"Jon and Kate take the kids to the beach, hoping it works out better than the sextuplets' first seaside experience at age 3, which turned out badly because of cold, windy weather."
9 p.m. - Eastern time - 60 minutes
79 comments:
Anonymous
said...
Aaden to Joel, "DISGUSTING HANDS!"
Gee. I wonder where your four year old picked up that phrase, Kate.
I laughed. Even when they fight, they're cute as hell.
i have heard soo many times that kate doesn't have her children in extra curricular activities such as swimming...the usual, criticizing kate.
i also don't know how often it is said that we don't see everything (i strongly agree)...here is a perfect example.
tonite kate said that mady and cara have been in swimming lessons for 2 years, going on 3!!! i've never seen a swimming lesson on a show.
OBVIOUSLY, they don't show everything on TV. hey, i bet she even reads to her kids too and we don't see that either. (for those that harshly criticize her for never reading to them)
giving ppl the benefit of the doubt is the right thing to do and will likely be the route to go so as to not make yourself look ignorant!
I absolutely agree with the concept of teaching young children to swim. Even if you don't own a pool or live on a lake, do it for safety's sake. There will always be pool parties, neighbors with pools, visiting friends who own pools, or in my case, my parents lived on a lake (on a channel) and my mother insisted that their grandchildren know how to swim before running around her yard. There was a seawall that they could fall off of when no one was looking. Knowing how to swim is just common sense and a safety issue. That's good that they are doing this and emphasizing the safety of it.
I wonder what negative can be spun from THAT. Sorry, there is none. I don't care that Joel was crying or that he was afraid. Getting over that fear and learning to not fear the water and take beginning strokes is necessary. My child screamed his fool head off for the first lesson at our local YMCA, but once he got used to it, took off like a fish. By the end of his first set of lessons at age four, he could doggy paddle the length of the pool and jump off the diving board into the deep end (with an adult under the board to "catch" him).
I haven't even been to GWoP yet, but I'm guessing they will find a million things to criticize about this episode. Joel's plumber crack will be one and they will accuse J & K of making fun of him.
They will likely criticize the girls not getting to swim the first day of the lesson. The will make it a point to say that Mady pushed the camera away under water.
They are most certainly going to bring up Jenny and her handling of Alexis hitting Aaden with the doll. Oh...I can only imagine...
The only thing I would agree with them on is this. I'm really not ok with Jon say to "Give me a girl and take this girl away" when referring to Joel. That really bothered me. My brother-in-law said stuff like that to my nephew...and it bothered me with him too.
Yeah, Jon has a habit of belittling Joel like that. I don't like it, either. He just needs to STOP. Not worth calling CPS or the National Enquirer about, though. He just needs to stop it.
I'm waiting for one of them to complain about the hose and make a crack about "Jon performing waterboard torture his kids." Eyeroll.
Oh, FGF...they are so predictable...here is a quote I found...(And honestly, I forgot about this but I knew when I was watching GWoP would bring it up...
Quinn said... During the tups first swimming lesson, camera pans to Joel's (?) little "plumber's crack". Kate can be heard off camera saying something like "I'm just fixing your suit, DON'T BE SCARED". Then she goes over to Joel and pulls up his suit. I wonder if the tup she was helping in the first instance flinched, perhaps expecting a spanking. Just speculation, but I found it odd that she should tell her child not to be scared when she was just pulling up his bathing suit.
You found it odd, really? Because the kid was DEATHLY afraid of the water...I doubt he thought he was being spanked. I bet if anyone got near him he would have cried. A FEAR will do that to you...and not fear of his mother! I just KNEW they would read into that!
Oh and, LOL!!! They also think the couch interview was taped recently because of reading GWoP!! ROFLMAO! As if they give a flying crap. If anyone at TLC/Figure 8 try to please that crowd, it would never work. You know....Delusions of Grandeur is a symptom of a few psychological disorders. Maybe they should start diagnosing themselves.
Ohhh!!! and did I not call it....
Here are a few more quotes.
AND, on that topic, did my ears deceive me or did Jon say to sweet little Joel, "I'd rather take one of the little girls, over this girl. Oh. You're a boy." That, plus the forcing him into the water, I'm sorry folks but THAT is abusive behavior.
and, of course To top things off, not only did TLC let that happen but they also allowed a cameraman to zoom in on one of the boys' crack for quite a number of seconds before his pants were pulled up. A class act, there, TLC.
yet another that I called i don't see why cara and maddy couldn't have had swim lessons first, then they could have played while the little kids had their lessons- i think kate just likes to frustrate maddy to punish her... and one more for the road... This episode just shows the severe behaviourial issues that Alexis and Joel have... oh, I can't stop... Does anyone think Alexis has an attitude problem? I know kids get tire, but she seems to always have an issue with her temper.
It might be a PREDICTABLE blog...but it's their blog..
I read about 10 of the comments and got disgusted and come over here. If they can't stand the show, the quit watching it!
I think I'm going to start a blog that will be dedicated to all the hateful things they allow to be posted on their site... just to show what hypocrites they are. I'm disgusted at the moment.
amy said... "i have heard soo many times that kate doesn't have her children in extra curricular activities such as swimming...the usual, criticizing kate.
i also don't know how often it is said that we don't see everything (i strongly agree)...here is a perfect example.
tonite kate said that mady and cara have been in swimming lessons for 2 years, going on 3!!! i've never seen a swimming lesson on a show.
OBVIOUSLY, they don't show everything on TV. hey, i bet she even reads to her kids too and we don't see that either."
Oh, no Amy. No doubt the story about the twins being in lessons for the last two years was invented as d-a-m-a-g-e c-o-n-t-r-o-l.
Because we all know that J&K only make positive parenting decisions after being harangued by the parenting experts at GWoP.
Just kidding with you. I am sick to death of the arrogance displayed over there. I just had to take a moment to mock it.
I thought tonight's episode was really enjoyable. A few favorite moments that stand out:
Kate spotting Aaden outside on the deck and inviting him in. "Would you like to join our family little boy?" "And that's how Aaden joined our family." I love when Kate shows a sense of playfulness and humor. I think it's in there. It's just sometimes hidden. I also loved seeing Mady pick up Aaden and hug him. Too sweet.
On that same note, when Kate was in the pool holding Joel (I think) and she asked him if he wanted to switch and work with the swimming instructor. She made some self-deprecating comment about Joel basically trusting his life more with the instructor! Funny!
I loved the painting with pudding and the fact that Kate chose something she had enjoyed as a child. Made me wish I had a little one again so we could enjoy that together.
I'll have to go back and replay what others are saying about Jon's "girl" comment to Joel. I get that the Gosselins are traditional and conservative. Not my world view, but whatever. What Jon said was not cool, however. If there is one issue I have with their parenting over anything else, it's the insistence on gender stereotyping. Silly and outdated.
Anya
P.S. Regarding the hose - puleez. Clearly the issue was the water was COLD. Not a big deal. To turn it into something else (do I hear a new "gate" being coined?) is frankly disgraceful.
Well........ I have stooped to their level and created a little space of my own to vent about gwop's postings. It may come back to haunt me but it sure felt good to get all of that off my chest!
Yeah, I was pretty much able to predict the things they'd zero in on. "Plumbers' crack, check." "Mishandling Mady and Cara's whining, check." "Hosing off the kids, check." And so on. The GWoPpers are so predictable; they need a new act, because the old one is getting TIRED.
I just love Kate sometimes. She cracked me up with how much she was patting herself on the back for being unneurotic about the mess. (Well, patted herself on the back when she wasn't complaining about the mess, that is. I kid because I love.)
I was kind of with her on the kids wading. I've always been freaked by the idea of a sudden wave or undertow pulling a kid out to sea, and I can see with that many little ones to watch, and laissez faire Jon in charge, how she would be nervous. I guess she could have gone out with them, but I get the feeling Kate doesn't do wading.
What do the GWoPpers mean, dissing Alexis? "Severe behavioural issues", my ass. She's a headstrong little girl. About 90% of the time I see her, she's laughing or smiling. Knocking down blocks qualifies as "severe behavioural issues"? Ridiculous.
I missed Jon calling Joel a girl; I really disapprove of that. But the GWoPpers, with their constant refrains about the state of Jon's testicles, are going to top their own usual gross hypocrisy if they want to complain about that.
I'm sure by the end of today they will have their very own "Water-gate" over this episode.
I also disapprove over Jon calling Joel a "girl." Not only is it derogatory to Joel, but it is also derogatory because it implies that girls are weak and afraid.
I think that these kids are typical 4 year olds and high energy ones to boot.
So darn cute in the pool too. I just love it seeing them kick and have their little heads above water smiling.
If the twins REALLY have been taking swimming lessons for "two years", I think they'd know how to swim by now! They may have had a lesson or two over the past couple of years, but "two years of swimming lessons" sounds like a bit of a stretch to me. Over at GWoP, they are accusing Kate of wanting to just "throw them in the water". That is NOT what she said. She said that in the old days, that is what was done.... but she didn't say she wanted to throw her own kids in.
I didn't like to hear Jon calling Joel a "girl". I didn't mind the butt-crack camera shot the first time, but it lost its charm with repetition. Alexis used to be one of my favorites, but she's becoming increasingly bratty and I don't enjoy her as much, nor do I enjoy seeing the same behavior from Mady. Mady is too old to act the way she does. I don't think the kids were being "abused" when Jon hosed them down, as some at GWoP do. Yes, the water was cold but NO, it didn't HURT. It wasn't as if he was using a fire hose on them, for pete's sake! I admit I am a frequent reader and occasional poster at GWoP, but I do not agree with everything that is said there.
I am so EXTREMELY tired of the insistence on the part of GWoP that any tender moment, and hug, any smile ....it's all DAMAGE CONTROL. TLC and Figure 8 are carefully reading GWoP, and "scampering around" as one poster put it trying to "fix what's wrong."
I'll give them the getting messy thing. I would probably lean towards believing that because of ALL of the criticism (like the AOL article which was more likely to hit their radar than GWoP) they told Kate to choose a messy activity to show that she can let the kids have fun. It was extremely hard for her but she did it. I think she saw how much fun the kids had and was glad she overcame her neurosis.
Other than that, the show is not different than other seasons....They insist that she is slapping Jon less..uh, she just slapped him in last week's episode. They insist that things have been "toned down." Was Kate not yelling and bickering with Jon last night? Not only can they create abuse where it doesn't exist, now they feel their blog is responsible for some great change in the show....
Like I said above...I think they need to start applying their diagnoses to themselves.
Last night's hour was fun to watch. The crab on the beach with Kate shrieking? Too funny. All of them trying to catch that dragonfly? Hilarious.
