Jon & Kate Plus 8: Life with twins AND sextuplets

by Susan Wagner (Subscribe to Susan Wagner's posts) Apr 17th 2007 1:26PM

Categories: Celeb Parenting, That's Entertainment

I am addicted to TLC. Mostly I watch What Not To Wear, but about a year ago, I stumbled on to "Surviving Twins and Sextuplets," the story of Kate and Jon Gosselin's remarkable family. Kate and Jon have six-year-old twin daughters and two-year-old sextuplets. You heard me: the Gosselin's have eight children under the age of seven.

Imagine the diapers.

I love this couple; they are sweet and funny and they clearly adore their kids. Kate is incredibly organized while Jon is more laid back and seat-of-the-pants. They have a good rapport, with each other and with their kids and with the camera. And my god are those kids cute.

Now Jon and Kate have their own TV show, Jon and Kate Plus 8. We get to follow the Gosselins as they do the normal things we all do with our kids: going to the pumpkin patch, doing home improvement projects, hiring a housekeeper. But with EIGHT KIDS. Six toddlers! I'm tired thinking about it.

As parents, we all feel overwhelmed, whether we have one child or seven or more. To see a family that should be the dictionary definition of "overwhelmed" meeting the challenges of parenthood (and of parenting multiples--MULTIPLE multiples, even!) with love and good humor is a nice change of pace. Jon and Kate Plus 8 airs on Monday nights on TLC, and Tuesdays on Discovery Health Channel. Check your local listings.

Comments (81)

Reader Comments (Page 2 of 5)

Rosita 4-27-2007 @ 1:01PM

I think Kate is amazing and love the show. I give her and her husband so much credit for raising 8 children, the show amazes me and I could never imagine doing it. To all that are writing rude assumptions should really stop and think. Think of raising a family of 8. Do you think you all would be peachy with your husbands, I really highly doubt it. Put yourself in Kate's shoes and think before you write. I think she's a wonderful mom and she should keep up the good work!!!!!!!

Amanda 4-27-2007 @ 2:09PM

My advice to you Rebecca....don't watch the show! If it bothers you to watch a show about a woman trying to raise her children (all 8 of them)to the best of her ability, then by all means turn off the telly. I dare anyone to spend a day (let alone at least the next 18 years) in her shoes and not get snippy with their husband. Seriously, give the woman a break! And get over yourselves people!

Jennifer 5-23-2007 @ 12:42PM

I have watched this show and also looked at website. I too have different opinions, but I can tell you that as a Mother of Multiples, you have to be clean and organized or else, but you also have to relax and enjoy them--for they grow too fast. My boys are now 5 and soon will go to Kindergarten...what a joy it has been and hard times too...so I can only imagine the joy and hard times they go through too....and when you think you have it all together, ooops you find a mess--sure, that will happen--I only have 2 sets of little feet running around....image 6 more sets...I am not sure how I feel about being a "baby factory." I can only thank God and my lucky stars that my boys came via my genes and are healthy. God bless anyone with multiples---WHATEVER YOUR SITUATION...Thank you...Jennifer

M Smith 7-03-2007 @ 11:28PM

I am wondering where Kate and Jon's parents are in these shows. Do they have anything to do with them and their children? Usually you will see the grandparents in these shows once and awhile.

Anne 5-01-2007 @ 12:19AM

What I find amazing is that after having 8 kids -- THEIR CHOICE, no one forced them -- they complain (well, OK, Kate) that the world doesn't cater to them, immediately recognize their situation and give them special treatment! Please -- you are not the only people in the world, and NEWS FLASH, most people are so involved in their own lives that they're not being inconsiderate on purpose.

I've only watched a few shows, but I have never seen Kate apologize or say "Excuse me" in advance when the kids are coming/going through busy places. Example the apple orchard/hay ride when she bitterly complained about people not moving out of their way when they were exiting and splitting them up. This could have been avoided if she politely said -- "Excuse me, I'm coming throug with 6 toddlers, can you give us a sec?" But she seems to expect that people will (a) magically notice this fact, and (b) should act immediately so as not to inconvenience Her Highness.

Gawd, they are the worst yuppie "we're the only people to ever reproduce get out of our way and do what we say" parents ever. The college funds will probably all go to therapy for those kids instead.

