Tuesday, September 30, 2008

"Are you 'Gozzlin' again?"


That's what my husband asks when I'm sitting at the computer.

He has seen a few episodes, but that is about it. He thinks K is a ... well ... it begins with the letter "B." He thinks J is funny and good with the kids. And, he thinks I'm crazy for my latest involvement (if that's what you call it) in the Gosselin controversy.

My co-workers have no idea who the Gosselins are. Most of my friends don't either. I was at a "tunes for tots" class with a fellow mom friend and she said "I like her (K), she can be a B, but that's just real to me."

What does your hubby, friends and family say about your Gosselin adventure? Enquiring minds want to know.

65 comments:

Nina Bell said...

My husband calls it "bloggin". My kids say, "Oh my God, mom is blogging again."

My coworkers and friends have never heard of the show nor has my family.

My husband has seen a few minutes of it. It is not a show he would watch but he does think the kids are really cute.

My sons don't understand how a bunch of women could spend so much time talking about a show like this.

Sometimes I try and compare it to the amount of time spent in this household watching various sporting events and blogging on the internet about them. They don't seem to think that it even compares.

Dina said...

My husband does not like Kate, does not like the way she talks to Jon, but has watched the show w/me.
My kids watch the show w/me, even my 3 yr old.

My mom & sister dont know who they are, and only 1 of my coworkers watches the show and keeps up w/it.

Anonymous said...

Off Topic:

I stopped reading GWOP,because it was just getting to ridiculous for me...Now I just thought I check in and saw it's been locked due to Violation of Service. Did that just happen?

I'm very glad that the blogger people reacted, it was just unbearable.

And to stay on topic now:
My husband hates it when I watch Jon&Kate plus 8, if he knew I'm on these blogs he would probably question my sanity lol.

I don't think any of my coworkers watches the show..

Nina Bell said...

Stephanie,

It is some type of tech error which I think will be resolved shortly.

Anonymous said...

I just found out today my former mother-in-law loves the show. She thinks the kids are adorable and admires how organized Kate is. She likes the Duggars too. She knows nothing of the internet and watches TV the old fashioned way. If she likes something she watches it and if she doesn't she changes the channel. She doesn't care to know anymore about these people's lives other than what she sees on their show. I'm so warped by 'snark' and gossip and getting the inside scoop on everything I can't even imagine watching TV the way she does. If I even tried to tell her about all this blog stuff she would think I was insane.

My kids both watch the show with me sometimes. My teenage son is horrified by Mady. He thinks Aeden is the coolest.He really likes Jon and thinks Kate is annoying because of the way she overreacts. He doesn't seem to have the sexist attitude that Kate is in possession of Jon's balls, however. For some reason I find that reassuring.

Anonymous said...

Ooops, well I guess I was too optimistic about it then ;).

Thanks for letting me know.

MrsRef said...

My husband can't stand either one of them, thinks they are making money on the backs of their kids, my 27 year old daughter tells me to get a life and no one at my job has ever heard of these people. I am growing ever more weary of them but can't turn away.

Anya@IW said...

I am single. My sister and I both watch and spend way more time than we want to admit discussing the show and the made-on-the-internet controversies.

My 17-year-old watches and loves the show. She adores the kids, especially Leah. Kate gets on her nerves sometimes, but on the plus side, I think she realizes I am a pretty laid back Mom in comparison! She doesn't do any Gosselin blogging and is pretty judgmental about the time I spend, which I think is pretty hilarious because she would spend 23.5 hours a day on the internet if I allowed her to.

I don't discuss it at work. I stay away from topics that might polarize people and just talk politics :=).

Unknown said...

My husband watches with me. We started watching in the beginning because we look just like Jon and Kate. I have blond short hair and my hubby is half Korean. We have some very healthy talks about the way we speak to each other after watching a couple of the shows.
It was not until recently that people have said to us that we look like Jon and Kate, so I know more people are finding them every week.

Anonymous said...

My husband thinks Jon and Kate's interactions are funny and he thinks the kids' behavior is pretty good compared to a.) other kids we've seen, and b.) what you'd expect from that many little ones in one house, but he doesn't understand why I enjoy so much watching "someone else's kids," as he puts it.