The first day of swim lessons, I didn't object to Jon/Kate scheduling the twins at the end. They knew little kids would have a hard time their first day, so they wanted to have "fresh" instructors. So I understood the initial plan. Plus the twins are almost 8 years old, so they should know about patience. I've got my own almost 8 year old as well and she acts the same way.
As far as the twin behavior during the swim lesson, I found nothing wrong with they way it was handled by Jon and Kate. In a big family, you have to wait your turn. There were not enough TRAINED, CERTIFIED instructors to handle all 8 kids in the water at once. Look at what happened when Leah just jumped in. She could have drowned. Luckily Jon was there to grab her after she went in. Pool safety is VERY IMPORTANT. I used to teach swim and skiing lessons to children. I was certified in both. What they did was totally correct, and if Mady and Cara were not willing to wait and were acting out, then they have to suffer some consequences. If that meant being sent inside with no lesson for the day, then hey, that's the breaks. If you're teaching a four year old, the last thing you need is the distraction of their older sibling being disruptive and taking your attention away from the lesson. I mean, Mady marched right for the water and was going to come in anyway. Oh, hell no. That's dangerous. One of the first lessons taught is no running or horse play around the edge of the pool and that includes temper tantrums. Nothing wrong with the way it was handled, whatsoever. Plus, they reversed the order for the lessons the next day. Sounds fair to me.
The only complaint I had with last night's show was the Joel comment. He's much more sensitive than the other boys and yeah, he whines more. So what? Jon just seems terrified that he's going to end up....gasp....whispering...."gay." Whatever. Unfortunately, there are a lot of men who act the same way when their son acts less masculine then they'd like. Jon is hardly unusual. He just needs to quit with the comments.
Alexis doesn't have "issues." In fact, she's usually the child with the biggest grin on her face. She's always been the loudest from the very first time we saw the Gosselin tups being strapped in their carseats. On one of the very first shows, Jon puts Alexis and I think Collin and Aaden, in the far back seats of the van with the comment "Loud, louder and loudest." Alexis being the loudest. She's always been the most demonstrative. I think she's a little like Mady, actually. Showing some temper? In a family of eight kids? Surely, you jest (sarcasm for those GWoP lurkers who need ther batteries in their sarcasm meter checked).
If the twins REALLY have been taking swimming lessons for "two years", I think they'd know how to swim by now!
Not to be nit picky, but Kate actually said in the episode that the older girls do know how to swim but they are learning the strokes like the breast stroke, etc.
I assumed when she said 2 years of swim lessons that she meant summer lessons. So I wouldn't expect them to know how to swim, yet. I have a 7 year old daughter and she's been in lessons off and on since she was 3. This summer she finally learned to swim. She's not an expert (doesn't have the different strokes mastered) but she's able to hold her own.
I too didn't enjoy hearing Jon call Joel a girl. I did think Kate handles Mady's fit in the right way. She wasn't just being upset with her parents, she was starting to take it out on the instructor. 7 year old girls aren't the easiest to parent, trust me! lol
Looks like everyone had fun overall. Even Kate. Good points- Collin 'massaging' the pudding all over his face. Maybe it felt good in the hot sun! And the kids enjoyed the lessons. Joel came around too at the end- I'm sure he will be fine. Tho it does sort of surprise me a bit with these kids. Huge generalizations here a bit maybe- but boys 'usually' are the more adventurous one. The Gosselin boys seem to be a bit more timid about trying new things than their sisters. Not-so-good points- Bossy bossy Kate! MY goodness. Ordering around Jon regarding the hose. She needed to back away from that- Jon should have told her to knock it off, get away and go worry about the kids. A bit too much. And I gotta agree about the 'girl' comment about Joel. Way, way out of line. He needs to stop that IMMEDIATELY!
I post on both blogs and not to be nasty but if you don't like what you read on GWOP, don't read it. Why all the snarking about what is said over there. Is not on the same level as what you accuse them of doing? I have three grown children and I found the butt crack shots unneccesary, Kate's behavior and screaming on the beach deplorable and yes, I don't know why they couldn't just let the kids use the outdoor shower instead of hosing them down. I also wonder why the kids can't dress themselves and why we constantly have to see them being dressed. BTW, GWOP is not the only blog that calls the Gosselins on this stuff.
mrsref said: "Why all the snarking about what is said over there. Is not on the same level as what you accuse them of doing?"
No, it's not the same there is a key difference. On this board you're allowed to comment on the commentary. The comments on the GWoP comments are here because they WILL NOT publish them there. They are very willing to criticize the Gosselin's at length and in a very mean-spirited manner, but are completely unwilling to accept any criticism of their own behavior. And I think some of their own behavior is actually quite dangerous and scary, moreso than anything I've seen Jon or Kate do on the show.
To annoymous: 12:31 Personally I have had both positive and negative things posted over there. I am tired of all of the lumping together of posters (GWOPers) I have not nor would I ever do anything to endanger the Gosselins yet I read and post there. I have a right to my opinions. There are those on this board who just can't wait to mock what is said on that board. There are other boards that claim damage control etc. too. There are other boards that think the show should end. Why are women so nasty to each other, geez. You just took my critism to heart didn't you? I have seen some mean spirited things on this very thread and frankly I don't see the difference at this point. Again, if it disturbs you to read it and you feel the need to "snark" why bother with it. Sometimes I like the G's and sometimes I don't - that's what makes the world go round.
To MrsRef who said: Again, if it disturbs you to read it and you feel the need to "snark" why bother with it.
I agree... But I do see it as ironic since you're feeling the need to comment on what's posted here. Why bother with it, if you don't like what's being said?
Mrsref - I didn't say anything about you personally and agree that you have a right to you opinions (and how nice that you are free to post them here with little to no censorship). I also don't think I said anything nasty to you or about you.
You seem bothered by the comments on this board, so perhaps you should consider your own advice. If it bothers you to see the commentary here, don't read it. (BTW, there is really no tone there. It's intended as just a simple statement, so there's no need for you to get defensive.)
See, that's what gets me. It's okay to snark about someone you see on tv for 22 minutes a week, but god forbid you snark on another blog. WTF?
When I do snark on the comments at gwop, it is based firmly on the comments themselves, not what I think they mean. I don't have to make assumptions about hidden meanings in the text because the crazy is right there in black and white.
I can't tell you how many posters over there have diagnosed Kate and her kids with various mental disorders, or that blubber on about how kates kids must be scared of her because she's abusive. Have you seen Kate hit her kids...EVER? Yet it seems to be common knowledge over there.
I do not visit gwop. I don't have to. There are so many people that think they are nuts that I can avoid that site altogether and still see those comments.
I so loved seeing Jon in the water with the kids at the beach. That's what life is about and you know that all of them were just having a blast. It really is too bad that Kate can't unwind a little and realize salt water and sand can be washed off. And Collin, as usual, was such a little doll with that chocolate. He seemed pretty brave in the water, too, as did the little girls. Maybe this is the first time the little ones have been introduced to the water without their water wings, etc.? I was a water baby and could swim at the time I could walk and so that's when I taught my son, but lots of people learn at or about age 4. Just so they learn. That's what's important. I didn't like Kate telling Leah to get out of Hannah's seat, but also didn't really get that.
Thank you anonymous: I have posted here for quite some time and have never had a problem, but I reply to someone who doesn't even put a name to their post and the crap starts. You can check my comments on both blogs, I don't threaten, stalk, I am not crazy nor have I posted crazy or nasty things. Just because you don't agree with what is there doesn't mean you have the right to call people crazy, etc. I have never done that - I am tired of being considered crazy because I read and post OPINIONS on a blog that does not worship the Gosselins. Sorry if I have offended you, I will try to keep my opinions to myself from now on.
I think she Kate was trying to avoid conflict my telling Leah to get out of Hannah's seat. She tried to make Leah feel like a big girl at the same time by telling her that she could sit at the head of the table. Leah quickly wanted to do that. I have always found that redirecting their attention helps the situation. Hannah was going to keep on about that chair, so I think Kate did was was easiest.
mrsref, I don't understand why you don't follow your own advice. You obviously don't like what people post here; going by your logic re GWoP, doesn't that mean you should just not visit here?
I don't mind honest dissention, but when someone post over and over essentially nagging and guilt-tripping us over how "mean" we are, I feel that there's an agenda.
I know I and others have posted several times regarding what behavior qualifies as "crazy", so when you keep bringing it up I feel you're being either willfully obtuse or you're playing a game.
mrsref: "Thank you anonymous: I have posted here for quite some time and have never had a problem, but I reply to someone who doesn't even put a name to their post and the crap starts. You can check my comments on both blogs, I don't threaten, stalk, I am not crazy nor have I posted crazy or nasty things. Just because you don't agree with what is there doesn't mean you have the right to call people crazy, etc. I have never done that - I am tired of being considered crazy because I read and post OPINIONS on a blog that does not worship the Gosselins. Sorry if I have offended you, I will try to keep my opinions to myself from now on."
I think you must be confused. I didn't call you any names. I didn't start any "crap." You gave your opinion. I gave mine. And then you seemed to get a little defensive - though I'm not sure why as no one attacked YOU. (Though the phrase "me thinks thou dost protest too loudly" does come to mind for some reason.) Again, if you don't like the posting here you should consider your own advice and stop reading it. JMHO
Ms Ref... I hope you do express your opinion here...I enjoy having the differing points of view.
Since I am the main "snark" under this thread, I'd like to explain my actions. I have tried over and over, time and again to get an intelligent (at least IMO), non rude, non accusatory post on a comment and have , and time and again had my post rejected. One time, I got into a "debate" with Serena. They posted about 2 of my arguments and then Serena came back with another. I went to "rebut" what she had said and they NEVER posted my response. Yes, they do occasionally publish a dissenting view but it is usually torn apart and spit out. Lord knows if the person has a chance to re-challenge.
I've also found that generally, when comments are published of a differing view, they are usually ones that are less intelligent. The poor sod, like a sitting duck... That is why I take stuff from there and talk about it here. I can't do it there and I still want to discuss what is being said, even if I can't do it there.
It is not meant to be offensive and , Mrs. Ref, I understand where you are coming from in the generalization. Nobody likes it. Unfortunately many of us have had bad experiences over there.
That is funny because I tried time and time again to get an opposing view posted over at GWoP and finally I left this post "why is it that differing views cannot be posted here" and obviously that one wasn't either...Hmm...Thanks nomoredrama for possibly clearing that up. And, saving me from being torn apart!!
