Ok so with all the obvious aside with their crazy family, scandals, and litter of children I have to say that I watch the show frequently and more so now because she is honestly a very good "parent" as far as techniques and what not to keep kids under control, obedient, inspire creativity, etc.
I know call me crazy, but if you watch her tactics with an unbiased opinion you'll see that she has a true gift! I have no idea how you keep 1 child that well behaved let alone 8...
Specifically, I really like the various activities and crafts that she does with the kids. I love that she limits all tv and video activity and makes them play outside. She tries to give each child an opportunity to have 1 on 1 mom and dad time. She lays down ground rules and expectations for the kids in all situations to keep order and keep fighting down, like when they go out to museums, or paint, or whatever so they know the limits and rules. She is great at setting up structure obviously. And she has made it her #1 priority to feed her kids organic food despite any excuses. etc, etc, etc
I just try to take notes on how she handles things whenever I watch the show because I think at least in that aspect she is doing a great job, I know for a fact I couldn't do it half as well with one child... just sayin!

Broken boob FFing, babywearing, co-sleeping, PPD warrior,colic survivor, proud WAHM!


Re: Jon Kate 8: She's actually my mommy role model... really
She fails as an adult... but I agree with you on the parenting. I mean, you see shows like Nanny 911, and those moms only have a couple kids and they are out of control. Despite all the exploitation of the kids and what-not, Kate does a pretty good job raising them.
::ducks from the inevitable flames::
I agree too, obviously things have gone waaay down hill. But I'm referring to when they decided to let each child pick their activity and do a day with only mom and dad while the other siblings were babysat. So it was their special day...It was probably short lived but a GREAT concept for anyone who has more than 1 child.
Momma Maven In The Making!
I'm willing to agree with you on some of this. I love how she does crafts and find things for the kids to do. I also love how she spends a weekend and cooks tons of freezable meals and then has planned meals ready to go. We do this on a smaller scale but I want to get a chest freezer so I can fill it with homemade frozen meals like lasagna and soups I can just whip out when I'm too busy with a newborn to make meals. I do like how organized she is as well, everything has it's place and the kids even know where they can find their toys and shoes etc. I will give her credit for those sorts of things, for everything else....no comment!!
Definitely agree. I loved the old episodes and it is a great concept.
I think if you watch early episodes of the show then you may be getting a fairly accurate idea of how she parents. But soooo much of that is what TLC wants you to see. Do you really think it's her idea to have one-on-one time or do all these special activities and outings? That's what the producers are for, to organize all these things so the viewers have something interesting to see. And if there's something that goes on that doesn't fit into how they want the episode to go (like a kid having a meltdown, Kate having a meltdown, etc.) then you're not going to see it.
Like I said though, early episodes are probably a good representation of things, or at least how things were before she got famous.
Annelise 3.22.2007 Norah 10.24.2009 Amelia 8.7.2011
I know I might get flamed for this but I think their whole family/situation is ridiculous. Women are not meant to have litters of children, sorry...it's so exploitive it makes me gag....
That pregnancy wasn't a blessing from God, it was a medical intervention.
God said to her.."Babies? Sorry, you can't."
They could have adopted a baby/child that really needed a home...
She's very organized and the crafts are cute and all, but I don't agree with her parenting at all. I wonder what it's like off camera because some of the stuff on there seems like it's done just for the show.
I don't like watching her scream at her family, I find her to be so demeaning to the children and Jon. She comes off being so self-centered and money/fame hungry...bleh, I can't stand Kate.
This. It's all staged.
Her brother says she does NOT cook and clean her house. He says she can not cook. He says it's all staged and she's not happy to do it all with her kids.
Did you watch the new episode? I though she was being pretty awful to her kids in that episode. She was screaming GET IN HERE at one of the boys and being pretty harsh when trying to get them to come to the store. Yes, you need to be firm but that doesn't mean be a witch.
I also disagree with a lot of her discipline, like how she forces the kids to kiss each other when it clearly didn't help them learn why they need to apologize. She also rolls her eyes at them a lot, which I don't think is cool.
I do like some of the crafts and projects she did with them. I also think it's so cute when one of the little ones says, "We don't hit!".
This is ignorant and rude to any woman that has struggled with TTC.
You put yourself and your 8 children on television (which to me, is absolutely awful in and of itself) and you put yourself out there to be judged. You can't complain about it. She created that situation for herself and now she has to live with it.
Annelise 3.22.2007 Norah 10.24.2009 Amelia 8.7.2011
How did I miss that the first time? Ignorant and rude doesn't even cover it.
Annelise 3.22.2007 Norah 10.24.2009 Amelia 8.7.2011
This lady had 8 children in an unnatural manner, and then sold her family out for money. Thank God she has a show because without it, I have no idea how they could afford such a brood. How could anyone? She is paid by TLC to do all these things. Reality TV is staged and not real. She has producers, episode directors, etc. to give her these ideas, parenting tips and free trips, etc. You put yourself out there, then you ARE going to be judged. SORRY! She CHOSE to have 8 babies, it didn't happen to her naturally...God is smart and RARELY gives women litters of babies at one time, because it is too much for anyone to handle....
I like a lot of her parenting skills & styles, & disagree with a lot of it as well.
I want my kids to be disciplined, respectful, & to play outside. I love the frozen meals & the crafts & the encouragement to love your siblings.
But that goes without Kate being a role model. That's how I was raised & it's how I hope to raise Harrison & any future kids.
I'm glad I wasn't the only one that found that very offensive! If God didn't want her getting pregnant by the IUI then it wouldn't have happened! It was all Gods plan! It's what she did with that gift that I don't agree with! I feel she exploits her children now for money! She should have stopped this show seasons ago before it got to the point of ruining her marriage!
Thank you for the apology. I understand it is just your opinion but unless you have struggled with TTC (which maybe you have), it's hard to understand. I've never personally struggled with it but I can't even imagine the difficulties. I would think that if she got pregnant at all, then it would have been God's plan. But what can I say, I'm an atheist so don't get any of the "God's plan" stuff anyways.
I was thinking the exact same thing!
I wouldn't call the comment ignorant, as it's a very strong religious belief for many people. But rude, yes (considering the audience here). Very respectable for her to apologize though.
Kate does some good things with those kids, but I don't like that she gets in such a fit if everything's not "just so". When she gets worked up, it rubs off on the kids, and they all end up stressed and upset. She needs to try and remain calm if one of the kids happens to get ice cream on her shirt. (She actually said "She's ruined!" when that happened on the show...)
Nevermind. Thank you for apologizing. So many people make comments like that and it's truly sickening to me to imagine not having my daughter because of "God's will". Religious belief's aside, how can you look at anyone's child and honestly think that they shouldn't have been born?
You are right. I guess I found the comment more insensitive but ignorant was the first word that came to my mind. And I agree, it was very cool that she apologized.