Anonymous said...

On topic: I keep my addiction hidden!! I don't want anyone to know how much I read about this crazy show.

Off topic: This morning, when I went to GWoP it said that it was in review for violation of the terms of service. Now, it doesn't say review, it says that it IS in violation. Curious.

Nancy said...

Hubby thinks Kate is a B and feels sorry for Jon. He watched ONCE and that was enough. My kids (who are all out on their own) have never heard of the show. My friends and relatives do not watch. My MIL has heard of the Duggars but not the Gosselins; she thinks anyone who has more than 6 kids is insane and she doesn't want to watch them.

Anonymous said...

My husband, Mom, and Bestfriend all know about and watch the show. I'm not sure that my husband knows about the blogs though. I have never told him either. I think if he knew this is what I spent most of my day doing, instead of actually doing things around the house... Well lets just say he might not be to happy about it. But then I could always just give him a hard time for looking up crap about boats from the time he walks through the front door, until he goes to bed at night! =)

Dina said...

Oh, I wanted to mention... last night was the first night I got "caught" reading the J&K+8 Blogs... needless to say my husband thinks Im nuts..

MommyZinger said...

My husband watches the show with me sometimes. He thinks Kate needs to lighten up and he agrees that I have an addiction to the blogs. When I told him about them he said, "Who cares? Most people don't know them, won't ever know them and it won't change anything."

I agree.

Anonymous said...

My 14 year old son watched it a few times with me and thinks Kate is mean. He sees it coming on now and says in his best Kate imitation, "No one knows what I have to go through." My husband thinks the way she talks to Jon is mean and always belittling. My youngest son who is autistic runs from the room because all the kids are screaming. He yells, "Not Jon snd Kate!" My sister has stopped watching because Kate keeps getting more obnoxious. I'm not sure why I keep watching. The kids are cute, but overall they really are an annoying bunch. I think I'll take a break from it, too.

Kel said...

Jer calls it "Watchin the kids" and "bloggin" as in "are you watchin those screamin kids again?"

And Now you're bloggin about it?

He runs when the "kids" are on cuz they make his ears hurt.

Anonymous said...

My husband hates the Gosselin's. If I watch the show, he usually just jokes about how ridiculous it is.

My family is also anti-Gosselin, but we also volunteered for them...

Anonymous said...

My husband thinks Kate is a witch with a b, and I think he referred to the kids as screaming banshees. I can't remember.

My kids will watch it. Then they're grateful that they don't have all those siblings.

EveryoneLovesErin said...

I don't have a husband but my close friends know that I blog. It's not something I advertise. My co-workers watch the show. I told them about the blog controversy and they were all in shock. They don't see anything "clinically significant" from the show itself.

I have very eclectic tastes in just about everything. From TV to music, I'll never fit into just one genre

Anonymous said...

Nomoredrama said: "My co-workers watch the show. I told them about the blog controversy and they were all in shock. They don't see anything "clinically significant" from the show itself."

My dad says the same thing (he is a juvenile counselor). He follows the controversy slightly because I watch the show and asked him if he had seen it/what he thought from watching it, then got in an internet fight when his judgment and my own were called into question. Now I generally hide my "shame."

Anonymous said...

The only place I can talk about it is with a very small group of friends. That won't last much longer. All but one have quit watching the show. Kate's attitude and the constant trips and product placement have worn them out.

Anonymous said...

Wow,

I have quite a different experience. I work in an office in Chicago and I would say 5o% of the women watch it. They all have small kids. We actually enjoy the show itself. Love the kids. Most think that Kate is just Kate and we all know someone like her and actually feel that Kate is just a normal person living under a microscope. I don't have a husband but my mom watches it and loves it.

Anonymous said...

All the male members of my family think I'm insane to even mention "those people" (meaning Kate since they think she's the biggest b**** ever).

They also think that Jon is "missing a pair" (as they put it).

Everyone else I know is unaware the show even exists.

Nina Bell said...

