are. You never slapped a guy before?? Like play fighting with them? She doesn’t slap him like she’s beating him. She slaps him as if she’s flirting with him. It sounds louder than it actually is because of all the mics and equiptment. I personally think you’re being dramatic just because you don’t like the show. If you’re going to criticize at least know what the hell you’re talking about first. Thanks.
I haven’t really noticed the slapping, but I stopped watching this show b/c Kate is a CONTROL freak and it really frustrated me to watch after a while. And as the seasons went on, it got more “fake”.
I did watch the show,but I don’t any longer.The way Kate talks to Jon is horrible!! I am a married mom of 4 and I would never,ever talk to my husband like she does and I would never tell my children that daddy is mean and not to listen to him.Kate has some serious control freak problems.I would also never put my children through the constant filming.I do not have a nanny,chef,assistant,housekeeper,etc.I only have 4 kids compared to her 8,but I bet I do a heck of a lot more work myself than she does on any given day!!!!!!
She said that once
have you ever said something bad once in your guys life?
I thinks so
it’s not spousal abuse.. you people are nuts. she’s controlling.. but they balance eachother out. get a grip. ya’ll are way to serious.. go save a dying baby in uganda instead. gees.
Got nothing to say to that
huh?
Hi kate and family this is Kristin Budgell i lvie in newfoundland
and i have 2 sisters
and my birthday was nov.28/1998 and i love you kids they’er so cute
love Kristin xoxo
I cant even to begin to say how much BS that is. Jon and Kate love each other, you try raising 8 kids and NOT fight.
so what they get free things once in a while, the kids might not be able to do thing with out that, instead of talking bad about people find out the truth before you speak… you don’t know them, or the life they live.
* before you judge others, take a look at your self*
I am not a mother but I watch this show religiously and I got the seasons 1 & 2 DVD’s for Christmas. I think she is a wonderful mother and even my husband thinks their parenting style is superb. The kids are cute as can be and as for the comment on Mady, it just shows their personalities.
And for the matter of her getting stuff for free and “help”. She didn’t ask for two sets of multiples. She got twins and wanted just one more but got 6 more. Fertility drugs do that sometimes. I have been struggling with having kids and I hope I get multiples. I think for her to be able to overcome infertility and have 8 children is inspiring to me, and gives me hope of even having one.
I think the people who don’t watch the show regularly cannot draw a full conclusion because they have not seen the contexts that these “taps” were used it. She may be a little bitchy sometimes but she is in no way abusive or overbearing.
i think its a really gud show! and shes just bein funny dont gett soo effin serious people god JUST A SHOW. lol bye :]
you guys need to get over it she doesnt beat him and like the others say it bits and peaces. jon and kat have 8 kids and not just 8 6 of them are the same age!!!!! so if u guys are going to comment go and watch the show and see how stressfull it can be and they might fight alot but they do work as one and they do love eachother so everyone who has somthing bad to say shold just go F!@# them selfs…
guys there raising eight children by golly give them a break already how would you feel if you were kate and youw ere raising 8 children your husband and yourself howwould you feel if you looked on a website and found out about us hating them how would yopu feel besides on the new episodes i never saw her slap him so give her a break already.
Why do all of the children seem so miserable??? The husband looks miserable as well, I have no respect for a man that lets his wife treat him like crap- And on TV! The mother seems money hungry- And doesn’t appreciate anything she almost expects everything- The twins, well at least one of them is sweet, the other is miserable and has major social problems…out of the couple of episodes i caught the girls went to meet with a casting agent and one of the twins was obnixious during the interview …and it turned out they weren’t cut out for it… Then kate turned around and said “we didn’t have time anyway” So why go and waste your time.
I’d rather see yeast rise than this …
They are not even interesting…They are lame and I feel sorry for the children that they have snotty obnixious parents …
John & Kate plus 8 is also really boring… There is a woman who just had 8 babies…. TLC should give her the show and cancel J & K + 8…
Anyone has to be more interesting than them.
