My take on J&K+8

Since everyone else is talking about it, I feel compelled to just throw out my two-cents re: Jon & Kate.

Let me preface by saying I don’t watch the show. I DID watch the first two "specials" where they first introduced the family. I was pregnant with twins and sucking up every bit of insight as to what life with multiples might be like. I enjoyed those two shows. I understood why they did them: a chance to give the world a glimpse at their unique situation, a chance to sock away some (probably) much needed extra cash. And, honestly, I thought Kate was pretty damn clever to get on national TV and flash her stomach because, honestly, I would do it too if I thought there was even a REMOTE chance someone would donate their surgical services to fix it for me.

But then, the series started and I thought, eh. Too much. Too much Kate being neurotic with a heavy dose of bitch. Too much Jon looking like he didn’t want to be there (Yes, even in the beginning he had that look. Go back and watch your DVDs). But mostly, I was very angry at the fact that those poor kids were being pimped out. Sure, now their parents could afford to stay home with them (when they’re not out on the road doing guest-speaking and promotional tours, that is), but is giving up any chance of living a private life worth it?

Also, once Jon could afford to quit his job, in my mind, they stopped being relatable. Show me how a family with 8 kids gets by. REALLY gets by. How do they get dinner on the table and the kids ready for bed when Dad has to work and Mom is at her wits end from being home with them all day (or vice versa like in our case). Because THAT? That is interesting to me. That is inspiring to me. Seeing them fly off to Hawaii or Disney on a trip that is paid for and a whole SLEW of behind-the-scenes help that you just know would never allow a child to get lost…that is not something I care about.

And the whole marital thing. Insert big, deep, sad sigh here. Kate’s theory that parents of multiples are more likely to get divorced? Sure, I’ll buy that. It’s stressful. Finances are tight, time is tight, there is not a lot of chance to be alone and connect, there is physical and mental exhaustion. But, people, you work on it. You listen to each other and try to consider what the other person needs. You MAKE some time to spend together. When one person says they’re (ahem) done living their life on camera, perhaps you at least pretend to consider those feelings. I don’t think the breakdown of this marriage can be blamed entirely on multiples though. I think it is more likely that they are victims of the reality show curse. And it sucks for the kids. Jon and Kate, they chose this life. The kids? They did not. And if I'm being honest, I'll throw out that Jon and Kate actually chose the life with multiple-multiples as well. Hit your archives and you'll hear Kate saying something like "We knew we'd probably end up with another set of twins"...so...I'm just saying.

I hope they are able to figure this all out. Whether they stay married or not…who knows. I just hope they try to regain some semblance of normal for those kids while they still can. And the first step towards that goal: getting the hell off of national television.