Today was a bit chaotic on the Oprah Winfrey show. The talk show host was joined by my favorite TV couple and their 8 children.
Jon and Kate Gosselin, along with their twins, Cara and Mady and sextuplets Hannah, Joel, Leah, Collin, Alexis and Aaden sat down with Oprah to discuss life with two sets of multiples.
Many of you know the family from their TLC show ‘Jon and Kate Plus 8’, which airs every Monday night.
In 2000, Kate gave birth to twin girls, Cara and Mady. Then, the couple decided to try for one more child.
“We got a little more than we bargained for—we got six more,” Kate says. “We’re considered a fertility nightmare.”
At 5 weeks gestation, Kate had a feeling there was more than one baby growing inside of her.
“As soon as they flashed the ultrasound screen, I saw too many circles to count,” she says. “I was thinking, ‘These cannot be babies. There’s too many.’ I instantly went into shock.”
Jon’s reaction:
“He was close to tears, which he’s usually very silent and strong,” Kate says. “I thought, ‘Now we’re really in trouble.’ … It sounds funny now, but at the time, our whole lives just flashed before our eyes.”
Even knowing how draining – emotionally and financially – raising eight children would be but Jon and Kate say they never considered reducing the number of fetuses in the womb.
“When we went in for that [fertility] appointment, I said to them every time, ‘Really be careful with us, because we’re not doing that ever. It’s not for us,'” she says. “Actually, right before that ultrasound, the last thing I said to [the doctor] was, ‘Whatever you’re giving me, we’re taking.'”
On May 10th 2004 at an amazing 30 weeks gestation, in just three minutes the couple welcomed Alexis Faith, weighing 2 pounds, 11.5 ounces, Hannah Joy, 2 pounds, 11 ounces; Aaden Jonathan, 2 pounds 7.5 ounces; Collin Thomas, 3 pounds 0.5 ounces; Leah Hope, 2 pounds 14.8 ounces, and Joel Kevin, 2 pounds 9.7 ounces.
Now that the sextuplets are almost 4, the busy mom spends most of her time cooking healthy, organic meals for her family of 10.
“My day is make a meal, serve a meal, clean up a meal, clean up everything, wipe this one, change that one, deal with this one,” she says
Kate’s day by the numbers:
- she runs the dishwasher two or three times a day
- uses about 1,200 paper plates every month
- do at least two loads a day, with the most being five a day
It took two days, six suitcases and three carry-ons to get the Gosselins from Pennsylvania to Chicago. When they travel, Kate says she fills luggage with treats, blankets, Crayons and toys to keep the kids busy during the flight. “Take tons of food,” she says. “That’s my secret for everything. When they’re cranky, just feed them.”
I love Kate’s no nonsense approach to motherhood. The kids don’t get away with anything in fact the couple says that “timeouts are as normal as blinking.”
They may be out of the “terrible 2” phase, but Kate says the sextuplets’ behavior has not improved. In fact, it’s gotten worse. “Actually, 3s are rougher for us than 2s,” she says. “Didn’t you know? Three is the new 2.”
If you would like to read more about the interview. Please visit Oprah’s site.
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Its a wonderful family.I love the way Jon and Kate carry out themselves.Iam 20yrs and its my hope that ill meet the family someday.
You people are so sad…….. I LOVE jon and kate plus 8. I think its a GREAT show. I don’t think this family sought out to be on T.V. I think you guys are JEALOUS of their fame and money. I have a problem close to PCOS. I was able to have surgery and get pregnate. So I have 2 children and NO multiples. I can’t even begin to think of what my life would be like with 8 kids. And I could NEVER choose to reduce a pregnacy. How in the world do you single out a couple of your OWN children to KILL. And as far as Kate….. How would you handle 8 kids ???? Would you need help??? (yes) Would you loose your temper from time to time??? (I bet so ) Are things always going to be perfect, peachy and bright. (UH NO !!!!!) Is their a possibility harsh words my be said in the heat of stress.??(yep)WouldI give my 3 year olds GUM. (NO NO NO ) I can understand the whole stain removal thing. With 8 kids saving money is also about saving clothes. It’s all part of it. It’s called being normal. maybe the rest of you aren’t.
I don’t know how they do it, eight kids! I have five but they are spread out (3 are steps of mine that we have custody of) and I have days where I think I am going to go insane. But EIGHT? Eight with six of them the same age?
I love their show, though, because I get so many ideas on how to save money with our relatively large klan. Great show!
Celebrate Babies!
Just once I would like to see someone correct that spoiled Mady like they do the the little kids KAte stop making up excuses for her and face it you have a little monster on your hands that needs disiplined BAD!