Violet

I am not promoting GWoP's temp site. I wouldn't see any reason why I would want to do that. However, I invite you to resubmit your comment here minus that info.
Most people already know where it is. I just choose not to participate in promoting it.

Anonymous said...

My friends and I love this show. My 10 year old daughter thinks the twins are the greatest. Who cares what Kate is like. I am not asking her to be my best friend. I just wanted to watch the show and sit for 30 min. Her personality is part of the fun!

Anonymous said...

My husband is a doll and humored me and actually went to one of Jon and Kate's speaking engagements back in February. He truly enjoyed the speaking engagement and it was very inspirational for us both.

He will watch the show with me and we both have the opinion that Jon and Kate can be quirky at times...but then again who isn't.

I absolutely have told him about the blogs that I have participated in, how I follow the controversy, that I visit the Gosselin website and enjoy Kate's weekly Devotionals etc, and I don't feel judged or that he thinks I am crazy for doing any of the above. He has seen enough with his own eyes and heard enough to have a solid opinion of the Gosselins and he knows that the true reason I am drawn to them is because of their core values.

I do have a few friends that also watch the show. None of them watch every week and none of them know of any of the controversy. Most of them know that I watch the show and that I have incorporated some of what I have learned/seen on the show into our lives. To them it is a hobby of sorts for me.

Daisy said...

My 13 year old daughter and I watch together. My son thinks I'm crazy for blogging about it. My husband lets me watch and blog but doesn't participate. I tell him all the goofy things that go on and he laughs with me and listens when I need to vent.

I have a few friends that watch and they have no idea about the Gosselin internet world. I'm not going to tell them because they all enjoy the show.

My husband is thankful for one part of the show. Before it started he told me a few times that I was talking to him like I talk to our kids. I had no idea what he was talking about. After watching the show I saw it and haven't done it since.

Anya@IW said...

BEE said...
"My husband is a doll and humored me and actually went to one of Jon and Kate's speaking engagements back in February. He truly enjoyed the speaking engagement and it was very inspirational for us both.

He will watch the show with me and we both have the opinion that Jon and Kate can be quirky at times...but then again who isn't."


Bee, your husband does sound like a doll. Wish there were more of them around!

Anya@IW said...

On a related note, has anyone had the experience of explaining the show to friends or family who don't watch?

I tried to explain the premise of the show to my aunt. She's in her late 60's. She's never really gotten into the whole reality tv thing and I don't think she understood what the heck I was talking about when I tried to explain it. Let's just say I *don't* think I recruited another viewer!

That's ok, when she recounts the plots of "Days of our Lives" for me, I am left just as baffled....

Anonymous said...

Oh, I forgot.

My friend watches the show, and loves it. She thinks Kate's the greatest thing since sliced bread. Tonight she told me I remind her of Kate. Ummmm, OK? I don't see it.

My mom watches it as well. SHe enjoys it, but she said that if Jon was her son, she'd have a stern talk with Kate on treating him better.

Anonymous said...

My husband and I watch the show together and sometimes my older kids (10 and 8) watch it with us. We enjoy it a lot because I am uptight like Kate and my DH is laid-back like Jon. We usually agree when Kate goes too far but don't get all worked up like "some people" (GRIN!). My DH knows I read blogs about J+K and that there is a lot of criticism of her, but he's not interested in the details.

Anonymous said...

I don't know anyone who watches the show. But on the few times I explained the premise and the surprising Internet vitriol, friends have either said: 1)"Well, at least that should be good publicity for them; or 2) "Well, if I had 8 kids I'd be a total b*&^% too!"

This is the reax of totally objective folks who haven't had a chance to fell betrayed, or scarily sympatico, with TV people.

Anonymous said...

My family is used to seeing TLC tuned in on the TV and me watching, whether it be J&K or What Not to Wear, or whatever. My son has snickered at the antics of the kids, but he usually saves his eyerolls for the Duggars. The last time they were on and Michelle was shown in labor, he commented "What, you mean they don't just FALL OUT out by now?"

Denise said...

