Jon & Kate Plus 8

I love the show. Samantha loves the show. And I am a little sad with the stuff going on.

I agree with Jewlieee with this one.

Jewlieee

 They need to seriously consider cancelling the show asap and working on pulling their family back together (or moving on, whichever it may be). They really need to get out of the spot light.

I was thinking the same thing. I hate to not see the show anymore but if that's what needs to be done to get back to where they need to be as a family I think they should cancel the show.

I dont see why people are saying this family shouldnt have dogs. Thought dogs were good for families especially ones with children in them if their willing to take care of them properly

Golden Tails

Yes they used fertility treatments, but why on earth would ANY mother eliminate any of thier babies? I'm sure they were only trying for #3, but whats done is done and they are thier babies (all 8) I know for me, abortion would be 100% out of the question!

I'm not saying they should have eliminated the babies.  However, it is not like they were hit by a truck.  They knew that they could get more than just one baby, and if they could not afford that possibility should it arise, then they should have perhaps rethought trying for a third child.

Yep, or maybe used a fraction of the $$$ spent on fertility to adopt one (or however many they wanted) child.

I know the way I feel makes some people irate but honest to God I don't see how people justify what they spend on fertility when there are plenty of unwanted babies neglected right here in our own country.

Liesje

I know the way I feel makes some people irate but honest to God I don't see how people justify what they spend on fertility when there are plenty of unwanted babies neglected right here in our own country.

Some people really do care that the child is their own.  I'm not saying that it's right or wrong, but that's just the way it is.  DH & I researched & considered having a surrogate carry a child for us.  Eventually, we decided that adoption was a better choice for us.  (Largely, due to the number of unwanted children in this country.) 

I will say that the adoption process is not as easy as many people believe it to be.  It is a long, sometimes stressful process.  On average, the home study process takes about a year to complete.  The average wait from the time that your home study is complete, until you are matched with a child is usually somewhere between 7-12 months.  So two years later, you finally have your baby.  Then you still have to worry about the birth parent signing off on the adoption, or the paternal grandparents stepping in to fight for custody or visitation of your baby. 

There are a LOT of unknowns with adoption, & there is a very good possibility of heartbreak as well.  DH & I have met with two potential birth mothers so far.  We did not "click" with one of them.  We got along great with the other one.  She went as far as to tell us that she thought that we would be the perfect family for her baby, but since we had only been listed for a short time she didn't think that it was fair to give us a baby ahead of someone who had been listed longer.  Trust me when I say that there are very few things more devastating than hearing someone tell you "you would be the perfect family for my baby, but....."

I'm not sure that adoption is a better or worse alternative to fertility treatments.  Both have their pros, & cons.  At the end of the day, it comes down to personal preference.  I won't fault anyone who chooses either option.

Amanda, I understand and people have a right to do as they please.  I know more about adoption and the process than I ever care to, but when I look at these situations - moreso someone like OcotoMom than John&Kate - I can't help but feel like she is just plain selfish.  I know families that have a ton of kids (most of them are adopted from orphanages), but never so many at a time.  I just can't see how anyone can give each baby enough love and physical attention that it deserves.  I'm really big on holding babies, carrying them in those little backpacks or slings.  Now I could never abort a baby, so for me that makes the default choice adoption if I can't have kids (I don't know yet....but we really want to adopt anyway since DH's parents offered financial assistance for that).

I can understand a couple's decision to do the fertility drugs to have a child.  I can also understand their desire to not "abort" any of the embryos when there are multiples. Those are personal decisions for each couple and reputable doctors and clinics provide tons of counseling on the various possible choices to be made long before the treatments begin.  What I don't understand is how you justify bringing that many children into the world if you are not emotionally and financially capable of caring for that number of babies born all at the same time.  I do know that circumstances can change and finances change but if you have to "sell" your privacy to afford your children, then don't complain about the publicity when it's not favorable to you.  I read that the season premier got the highest ratings ever for that show.  I don't watch it because the whole idea just bothered me from the start.  The whole thing is just weird to me.

 This needs to stop. One of the adults in there, and I'm sure it won't be Kate, needs to put an end to this. The things that the rest of the country has seen on video of these poor little kids  is just too much. We've seen a kid constipated in the back of the van in a parking lot, we've seen someone covered in poop, puking. As a teenager, would you really want your friends knowing about that? Then there's this fiasco, and honestly, as a teenager, would you really want your friends bringing up those stories. Plenty of other families with lots of kids like them do it without being constantly on tv. We don't see the Dilleys and the McCaugheys on a weekly basis. We hear from them yearly at most. I'm sure they struggle financially, but those kids haven't had some of their most embarassing moments aired for the world to see, and put on dvd, just in case we missed it.

We used to see them spend time like a normal family, rather than being jetted from place to place. We used to see relatives and neighbors, but not anymore. Sure, they've seen more of the country than most 5 year olds I'm sure, but they've seen a lot less of their own community in the more recent years and months. 