I'm going to second what nomoredrama says. My experience is almost identical. I tried and tried to get other perspectives posted on their site. I come here because Nina posts nearly all opinions. It is within their right to post what they wish but it should be noted within the "blogosphere" that not necessarily everyone agrees with this points.
I have not nagged and/or guilt-tripped anyone - I simply stated my opinion. The posts on here today reminded me of junior high, gossip about gossip. I have no agenda - I have always been able to have discussion and opinion on both boards. I did not know that this was not allowed. If you check my posts, I have never called anyone names nor was I the one who made the 'crab comment" not did I respond in anyway that would give an impression that I agreed with it. I am not now playing nor have I "played" games, nor am I obtuse. I am sure I will be accused of protesting too much but whatever. Until today, I never had any problems on either board or anywhere on the internet. For the record, I neither hate or love the Gosselins. It is a tv show featuring people I will never know. And for the record, annoymous, what name did I call you? I do not recall doing that and if I did I apologize.
'I post on both blogs and not to be nasty but if you don't like what you read on GWOP, don't read it. Why all the snarking about what is said over there. Is not on the same level as what you accuse them of doing? I have three grown children and I found the butt crack shots unneccesary, Kate's behavior and screaming on the beach deplorable and yes, I don't know why they couldn't just let the kids use the outdoor shower instead of hosing them down.
mrsref, it’s like telling JK8 watchers to ‘stop watching if it bothers you so much’. A lot of people don’t appreciate being told what to watch, same goes for people not wanting to be told what to read. Sometimes I watch and read what stimulates me to think, to disagree, and then try and verbalize what I don’t like about it. If it’s okay for viewers to watch and criticize JK8, why isn’t it okay for people to read and disagree with posters at GWoP? No one there should even care that people are criticizing them. I personally don’t give a crap if people disagree with me on the internet. It’s just words. I don’t think you need to feel ‘lumped in’ with the posters at GWoP. When I criticize GWoP, I’m criticizing the people in charge most of all, because they are the ones creating the tone over there, through their editing. (Ironic, that JK8 are edited, and so is the GWoP site.)
I found the ‘hiney shot’ offensive, too, in a way, but only because I saw it as possibly the producers trying to stir up the controversy a little.
I understand how some get tired of reading here about GWOP only because I used to read there and didn't like how extreme it was getting in some areas, (but it doesn't make me feel that I need to defend the Gosselins from those people and focus on what they are saying), so it gets a little tiresome reading so many references and responses to whatever comments are posted on that site.
But I realize what some are saying, that they want to respond and talk about the GWOP comments here since their posts never get through because of the moderators there not wanting to allow too many opposing views, so I just usually skip over the comments here that mostly focus on GWOP and read the other ones.
I thought this episode was rather nice, the kids were cute and they seem so much older now. That house had a great looking exterior, it looks like it would be a really nice place to go for a vacation, plus having your own pool would be great when you don't feel like hanging out at the beach.
I found myself wondering why Kate wouldn't just walk to where Jon was instead of yelling when he was with the kids in the surf. I could understand her worry but I think I would have gone down there and grabbed onto some little hands myself, but overall I even enjoyed watching Kate tonight and thought it was nice that she tried to be more easygoing about some things.
Jenny seems to be doing well with the kids and is able to be firm with them when they need it.
I wish Jon would be more careful about what he says about the boys. I understand being frustrated when your kid is freaking out about learning to swim, but why call him a girl as if that is something negative, and as if all boys are supposed to be unafraid of the water.
I think she just didn't want to leave the other kids alone...plus she said she's not a good swimmer, she could just be uneasy about the ocean.
This is one way that I can totally relate to her. My husband is always being rough with the kids, and giving them things that I don't think they should have (ie, foods they aren't ready for), but I tend to freak out about the little things too. I know that he would never do anything that he thought was dangerous for them, I just can't help being nervous about it.
I tell him often "do what you think is best, just don't let me see you do it..."lol
I also agree with you about Jon calling Joel a girl. I know he wasn't trying to be mean, but kids that young don't really get sarcasm. I think it bothers him that all of the girls seem very adventurous while the boys are a little more apprehensive about trying new things.
I think it's the mentality that it should be the other way around.
I have not saved my comments that I submitted to GWoP but I am confident that they did meet the requirements posted on their site. This of course was back in early to mid July. For some reason, their policy seems to be a little more relaxed now and I see comments being posted that question their point of view. Not many, but a few. However, I do see the same comments over and over again making the same points over and over again. Which are basically "me too" comments. Something they say they reject.
"If you can't stand the blog, than quit going there."
Well, if you can stand Jon and Kate Plus 8 than quit watching.
"Well, if you can stand Jon and Kate Plus 8 than quit watching."
I never said I can't stand Jon and Kate Plus 8, but if I did, I would quit watching. Why would I watch a show that I hated? What purpose would that serve? The same goes for reading a blog or a book that you don't like, what purpose would it serve except to waste time.
anonymous 7:10 said: "How did anyone know that the water did hurt??? Is this the game you want to play?"
How is this playing a game? A poster stated specifically that the water did NOT hurt, I asked how did they know that the water did NOT hurt?
Jon mentioned that the water coming out of the hose initially was very warm from sitting out in the sun. But the more kids they hosed off the colder the water got. He said that it wasn't the pressure that hurt the kids, but the cold temprature.
A poster stated specifically that the water did NOT hurt, I asked how did they know that the water did NOT hurt?
Oh, I don't know. Maybe the smiles and giggles coming from their mouths while they were being hosed off? These kids have NO PROBLEM WHATSOEVER voicing their displeasure over something. I didn't see any of them crying or screaming for Daddy to stop.
I'm really glad that someone mentioned here that probably it was that Joel was afraid of the water and afraid Kate was going to make him go back in when she was going to pull up his swimsuit and not that he was afraid of being swatted because that makes sense. She probably was just telling him not to be afraid of the water. I like to get all points of view and every person is entitled to his/her own opinion and interpretation no matter what sites you frequent. It is totally silly and fruitless to slam other viewers and their opinions. I don't think you would do it if you were face to face. We all love the kids or we would not have started watching this show. Me? I'd rather just watch the kids and not even see anything else or anyone else featured.
After reading the back and forth on this about who posts what and where I have decided that instead of doing the simple thing and just hitting the anon button below I will sign my comments on any sites I use, as I have done sometimes, as Barbara in VA. That way if someone wants to criticize or (wink) agree with me they can know they are speaking right at or to me. I didn't use the anon because I was trying to hide any identity; just sometimes it seemed easier.
Having grown up in FL we used lots of outdoor showers before getting in the car at the beach just to minimize the sand factor and, yep, sometimes if the particular shower hadn't been used for a while the water was very hot when coming out. So it wasn't that it stung so much as it was very warm. On the other hand that did look like the water was coming out hard. On yet another hand I have to agree that the G kids have no trouble crying or telling anyone when something is not comfortable to them, which is a very good thing, and so if they'd been in pain we would all have seen and heard about it in stereo. Barbara in VA
I agree with SCP to an extent. I don't have a problem with posts that are critical of GWoP; I just tend to skip them because most of them are repetitive. (Reading some of the posts here makes me understand TWoP's rule about not posting the same thing over and over again to "wear other posters down".) For me it's boring to read the same person say people at GWoP are "crazy, stalkers, disturbed, etc.", so I just scroll right past it.
Bigsis88 - I agree completely, I find myself skipping any post with the letters GWOP in them. They're usually slamming some comment that they read and it reminds me of the not so popular girls (this board) talking about the "mean girls" (GWOP). Boo hoo, they didn't post my comment, they must be crazy stalkers or disturbed or "I don't want to be a part of their group anyway".
I can only speak for myself but I don't base my opinion of gwop on the fact that they won't post opposing views, it's what they do post that bothers me.
And as for gwop being such a big topic here, think about it. The reason gwop has so many comments daily is because they can take one comment or action from anyone on the show and spin it 103 different ways. It's the speculation that keeps the blog going. If it were only facts, there'd be nothing to talk about.
Same thing here. There are only so many things good or bad that you can say about what ACTUALLY happens on that show. We don't want to be nasty and accuse them of abuse because they sprayed their kids with a water hose. But we know someone will. We are just as outraged by the comments on gwop as they are about what the Gosselins do.
nomoredrama said: "I haven't even been to GWoP yet, but I'm guessing they will find a million things to criticize about this episode."
What is the purpose of your speculation?
You ask a very existential question, LOL! What is the purpose of all of this, of life....More pertinent to this discussion--what is your purpose?
If you read ANYTHING I've posted in this string, I've explained over and over again what the "purpose" of ripping the GWoP quotes were.
And for the record...EVERYTHING that we guessed they would criticize, they did! So the "purpose" was to prove a point...and they did it for us.
Why do I care about what they post at GWoP? Why do I get so frustrated that I can't post a counterpoint? It has nothing to do with Boo hoo, they didn't post my comment, they must be crazy stalkers or disturbed or "I don't want to be a part of their group anyway".
It has everything to do with the amount of hits they get daily coupled with the gross bias against the Gosselins. Am I jealous that they have a blog with a lot of hits? Hell no! I'm more concerned for the number of people who will go on the site believing what they read without another point of view to help them make an informed decision. I don't care that they don't like the Gosselins, they are entitled to their opinion. I do care, however, that they have posted downright WRONG and misleading information. I do care that when a post is made to counter the misleading info, it is rejected. That tells me that they are purposely misleading their readers for an agenda. A scary agenda (and I'm sorry if that's not what people want to hear). It bothers me that they care nothing about truth, only fanning the flames of controversy. The lies....the accusations, ALL BOTHER ME...
As a mental health professional, it BOTHERS me when people lump others into categories/diagnoses that they don't even understand and can't explain without the help of Google.
Child welfare is one of my PASSIONS. It BOTHERS me that they accuse this family of abuse when most have never dealt with real abuse. These accusations are unfounded, unmerited and sinister. If I could invite you into some of the homes I enter every day, you'd understand why this bothers me.
So, as long as GWoP can continue in their malicious campaign against this family, I will continue to "Advocate" for them. If you don't like it, too bad...I've been on this earth long enough to know you can't please everyone. But I invite anyone from GWoP to "get in the ring with me" without hiding behind their moderators and/or posting policy.
The reason I post about GWOP is because that place is freaking hysterical! I have written to them politely to point out certain things - like yesterday when someone posted that it was "random" for Alexis to knock over blocks. I nicely said that it was actually normal for a kid to do that. Weird that it didnt show. Have these people ever met a child? A real, live, actual child? Im doubtful. Perhaps its random when one of their 7 cats does it, but a 4 yr old child? Come on! Oh and the real "believable" tale from BK about some email they all claim must be from Jon is priceless! They claim he threatened her kid in it, although there was so threat in it. BK is one of the biggest storytellers on the net, that much is obvious and this tale she is telling is her best yet. I loved loved loved the comments about cyberstalking being a crime etc.. All from the same people who drive by the Gs house, look up their tax records, call CPS on them, search high and low for any info of a purchase of land in NC. I guess they would know about stalking afterall......