I think the Gosselins are brave. As another way to support their kids, they put our curiosity at ease as we wonder how the heck they do it! Yes, Kate is a organized control freak. Tell me this, could you imagine running a household of 10 people without organization??? I have a hard time keeping the house clean with my 2! Jon and Kate fight. Yeah and so what! When your in a relationship and you say “We never fight we talk things out never in front of the children” your lying! Everyone fights, and if you go to your room to “talk it out” everytime when your spouse ticks you off, well God bless you, but not everyone is perfect, and considering Kate’s children talk amazing for 4 year olds, are well fed, not picky eaters, potty trained, polite, I think they are doing a great job. If you dont like the show its simple, DONT WATCH IT! They love their children and their children love them. Thats what counts
I was always a huge fan of the show and my three year old loves to watch it with me but I have decided that we can no longer watch it because my daughter soaks in EVERYTHING and I don’t want her learning that it’s ok to treat her husband that way someday. I feel bad for Kate because I don’t think she even hears herself when she talks to her husband like he’s one of the children.
Chelle, I agree with you, Kate treats her husband very rudely. I can’t stand to watch the show anymore. I would give her a couple of backhands if I were Jon.
TO JON & KATE….I LUV UR SHOW! UR KIDS R SO BEAUTIFUL. AS 4 THE 2 OF U, I RESPECT U VERY MUCH! GOD BLESS YOU N UR FAMILY!
N 2 THE HATERS!!!!!OMG…ALL U HATING a** PPL NEED TO SHUT UP!!!! HOW CAN U TALK SO MUCH CRAP BOUT THESE 2 WHEN U HAVE NO IDEA WHAT ITS LIKE TO LIVE THERE LIFE!!!U PPL NEED TO GET A LIFE, IF U DONT LIKE THE SHOW TURN OFF THA DAMN TV OR CHANGE THE CHANNEL! AS FOR KATE, I KNOW ITS HARD BELIEVE ME, I MYSELF AM A YOUNG (VERY YOUNG) MOTHER, N I KNOW IT CAN B STRESSFUL! I RESPECT U VERY MUCH FOR WHAT U DO! & JON, DONT TAKE IT THE WRONG WAY WHEN SHE GETS MAD AT YOU, SHE LOVES U BUT ITS JUST HARD AT TIMES N US WOMEN SOMETIMES DO OR SAY STUFF WE DONT MEAN OR OUT OF ANGER OR STRESS! I ALSO GET OUT OF HAND AT TIMES N TAKE IT OUT ON MY HUSBAND BUT I JUST LIKE 4 THINGS TO GET DONE RIGHT! EVERY1 IS DIFFERENT, EVERYONE!!! DONT TRY N CRITICIZE THESE PPL BECAUSE THEY R DIFFERENT 4RM U! U R NO1 TO JUDGE THEM! ONLY GOD CAN JUDGE THEM!!!!! SO TO ALL U RUDE N SICK PPL OUT THERE, LEAVE THEM ALONE CUZ U R NOT PERFECT N U ALL NEED TO GROW UP N STOP HATING ON THEM!!!
you are a horrible person that i know from other internet boards. you are as blind as a bat and cruel to anyone who disagrees with you. i guess that is why you love kate so much! i hope that you have no husband, since you mirror kates bad behavior. people are entitled to their opinions whether they are good or bad. say your piece and move on!
to everyone who loves the show and says things such as,”i don’t know how they do it! 8 kids and having so much patience?! it’s amazing!”, i’m sure you also believe every celebrity is as nice as they are in the movies, too. because that’s what j&k are…celebrities. just because it says “reality” and it’s on a “family” network like tlc does not make it true. they spank their kids (they have admitted this), they get free clothing, even though kate says things like,”it’s expensive to keep clothes on 8 kids,” and these free trips and “gifts” that just “appear to them” are actually asked for by the producers or j&k themselves (if you don’t believe me, think about this…if this hawaii trip suddenly appeared out of nowhere, how did the dress place know of it to offer her a free wedding dress? could it be that the shop was contacted well in advance?). also, those who say,”you try raising 8 young kids!” many people have. my uncle is one of 10 kids and his parents (through hard work and REAL patience) were able to raise them, put them through school and also do it with Christian values. my mother was one of 13. my friend is one of 9. and, all of these families did it without the help of free gifts, free trips, and free plastic surgeries.
Kate is a treacherous, egotist. She has pimped her kids, all for her own glory. The show is about highlighting HER and her alone. She has given each child a label for ratings. She is a mean spirited malformed child who only has room to love one person….herself. The little ones will need a lot of therapy as they get older. Sadly, Kate would never see a therapist, because she is (in her sicko mind) The Almighty and knows everything.
Jon and Kate, I do like your show,but there are to many reruns. You do seem to have an attitude,and I do think you treat Jon like he is your child instead of your husband. Do you ever worry that Jon might not take it anymore?.Things do happen in a marriage. Jon seems to be a great guy,and a great dad.I would hate in the future to hear your family has split. I think your kids are cute. But Mady needs a serious talking to about her behavior. I will continue to watch the show for now. Kate don’t forget who you are. (Before television)I do see you changing in your attitude. Please don’t do that!!!
Well, you sound busy. Life must be pretty hard with someone at your house to fold your laundry, iron it, put is away, and oh yes, cook those organic meals. I too am a stay at home mom, but I really do all of those things! I stay home with my kids!