My Yorkie has more personality than Kate
ANd starving yourself is no good…you’re taking out hunger on your family
No wonder the kids are miserable..wonder how she treats them when the camera’s aren’t rollling
How Pathedic
What struggles do they have when she doesn’t lift a finger to do anything… and she has hired help….Dind’t the show pride itself on them struggling?
Why do we have to see it– Who cares…I flippped through and caught the tail end of one episode – The show tries hard to get them out of the house, but it’s lame-
TLC needs to cancel this program….Ok, you have multiples…
Whoopie!
Our economy is in shambles and these people go on trips and get a house and millions for what ????
God Bless America——
why would anyone buy the DVD’s.
Every heard of TIVO????
That’s why these people get their teeth whitened, get personal trainer and chef because you morons buy into this crap ….
I could see if they were interesting and funny and they were more down to earth. But they are not…They all look miserable… Why, they should be happy
How pathedic…
Funny? you think it’s funny that a father of 8 gets emasculated in front of a national television audience?
Ok so we’re supposed to buy into a nurse taking fertility pills knowing the tragic effects of these chemicals (its not normal for a 9 month old to be wearing glasses). Now were supposed to respect her as she gives it all up to God! it’s a miracle, she says. No, it’s Chemistry! She only speaks at churches and requires the baskets be passed around twice for her “love offering”, then pictures with them are available for an additional $20.00! She is only mildy intersting in a “train wreck” kinda way, but there is NOTHING funny about the way she treats people in her life, especialy her husband!
They are more boring than a piece of bread..How did they get a show-
Yes, the kids look depressed … she probably treats them like dirt when the cameras aren’t rolling
the mother needs to get a personality- she’s sarcastic and thinks she’s funny but she’s lame and grow some balls john
did you get castrated?
^ so true…haha he is castrated
Kate seems to have alienated not only her friends but also her family…
Jon and kate are indifferent and the children are unhappy, at least most of the time…kind of makes you wonder how they are treated when the crew is not there. It’s sad.
As for anyone who watches this with their kids…you are deranged…This is not a role type family. I could see if they were loving and treated each other with respect but it is not the case…
And for anyone who says she is stressed out with the kids…puuleeese…she has hired help and doesn’t do a think…i’m all for seeing everyone succeed but she is not a likeable person… if she were i would watch the show
Trust me, i’m not jealous in the least bit…i see a lot of you write that… If they were a loving couple and looked up to each other and helped each other, then i would tune in, but no way… They are like animals, screaming… there is no way this is on in my house
i despise this show
i wish TLC would take it off the air
They are ultra boring and the mother is evil
First off, I do not watch this show anymore…I do not allow my children to watch this deranged family. I don’t watch this for many reasons. The way they treat each other is disguisting. They are disrespectful to each other and scream and put each other down in front of their children. Is it any wonder the kids all seem miserable and nervous- not to mention major behavioral problems. They are never smiling- and look scared. Wonder how Kate treats them when the cameras aren’t rolling. It also seems like she had the children and that was it, now she can’t be bothered with them. She talks to them like dirt and is extrememly sarcastic and totally unlikeable. I’m all for seeing people rise above and become successful but the show is extremely hard to watch especially when the parents are shouting, putting each other down and acting like fools on camera. If they were down to earth and loving and maybe had personalities than it would be a different story. Talk about uninteresting !!!! I watched a couple of episodes and was disguisted . How can the show pride itself on protraying a family with sets of multiples struggling when TLC just bought them a $1.4 M Home??? Again, if they acted different and showed appreciation than it would be a different story- but it’s almost like they expect everything. How can parents like jon & kate who are in a loveless marriage write a book about their children and thriving and surviving? Wasn’t she a nurse at one time??? She had to have known if she took fertility drugs, this could happen…why were they surprised. I wish it were off the air- As for anyone who watches this program with their children, wake up… this family is not a role model. They have serious mental issues …and the children definitely show signs of social problems. Why was one of the babies wearing glasses when he was in diapers??? That is not normal..Some of the down sides of having multiples..but when you are money hungry and greed…you don’t see the flip side of it-
ok Pattie Cake go get a life get a job get of ur ass and it wouldnt bother u this much aaden weres galases cause he was premmie and the deprived oxsigen ti he brain and eyes that y and love i think they are normal family if u live in a world of lolly pops and ainbow go in to the real world and smell the flowers!!!!