When I read the stuff written by Cassandra I was literally shaking my head.
I would have loved to read Cassandra just be proud of her family's accomplishment. It would be wonderful to read her pride about her husband's work ethic and longevity in working until 80. It would be wonderful to read about her pride in having her family and her grandchild with her in a beach front home. It would be great to read about her pride about paying for her kids college education and being able to live frugally so they could accomplish these things.
But Cassandra resorts to shaming. I think that there is so much shaming on that board that it makes me feel anxious when I read it.
I sent in a post in regards to "cassandra's" post. I simply stated that I would love to see her rewrite the post without all the "shame" in it. And that IMO I thought it took away from her accomplishments. Hasn't been posted and I can't see why it wouldn't have been. And if it doesn't, for me, that again proves why we come here to be able to discuss what gets posted over there. Simply stated, they are biased. So we shall see....
I am sorry. My dashboard to the blog is empty which indicates I posted everything. I have to do some of the posting from my Palm and I guess I could have missed it. I thought I saw that comment come through. Please post it again if you would like.
I e-mailed Nina regarding the "parody re-cap", but wanted to also address it here so that you don't think I'm a slacker (well, I actually am, but not in this case). I DVR'ed the Beach Episode because I knew that I would be gone on a camping trip with my family until Tuesday. By the time I got home, washed off the smell of bug spray and campfire smoke, watched the episode, and jotted my rough draft of predictable snarks down ie:total damage control with the whole "messy body painting", I was exhausted. Totally under-estimated my schedule this week and I felt that any attempt to get a parody re-cap out by then would only be seen as copying what would have already been posted at the other site. To be effective at pointing out the predictability (ooh - alliteration!)of the criticism, I have to be beat them to it.
I am ready and able to do a re-cap of this up-coming episode and Nina has graciously given me an extention on my homework. LOL!
A poster stated specifically that the water did NOT hurt, I asked how did they know that the water did NOT hurt?
Oh, I don't know. Maybe the smiles and giggles coming from their mouths while they were being hosed off? These kids have NO PROBLEM WHATSOEVER voicing their displeasure over something. I didn't see any of them crying or screaming for Daddy to stop. Exactly. Thank you. Incidentally, I am a regular at GWoP and am not a fan of Kate. I just don't always agree with some of the opinions posted over there, and evidently some folks here disagree too. (The mods are not all "cat ladies"! Some are DOG lovers, LOL!) Upthread, someone mentioned "Mady covering the camera lens underwater". I thought it might have been Cara; wasn't she the one with the goggles? If it was Cara, then that's the first time I have seen her covering a camera.
I'm a recent viewer of JK8 and found GWoP and this site in the last 2 weeks. I've never posted on either.
I found GWoP first. I enjoyed JK8, but I love me some snark, even about shows I enjoy. I'm a regular poster on some TWoP threads, which is what lead me to GWoP. At first, reading that site, I found myself agreeing with many of the opinions and nodding my head. Because, yes, Kate drives me crazy with her yelling at Jon, who I think is a very helpful father. I think Jon could stand up for himself more. And I feel a litle for Joel because he does seem to be an outcast. And sometimes I question what affect the cameras may have on the children as they grow.
I watched this week's Beach episode and found it, for the most part, to be very enjoyable. Kate yelling at the beach was cringeworthy, again, but remember, she's miked, so it sounds louder to us than the people around her (does no one remember Howard Dean's scream?). Then I went to GWoP and thought, "wow- seriously?". The extremeness got to me. Not everything is abuse. Kids act up. I, personally, laughed out loud when Alexis knocked over the blocks. That's what kids do.
Like I said, there are many things I don't agree with that I see during the show. But I've come around a bit. I don't think they're bad parents. And I don't care if you don't work - 6 kids all at one age and 8 kids that young is trying. I can't handle 2 sometimes. My patience just goes.
I think taking it upon yourself to become a self appointed advocate of children you see on tv for 22 to 44 minutes a week is creepy. I think calling your congressmen is creepy.
So, I've decided I'm just going to watch the show, take it as it is, and leaving the rest to the Gosselins, because I wouldn't want someone to tell me how to raise my kids. Kate may be shrieky and too much for me, but she is what she is and she's consistent. And sometimes, she actually makes me laugh. My mother was an alcoholic when I was growing up - trust me, not know if you were going to get a beast or saint or if that saint would turn into a beast at the drop of a hat is way worse than a mother who has a consistent hang up about messes.
"I think taking it upon yourself to become a self appointed advocate of children you see on tv for 22 to 44 minutes a week is creepy. I think calling your congressmen is creepy." ................
I won't say "creepy", as I believe in "to-each-his-own", but it's not for me. I do agree with my advocating friends that there should be laws to protect kids on reality shows, but hey, I'm just here for the snark.
"I enjoyed JK8, but I love me some snark, even about shows I enjoy."
I'm the same way, just love me some snark, and Kate is a treasure trove.
"I watched this week's Beach episode and found it, for the most part, to be very enjoyable. Kate yelling at the beach was cringeworthy, again, but remember, she's miked, so it sounds louder to us than the people around her (does no one remember Howard Dean's scream?)."
Haha, I always laugh when I think of that Howard Dean scream. Good point about Kate being miked and it sounding louder to the television viewer than to the people around her, I didn't think of that.
You think contacting your congressman is creepy? I don't know what kind of world you live in, but I've seen creepy in my job and this is not it.
Someone has to at some time stand up for someone, dontcha think? It doesn't need to be you. But contacting a congressman to voice a concern doesn't do anything that could be construed as creepy or bad to anyone else.
I'm anon9:44. Now that I figured out this whole comment thingy, I'll put in my name.
To Barbara in VA- I've contacted my congressmen in the past. So, no, that in and of itself is not creepy. However, I have never contacted my congressmen to complain about how my neighbors are raising their children.
That's my distinction. I'm not going to presume that I'm a better parent than J&K. And I'm certainly not going to bother my congressmen with their parenting choices. When I contacted him, it was about my own personal experiences and things that DIRECTLY affected me.
Boo hoo, they didn't post my comment, they must be crazy stalkers or disturbed or "I don't want to be a part of their group anyway".
If you didn't skip over the posts, you may have a better understanding of the issues people have with GWoP. "They didn't post my comments" and "they are crazy stalkers" are two separate issues.
The first is brought up in response to the "why do you always talk about GWoP and the posts over there over here?" question - the answer being, we can't talk about the posts over there, because even the most civilly worded post will not be published, if it disagrees with the prevailing groupthink in regards to J&K.
The "stalker" accusations are in response to posters and mods there doing things like meeting disgruntled relatives of Gosselin inlaws (the infamous Bitter Julie) IN PERSON, driving by the Gosselin house and reporting back to the blog what they've seen (sometimes with pictures), contacting churches that the Gosselins are scheduled to speak at, contacting or discussing contacting or claiming to have contacted the IRS or CPS to get the Gosselins in trouble, following the Gosselins' relatives doings (even though said relatives have never appeared on the show and only been referenced very briefly in passing) to the degree that the poster is aware when a relative's picture is taken off of the website of the company she works for. That kind of thing.
It continues to amaze me that some people really, really don't get the concept of boundaries, and seem to have no idea when they have overstepped them.
The first is brought up in response to the "why do you always talk about GWoP and the posts over there over here?" question - the answer being, we can't talk about the posts over there, because even the most civilly worded post will not be published, if it disagrees with the prevailing groupthink in regards to J&K.
Thats weird...how do you think most people found out about this blog? Probably because it was mentioned on another (GWoP). Hypocrisy of GWoP!!
I don't believe it was mentioned with a favorable tone. It certainly was not ever brought up by a moderator. I remember seeing a small blurb by a poster saying "I knew this was going to happen." That is how I found my new home. So I am not quite getting how you equate that with sharing our opinions with other people on that site.
To me it is never creepy to defend an innocent or even clue in or attempt to clue in some type of authority if you feel an innocent person is being taken advantage of. It doesn't have to be a congress person. Even talking it over with a minister or getting advice on what to do from a friend who happens to be an attorney or a police officer might help a person decide what to do if anything. And I will tell you this, you are never bothering your elected officials with anything. You sent them to congress as your representative and you are paying their salary. If you have no idea how to contact the correct government or private authority a congress person's office is a great place to start because they will know just where to direct you.
That said, I wasn't saying everyone should contact anybody regarding this program. Just speaking in general terms, democracy works best when we sorta are our brother's keeper, especially when that brother is too weak or too young to speak for himself. Okay, now I've getting off my high horse.
79 comments:
Aaden to Joel, "DISGUSTING HANDS!"
Gee. I wonder where your four year old picked up that phrase, Kate.
I laughed. Even when they fight, they're cute as hell.
i have heard soo many times that kate doesn't have her children in extra curricular activities such as swimming...the usual, criticizing kate.
i also don't know how often it is said that we don't see everything (i strongly agree)...here is a perfect example.
tonite kate said that mady and cara have been in swimming lessons for 2 years, going on 3!!! i've never seen a swimming lesson on a show.
OBVIOUSLY, they don't show everything on TV. hey, i bet she even reads to her kids too and we don't see that either. (for those that harshly criticize her for never reading to them)
giving ppl the benefit of the doubt is the right thing to do and will likely be the route to go so as to not make yourself look ignorant!
just a thought...
I absolutely agree with the concept of teaching young children to swim. Even if you don't own a pool or live on a lake, do it for safety's sake. There will always be pool parties, neighbors with pools, visiting friends who own pools, or in my case, my parents lived on a lake (on a channel) and my mother insisted that their grandchildren know how to swim before running around her yard. There was a seawall that they could fall off of when no one was looking. Knowing how to swim is just common sense and a safety issue. That's good that they are doing this and emphasizing the safety of it.
I wonder what negative can be spun from THAT. Sorry, there is none. I don't care that Joel was crying or that he was afraid. Getting over that fear and learning to not fear the water and take beginning strokes is necessary. My child screamed his fool head off for the first lesson at our local YMCA, but once he got used to it, took off like a fish. By the end of his first set of lessons at age four, he could doggy paddle the length of the pool and jump off the diving board into the deep end (with an adult under the board to "catch" him).
Make sure you read the article posted on the right titled "Local woman to appear on Jon and Kate Plus Ei8ht".