Golden Tails

 the facts about adopting and teaching the kids about over population!

I think it's amusing to talk about preventing overpopulation in a subject about a family with 8 kids

Haven't watched it this season (I only watch if I happen to be flipping around and catch it on..I don't watch much tv) but I don't have a problem with someone choosing a breeder if that's best for their family

Just based on what I've seen of the house (inside and out) I'd say they're living better than a lot of people with one or two or no kids. Still, I have to think that people who choose a career in Hollywood or politics have a better idea of what to expect when they're living in the spotlight and they've developed thicker skins.  I really don't think that when they embarked on this little adventure they realized that every private moment was going to be out there for the world to see.

Joyce

 Well that's it for me! I won't be watching anymore. I was never a regular viewer but I did enjoy the occasional show. The kids were as cute as buttons and the logistics of managing 8 kids fascinated me. However, if I want to see marital discourse and family disfunction I can look closer to home.

Personally, I have a feeling this maybe just a publicity stunt. The stories may have become pretty predictable over the years and they needed to boost their audience. I'm sure like any marriage there are some rough spots. Why not exaggerate a little? Whatever - not my cup of tea. 

I don't know what to make of the cheating thing.  Honestly this thread was the first I've heard.  I don't really believe anything until the people themselves confirm (so has John admitted it?).  Do you guys know who Bono is, lead singer for U2?  I own the website for his wife.  You would not believe the wild stories I get from people insisting they were groupies and slept with one or both, I mean just really outrageous stuff that is absolutely false (not that it has to be done, but very easily NOT corroborated based on dates, locations, etc).  It's great for a laugh and then it goes into the Trash folder.  I don't believe crap like that because people will say anything about anyone even remotely famous.  The most circulated story is based on a photo of Bono kissing Andrea Corr on the cheek.  Whoever initially started the rumor cropped out Bono's wife, who is also good friends with Andrea Corr and also had her arms around her in the photo, but they cropped that out and published some story about a wild affair.  If you actually know about these people and know them, it's good for a laugh, but still I see this rumor circulated and published.  People will say anything to bring someone else down.  It's really sad.

What also bothers me are the comments about the older twins.  How old are these girls, like 8?  I've seen people call them nasty b****** and the likes.  I hope they never get on the computer and Google their names.  So maybe they are brats, but again, people are just nasty and say things when they have no right.

Yes I've watched the show several times, but for pure entertainment.  I don't get all up in arms about it, it gives me a good laugh.

Liesje

What also bothers me are the comments about the older twins.  How old are these girls, like 8?  I've seen people call them nasty b****** and the likes.  I hope they never get on the computer and Google their names.  So maybe they are brats, but again, people are just nasty and say things when they have no right.

That really bothers me, too. They're kids! Kids act out, they act bratty, they have tantrums....and anyone who says their child never does that is a liar.

One of the most telling things from that episode is that he said that the choice to do the show was made for him. Regardless of what he meant by that it shows that he has a lot of resentment and anger towards kate imo.

Btw didn't they just renew their vows a few months ago?

grab01

Golden Tails

 the facts about adopting and teaching the kids about over population!

 

I think it's amusing to talk about preventing overpopulation in a subject about a family with 8 kids

 

Haven't watched it this season (I only watch if I happen to be flipping around and catch it on..I don't watch much tv) but I don't have a problem with someone choosing a breeder if that's best for their family

Hee-hee--glad I wasn't the only one amused by the overpopulation comment-lol.

Honestly, I have no issue with them wanting to get 2 pups at once if they are able to provide a good life for the dogs.  *I* would not do it, but then again I would have stopped with the first 2 kids, so I'm probably not a good barometer of such things.....Different strokes for different folks...

sillysally

grab01

Golden Tails

 the facts about adopting and teaching the kids about over population!

 

I think it's amusing to talk about preventing overpopulation in a subject about a family with 8 kids

 

Haven't watched it this season (I only watch if I happen to be flipping around and catch it on..I don't watch much tv) but I don't have a problem with someone choosing a breeder if that's best for their family

 

Hee-hee--glad I wasn't the only one amused by the overpopulation comment-lol.

Honestly, I have no issue with them wanting to get 2 pups at once if they are able to provide a good life for the dogs.  *I* would not do it, but then again I would have stopped with the first 2 kids, so I'm probably not a good barometer of such things.....Different strokes for different folks...

I feel like over population in humans is far different from pet over population. Seeing as how people can speak for them selves. They could have gone to a shelter (had that video taped) shown all the dogs and cats that are waiting for homes (had that video taped) talked about the fact that a lot of animals don't even make it out the front door, picked thier dogs from the shelter talked about how they come spayed/neutered, chiped, and vaccinated. It would have made for educational programming, and tought the Maddy and Kara about the importance of spay and neuter. Seeing as how this would have been all on the show it could have gotten other people to go out and adopt from thier local shelter and saved a life vs. a breeder. But insted they had to contribute to the over population of pets.