Kate does not abuse Jon. If you really watched the show and didn’t focus on picking out and exaggerating little harmless things then you would see that they actually show the context of the love taps and it is more out of love than anger or frustration. They are doing the best they can to raise their children and I know how hectic it can get with multiples. Imagine raising 6 kids of all the same age with about 7 other people in your house following you around. They might be doing the show for some money but their kids seem happy and they try their hardest to give them a normal life. People need to focus on how they can improve their own lives and their own families and stop criticizing and nit picking others for doing what they believe is right. If you don’t agree with the way they live or treat others or whatever, then change the channel. People need to not be so easily offended. Focus and reflect on your own life and don’t judge others, especially if you’ve never been in their situation.
I didnt bother to read all the comments but I do agree with a bunch of what the person above me said. you do realize they enhance the sound of the “horrible slap” for the purpose of the show? It’s not an abusive relationship — they are one of the few families on tv with catholic morals and values that guide their day to day life.
Also, I wonder Patti Cake, what is the size of your family? I grew up in a family with 7 kids and understand how easily frustrated parents can get with dealing with so many tired and cranky kids. It’s a hard job and no one can judge when we dont have the whole story.
If you think Kate abuses her husband then you have never seen the show. In fact, if you have seen the show then you probably will think the opposite. Her “slaps” are no more than love taps, as she said. And if you have ever seent he moments when Jon and Kate sit in their big chair and talk about moments on the show, the love between them is blindingly obvious.
I’D RATHER GET A PAP SMEAR THAN WATCH THIS CRAP… THEY NEED PERSONALITIES- AT LEAST THE DUGGARS ARE NOT SNOTTY AND OBNIXIOUS AND ARE DOWN TO EARTH AND THEY ARE FUNNY.
TLC NEEDS TO GIVE OCTUPLET MAMMA A SHOW AND NOT THIS LAME FAMILY.
AND “PLAYFUL TAPS” I DON’T THINK SO…IF HER HUSBAND WASN’T SO MUCH OF A PUSSY AND LET HER GET A WAY WITH IT…
WHAT IF IT WERE THE OTHER WAY AROUND…AND HE WAS TAPPING HER IN THE FACE????
THIS SHOW BLOWS
You guys should watch more than one show and to Pattie Cake they show the kids smiling many times.
Am I the only one who finds wife-on-husband spousal abuse comical in this whole mess?
You people need to lighten up and realize when a dude gets hit it’s because he deserves it, no matter how hard it is. It’s one of God’s great gifts to mankind. Read the Bible.
And the kids are adorable. Can’t wait for the movie to come out!!!
did you know that Katie is wanting more kids she will say it on the next new show more than 8 that is crazy i think but that is what she wants
She slaps her husband? Are you kidding me?
Here is a youtube clip of the “abusive slaps”
Seriously? Please tell me you guys were kidding!
Relax everyone. John and Kate is an amazing show. Kate has some flaws, but who doesnt. We are not talking that she backhands John when ever she can. I do believe they are love taps. Remember they are waring mic’s and the volume can be turned up on anything. They have NEVER raised a hand to any of their children, and the “taps” are never in anger. I do beieve that a spanking when deserved is not a bad thing, im not saying beat your kids, but a tap on the hand or on the butt is not a big deal. Look at society now and look at how it was in the 50’s. I think all of you need to watch the show before you judge someone!
I feel sorry for those kids, their parents are so LAME…I miss jody does anyone know what happened to her
😦
http://kellydinardo.com/blog/comment1.cfm?ID=48
I watch the show. I will watch the show and no one can tell me not to watch the show. I do not like Kate. Kate will never be a happy camper. Just last Monday when the 8 kids all together said “Thank you for the puppies”, what did Kate have to say….”You’re NOT welcome”. That’s Kate for ya. She speaks without thinking. But idiots are like that. But no matter, I am still drawn to the show. I think I am waiting for the day when Jon has the guts to tell her what he thinks. I can’t believe he didn’t tell her when she complained for a good 10 minutes about not using the coupon for the shower head. Maybe that was TLC telling him not to because that’s what they want to film…her making a fool out of herself. It does sell a lot of advertising.