I haven't even been to GWoP yet, but I'm guessing they will find a million things to criticize about this episode. Joel's plumber crack will be one and they will accuse J & K of making fun of him.
They will likely criticize the girls not getting to swim the first day of the lesson. The will make it a point to say that Mady pushed the camera away under water.
They are most certainly going to bring up Jenny and her handling of Alexis hitting Aaden with the doll. Oh...I can only imagine...
The only thing I would agree with them on is this. I'm really not ok with Jon say to "Give me a girl and take this girl away" when referring to Joel. That really bothered me. My brother-in-law said stuff like that to my nephew...and it bothered me with him too.
Yeah, Jon has a habit of belittling Joel like that. I don't like it, either. He just needs to STOP. Not worth calling CPS or the National Enquirer about, though. He just needs to stop it.
I'm waiting for one of them to complain about the hose and make a crack about "Jon performing waterboard torture his kids." Eyeroll.
Oh, FGF...they are so predictable...here is a quote I found...(And honestly, I forgot about this but I knew when I was watching GWoP would bring it up...
Quinn said...
During the tups first swimming lesson, camera pans to Joel's (?) little "plumber's crack". Kate can be heard off camera saying something like "I'm just fixing your suit, DON'T BE SCARED". Then she goes over to Joel and pulls up his suit. I wonder if the tup she was helping in the first instance flinched, perhaps expecting a spanking. Just speculation, but I found it odd that she should tell her child not to be scared when she was just pulling up his bathing suit.
You found it odd, really? Because the kid was DEATHLY afraid of the water...I doubt he thought he was being spanked. I bet if anyone got near him he would have cried. A FEAR will do that to you...and not fear of his mother! I just KNEW they would read into that!
Oh and, LOL!!! They also think the couch interview was taped recently because of reading GWoP!! ROFLMAO! As if they give a flying crap. If anyone at TLC/Figure 8 try to please that crowd, it would never work. You know....Delusions of Grandeur is a symptom of a few psychological disorders. Maybe they should start diagnosing themselves.
Ohhh!!! and did I not call it....
Here are a few more quotes.
AND, on that topic, did my ears deceive me or did Jon say to sweet little Joel, "I'd rather take one of the little girls, over this girl. Oh. You're a boy." That, plus the forcing him into the water, I'm sorry folks but THAT is abusive behavior.
and, of course To top things off, not only did TLC let that happen but they also allowed a cameraman to zoom in on one of the boys' crack for quite a number of seconds before his pants were pulled up. A class act, there, TLC.
yet another that I called
i don't see why cara and maddy couldn't have had swim lessons first, then they could have played while the little kids had their lessons- i think kate just likes to frustrate maddy to punish her...
and one more for the road...
This episode just shows the severe behaviourial issues that Alexis and Joel have...
oh, I can't stop... Does anyone think Alexis has an attitude problem? I know kids get tire, but she seems to always have an issue with her temper.
It might be a PREDICTABLE blog...but it's their blog..
...oh it's too much FUN!
I read about 10 of the comments and got disgusted and come over here. If they can't stand the show, the quit watching it!
I think I'm going to start a blog that will be dedicated to all the hateful things they allow to be posted on their site... just to show what hypocrites they are. I'm disgusted at the moment.
amy said...
"i have heard soo many times that kate doesn't have her children in extra curricular activities such as swimming...the usual, criticizing kate.
i also don't know how often it is said that we don't see everything (i strongly agree)...here is a perfect example.
tonite kate said that mady and cara have been in swimming lessons for 2 years, going on 3!!! i've never seen a swimming lesson on a show.
OBVIOUSLY, they don't show everything on TV. hey, i bet she even reads to her kids too and we don't see that either."
Oh, no Amy. No doubt the story about the twins being in lessons for the last two years was invented as d-a-m-a-g-e c-o-n-t-r-o-l.
Because we all know that J&K only make positive parenting decisions after being harangued by the parenting experts at GWoP.
Just kidding with you. I am sick to death of the arrogance displayed over there. I just had to take a moment to mock it.
I thought tonight's episode was really enjoyable. A few favorite moments that stand out:
Kate spotting Aaden outside on the deck and inviting him in. "Would you like to join our family little boy?" "And that's how Aaden joined our family." I love when Kate shows a sense of playfulness and humor. I think it's in there. It's just sometimes hidden. I also loved seeing Mady pick up Aaden and hug him. Too sweet.
On that same note, when Kate was in the pool holding Joel (I think) and she asked him if he wanted to switch and work with the swimming instructor. She made some self-deprecating comment about Joel basically trusting his life more with the instructor! Funny!
I loved the painting with pudding and the fact that Kate chose something she had enjoyed as a child. Made me wish I had a little one again so we could enjoy that together.
I'll have to go back and replay what others are saying about Jon's "girl" comment to Joel. I get that the Gosselins are traditional and conservative. Not my world view, but whatever. What Jon said was not cool, however. If there is one issue I have with their parenting over anything else, it's the insistence on gender stereotyping. Silly and outdated.
Anya
P.S. Regarding the hose - puleez. Clearly the issue was the water was COLD. Not a big deal. To turn it into something else (do I hear a new "gate" being coined?) is frankly disgraceful.
Well........ I have stooped to their level and created a little space of my own to vent about gwop's postings. It may come back to haunt me but it sure felt good to get all of that off my chest!
Yeah, I was pretty much able to predict the things they'd zero in on. "Plumbers' crack, check." "Mishandling Mady and Cara's whining, check." "Hosing off the kids, check." And so on. The GWoPpers are so predictable; they need a new act, because the old one is getting TIRED.
I just love Kate sometimes. She cracked me up with how much she was patting herself on the back for being unneurotic about the mess. (Well, patted herself on the back when she wasn't complaining about the mess, that is. I kid because I love.)
I was kind of with her on the kids wading. I've always been freaked by the idea of a sudden wave or undertow pulling a kid out to sea, and I can see with that many little ones to watch, and laissez faire Jon in charge, how she would be nervous. I guess she could have gone out with them, but I get the feeling Kate doesn't do wading.
What do the GWoPpers mean, dissing Alexis? "Severe behavioural issues", my ass. She's a headstrong little girl. About 90% of the time I see her, she's laughing or smiling. Knocking down blocks qualifies as "severe behavioural issues"? Ridiculous.
I missed Jon calling Joel a girl; I really disapprove of that. But the GWoPpers, with their constant refrains about the state of Jon's testicles, are going to top their own usual gross hypocrisy if they want to complain about that.
jessie...
where are you???
i'm waiting on your recap parody!!!
i'm on pins and needles over here :)
you have LOTS of material to work with girlfriend!!!
I'm sure by the end of today they will have their very own "Water-gate" over this episode.
I also disapprove over Jon calling Joel a "girl." Not only is it derogatory to Joel, but it is also derogatory because it implies that girls are weak and afraid.
I think that these kids are typical 4 year olds and high energy ones to boot.
So darn cute in the pool too. I just love it seeing them kick and have their little heads above water smiling.
Collin was adorable, spreading that pudding all over himself...he was really enjoying himself!
I thought it was a wonderful show. I also smiled when Kate "invited" Aaden into the house and into the family...lol
I thought it was one of those "feel good" shows. I enjoyed it.
If the twins REALLY have been taking swimming lessons for "two years", I think they'd know how to swim by now! They may have had a lesson or two over the past couple of years, but "two years of swimming lessons" sounds like a bit of a stretch to me.
Over at GWoP, they are accusing Kate of wanting to just "throw them in the water". That is NOT what she said. She said that in the old days, that is what was done.... but she didn't say she wanted to throw her own kids in.
I didn't like to hear Jon calling Joel a "girl". I didn't mind the butt-crack camera shot the first time, but it lost its charm with repetition.
Alexis used to be one of my favorites, but she's becoming increasingly bratty and I don't enjoy her as much, nor do I enjoy seeing the same behavior from Mady. Mady is too old to act the way she does.
I don't think the kids were being "abused" when Jon hosed them down, as some at GWoP do. Yes, the water was cold but NO, it didn't HURT. It wasn't as if he was using a fire hose on them, for pete's sake! I admit I am a frequent reader and occasional poster at GWoP, but I do not agree with everything that is said there.
I am so EXTREMELY tired of the insistence on the part of GWoP that any tender moment, and hug, any smile ....it's all DAMAGE CONTROL. TLC and Figure 8 are carefully reading GWoP, and "scampering around" as one poster put it trying to "fix what's wrong."
I'll give them the getting messy thing. I would probably lean towards believing that because of ALL of the criticism (like the AOL article which was more likely to hit their radar than GWoP) they told Kate to choose a messy activity to show that she can let the kids have fun. It was extremely hard for her but she did it. I think she saw how much fun the kids had and was glad she overcame her neurosis.
Other than that, the show is not different than other seasons....They insist that she is slapping Jon less..uh, she just slapped him in last week's episode. They insist that things have been "toned down." Was Kate not yelling and bickering with Jon last night? Not only can they create abuse where it doesn't exist, now they feel their blog is responsible for some great change in the show....
Like I said above...I think they need to start applying their diagnoses to themselves.
Last night's hour was fun to watch. The crab on the beach with Kate shrieking? Too funny. All of them trying to catch that dragonfly? Hilarious.
The first day of swim lessons, I didn't object to Jon/Kate scheduling the twins at the end. They knew little kids would have a hard time their first day, so they wanted to have "fresh" instructors. So I understood the initial plan. Plus the twins are almost 8 years old, so they should know about patience. I've got my own almost 8 year old as well and she acts the same way.
I can't wait to see next week's episode!
As far as the twin behavior during the swim lesson, I found nothing wrong with they way it was handled by Jon and Kate. In a big family, you have to wait your turn. There were not enough TRAINED, CERTIFIED instructors to handle all 8 kids in the water at once. Look at what happened when Leah just jumped in. She could have drowned. Luckily Jon was there to grab her after she went in. Pool safety is VERY IMPORTANT. I used to teach swim and skiing lessons to children. I was certified in both. What they did was totally correct, and if Mady and Cara were not willing to wait and were acting out, then they have to suffer some consequences. If that meant being sent inside with no lesson for the day, then hey, that's the breaks. If you're teaching a four year old, the last thing you need is the distraction of their older sibling being disruptive and taking your attention away from the lesson. I mean, Mady marched right for the water and was going to come in anyway. Oh, hell no. That's dangerous. One of the first lessons taught is no running or horse play around the edge of the pool and that includes temper tantrums. Nothing wrong with the way it was handled, whatsoever. Plus, they reversed the order for the lessons the next day. Sounds fair to me.