Shannon 5-01-2007 @ 12:34AM

This couple has amazing energy,to still be standing after having these children! Great job and keep up the good work! Good luck for all of you in the coming years! (and Kate looks great after having all those kids!)

Misty 5-01-2007 @ 3:58PM

I have just started to watch this show. It is very entertaining. I do think that Kate does nag and is a bit overbearing with simple things, but what is funny is I watch this and think how real. "Oh my gosh she sounds like me". It was a bit eye opening to me to see that I am not the only one. Now on the other hand, she is sometimes a bit much with the mood but who can't be. Especially with all those kids! Yikes I go crazy with the two I have and sometimes I am not always nice to my husband but we know that we love each other and whatever works for them and everyone else. She does the best she can with the patience she has! No one is perfect.

Dina 5-01-2007 @ 8:48PM

I thought maybe I was over reacting to Kate's behavior so I decided to see if there was a site with other's opinions. I am glad to read the comments and know that I am not alone. My heart breaks for Kate. She just does not seem to be able to see herself as others see her. My heart breaks for Jon who must endure her mean spirit. My heart broke for those beautiful children in the episode where Jon chases the ball and when he returns Kate proclaimed "He came back - he does love us ". What does that teach those kids? To doubt their father's trustworthiness?? I hope we see an episode where Dr. Phil is brought in to deal with her behavior. This family needs help.

marilyn 5-03-2007 @ 1:59AM

I really resent the other pple who are commenting on how mean and nasty Kate is. I'm sure the editing is making her out to look much more controlling and rude than she actually is. Imagine having one child to take care of and yelling at our partners to help us. If we had the cameras on us 24/7, i'm sure we wouldn't like ourselves very much either. And for the person who commented on the fact that too many pple are using fertility pills to conceive and what not..."who the hell do you think you are"?? Some pple are not able to conceive, but really want children. Who do you think you are to judge them, unless you too have been in their position. I wish that you would use some common sense and think before you speak.
I admire this family and I feel inspired by Kate and John to become a more loving and giving parent by watching them. It makes me think that if they can be organized and be good disciplinarians to 8 kids, then I can def do that for one child. It gives me hope that it can be done.
Go Kate and John. I love your children. They are all so unique and adorable. I have your show on DVR and I love it. My two sisters and I watch the show religiously.

Michelle 5-03-2007 @ 7:28PM

I love this show and find myself intrigued. I look forward to it every week. I do find the Gosselins somewhat inspirational as well-especially Kate (I only have 1 toddler and their house seems cleaner and more organized than mine) but I too wonder ...where are Jon and Kate's parents or other family members, aside from Kate's brother? There never seems to be any mention of them. When it's time to leave the kids with babysitters, they seem to go to friends vs family. They are lucky to have such generous friends! Another thing... maybe it's me but they never seem to be extremely stressed out or exhausted. Snippy at times, yes, but they seem to have it pretty together for having 8 kids. I can't say I would be that calm with that many kids!!

Teressa 5-04-2007 @ 7:22PM

I think that before people start posting negative comments about Kate, her parenting skills, and what not, it would be best if you could realize that this women is rasing 8 children at one time. Many of those who have kids have the time and opportunity for breaks in between the years. But Kate doesnt. She may be mean to John at times, but her love for him is truly reflected in the way she takes care of the whole family. And who cares if she's a "clean freak". Being clean never hurt anyone the last I checked.

Grace 5-06-2007 @ 9:04PM

Although Kate may come across as rude at times as many have commented, I believe their personalities complement each other. I think Jon and Kate both have an awesome sense of humour which is necessary to maintain their sanity. They make fun of each other a lot and thats how they show affection, and I find it so amusing. That's just them being real. Despite all the arguments, they make an amazing team and you can see how much they love their children.

Laurie 5-08-2007 @ 12:09AM

I was reading alot of negative comments about Kate on here. Saying she is rude? this woman is raising eight kids under the age of six. It takes a special person to be able to handle that and not go insane. She is doing a wonderful job , she is doing way better than I myself would be able to do. And how many of you have ever had to raise 8 kids under the age of 6? I am sure very few if any. I think it is rude to be so judgemental of a woman you do not know nor have you had to live a day in her life. TV hightlights the fun things they do we are not there 24 hrs a day.And for saying the kids aren;t entertaining.That is totally ignorant they are children. They are adorable children. Being stuck home with two children all day takes it's tole on a mother let alone 8.I say live a day in her life for a week then allow yourself to judge.