I tried to read all the posts but got googly eyed, so I hope I’m not repeating someone else’s point, but I get really tired of people saying, with such admiration, that they’re raising 8…count ’em…8 kids! Guess what? Daycare workers do it every day!
what u dont get della is yes day care does it evry day but they do 8 hours of it they dont wake up to it they dont go to sleep with it and they dont spend all weekend with them! so maybe u need to think about that
That’s certainly true, and when they are infants the work load would be overwhelming. Without the help they had, I’m sure they children and the parents would have suffered. However, when children reach a more sulf sufficient age, it’s all a matter of routine and budgeting of time. There are millions of families with eight children, and it’s hard for all of them. In fact, I think it’s easier to manage 6 of the same age. They’re the same height (dangerous items out of reach, needed items placed close to hand), at the same skill level, have similar likes and dislikes. It makes activity planning, meal planning and the routine so much easier.
Day care workers get up to their own families, spend hours with gaggle of kids, go to their own homes to cook, clean and raise their own children. When does ANY mother/father have ‘time off’? It’s 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for everybody.
Give me a break, lol , Abuse…??? I’m 33 & single,not gay & have no children,not the typical demographic to watch the show, but its cool to see the inner workings of a large family & how those kids are so well adapted to being on tv with the cameras there all the time. I’ve seen just about every episode & Jon isnt considered a “whipped” guy, they bicker or mildly argue back & forth.She is a lil lets say goofy,neurotic & anal but not angry in the sense of the word people are used to. The little smacks on thigh or sholder is in some way abuse or lashed out angry physical outbursts is as crazy as the person (Kathy Cole) who wrote that about a basic little show. If only half of american familys were able to hold it together & take care of a couple kids & not fight like alot of middle aged married couples do,let alone 8 kids & all the stress. Jon is a cool guy & Kate is a all & all a great mom ,even if Jon did lil smacks to his wife its the context, they get frustrated with each other but I dont see them as angry people ,also to say bring publicity to this trainwreck,come on now the homely lady that wrote this is jelious because her family(if she even is married(if so any more…lol) or has kids to know) is not in order like they are ,I know the cameras play a role in so called reality but they are pretty normal seeming people,the show dont need publicity it gets great ratings either way with a new season starting soon & trainwreck …please. Like anything if you dont like it dont watch it but its a good show for say a teen girl to watch,or just entertainment,way more wholesome than all the crap “reality” shows out there.Dont waste your time writing TLC the only letters they got where from this goofy broad, & im sure they were filed into the trash where they belong,the only farce is taking place in Kathy Coles home/trailer…lol USA Land of the Free ,Home of the Brave! GOD BLESS !
Kates lazy eye is sexy too… hehe
I watch the show to see the little ones, they are so sweet, and have grown up on TV. This kind of life can not be good for small kids. Look at all the child actors, most are dead, or drug addicts. How many couples have the same problems and are not all over the TV or news, I know they are on TV and everyone needs to know their business.
Kate is a bitch, and that doesn’t make it right for him to cheat, that is if it is true. maybe next week we will know the truth, and all this shit witll be for nothing. I do think Kate needs to attend some classes of how to treat my husband. and he won’t stray again, that is if he did.
As a Married man in his mid 40’s I am so fucking glad I do not & after watching this trainwreck of a “show” am about to have my vasectomy & never have children. What a bunch of absolute bullshit! C’mon people, you are all the same folk that watch every stupid fucking reality show, follow TMZ & think that Brittney was a goddess. YOU ARE ALL FUCKING IDIOTS!!! TURN OFF YOUR TV & GO FOR A HIKE!!! This show made my IQ drop by at least 50 pts after 10 minutes. Kate is a wanna-be lesbian, the “children” are a bunch of fucking brats, John if your there bro, I’m going in for my snip-snip in 3 weeks, wanna come?