The only complaint I had with last night's show was the Joel comment. He's much more sensitive than the other boys and yeah, he whines more. So what? Jon just seems terrified that he's going to end up....gasp....whispering...."gay." Whatever. Unfortunately, there are a lot of men who act the same way when their son acts less masculine then they'd like. Jon is hardly unusual. He just needs to quit with the comments.
Alexis doesn't have "issues." In fact, she's usually the child with the biggest grin on her face. She's always been the loudest from the very first time we saw the Gosselin tups being strapped in their carseats. On one of the very first shows, Jon puts Alexis and I think Collin and Aaden, in the far back seats of the van with the comment "Loud, louder and loudest." Alexis being the loudest. She's always been the most demonstrative. I think she's a little like Mady, actually. Showing some temper? In a family of eight kids? Surely, you jest (sarcasm for those GWoP lurkers who need ther batteries in their sarcasm meter checked).
Give me a break.
If the twins REALLY have been taking swimming lessons for "two years", I think they'd know how to swim by now!
Not to be nit picky, but Kate actually said in the episode that the older girls do know how to swim but they are learning the strokes like the breast stroke, etc.
I assumed when she said 2 years of swim lessons that she meant summer lessons. So I wouldn't expect them to know how to swim, yet. I have a 7 year old daughter and she's been in lessons off and on since she was 3. This summer she finally learned to swim. She's not an expert (doesn't have the different strokes mastered) but she's able to hold her own.
I too didn't enjoy hearing Jon call Joel a girl. I did think Kate handles Mady's fit in the right way. She wasn't just being upset with her parents, she was starting to take it out on the instructor. 7 year old girls aren't the easiest to parent, trust me! lol
Looks like everyone had fun overall. Even Kate. Good points- Collin 'massaging' the pudding all over his face. Maybe it felt good in the hot sun! And the kids enjoyed the lessons. Joel came around too at the end- I'm sure he will be fine. Tho it does sort of surprise me a bit with these kids. Huge generalizations here a bit maybe- but boys 'usually' are the more adventurous one. The Gosselin boys seem to be a bit more timid about trying new things than their sisters. Not-so-good points- Bossy bossy Kate! MY goodness. Ordering around Jon regarding the hose. She needed to back away from that- Jon should have told her to knock it off, get away and go worry about the kids. A bit too much. And I gotta agree about the 'girl' comment about Joel. Way, way out of line. He needs to stop that IMMEDIATELY!
I post on both blogs and not to be nasty but if you don't like what you read on GWOP, don't read it. Why all the snarking about what is said over there. Is not on the same level as what you accuse them of doing? I have three grown children and I found the butt crack shots unneccesary, Kate's behavior and screaming on the beach deplorable and yes, I don't know why they couldn't just let the kids use the outdoor shower instead of hosing them down. I also wonder why the kids can't dress themselves and why we constantly have to see them being dressed. BTW, GWOP is not the only blog that calls the Gosselins on this stuff.
mrsref said: "Why all the snarking about what is said over there. Is not on the same level as what you accuse them of doing?"
No, it's not the same there is a key difference. On this board you're allowed to comment on the commentary. The comments on the GWoP comments are here because they WILL NOT publish them there. They are very willing to criticize the Gosselin's at length and in a very mean-spirited manner, but are completely unwilling to accept any criticism of their own behavior. And I think some of their own behavior is actually quite dangerous and scary, moreso than anything I've seen Jon or Kate do on the show.
To annoymous: 12:31 Personally I have had both positive and negative things posted over there. I am tired of all of the lumping together of posters (GWOPers) I have not nor would I ever do anything to endanger the Gosselins yet I read and post there. I have a right to my opinions. There are those on this board who just can't wait to mock what is said on that board. There are other boards that claim damage control etc. too. There are other boards that think the show should end. Why are women so nasty to each other, geez. You just took my critism to heart didn't you? I have seen some mean spirited things on this very thread and frankly I don't see the difference at this point. Again, if it disturbs you to read it and you feel the need to "snark" why bother with it. Sometimes I like the G's and sometimes I don't - that's what makes the world go round.
To MrsRef who said: Again, if it disturbs you to read it and you feel the need to "snark" why bother with it.
I agree...
But I do see it as ironic since you're feeling the need to comment on what's posted here. Why bother with it, if you don't like what's being said?
Mrsref - I didn't say anything about you personally and agree that you have a right to you opinions (and how nice that you are free to post them here with little to no censorship). I also don't think I said anything nasty to you or about you.
You seem bothered by the comments on this board, so perhaps you should consider your own advice. If it bothers you to see the commentary here, don't read it. (BTW, there is really no tone there. It's intended as just a simple statement, so there's no need for you to get defensive.)
See, that's what gets me. It's okay to snark about someone you see on tv for 22 minutes a week, but god forbid you snark on another blog. WTF?
When I do snark on the comments at gwop, it is based firmly on the comments themselves, not what I think they mean. I don't have to make assumptions about hidden meanings in the text because the crazy is right there in black and white.
I can't tell you how many posters over there have diagnosed Kate and her kids with various mental disorders, or that blubber on about how kates kids must be scared of her because she's abusive. Have you seen Kate hit her kids...EVER? Yet it seems to be common knowledge over there.
I do not visit gwop. I don't have to. There are so many people that think they are nuts that I can avoid that site altogether and still see those comments.
I so loved seeing Jon in the water with the kids at the beach. That's what life is about and you know that all of them were just having a blast. It really is too bad that Kate can't unwind a little and realize salt water and sand can be washed off. And Collin, as usual, was such a little doll with that chocolate. He seemed pretty brave in the water, too, as did the little girls. Maybe this is the first time the little ones have been introduced to the water without their water wings, etc.? I was a water baby and could swim at the time I could walk and so that's when I taught my son, but lots of people learn at or about age 4. Just so they learn. That's what's important. I didn't like Kate telling Leah to get out of Hannah's seat, but also didn't really get that.
Thank you anonymous: I have posted here for quite some time and have never had a problem, but I reply to someone who doesn't even put a name to their post and the crap starts. You can check my comments on both blogs, I don't threaten, stalk, I am not crazy nor have I posted crazy or nasty things. Just because you don't agree with what is there doesn't mean you have the right to call people crazy, etc. I have never done that - I am tired of being considered crazy because I read and post OPINIONS on a blog that does not worship the Gosselins. Sorry if I have offended you, I will try to keep my opinions to myself from now on.
I think she Kate was trying to avoid conflict my telling Leah to get out of Hannah's seat. She tried to make Leah feel like a big girl at the same time by telling her that she could sit at the head of the table. Leah quickly wanted to do that. I have always found that redirecting their attention helps the situation. Hannah was going to keep on about that chair, so I think Kate did was was easiest.
"I would have dragged her into that water and forced her head into the sand for the crabs to eat."
comment of the week!?!LOL
(Referring to Kate)
This was a comment on GWoP...Just one question - How exactly is this advocating for the children??
I truly enjoyed this episode...It looks like Kate is so much more relaxed on vacation...Aren't we all :)
mrsref, I don't understand why you don't follow your own advice. You obviously don't like what people post here; going by your logic re GWoP, doesn't that mean you should just not visit here?
I don't mind honest dissention, but when someone post over and over essentially nagging and guilt-tripping us over how "mean" we are, I feel that there's an agenda.
I know I and others have posted several times regarding what behavior qualifies as "crazy", so when you keep bringing it up I feel you're being either willfully obtuse or you're playing a game.
mrsref: "Thank you anonymous: I have posted here for quite some time and have never had a problem, but I reply to someone who doesn't even put a name to their post and the crap starts. You can check my comments on both blogs, I don't threaten, stalk, I am not crazy nor have I posted crazy or nasty things. Just because you don't agree with what is there doesn't mean you have the right to call people crazy, etc. I have never done that - I am tired of being considered crazy because I read and post OPINIONS on a blog that does not worship the Gosselins. Sorry if I have offended you, I will try to keep my opinions to myself from now on."
I think you must be confused. I didn't call you any names. I didn't start any "crap." You gave your opinion. I gave mine. And then you seemed to get a little defensive - though I'm not sure why as no one attacked YOU. (Though the phrase "me thinks thou dost protest too loudly" does come to mind for some reason.) Again, if you don't like the posting here you should consider your own advice and stop reading it. JMHO
Ms Ref...
I hope you do express your opinion here...I enjoy having the differing points of view.
Since I am the main "snark" under this thread, I'd like to explain my actions. I have tried over and over, time and again to get an intelligent (at least IMO), non rude, non accusatory post on a comment and have , and time and again had my post rejected. One time, I got into a "debate" with Serena. They posted about 2 of my arguments and then Serena came back with another. I went to "rebut" what she had said and they NEVER posted my response. Yes, they do occasionally publish a dissenting view but it is usually torn apart and spit out. Lord knows if the person has a chance to re-challenge.
I've also found that generally, when comments are published of a differing view, they are usually ones that are less intelligent. The poor sod, like a sitting duck... That is why I take stuff from there and talk about it here. I can't do it there and I still want to discuss what is being said, even if I can't do it there.
It is not meant to be offensive and , Mrs. Ref, I understand where you are coming from in the generalization. Nobody likes it. Unfortunately many of us have had bad experiences over there.
That is funny because I tried time and time again to get an opposing view posted over at GWoP and finally I left this post "why is it that differing views cannot be posted here" and obviously that one wasn't either...Hmm...Thanks nomoredrama for possibly clearing that up. And, saving me from being torn apart!!
I'm going to second what nomoredrama says. My experience is almost identical. I tried and tried to get other perspectives posted on their site. I come here because Nina posts nearly all opinions. It is within their right to post what they wish but it should be noted within the "blogosphere" that not necessarily everyone agrees with this points.
I have not nagged and/or guilt-tripped anyone - I simply stated my opinion. The posts on here today reminded me of junior high, gossip about gossip. I have no agenda - I have always been able to have discussion and opinion on both boards. I did not know that this was not allowed. If you check my posts, I have never called anyone names nor was I the one who made the 'crab comment" not did I respond in anyway that would give an impression that I agreed with it. I am not now playing nor have I "played" games, nor am I obtuse. I am sure I will be accused of protesting too much but whatever. Until today, I never had any problems on either board or anywhere on the internet. For the record, I neither hate or love the Gosselins. It is a tv show featuring people I will never know. And for the record, annoymous, what name did I call you? I do not recall doing that and if I did I apologize.
