My guest blogger on Wednesdays is my co-editor, Cheryl Clemens:
OK, I think I might be the only woman around who feels sorry for Kate Gosselin.
My daughters and I have watched “John and Kate Plus Eight” since it started, and we used to love watching the babies as they grew and became more independent.
One thing that became clear early on in the show is that to run a household like theirs, one of the parents has to be ultra-organized < anal almost < if they want to get anything done. And while it’s unlikely you’d ever find two extremely organized people married to each other, the less organized one can’t simple switch to default and wait to be told what to do.
Every few episodes there would be a moment < Kate trying to get six pairs of toddler shoes on 12 wiggly feet while John gets distracted by something in the garage; a visit to a hay maze where John is checking out the entertainment while his kids start running in different directions; Christmas shopping at a toy store where John is just pushing a cart, waiting to be told what to do < when I would think, “I would go crazy married to that guy!”
Now, I’m a firm believer that couples set up their own relationships. Kate has barked at John enough that he doesn’t seem proactive at all. He just waits to be told what to do, then resents being told what to do. Kate has bullied John into following her directions, then resents when he fails to be proactive.
So now Kate is a shrew who chased away her husband and John is an alleged cheater. It’s been said many times recently that no one wins in this situation and I’m sorry for it.
What about you? Do you sympathize with John or Kate?
Excellent “analysisl” – only a female who has raised children in a relationship can respond with such rationale. And she is correct on every level.
You have hit the nail on the head. I am defending Kate to the rest of my family. I truly have been in those same situations; however, my two youngest are only 13 months apart and I only have one more. My son finally said to me last night, ” Mom, you and dad are just like John and Kate.” I would be shopping for toys and off goes my husband to no mans land. BRAVO!!!!
I totally agree. I had 3 boys in 5 years, they were a handful. Now they are 21,18 and 16, much easier to manage. However, if I had not been the organized one it would have been a free for all most of the time. It pains me to watch this family fall apart, in fact I have not watched after the first episode. I feel like their lives have become about TV instead of the family. Save the marriage, save the family, quit the TV show. Nothing is more important than working things out. I will be praying for them and hope they turn to their faith to figure things out.
Thanks for the feedback, ladies. I have not watched since the season premiere, either, but tonight is the “big announcement.” Are they divorcing? Going to counseling? I’ll be watching tonight, but I doubt I’ll feel very good when the episode is over. Cheryl
My nine year old son just came up with the new name for the show this morning: “Kate plus nine.” I knew if I checked Google, someone else would have thought of it. I have no great love lost for Kate, but have enjoyed watching the show. But, to her defense, she has had to be the adult for both of them. Part of what made it so enjoyable was watching how Kate had to try to keep order–I have enought trouble with two. I loved when she couldn’t stand it at DisneyWorld when all 6 little ones were holding rapidly melting ice creams, which were dripping all over their camera-ready clothes. What made it so funny is that we’ve all been there–but not multiplied by 6! What is Jon talking about now–starting a “new chapter”? He doesn’t know what’s next? I feel sorry for him in that he’s a little boy that now, at age 32, is starting to grow up. But, he now has 8 kids to worry about, and now is not playtime or teenage rebellion time.