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Archive through June 17, 2008

Reality TVClubHouse Discussions: Other Reality Shows ARCHIVES: Archives for 2009 - 1: Reality Shows Regarding Multiple Children: ARCHIVES: Archive through June 17, 2008 users admin

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Rissa
Member

03-20-2006

Monday, June 16, 2008 - 4:29 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Rissa a private message Print Post    
Does anyone know where the surviving parents live? All I heard Kate say was that they are not an active part of their lives not that they are not in contact at all. My siblings/parents are not an ACTIVE part of my kids lives either... because they live thousands of miles away.

Yankee_in_ca
Member

08-01-2000

Monday, June 16, 2008 - 8:11 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Yankee_in_ca a private message Print Post    
And it may just mean that the parents have not agreed to be filmed for or a part of a reality television show. Hence the blurring of their faces in old film.

Happymom
Member

01-20-2003

Monday, June 16, 2008 - 8:55 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Happymom a private message Print Post    
Huk, they are going to be going to preschool! I am so excited to see this and for Kate to finally have a break! I admire her too.

Brenda, maybe we'll get to see what she does all day when they go off to preschool! For a time, she did work on the weekends (12 hr. shift on Saturdays I think, not sure though) and then Jon was home all day with them. This was in a recent show I saw, I think they played lots of the old shows recently.

I think Jon works from home now or did for a time. This was mentioned on at least one show, probably on quite a few shows actually. His office was/is in their bedroom closet! They both mentioned how glad they were that he was working from home.

Both sets of grandparents of my kids used to live thousands of miles away, now only 1 set does. Jon and Kate do have Kate's brother, his wife and their 4 children close by. They babysit for Jon and Kate. They had all 12 kids with 9 of them sick when Jon and Kate went to LA(?) for his hair transplant. I consider them extended family.

Rissa
Member

03-20-2006

Tuesday, June 17, 2008 - 5:44 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Rissa a private message Print Post    
I am just watching last night's episode while I wait for my dd's to wake up. They address that horrible rascist comment that was made in the article. They tried to adopt from Korea and were told they were too young and did not meet the criteria. I am sure by the end of the show 99% of the rest of the crap will be disputed as well. LOL

Hukdonreality
Member

09-29-2003

Tuesday, June 17, 2008 - 6:42 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Hukdonreality a private message Print Post    
On the show last night (the early years), they made an attempt to explain why Kate's parents and Jon's mother weren't in the picture. I think they were very uncomfortable talking about it, and never were very clear about it. Jon's Dad died when the little ones were 8 months old, and he was very involved. His Mom remarried, and his explanation about where she was now, was vague. Kate's explanation about her own parent's absence was even more vague. She appeared to lean towards Jon, glance his way, touch his arm, etc. while she talked about it. She did say that they all loved each other, but still didn't explain it. I felt badly for them as there is clearly something not o.k. with their relationship, and she seemed visibly upset when talking about it. They blocked out the face of the man who walked her down the aisle for her wedding (most likely her Dad).

I would think if it was a simple matter such as distance apart, they would have said so. My guess, based only on the fact that they didn't come right out and say why there is no involvement, is that maybe the parents have really negative feelings about Jon and Kate having the kids on TV or something.

Rissa
Member

03-20-2006

Tuesday, June 17, 2008 - 7:27 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Rissa a private message Print Post    
Yes Huk, definitely uncomfortable. I got the impression that they JUST weren't involved (as in.. no big controversy)and Kate is less then impressed but was trying to balance being true to herself (i.e. being honest about not being happy with their level of involvement) and not insulting her parents whom she said she loved. She did say they were not estranged and then sort of added that grandparents were not always involved to the same level or to the level that she may want. Jon's mom remarried and seems to be (IMO) more invested in her new life then her old (sad but it happens).

Julieboo
Member

02-05-2002

Tuesday, June 17, 2008 - 7:49 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Julieboo a private message Print Post    
Rissa, what article (and what racist comment) are you referring to? If it is the link to that katehater's blog, it keeps crashing on me, so any clarification would be appreciated!

Escapee
Member

06-15-2004

Tuesday, June 17, 2008 - 8:39 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Escapee a private message Print Post    
My guess is that the grandparents did not agree with them doing this show and wanted no part of it, but John and Kate can't really say that.

Rissa
Member

03-20-2006

Tuesday, June 17, 2008 - 8:50 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Rissa a private message Print Post    
Julie, this page keeps crashing on me... one more try.