You fucking idiots! Wake up!
wow why don’t u go chill for a bit, then we can talk
I’m getting really fed up of reading through comments of “your remote has an off button get off your arse”. That is not a constructive response.
I don’t watch Jon & Kate + 8 religiously but my mum always has that channel on in the background when she’s working on something so invariably I have caught quite a few episodes, usually I’m working on my laptop while I’m back from uni and my mum is watching the show.
That having been said she was watching one episode today (winter preperations I think) and towards the end she gave Jon a “love tap” I had never seen this before and it shocked me.
I looked up and all of a sudden she slapped him. No provication, they were bickering about something as usual and she slapped him. Not overly hard but she looked frustrated and so she just slapped him. A second later she tried to laugh it off, calling it a “love tap” and trying to get him to laugh. He didn’t and I didn’t hear him say anything positive about it or forgiving, he just looked vaguely upset and tried to ignore the subject.
Now, I have grown fairly used to her constant belitteling of him, her control issues and her constantly undermining him but this really tipped the boat.
Perhaps she could do with a few “love taps” herself.
But then again if he did that to her, people would call in and complain.
I can’t believe that people are calling this “spousal abuse” sure you are going to hear it when she gives him a “slap” for goodness sakes they have on mics. As for the verbal abuse everyone is talking about, stop and think; the production company are editing the film and sure they are going to put in arguments between them for the ratings. You can’t tell me that if you are married or in a relationship you don’t argue with your spouse over even the littlest things. Nobody is perfect, I think that the reason the show is as popular as it is is because Jon and Kate don’t pretend that they are, some of these reality shows are so “sickningly sweet” that they are the shows that are hard to believe. As for verbal abuse of the children, I have never heard either of them speak to any of their children in an abusive manner! There are times that they need to be told that they are misbehaving but what child isn’t! If correcting your child is considered “abuse” to some people, maybe that is why alot of the young people today are in the situations and trouble that they are in because they were never corrected. I am greatful for the way my parents raised me, at the time I wasn’t but what child is until you have your own. Now I see in my daughter that I was raised the proper way because I see alot of her in me and she has two of the most precious boys there are. So in closing I would just like to say do not judge people until you have walked in their shoes. And for Jon and Kate I feel they are doing a pretty good job at raising their children, they are well mannered and as far as I can see are happy little ones. God Bless
She is not abusing her husband, that is ridiculous. You are just looking for something to complalin about. She has never been shown hitting jon out of anger, she is just teasing. Mrs. Mennonite if you are so proper and god fearing than you should know that we aren’t to sit in judgement of others.
Dear john,kate and family,
i hope u guys r happy cause there done now
I always watch Jon & Kate + 8 & love the show!! But I think the worst thing that is happening between Jon & Kate is the Tv program, that would totally F**k up their relationship, But everyone really needs to think;they were married and in Love, they have 8 children together, that would be so hard on your relationship! I have one child, I could not see myself with 8!!! But to Jon & Kate… your relationship is your relationship, personally I would stop the tv show its f**kIn up everything between your family, Jon really loved Kate or he would have not married her, and the fact they are not going to be together and seperate because Jon cheated or what not, get over it… you have 8 beautiful children with Kate… and If ppl think that she is rude and stuff would you not think you would be too looking after 8 kids and staying at home???
Kate I really see nothing worng but the thing thats going wrong is the TV!!! go back and enjoy your lives together!!!
I really don’t think that there is any abuse happening at all.. and the only abuse that is happening is those CHILDREN… think… HOW DO THE KIDS FEEL FOR BEING ON TV ALL THE TIME!!!!
Now it seems that Kate has just happened to find a place near the boyfriend……ah……I mean, “bodyguard”. It’s great to know that all these 1d1ots who are either saying, “Jon dude you rock!” or “Kate dear , you must be strong for the children”……have now found out that these two lo$ers are pathetic phonys. TLC with their ridiculously absurd (and laughable) special EP hook-ups (Bloated Emeril and Winded Group Tuettels), have shown themselves to be evil, sacrificing the well being of young children for a buck.
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