'I post on both blogs and not to be nasty but if you don't like what you read on GWOP, don't read it. Why all the snarking about what is said over there. Is not on the same level as what you accuse them of doing? I have three grown children and I found the butt crack shots unneccesary, Kate's behavior and screaming on the beach deplorable and yes, I don't know why they couldn't just let the kids use the outdoor shower instead of hosing them down.
mrsref, it’s like telling JK8 watchers to ‘stop watching if it bothers you so much’. A lot of people don’t appreciate being told what to watch, same goes for people not wanting to be told what to read. Sometimes I watch and read what stimulates me to think, to disagree, and then try and verbalize what I don’t like about it. If it’s okay for viewers to watch and criticize JK8, why isn’t it okay for people to read and disagree with posters at GWoP? No one there should even care that people are criticizing them. I personally don’t give a crap if people disagree with me on the internet. It’s just words. I don’t think you need to feel ‘lumped in’ with the posters at GWoP. When I criticize GWoP, I’m criticizing the people in charge most of all, because they are the ones creating the tone over there, through their editing. (Ironic, that JK8 are edited, and so is the GWoP site.)
I found the ‘hiney shot’ offensive, too, in a way, but only because I saw it as possibly the producers trying to stir up the controversy a little.
I understand how some get tired of reading here about GWOP only because I used to read there and didn't like how extreme it was getting in some areas, (but it doesn't make me feel that I need to defend the Gosselins from those people and focus on what they are saying), so it gets a little tiresome reading so many references and responses to whatever comments are posted on that site.
But I realize what some are saying, that they want to respond and talk about the GWOP comments here since their posts never get through because of the moderators there not wanting to allow too many opposing views, so I just usually skip over the comments here that mostly focus on GWOP and read the other ones.
I thought this episode was rather nice, the kids were cute and they seem so much older now. That house had a great looking exterior, it looks like it would be a really nice place to go for a vacation, plus having your own pool would be great when you don't feel like hanging out at the beach.
I found myself wondering why Kate wouldn't just walk to where Jon was instead of yelling when he was with the kids in the surf. I could understand her worry but I think I would have gone down there and grabbed onto some little hands myself, but overall I even enjoyed watching Kate tonight and thought it was nice that she tried to be more easygoing about some things.
Jenny seems to be doing well with the kids and is able to be firm with them when they need it.
I wish Jon would be more careful about what he says about the boys. I understand being frustrated when your kid is freaking out about learning to swim, but why call him a girl as if that is something negative, and as if all boys are supposed to be unafraid of the water.
I think she just didn't want to leave the other kids alone...plus she said she's not a good swimmer, she could just be uneasy about the ocean.
This is one way that I can totally relate to her. My husband is always being rough with the kids, and giving them things that I don't think they should have (ie, foods they aren't ready for), but I tend to freak out about the little things too. I know that he would never do anything that he thought was dangerous for them, I just can't help being nervous about it.
I tell him often "do what you think is best, just don't let me see you do it..."lol
I also agree with you about Jon calling Joel a girl. I know he wasn't trying to be mean, but kids that young don't really get sarcasm. I think it bothers him that all of the girls seem very adventurous while the boys are a little more apprehensive about trying new things.
I think it's the mentality that it should be the other way around.
dotsicle said:
"Yes, the water was cold but NO, it didn't HURT."
And, how do you know it didn't hurt?
nomoredrama said:
"I haven't even been to GWoP yet, but I'm guessing they will find a million things to criticize about this episode."
What is the purpose of your speculation?
Jen said:
"I read about 10 of the comments and got disgusted and come over here. If they can't stand the show, the quit watching it!"
If you can't stand the blog, quit reading it!!!
anonymous said:
"The comments on the GWoP comments are here because they WILL NOT publish them there."
Why don't you submit a comment here that was rejected over at GWOP and see why it didn't get published.
Anon 7:10 AM
I have not saved my comments that I submitted to GWoP but I am confident that they did meet the requirements posted on their site. This of course was back in early to mid July. For some reason, their policy seems to be a little more relaxed now and I see comments being posted that question their point of view. Not many, but a few. However, I do see the same comments over and over again making the same points over and over again. Which are basically "me too" comments. Something they say they reject.
"If you can't stand the blog, than quit going there."
Well, if you can stand Jon and Kate Plus 8 than quit watching.
How did anyone know that the water did hurt???
Is this the game you want to play?
anonymous 7:10 said:
"Well, if you can stand Jon and Kate Plus 8 than quit watching."
I never said I can't stand Jon and Kate Plus 8, but if I did, I would quit watching. Why would I watch a show that I hated? What purpose would that serve? The same goes for reading a blog or a book that you don't like, what purpose would it serve except to waste time.
anonymous 7:10 said:
"How did anyone know that the water did hurt???
Is this the game you want to play?"
How is this playing a game? A poster stated specifically that the water did NOT hurt, I asked how did they know that the water did NOT hurt?
In regards to a waste of time, I guess it would be that persons decision on how they would like to waste their time.
Maybe they felt the water didn't hurt based on personal experience.
Game? I am just saying for every point you made there can be a counterpoint.
Anonymous:
Jon mentioned that the water coming out of the hose initially was very warm from sitting out in the sun. But the more kids they hosed off the colder the water got. He said that it wasn't the pressure that hurt the kids, but the cold temprature.
I thought this was a very cute episode.
A poster stated specifically that the water did NOT hurt, I asked how did they know that the water did NOT hurt?
Oh, I don't know. Maybe the smiles and giggles coming from their mouths while they were being hosed off? These kids have NO PROBLEM WHATSOEVER voicing their displeasure over something. I didn't see any of them crying or screaming for Daddy to stop.
I'm really glad that someone mentioned here that probably it was that Joel was afraid of the water and afraid Kate was going to make him go back in when she was going to pull up his swimsuit and not that he was afraid of being swatted because that makes sense. She probably was just telling him not to be afraid of the water. I like to get all points of view and every person is entitled to his/her own opinion and interpretation no matter what sites you frequent. It is totally silly and fruitless to slam other viewers and their opinions. I don't think you would do it if you were face to face. We all love the kids or we would not have started watching this show. Me? I'd rather just watch the kids and not even see anything else or anyone else featured.
After reading the back and forth on this about who posts what and where I have decided that instead of doing the simple thing and just hitting the anon button below I will sign my comments on any sites I use, as I have done sometimes, as Barbara in VA. That way if someone wants to criticize or (wink) agree with me they can know they are speaking right at or to me. I didn't use the anon because I was trying to hide any identity; just sometimes it seemed easier.
Having grown up in FL we used lots of outdoor showers before getting in the car at the beach just to minimize the sand factor and, yep, sometimes if the particular shower hadn't been used for a while the water was very hot when coming out. So it wasn't that it stung so much as it was very warm. On the other hand that did look like the water was coming out hard. On yet another hand I have to agree that the G kids have no trouble crying or telling anyone when something is not comfortable to them, which is a very good thing, and so if they'd been in pain we would all have seen and heard about it in stereo.
Barbara in VA
Hello Barbara in VA
I agree with SCP to an extent. I don't have a problem with posts that are critical of GWoP; I just tend to skip them because most of them are repetitive. (Reading some of the posts here makes me understand TWoP's rule about not posting the same thing over and over again to "wear other posters down".) For me it's boring to read the same person say people at GWoP are "crazy, stalkers, disturbed, etc.", so I just scroll right past it.
Bigsis88 -
I agree completely, I find myself skipping any post with the letters GWOP in them. They're usually slamming some comment that they read and it reminds me of the not so popular girls (this board) talking about the "mean girls" (GWOP).
Boo hoo, they didn't post my comment, they must be crazy stalkers or disturbed or "I don't want to be a part of their group anyway".
Anon 1:19
Be honest. Did you not get some satisfaction in having your opinion posted?
I can only speak for myself but I don't base my opinion of gwop on the fact that they won't post opposing views, it's what they do post that bothers me.
And as for gwop being such a big topic here, think about it. The reason gwop has so many comments daily is because they can take one comment or action from anyone on the show and spin it 103 different ways. It's the speculation that keeps the blog going. If it were only facts, there'd be nothing to talk about.
Same thing here. There are only so many things good or bad that you can say about what ACTUALLY happens on that show. We don't want to be nasty and accuse them of abuse because they sprayed their kids with a water hose. But we know someone will. We are just as outraged by the comments on gwop as they are about what the Gosselins do.
I don't see why that's so hard to understand.
To Anon 7:10:
nomoredrama said:
"I haven't even been to GWoP yet, but I'm guessing they will find a million things to criticize about this episode."
What is the purpose of your speculation?
You ask a very existential question, LOL! What is the purpose of all of this, of life....More pertinent to this discussion--what is your purpose?
If you read ANYTHING I've posted in this string, I've explained over and over again what the "purpose" of ripping the GWoP quotes were.
And for the record...EVERYTHING that we guessed they would criticize, they did! So the "purpose" was to prove a point...and they did it for us.
Why do I care about what they post at GWoP? Why do I get so frustrated that I can't post a counterpoint? It has nothing to do with Boo hoo, they didn't post my comment, they must be crazy stalkers or disturbed or "I don't want to be a part of their group anyway".
It has everything to do with the amount of hits they get daily coupled with the gross bias against the Gosselins. Am I jealous that they have a blog with a lot of hits? Hell no! I'm more concerned for the number of people who will go on the site believing what they read without another point of view to help them make an informed decision. I don't care that they don't like the Gosselins, they are entitled to their opinion. I do care, however, that they have posted downright WRONG and misleading information. I do care that when a post is made to counter the misleading info, it is rejected. That tells me that they are purposely misleading their readers for an agenda. A scary agenda (and I'm sorry if that's not what people want to hear). It bothers me that they care nothing about truth, only fanning the flames of controversy. The lies....the accusations, ALL BOTHER ME...
As a mental health professional, it BOTHERS me when people lump others into categories/diagnoses that they don't even understand and can't explain without the help of Google.
Child welfare is one of my PASSIONS. It BOTHERS me that they accuse this family of abuse when most have never dealt with real abuse. These accusations are unfounded, unmerited and sinister. If I could invite you into some of the homes I enter every day, you'd understand why this bothers me.
So, as long as GWoP can continue in their malicious campaign against this family, I will continue to "Advocate" for them. If you don't like it, too bad...I've been on this earth long enough to know you can't please everyone. But I invite anyone from GWoP to "get in the ring with me" without hiding behind their moderators and/or posting policy.