Most of my friends think that blogging by itself is nuts, so even my personal journal isn't something I share with them. In terms of Jon & Kate, my husband's the one who turned me on to them. Before we were married, when he lived 30 miles north from me and we only saw each other on weekends, he DVR'd the episodes so that I could see what he was talking about. (This was when the kids were still babies.) He's been stationed overseas since last year, so he's missed a lot, but I tell him about my favorite parts of episodes when we get to talk.

Anonymous said...

My husband always asks if I'm "Jon & Kate'n" again...lol He pokes fun and then I remind him that it's really not all that different from him reading US weekly in the bathroom....

My family has no idea who they are nor do my coworkers. It's kinda my dirty little secret.

Anonymous said...

My husband doesn't care for the show and particularly Kate. He refuses to watch, LOL!
As far as blogging, he teases me about it.
My family doesn't watch the show.
My best friend does, but her husband is the one that won't miss an episode, LOL!

Jenn said...

My hubby thinks I'm nuts for the blogging. But, he always asks if their is new stuff going around so I think he's halfway interested. He does watch the show with me, most of the time. He is in a field of work that gives him a lot of knowledge in regards to children and abuse. He doesn't have any major concerns either.

Off topic: I updated my blog w/ new info about the whole xbox drama. I've also submitted a BBB complaint. I found some email addresses for Microsoft and as of yesterday they have read the blog 4 times. I am hoping some of you can leave some comments so Microsoft will realize that I am not going away!

Ann said...

My husband can't stand the show.
My daughters (11 and 14)think the kids are really cute, especially "Sassy" (Alexis?) Collin is a favorite of theirs, too, because they say their older brother was exactly like Collin when they were younger. They feel sorry for the twins because their meltdowns are caught on camera, and they think it would be hard to make friends if you're famous and everyone knows private things about you. They like their room, though. Also, I was raised in a big family...bigger than the Gosselins...and my kids can just see from their grandparents' home, lifestyle, and manner toward others that having 8 kids is no excuse for Kate's complaining about the house size and crankiness in general. My sisters love the kids and can't stand Kate for the same reasons as every other "anti-" gives. They LOVE Aunt Jodi (so do my girls.) One sister knows a former volunteer (who is not a blogger.) She has a different perspective because she's heard stories from someone who does know them.

My "Gosselin Adventure" involves following the Gosselin blogs, pro- and con-. My family asks more for updates on a particular bloggers' family health crisis, because they are praying for good news.

I don't talk about the G.'s with my friends or co-workers...maybe I'll give it a try this week.

Anonymous said...

My hubby can't stand the show, and the first time ds25 came through the room when it was on, he said it was like a real life Truman show, and hasn't watched it since.
When I first started watching it, I thought it was some kind of joke, or spoof. When I found out it was real, I was stunned. I rarely watch it anymore, just read the blogs from time to time, and wonder why people and magazines think she's such a supermom.

Anonymous said...

This is an honest question. No saracasm, just true curiosity. Has anyone reading had any personal good experiences with Kate other than the picture that was shown. I mean, one of the volunteers or friends. It seems that people are quick to trash people that talk about their bad experiences as fakes or haters, but I have never read a blog from someone that helped them and had a good experience. It seems that one of their ardent supporters could fake a good story, too. Maybe they have, I just haven't read one. I'm just kind of bemused by it all. I am not judging the Gosselins, I don't know them at all. I just would like to hear something nice about them from someone who actually does know them.

Guinevere said...

I read a blog entry several months ago from a woman who had been on the plane trip to Utah with the Gosselins. Her entry was dated from January, before the show aired, so I was fairly certain it was legitimate. Her interaction with the Gosselins was brief (she was shy about approaching them), but when she did say something after getting off the plane, Kate was very friendly to her, commiserated with her about the awful plane ride, and complimented her on her cute baby.

I've hesitated to even talk about it detail because I worry that the anti-Gs will find the blog and inundate the poor woman with endless posts harping on college funds and blathering about "A Minor Consideration." I hope that does not happen.

Anonymous said...