Well all of those people who really dont care about the show. Should not be saying anything. Kate you do a wonderful job with the kids and i give you so much credit. Also Jon is very calm cool and collected about everything that happpens which balances the both of you out. I have to say that Aaden and Hannah are my favorute. I love the show and praise you guys so much for doing it.
I used to watch this show all the time. Then someone told me they read an article where Kate states “it is sociaties responsibility to take care of her kids”
Can someone deny or confirm this please?
I THINK YOUR SHOW IS GREAT! THERE IS NO SUGAR COATING ITWS STRAIGHT LIFE. YOU GUYS ARENT PERFECT BUT WHO AMONG US IS. EVERYONE HAS GOOD DAYS AND BAD DAYS THATS HOW REAL LIFE WORKS. AND I THINK ITS GREAT THAT THEY CAN GET PAID FOR THIS SHOW. WHY SHOULDNT THEY.? THEY NEED ALL THE HELP THEY CAN GET TO BE ABLE TO RAISE 8 KIDS. KATE IS A GREAT MOM AND JON IS A GREAT DAD. DONT KNOCK THEM.THEY EVEN HAVE TIME TO RECYCLE THATS GREAT.THEY LOVE THERE KIDS SO LEAVE THEM BE. AND AS FOR THE NEIGHBORS YOUR JUST MADE BECAUSE THEY GET SO MUCH.STOP HATING AND SHOW SOME LOVE. JO AND KATE DONT LISTEN TO THE BUSY BODIES YOU ARE GREAT AND PLEASE KEEP THE SHOW ON THE AIR WE ALL LOVE WATCHING THE KIDS. AND TO AUNT JODI YOU ARE THE GREATEST AUNT IN THE WORLD!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I WISH JON AND KATE WOULD TAKE YOU AND YOUR HUSBAND ON A VACATION FOR JUST THE 4 OF YOU BECAUSE YOU ALL DESERVE IT.WE LOVE YOU ALL VERY MUCH AND ENJOY THE SHOW.I THINK THE WHOLE CAMERA crew SHOULD BE THE BABY SITTERS WHILE YOU ALL GO ON VACATION THEY ARE LIKE FAMILY ANY WAY SO WHO BETTER!!!!!!!! I HOPE WE ARE STILL WATCHING WHEN THE KIDS ARE GOING OFF TO COLLEGE AND GETTING MARRIED AND HAVING KIDS OF THERE OWN.KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK BECAUSE YOU ARE TEACHING THE WORLD SOME VALUABLE LESSONS.
For heavens sake get off Jon and Kate. Kate is a bit obsessive about everything but does try. They obviously love those kids and miss them even when gone for a few hours. The show is on and will continue to be on (I hope) because the public loves the family and watches it. It must be extra stressful to have cameras and lights in your house even three days a week. Can’t make for peace and harmony always.
Kate – greedy and selfish
Jon – emasculated by Kate
Mady – needs an attitude adjustment (needs manners)
Cara – nice most of the time (needs manners)
three boys and three girls – need to be taught manners
It is a shame to let eight children see their mother not working – their father not working…..
Do they all realize they are living off the six kids?
Exploitation is a terrible thing.
For those complaining that Kate has household help raisng 8 children, try to remember that those 8 children came over a period of 3 years. I am from a famliy of seven, but that was over a period of sixteen years. Kate doesn’t have teenagers to help with the younger ones, she has all young ones. After all even Cara and Mady are only eight.
As for the way Kate treats Jon, I don’t hear Jon complaining. Oh wait a minute, yes I do. Jon knows how to handle Kate and how to speak up for himself. If you have been watching the show you will have noticed two things; one, Jon can give as good as he gets when he wants to and two, in the newer episodes Kate has shown that she is aware of how she sometimes treats Jon and she is working on her attitude so give her a break.
Is any one child more challenginig the next? Absolutely! Is Mady the biggest challenge for Jon and Kate? Yes! Do they know that? Yes. Kate has even admitted on air that she didn’t realize all that Mady was doing until she saw footage of her behavior. Are your or my chilren perfect? No, but do we always see everything wrong they are doing? Of cousrse not. Now put yourself in Kate’s shoes. If she were running a day care she would have to have at least two other adults, by law, working with her. She is a mother doing the best she can with the eyes and ears she has been given. In thier most recent episode Kate even spoke about how Mady has to learn that her behavior is going to cause her to miss out on things until she learn hows to behave and get along better with others.
I hope Jon & Kate Plus Eight will be on for along time, but I imagine that if all people want to do is criticize them, then we probably won’t be seeing them much longer.
One last thing if Jon & Kate are pimping thier chilren, then so be it. All I see are two people trying to do the best they can to providde for thier family now and in the future. As for me I look forward to watching the Gosselin family grow physically, spiritually, and emotionally.
i HATE reality TV but somehow….I got hooked on yours! i love your show and how adorable your children are. I don’t have any children of my own yet but gOSH, you two make it look so mUCh easier than it probably really is. i myself grew up in a large family and the only concern is that over time, some kids do tend to get left out more often than others. however, that idea of the a special day for each child was awesome! keep up the gREAT work!