Jon and Kate plus 8

[MizDaisy]

I have no idea what Jon's insurance covered. Was Kate working a a nurse during her first pregnancy? Maybe she had insurance, too.

Kate is an RN, and had worked as a labor and delivery nurse. However, I don't know if she was employed after the twins were born, and don't know what kind of job Jon had when the second round of fertility treatments were done. He was unemployed around the time they were born, and got the state government job when the publicity about the birth of the babies mentioned he was jobless.

I'm curious as to why the doctor put so many embryos back into her. Her situation turned out OK, but most women do not fare well carrying that many children...and many sextuplets do not survive. Many IVF doctors will have the couple sign a contract that specifies how many embryos the doctor can put in the uterus--and most doctors will discourage putting back more than 3 due to the survival rates.

This section of their web site describes what happend leading up to the birth of the sextuplets.

Jon & Kate's Story

Lots of people in Berks County, where the Gosselins lived, were not happy with what they perceived as a sense of entitlement, as shown in this piece from a local newspaper and the many responses to it.

I'll Rest When I'm Dead: Count your blessings before your handouts

[Lois Lane]

Thanks MizDaisy... I know that some people have a very strong moral reason for not wanting to reduce...

I will say that it is a miracle that all six of those babies survived and seem to be thriving.

[MizDaisy]

I don't think people were objecting to their choice not to reduce. That's certainly their right. It was the fact that they made their decision with full knowledge of the possible consequences and then felt entitled to government assistance when they had to deal with the results of their decision.

Another article from 2005 that appeared in a Pittsburgh newspaper was also critical.

Eight is enough - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

The two parents have more kids than they can handle. Volunteers have helped, some, but nowhere near enough, she said. The taxpayers are helping by providing health coverage, but the Gosselins want much more.

They qualify for state health insurance -- barely. Jonathan makes about $50 per month below the maximum annual household income, said Kate. She does not have an outside job.

For a family of 10, the max is $38,910, according to the Department of Public Welfare.

But the need for special services such as a nurse is not based on income. The state's first question was whether the Gosselin children qualify medically. "The answer is 'no,' so you do not get it," Kate said.

The little ones' good health was her bad luck. Go figure.

[canadian_angel]

I don't judge them for having the show or allowing the show to supplement their income or fund it. I could not imagine having to pay for everything out of pocket. What I think is ridiculous is how they preach a very Christian attitude, but very often fail to actually behave or act in such a manner. That's what turns me off about Kate's Christmas comments.

Reading more and more about all the donations they have received is astounding! There are so many families that would be eternally grateful for a fraction of the donations.

[Unibrella]

I really enjoy this show. I caught some episodes a few months ago, and I have been watching the show ever since. I find the way the family manages to function fascinating. I think Jon and Kate do the best they can. I wasn't upset with Kate's comment about Christmas presents because buying for eight children is a lot. I don't like how Kate thinks the government "owes" her something. It must be really stressful managing a budget with such a large family; however, Jon and Kate knew that. Since they had multiples the first time, they really should have known there was a chance it could happen again. I just wish there family the best of luck. I think things will be a lot easier for them as the children get older. And although I find Kate a little uptight, I really do enjoy watching their family.

[mtope723]

I cannot believe the number of people that are complaining about the Gosselin's. I think they do a great job raising their kids. I love watching their show because I can totally identify with them. My daughter is about the same age as the twins and my son is a couple months older than the sextuplets. I cannot imagine trying to juggle 8 kids 24/7. I applaud them both for a job well done!

I also laugh a lot when I watch Jon & Kate interact because it sounds so much like me and my husband. We love each other, but there are times we get frustrated with each other -- I expect him to do things my way, and when he doesn't I tend to get upset. We both work full-time and try to spend as much time with our kids as possible, but it is not always an easy task.

I believe their show is the most authentic of any reality show on TV -- kids fight, parents don't always see eye-to-eye, and there is always a problem to resolve. I only have two kids and have the same problems as the Gosselin's. My daughter gets upset/jealous at times because she believes her brother gets more attention. My son gets mad at his sister because things don't go his way. They are siblings -- it's normal to have spats. I can remember doing the same things with my brothers.

As for Valentine's gifts, I don't know why some people are upset that they bought little dollar gifts for their kids! Everyone has a different way of raising their kids -- I thought it was great! How many of you made the day as special as they did? I know I didn't get up and make heart-shaped pancakes or packed heart-shaped sandwiches for my daughter lunch.

As for their financial status - I really don't think it's anyone's business! But IT specialists generally make pretty good money, and many times they can work from home. I believe the money they receive from the show probably helps out a lot; but give them credit -- they do try to spend as much time as possible with their kids. I'm sure if they both worked the childcare alone would eat them alive. Do I believe they are selling-out their children - No. I believe they are trying to do the best they can with the oppotunities that have been presented to them. Doesn't everyone try to do that? If the shoe was on the other foot, what would you do? If the cameras and attention were that intrusive I don't believe they would continue to allow them in their home. I know they have scheduled speaking engagements that takes them away from their children, but I don't see the difference between them being away for a day or two on the weekends or not seeing them all day during the week.

I know everyone has the right to their own opinion, but until you are in their shoes I don't think anyone can truly judge if they are right or wrong. Plus, if you think they are that bad, why do you continue watching the show? Find something else to watch.

[Duxxy]

Well said mtope, I couldn't agree with you more!

to FORT

[Allygirl]

I love Jon And Kate Plus 8!! I think they are amazing the way they handle such a large family. And those sextuplets are too cute! They seem to have a lot of really great friends always ready to help them out. The only time I get annoyed watching is when they show Mady. I think she is a bit of a brat.

[Poohtz]

I enjoy watching the show, sure there are times I think I may do things different, but who am I? I can't judge them and how many of us can? Who knows what is best for them and who can truly compare their lives to their own? I just think of what Kate says in the opening..."It's our life!"

[MizDaisy]

As for their financial status - I really don't think it's anyone's business!

John and Kate made their financial status public information so if they didn't want people to talk about it, they should have kept it their own business.

If the shoe was on the other foot, what would you do?

I certainly wouldn't put my life and my children's lives on TV for millions of viewers to gawk and comment on.

If the cameras and attention were that intrusive I don't believe they would continue to allow them in their home.

We really don't know at what level the Gosselins would ever consider the filming intrusive because we all have different thresholds of tolerance. For me, it's zero tolerance, I wouldn't subject myself or my family to that kind of relentless scrutiny. Others could give a damn about the invasion of privacy as long as the paycheck is big enough.

until you are in their shoes I don't think anyone can truly judge if they are right or wrong.

I think whenever anyone accepts compensation for putting themselves/their family on TV, they forfeit their right to dictate to others what can and can't be judged about them. If you don't want to be judged, don't publicize your life.

if you think they are that bad, why do you continue watching the show? Find something else to watch.

So you're only allowed to watch if you're a J+K+8 groupie?