That is a nice experience, and I don't doubt it at all,but I guess what I meant was someone that had more than a passing pleasantry. I mean someone that helped her and said they had a different experience than all the people that have come forward with bad experiences. I just thought that some people that helped and had good experiences might come to their defense. It just seems that from what I read that they are estranged from most of their family,etc. I know when I am having a rough time and can't seem to get along with anyone around me, I start to think, maybe it is me. I really am trying to be fair, it just seems that those who have been there through the hard times with them don't have a lot of good to say, and if it was all just a bunch of nonsense, it seems that someone would come forward to defend them. (not just their fans in the blogoshpere)

Anonymous said...

Her entry was dated from January, before the show aired, so I was fairly certain it was legitimate.

IMO, given the scrutiny that Julie and PennMommy were given and the quick judgements that they were "fake" - it just baffles me how some of you gauge the legitimacy of "positive" encounters - and the lengths some of you go to "defend" Jon and Kate.

Nina Bell said...

Hi to the anon poster that sent in the comment this morning with a few suggestions for new ideas for the blog.

I would like to discuss your ideas but could you please email me. ninabell53@gmail.com. Just re-write some of your ideas that you suggested on the comment from this morning and I will know it is you.

Guinevere said...

anon, there are no "lengths" involved - I remembered this blog entry that I'd read long before I had ever heard of PM - when I'd barely heard of Julie. This was one post in a blog that has nothing to do with the Gosselins; for me that has more legitimacy than blogs that are devoted to the Gosselins. It was a passing encounter that seemed legitimate to me - that's all.

It just seems that from what I read that they are estranged from most of their family,etc. I know when I am having a rough time and can't seem to get along with anyone around me, I start to think, maybe it is me. I really am trying to be fair, it just seems that those who have been there through the hard times with them don't have a lot of good to say, and if it was all just a bunch of nonsense, it seems that someone would come forward to defend them. (not just their fans in the blogoshpere)

I don't doubt that within the family, some of it has to do with J&K - that they aren't blameless. That's usually how it works in families. Even Bitter Julie revealed from her vast store of "insider" info that Kate's father is a difficult person from whom most of his children are estranged. I've mentioned before, IMO when a parent or parents are difficult, it can affect the sibling relationships as well. We know that J&K had a relationship with Kevin - there are different opinions on the reasons for the estrangement, but they weren't estranged when the show started. There was the husband of a sister of Kate's helping paint on one occasion, so at least at that time they weren't totally estranged. As for Jon, he has a relationship with his grandmother. Who knows what the deal is with his mother. I don't assume that they are estranged just because they aren't close and she hasn't been on the show.

As for other people coming forward, again, I don't have a problem believing that J&K have been difficult and have turned some people off. But since most of the online accounts of being burned by the Gosselins are made up, IMO, I don't see it as some great flood of negative stories v. zero positive stories. I think we always have to remember that the community following this "controversy" is relatively small.

Anya@IW said...

"But since most of the online accounts of being burned by the Gosselins are made up, IMO, I don't see it as some great flood of negative stories v. zero positive stories."

Well said, Guinevere. Also, it appears that the Gosselins have made a conscious decision to not speak about certain personal matters and it stands to reason they have asked the people who are currently close to them to do the same.

It appears they have made the right decision for their family. Unfortunately, you can't have a relationship with Jodi & Kevin, when Bitter Julie is around talking trash to anyone who will listen...Sad.

Anonymous said...

I don't know if I am actually getting my point across(if I even have one)--I guess I just don't understand the venom on either side. I don't like it when people make fun of Kate's hair or the way she dresses, but I don't like it when people vilify Jodi's sister for giving her point of view. Because I am sure I would defend my sister if someone hurt her. I guess what I am saying(and will probably get me burned at the stake), is that I don't see a whole lot of difference between the defenders and the detractors. All discussions rapidly deteriorate. It reminds me of the Seminoles and Gators rivalry. It gets to where it has little to do with the show and more to do with whose team you are on.
There are many things I admire about the Gosselin household, and I am the first to admit it is edited to keep the hate Kate mentality going. I believe money and fame does weird things to people and the people in their lives.
I did find Guinevere's comment about not giving details so the blogger wouldn't be harrassed ironic, since that seems to be what happens to anyone that talks about their bad experiences.
Anyway, I know it is a small group that follows this, but I still think if the volunteers were out there, they might come forward.
Just out of curiosity, how do you determine who you believe?