The reason I post about GWOP is because that place is freaking hysterical! I have written to them politely to point out certain things - like yesterday when someone posted that it was "random" for Alexis to knock over blocks. I nicely said that it was actually normal for a kid to do that. Weird that it didnt show. Have these people ever met a child? A real, live, actual child? Im doubtful. Perhaps its random when one of their 7 cats does it, but a 4 yr old child? Come on! Oh and the real "believable" tale from BK about some email they all claim must be from Jon is priceless! They claim he threatened her kid in it, although there was so threat in it. BK is one of the biggest storytellers on the net, that much is obvious and this tale she is telling is her best yet. I loved loved loved the comments about cyberstalking being a crime etc.. All from the same people who drive by the Gs house, look up their tax records, call CPS on them, search high and low for any info of a purchase of land in NC. I guess they would know about stalking afterall......
LOL! Anon 2:46! You hit the nail on the head!!!!! And you're right...it is hilarious!
Nomoredrama -
It sure does sound like you're jealous.
Nomoredrama -
It sure does sound like you're jealous.
Ha!!!! Yes, I'm writhing with jealousy. I wish I too could make up lies and have people believe them...
Keep the jokes coming!!! I'm literally laughing out loud.
Anon
Jealous of what? I truly am not being a smart ass. I re-read everything she wrote and I don't see a jealousy issue going on here.
I think "Cassandra" is JEALOUS. If you don't know what I'm referring to, check out the newest post on gwop about Jon needing to be ashamed of himself.
I didn't bother to try and post anything on it. I felt yucky after reading it. So much hatred.
LOL! Yeah! Sure is...but maybe we should be "embarrassed and ashamed" for thinking that, LOL!!!
When I read the stuff written by Cassandra I was literally shaking my head.
I would have loved to read Cassandra just be proud of her family's accomplishment. It would be wonderful to read her pride about her husband's work ethic and longevity in working until 80. It would be wonderful to read about her pride in having her family and her grandchild with her in a beach front home. It would be great to read about her pride about paying for her kids college education and being able to live frugally so they could accomplish these things.
But Cassandra resorts to shaming. I think that there is so much shaming on that board that it makes me feel anxious when I read it.
Linda, I think you hit the nail on the head. She should be proud of her accomplishments.
If she's reading this I would love to see her take all the negative out and just leave the accomplishments. Now that would be worth sharing!
I sent in a post in regards to "cassandra's" post. I simply stated that I would love to see her rewrite the post without all the "shame" in it. And that IMO I thought it took away from her accomplishments. Hasn't been posted and I can't see why it wouldn't have been. And if it doesn't, for me, that again proves why we come here to be able to discuss what gets posted over there. Simply stated, they are biased. So we shall see....
Jenn,
I am sorry. My dashboard to the blog is empty which indicates I posted everything. I have to do some of the posting from my Palm and I guess I could have missed it. I thought I saw that comment come through. Please post it again if you would like.
Hi Nina, I should have clarified that I posted on gwop in regards to "cassandra's" post. It hasn't been posted over there.
I don't think that I've ever had an issue of you not allowing my posts to go through and I thank you for that!
Hey everybody!
I e-mailed Nina regarding the "parody re-cap", but wanted to also address it here so that you don't think I'm a slacker (well, I actually am, but not in this case). I DVR'ed the Beach Episode because I knew that I would be gone on a camping trip with my family until Tuesday. By the time I got home, washed off the smell of bug spray and campfire smoke, watched the episode, and jotted my rough draft of predictable snarks down ie:total damage control with the whole "messy body painting", I was exhausted. Totally under-estimated my schedule this week and I felt that any attempt to get a parody re-cap out by then would only be seen as copying what would have already been posted at the other site. To be effective at pointing out the predictability (ooh - alliteration!)of the criticism, I have to be beat them to it.
I am ready and able to do a re-cap of this up-coming episode and Nina has graciously given me an extention on my homework. LOL!
MCB said...
A poster stated specifically that the water did NOT hurt, I asked how did they know that the water did NOT hurt?
Oh, I don't know. Maybe the smiles and giggles coming from their mouths while they were being hosed off? These kids have NO PROBLEM WHATSOEVER voicing their displeasure over something. I didn't see any of them crying or screaming for Daddy to stop.
Exactly. Thank you.
Incidentally, I am a regular at GWoP and am not a fan of Kate. I just don't always agree with some of the opinions posted over there, and evidently some folks here disagree too. (The mods are not all "cat ladies"! Some are DOG lovers, LOL!)
Upthread, someone mentioned "Mady covering the camera lens underwater". I thought it might have been Cara; wasn't she the one with the goggles? If it was Cara, then that's the first time I have seen her covering a camera.
I'm a recent viewer of JK8 and found GWoP and this site in the last 2 weeks.
I've never posted on either.
I found GWoP first. I enjoyed JK8, but I love me some snark, even about shows I enjoy. I'm a regular poster on some TWoP threads, which is what lead me to GWoP.
At first, reading that site, I found myself agreeing with many of the opinions and nodding my head. Because, yes, Kate drives me crazy with her yelling at Jon, who I think is a very helpful father. I think Jon could stand up for himself more. And I feel a litle for Joel because he does seem to be an outcast. And sometimes I question what affect the cameras may have on the children as they grow.
I watched this week's Beach episode and found it, for the most part, to be very enjoyable. Kate yelling at the beach was cringeworthy, again, but remember, she's miked, so it sounds louder to us than the people around her (does no one remember Howard Dean's scream?).
Then I went to GWoP and thought, "wow- seriously?". The extremeness got to me. Not everything is abuse. Kids act up. I, personally, laughed out loud when Alexis knocked over the blocks. That's what kids do.
Like I said, there are many things I don't agree with that I see during the show. But I've come around a bit. I don't think they're bad parents. And I don't care if you don't work - 6 kids all at one age and 8 kids that young is trying. I can't handle 2 sometimes. My patience just goes.
I think taking it upon yourself to become a self appointed advocate of children you see on tv for 22 to 44 minutes a week is creepy. I think calling your congressmen is creepy.
So, I've decided I'm just going to watch the show, take it as it is, and leaving the rest to the Gosselins, because I wouldn't want someone to tell me how to raise my kids. Kate may be shrieky and too much for me, but she is what she is and she's consistent. And sometimes, she actually makes me laugh. My mother was an alcoholic when I was growing up - trust me, not know if you were going to get a beast or saint or if that saint would turn into a beast at the drop of a hat is way worse than a mother who has a consistent hang up about messes.
"I think taking it upon yourself to become a self appointed advocate of children you see on tv for 22 to 44 minutes a week is creepy. I think calling your congressmen is creepy."
................
I won't say "creepy", as I believe in "to-each-his-own", but it's not for me.
I do agree with my advocating friends that there should be laws to protect kids on reality shows, but hey, I'm just here for the snark.
Anonymous 9:44 said:
"I enjoyed JK8, but I love me some snark, even about shows I enjoy."
I'm the same way, just love me some snark, and Kate is a treasure trove.
"I watched this week's Beach episode and found it, for the most part, to be very enjoyable. Kate yelling at the beach was cringeworthy, again, but remember, she's miked, so it sounds louder to us than the people around her (does no one remember Howard Dean's scream?)."
Haha, I always laugh when I think of that Howard Dean scream. Good point about Kate being miked and it sounding louder to the television viewer than to the people around her, I didn't think of that.
I find the whole idea of "contacting your congress person" to be almost laughable.
Er um ...
there is a war going on?
the economy (in at least the midwest) well, it stinks!
how do you spell that nasty thing ...
T-E-R-R-O-R-I-S-M?
Ugghhhhhh!
You think contacting your congressman is creepy? I don't know what kind of world you live in, but I've seen creepy in my job and this is not it.
Someone has to at some time stand up for someone, dontcha think? It doesn't need to be you. But contacting a congressman to voice a concern doesn't do anything that could be construed as creepy or bad to anyone else.
I'm anon9:44. Now that I figured out this whole comment thingy, I'll put in my name.
To Barbara in VA-
I've contacted my congressmen in the past. So, no, that in and of itself is not creepy. However, I have never contacted my congressmen to complain about how my neighbors are raising their children.
That's my distinction. I'm not going to presume that I'm a better parent than J&K. And I'm certainly not going to bother my congressmen with their parenting choices. When I contacted him, it was about my own personal experiences and things that DIRECTLY affected me.
That's what I find creepy.
Boo hoo, they didn't post my comment, they must be crazy stalkers or disturbed or "I don't want to be a part of their group anyway".
If you didn't skip over the posts, you may have a better understanding of the issues people have with GWoP. "They didn't post my comments" and "they are crazy stalkers" are two separate issues.
The first is brought up in response to the "why do you always talk about GWoP and the posts over there over here?" question - the answer being, we can't talk about the posts over there, because even the most civilly worded post will not be published, if it disagrees with the prevailing groupthink in regards to J&K.
The "stalker" accusations are in response to posters and mods there doing things like meeting disgruntled relatives of Gosselin inlaws (the infamous Bitter Julie) IN PERSON, driving by the Gosselin house and reporting back to the blog what they've seen (sometimes with pictures), contacting churches that the Gosselins are scheduled to speak at, contacting or discussing contacting or claiming to have contacted the IRS or CPS to get the Gosselins in trouble, following the Gosselins' relatives doings (even though said relatives have never appeared on the show and only been referenced very briefly in passing) to the degree that the poster is aware when a relative's picture is taken off of the website of the company she works for. That kind of thing.
It continues to amaze me that some people really, really don't get the concept of boundaries, and seem to have no idea when they have overstepped them.
The first is brought up in response to the "why do you always talk about GWoP and the posts over there over here?" question - the answer being, we can't talk about the posts over there, because even the most civilly worded post will not be published, if it disagrees with the prevailing groupthink in regards to J&K.
Thats weird...how do you think most people found out about this blog? Probably because it was mentioned on another (GWoP). Hypocrisy of GWoP!!
I don't believe it was mentioned with a favorable tone. It certainly was not ever brought up by a moderator. I remember seeing a small blurb by a poster saying "I knew this was going to happen." That is how I found my new home. So I am not quite getting how you equate that with sharing our opinions with other people on that site.
To me it is never creepy to defend an innocent or even clue in or attempt to clue in some type of authority if you feel an innocent person is being taken advantage of. It doesn't have to be a congress person. Even talking it over with a minister or getting advice on what to do from a friend who happens to be an attorney or a police officer might help a person decide what to do if anything. And I will tell you this, you are never bothering your elected officials with anything. You sent them to congress as your representative and you are paying their salary. If you have no idea how to contact the correct government or private authority a congress person's office is a great place to start because they will know just where to direct you.
That said, I wasn't saying everyone should contact anybody regarding this program. Just speaking in general terms, democracy works best when we sorta are our brother's keeper, especially when that brother is too weak or too young to speak for himself.
Okay, now I've getting off my high horse.
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