>>>Jon is half Korean and the baby they were given to adopt was full Korean. If Kate REALLY LOVED CHILDREN, she would have adopted this child. Her own husband was admittedly AMAZED that she didnt want that baby... Instead, she went for another pregnancy, very soon after turning down the SINGLE child.>>>

The whole article is the same... takes a half-truth (at most) and then twists it, adds some bile and spits it back out. LOLOL Kate said that they TRIED to APPLY to adopt a child from Korea but were told they were too young and didn't meet the criteria.

Julieboo
Member

02-05-2002

Tuesday, June 17, 2008 - 8:57 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Julieboo a private message Print Post    
That guy is weird. (the blogger.)

I remember Kate once said that Jon's mom said that if she wanted children that looked like her (kate) , then she was out of luck as the asian gene is very dominant. Kate said she loved the way her children looked, asian or not. And that asian looking children would be great as she thinks Jon is cute! (Something close to that).

Rissa
Member

03-20-2006

Tuesday, June 17, 2008 - 9:08 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Rissa a private message Print Post    
You have to read the whole blog to really get the feel of it, this person really despises Kate for some reason.

Jon's mom is wrong. My neices/nephews are half-asian and most have the typical features but two are dirty blonds, one with freckles. The boy used to get in fights at school because he insisted he was Asian and the other kids called him a liar and said his mom must have slept with the mailman. On the other side of the family I have a sister-in-law who is half Korean and she and her sister and brother don't look Asian at all (although one of HER sons has the eyes). It's besides the point but thought I would toss in my personal experience. LOL

Ophiliasgrandma
Member

09-04-2001

Tuesday, June 17, 2008 - 9:24 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Ophiliasgrandma a private message Print Post    
Most people think my half Filipino grand children are Mexican.

Mamie316
Member

07-08-2003

Tuesday, June 17, 2008 - 9:59 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Mamie316 a private message Print Post    
One of my daycare kids is half Chinese but her dad is blond so she has very light brown hair with blond streaks but her eyes are almond shaped like her mother's. Actually, when I take the kids out, people think she's my daughter and ask if my husband is Asian.

Happymom
Member

01-20-2003

Tuesday, June 17, 2008 - 12:26 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Happymom a private message Print Post    
Julie, I remember seeing that segment too. I thought about a family I know - the mom is Chinese and the dad is a very light skinned caucasian with red hair. Maybe his ancestry is Irish, I'm not sure. They have two girls and neither of them looks very asian at all.

Julieboo
Member

02-05-2002

Tuesday, June 17, 2008 - 12:28 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Julieboo a private message Print Post    
Well in the Gosselin's case, the kids all do look very asian. I can tell who Hannah and Aaden are, but I still can't tell Joel from Collin or Leah from Alexis.

Brenda1966
Member

07-03-2002

Tuesday, June 17, 2008 - 12:29 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Brenda1966 a private message Print Post    
the thing I found most offensive in that link/blog was the assertion that Kate doesn't love children because they didn't adopt that Korean baby. Adoption is so complex and to suggest that someone doesn't love children because they don't adopt a particular child is just so naive and hateful.

I didn't watch last night's show yet, I taped it and look forward to watching and commenting.

Escapee
Member

06-15-2004

Tuesday, June 17, 2008 - 12:29 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Escapee a private message Print Post    
Wow, that blog is really bad. Why is that guy so concerned? I'll bet he has no children and has no clue what a mom and dad of more than one child has to deal with on a daily basis. I am sorry, but if my house was going to be on TV, I'd sure be hellbent on keeping it clean too so people on TV didn't call me a bad mother for having a messy house.

Happymom
Member

01-20-2003

Tuesday, June 17, 2008 - 12:43 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Happymom a private message Print Post    
good point about keeping the house clean since it's shown on tv! I actually never thought about that.

Julie, lol, I can finally tell Joel from Colin but I still can't tell Leah and Alexis apart!

I looked at the blog. I was very disappointed at first that someone would write that about the Gosselins. Now I just dismiss it the way I do supermarket tabloids. Someone really has too much time on their hands. I feel sorry for people like that blogger.

Texannie
Member

07-16-2001

Tuesday, June 17, 2008 - 1:12 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Texannie a private message Print Post    
i don't think the point is whether or not Asians have a dominant gene, the point is that's what the mother in law told Kate.