Anonymous said...

The blog entry by the person who met Kate on a plane was widely circulated on the internet many months ago. She spoke of Kate holding her baby and Kate mentioning longing for a 'baby' again. That is a rare but old story, I actually didnt doubt for a minute, but the point here is that is HAS been well known for many months and you're right, Guinevere, I havent heard the first instance of her being harrassed for relaying that positive encounter.

hmmmmm...

Anonymous said...

I think we always have to remember that the community following this "controversy" is relatively small.

I think out of the people that follow the controversy the percentage of those that actually choose a side is even smaller. Most people who watch the show either know nothing about these opposing 'sides' or they are fascinated by the manufactured drama from a psychological standpoint. I would hope that there are only a few die hards on either side who take all of this to heart and let it consume their lives.

Just out of curiosity, how do you determine who you believe?


Just speaking for myself - I don't believe anyone I don't know personally, which would include everyone involved in this Jon and Kate love/hate relationship from Jon and Kate themselves to the self proclaimed insiders to the other screen names on this blog.

Anonymous said...

i am also curious how you decide who is legit and who isnt? the person with the positive story could have very well been making it up just like negative stories can be.

i guess i just dont understand why numerous people want 'inside' information so badly, but then deny that anything is true when they get it.

Nina Bell said...

Ginger,

I for one do not want inside information. I just want to watch the show once and awhile. Not a big fan of the show but I do enjoy watching it.

Guinevere said...

I have no desire for inside information, either. I believed the plane trip story because it seemed credible - in part because it was posted before the episode aired. I guess the writer could have been aware of the trip, but would she have been aware of the delays, how the flight was turned around, etc. (which she mentions in the blog entry)? Maybe. I doubt it. But I didn't give it much thought. It did not seem like the work of a fanatic, that was all.

Putting aside Julie and PM for a moment, there have been various negative reports that I haven't believed mostly because they seemed so "out there". You encountered Kate Gosselin and she screamed at you to get away from her? That doesn't make sense to me. Rude is one thing, but crazy irrational screaming at strangers is something else. I've never seen any evidence that Kate behaves like that. Also, such posters tend to "hit and run" - relate their not-credible story, and then disappear.

There have been pro-Gosselin posts that I've disbelieved, too (the one I think on PM's blog from someone who claimed to know J&K). So my criteria is not just based on believing what i want to believe.

Anonymous said...

Florida Mom, I understand your question/comment. Jon and Kate have said that they don't acknowledge or let the negative comments bother them. Who knows if they truly visit these blogs personally, who knows if perhaps they have asked family/friends to not get involved, who really knows?!?

I too think that Jon and Kate have certainly had a part in whatever issues exist between them and family/friends. I also think that there HAVE to be family members/friends that accept Jon and Kate for who and what they are and that are not estranged from them.

My issue with Julie is not that she is standing up for Julie, but that she goes far beyond doing just that and she isn't very nice in her delivery.

This whole controversy has opened my eyes to how many mean spirited people are out there. At times I have been shocked by words written by both sides. At some point can't we all just agree to disagree?

Thanks for your post!

Anonymous said...

NinaB was right. GWoP apparently was just down for technical difficulties. Thanks.

Anonymous said...

Well, well, well - I go away for a couple of days and looks what happens?

My kids - especially my 6 year old son, LOVES when Kate says in the 1 show (imitating the kids) I got to PEE! They find it hilarious. My husband can't stand Kate, and he's used to me blogging on scrap book sites so this is no big deal to him.

Most of my friends have seen the show. My friend with 5 kids can't watch it any more - she thinks it's just 1 product placement after another. She posts on large family websites and is the first one who told me that their are controversies surrounding J&K and other families on the Kids by the Dozen shows. I am trying to talk my 1 friend with triplets to try for sextuplets so she can get her own show, while she is trying to single-handly rip out her uterus to make sure that can never happen. She really doesn't get to watch that much and is not computer savvy so she is not aware of the blog world. Overall, I would have to say that most of my friends are appalled by Kate's behavior, and most don't know that I blog about this. 1 friend does, and she also knows that I blog on scrapbook sites, and her main comment is that she can't understand where I find the time to argue about people who I don't even know, with people I don't even know. She finds it amusing.