Debbie 5-08-2007 @ 12:19AM

Well it's official- I dislike Kate more than ever! She is just so mean all the time to John, she orders him around like he's her personal slave! I would never allow someone to treat me that way, it kind of makes me mad that John puts up with it. Finally tonight he told her to get the stick out of her hind end and I stood up and said "Yeah!!! Go John!" She does have a HUGE stick up her, 24/7 and it's so great that John FINALLY said it! She is just so darn CONTROLLING! I can't even imagine how horrible it would be to be her co-worker, let alone be married to her, or God forbid, to be her child. Those kids will never get to make their own decisions about anything. Yeah, yeah, yeah, she's fabulously organized and clean and has a schedule and in some ways is perfectly equippped to handle 8 kids but for goodness sake, Kate, LET GO SOMETIMES!!!!

BeenThere 5-08-2007 @ 12:24AM

Kate is a big bitch to her husband! Her my way is "the only right way" attitude which she boasts about is exactly like my bitchy sister who is a mom of multiples. WTF? When your husbands bail on you for being treated like idiots don't be surprised!

Tracy 5-08-2007 @ 1:09AM

While I agree with an earlier poster that it is amazing that Kate has the energy to raise 8 children I don't believe this gives her the right to treat Jon like crap. She may be stressed out but she needs to think about the fact that she is on TV and is not presenting the best example of how to treat your spouse. Also, do we really need more children who grow up seeing one parent treat the other horribly (thus setting them up to behave in the same manner)? I'd love the show if Kate did not act like this. An occasional "snap" would be understandable but its never ending with her.

carolyn 5-08-2007 @ 1:31AM

I think the wife needs to lay off the husband. She treats him like her children. HELLO lady, he's your equal! I feel so sorry for him. During their interviews he looks so drained out and he's not even with the kids all day. Which by the way are all so cute. Okay, back to reality. I smell a divorce in the works by the time the kids are 18.
:(

Bree 5-08-2007 @ 2:25AM

It wasn't too hard finding a blog site for this menagerie on display. I'm an ICU RN and have worked with Kate before. Well... not her precisely, but her with 100 different names. So... do not doubt the corrosive personality. The control and acid are for real. That Jon has taken it this long is a tribute to the man himself.

"COME!!"

Unbelievable.

I agree with Raquel's prediction, but feel she was generous in allotting them 18 years. Months is more like it.

My mother was the first of 9 kids born in 11 years. My grandma didn't need notes to remind her what to do and when to do it. She didn't insult my grandfather everytime she opened her mouth. She cooked and cleaned and gardened and canned and sewed all the children's clothes and stretched a dollar till it cried Uncle. She raised these kids during the Depression when there were no free tickets and no free rides.

Kate... grow up. As I see it, it is Jon plus 9.

Jon... my sympathies are with you.

She actually wiped off the handle of the grocery cart? Puh-leeeeze.

Ellen 5-08-2007 @ 4:56AM

I wonder if anyone remembers that Jon absolutely did not want anymore children (after the twins). And Kate wanted "just 1 more". Jon kept saying that 4 in a family was the perfect number. But he gave in, as he seems to be the one that always does the giving in. And then there were 8. If I was him, I would be extremely resentful towards Kate for the stress (mental) & strain (monetary) that she added to their lives because of her insistance & selfishness. Yet if he is resentful, he doesn't show it. At first, I thought he appeared sullen & not particularly friendly, & she seemed to be the cheerful one. But the more I see of them, the more he appears to be the nicer, easier-going, more laid back of the 2. Of course, she has the brunt of taking care of the kids, but he definitely does his fair share. Hopefully, after she sees herself, she will realize how harsh she is being towards him, & will hopefully change. Nobody should be ridiculed & ordered around in a store full of strangers!

Karen Andrews 5-09-2007 @ 5:55PM

After watching last night's show I had to find a blog to describe my feelings on Kate. This couple is in trouble. Kate is slowly but surely picking away at any self confidence that Jon might have. She doesn't miss an opportunity to criticizes him. He is a saint to put up with her and she better realize it. This show is all about her. She is the queen if this kingdom she's made for herself and poor Jon is the servant who must obey or OFF with his head! And he knows it! A warning to Kate, you better start respecting this man, or one day you'll be left with 8 kids to raise alone....and believe me, after watching the show, no one would want you!