Julieboo
Member

02-05-2002

Tuesday, June 17, 2008 - 1:27 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Julieboo a private message Print Post    
TIA Annie. What kind of thing is that to say to the mother of your grandchildren??? I think they are estranged for reasons other than the show... (on both sides)

Texannie
Member

07-16-2001

Tuesday, June 17, 2008 - 1:33 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Texannie a private message Print Post    
LOL, i didn't get the feeling that it a 'bad' statement.
to me it would be like someone saying to a blonde blue-eyed daughter in law 'hope you don't mind if your babies all have our dark brown Italian coloring' or if one spouse is very tall 'hope you don't mind that your kids will probably be taller than you'.
but the point i was trying to make was not whether or not the Asian gene is truly a dominant gene, but that kate thought it was cause her mil said so and she was fine with her children looking completely Asian. In fact, Kate said she hope they would because she thought Asians were beautiful therefore Kate is not a racist like the blogger implied.

Reader234
Member

08-13-2000

Tuesday, June 17, 2008 - 2:03 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Reader234 a private message Print Post    
I am really amazed that the possibility that the 'blog' isnt real! I believe that there are no "evil" or bad people - - and I dont blame her for working the system, or knowing how to better maybe than the average (working as a nurse) I believe that her mom did say Kate always wanted multiples (I know I sure did!! ;) )

and since Kate has tendencies to be OCD (not medically, just what many posters observe the notes etc she leaves) - I think she is hard to please, and in that respect I can understand having a personality to "alienate" but the flip side is that she was not mean or vindictive...

do I believe that Jon got a job with the state, created to help the family? Sure, why not? Did the state start a college fund for the kids, sure why not?

I think they probably did get a lot of "freebies" Most doctors will put multiples on a list and there are companies that will donate...

but I dont think that would lend one to speculate in a negative manner - but with Kate's manner, she may come off as harsh (and at times she truly does, but like many have posted, if it doesnt bother Jon when she 'hits' him, or yells at him - or rolls her eyes at him...) She does always have the kids in matchy matchy clothes, and the furniture did look nice on TV - I can imagine a church would donate and make collections to help out a family - and I can imagine if the recipient wasnt grateful that it could cause hurt feelings - on both sides...

I got the impression from the link that the children were the point - Jon doesnt have a job now - but they are doing speaking engagements,(so that actually IS a job) and they are making money - I think they get to meet with producers and come up with a "storyline" - and I can understand how tv stars (D list or whatever) get the "STAR" status, so I can understand if Kate did (as in going back to a place and expect to get in free - by the product placements, and reruns, I dont know if that is an unreasonable expectation)

http://gosselinswithoutpity.blogspot.com/2008/06/where-are-grandparents.html

another opinion on where the grandparents are, and from the sister that isnt part of the family...

I will also strongly agree that families do have "problems" - as my brother and I arent 'speaking' (dont ask me why, I'm trying to figure it out myself!!)

I just think its interesting that there are always 2 sides to a story - and the truth lies somewhere in the middle - I think it was Brenda that brought up the first quints and how they were treated...

and I thought it was interesting last night when Kate knew how many sets of septuplets were in the country (14) BUT that could be due to the fact that parents of multiples are online, and get help messaging one another too!!

just interesting views and discussions - that's all!

Reader234
Member

08-13-2000

Tuesday, June 17, 2008 - 2:05 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Reader234 a private message Print Post    
this makes sense to me also -

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Why_is_Kate_Gosselin_estranged_from_her_parents

Escapee
Member

06-15-2004

Tuesday, June 17, 2008 - 2:07 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Escapee a private message Print Post    
I think that what John's mom said was said with ill intent. If someone said to me "I hope you don't mind your children will be blond haired blue eyed" I respond "If I minded, I woulnd't be having children with him, would I?" Both my kids are blond, I am not.

Neko
Member

08-03-2001

Tuesday, June 17, 2008 - 3:30 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Neko a private message Print Post    
I love that that "Wiki Answers" answer has "...people say they (her parents) are each missing a number of teeth and have no education at all." as part of a reason why Kate is estranged.

LOL

What a stereotypical "hick" description! I'd be less inclined to believe that "answer" just on that respect. Obviously, the poster is not well educated themselves.

I'm surprised that you're taking so much stock from such "hateful" information.
While I do agree that there are probably some truths in there somewhere, and that there probably are some skeletons in Jon and Kate's closet, but those posts are written in such a hateful way, that there's no way they could be considered neutral information.