Seriously, though, I have to say that my heart is breaking for Penn Mommy - I can't imagine what she and her family is going through. And to be honest, I can't believe how a burst appendix can lead to such problems. I am praying that they find the strength to make it through this difficult time for them.

The Travel Mom said...

Honestly, my husband thinks I'm insane. But my eldest daughter loves the show and watched it with me during the day in the Summer. My husband does watch it with me Monday nights and wonders what the fuss is about. He also feels there is a tremendous amount of negativity for this couple for no reason. He would love some of those feebies too!

Anonymous said...

Thanks bee, you said it better than I did. That was my point. Agree to Disagree. And to aap--a burst appendix pours all that infection into the abdominal cavity, and can lead to an overwhelming infection(that leads to numerous complications)in the healthiest of people. It really is terrible and my prayers are with the family, too.
On a side note. I watched a rerun of the cutting room floor episode last night. I felt sorry for the Gosselins, because they seemed less stressed and more natural(IMO)in the beginning. I know that they try to ignore the negative stuff, but I'm sure fame (of any sort) takes a toll after a while. I know people can and maybe should question their choice to let cameras follow their children around, but I don't think anyone can seriously question their love for their children.

Anonymous said...

ginger said: My family is also anti-Gosselin, but we also volunteered for them...

--

ginger would you be willing to share your experiences or yur family's with us?

What were J&K like in the beginning? Did you (or your family members) receive the brushoff that PennMommy and some other volunteers did after they were no longer useful to J&K?

Do J&K have other friends and family who are close to them who are not featured on the show?

Do you think that J&K are wealthy due to the show or do you think that Jon inherited greatly from his father?

I have wondered if the show is what caused the souring of relations between family/friends and J&K. It is a fact that money changes relationships.

ginger, please post!

Musings from Me said...

I have been at home with kids for 12 years. For the first 6 I worked from home and had little time to do anything, but work and care for my children. Six years ago my husband got a much better job, which allowed me to quit work and stay at home.

So, with all this free time on my hands, I got in to surfing the internet during nap times. I started by perusing the websites of children with cancer. I know this sounds odd, but I have friends and family who have had cancer so I wanted to do anything to help families with cancer. I would read updates and pray for the children. I often posted comments letting the families know that I cared about them.

Last year I took a grad class, which required creating a blog. I liked posting to the blog. When the class ended, I started a personal blog. My extended family know I have a blog, but I have not told anyone the URL. I like the anonymity. My immediate family don't "get" why I now read mommy blogs. Well, not much has changed since they did not get why I read cancer blogs.

I used to TIVO the show until I started "researching" the controversy. I have read all sides from the observers to the volunteers to the neutrals to the sensationalists to the kooks. Each story is entertaining and informative in its own way.

Anonymous said...

Here's the link for the blog that featured the family who met the Gs on the plane to Utah:

http://i-met-the-gosselins.blogspot.com/

Anya@IW said...

Anonymous said 5:50 a.m.
ginger said: My family is also anti-Gosselin, but we also volunteered for them...
--
ginger would you be willing to share your experiences or yur family's with us?


Ginger, please DON'T share your "experiences." We have enough "insiders" running around the internets telling tales.

As Delurkerloo wisely said earlier in this post: "Just speaking for myself - I don't believe anyone I don't know personally, which would include everyone involved in this Jon and Kate love/hate relationship from Jon and Kate themselves to the self proclaimed insiders to the other screen names on this blog."

Amen. Let's try and use our critical thinking skills, ok?

Anonymous said...

I agree with you both, Anya and Delurkerloo. I don't want to read anymore 'insider' information.

Anonymous said...

'I agree with you both, Anya and Delurkerloo. I don't want to read anymore 'insider' information.'

Adding my vote to yours. The real world and the virtual world shouldn't mix - unhealthy results.

Thesaurus Rex said...

LOL I don't talk about it with anyone because no one I know is stupid enough to watch this dreck except me.