Jon & Kate Plus... Just Plain Sad

I was recently asked how I feel about the televised implosion of Jon & Kate Plus 8's marriage. And I'm curious to hear how my fellow bloggers, and all you readers out there feel about it, too.

Here's my honest, uninformed (but who could be truly informed in this instance?) opinion:

Back Story:
I did have my Jon & Kate viewing moment. I enjoyed that my Tivo picked up handfuls of episodes seemingly every day. I liked the view into a home much more challenging than my own, but one that appeared to be filled with love (and at times, frustration -- who can blame?). I felt a sense of hope seeing their family struggling to do the best they could -- just like me.

Since the Storm:
Since the allegations, rift, and countless magazine covers (which I read. I admit that. It's true. Now you know), I've felt sort of queasy about it all. I assume they're in real pain and I'm sorry to see their pain amplified by photogs and spin.

At this point, I just can't fault them for the choices they've made for their family.

I have one child. There are countless experts and books and opinions out there to tell me how to raise my girl. We still have to make countless choices that are (hopefully) right for our family. It is so hard and so important to be a parent -- and to amplify that times eight? I can't say I wouldn't jump at the opportunity to secure my family's financial stability in exchange for a couple of cameras. Is it bad for the kids? Probably. But... growing up destitute and with those strains would not have been a good situation either.

And sure they signed up for it, but I doubt they foresaw the (perhaps inevitable) media storm approaching way off in the distance. I guess I see it as a "walk a mile in their shoes" kind of thing.

Here's what I'm wondering though. Why has Kate been on the cover of every major gossip magazine for the past month or so? (the ones I read, yes, we already covered that). Why do we take such twisted pleasure in chastising this woman who might not be especially friendly or gracious, but neither is the guy who just bumped me with his umbrella. I guess what I'm saying is there are worse things than what they've done, but you wouldn't know that right now.

Who knew I felt so passionately?

What do you think?

Comments

[Jennifer Miller]

I think one thing people tend to forget (even though it seems silly to say so) is that Kate is a Mother of EIGHT kids! :-p And yes, she chose to have all these children, she chose to be in front of cameras, but if through it all she was always sweet and gentle and caring, people would call her a saint :-p As it turns out, though, she's not... she's just a regular person. But why is that not OK?

I only have twins myself... and it feels funny to say "only" because I have people tell me all the time, "I don't know how you do it...." The appeal of this show started out as, "I don't know how they do it, and I want to see HOW they do it." These are just regular people, put into an extraordinary circumstance... and I do think that, especially at this point, they should get rid of the cameras; they've gained enough fame now that, there are other ways they can make money. However, even if they continue, the appeal will continue to be a look into the lives of real people, and how they're dealing with having eight children, something most of us couldn't even dream of! :-)

So, while it might be natural to pick apart these people, and magnify all of their flaws, just like we do with all celebrities, it doesn't make it right... and those that do are saying a lot more about themselves than they are about Jon & Kate.

[Donna Lindgren]

My intake on Jon and Kate, they both need to get a real job and stop exploiting their kids on television. What are they teaching them, nothing, nothing at all it looks like no morals. Jon and Kate need to become real parents and stop worrying about the money aspect and being on TV.

I vote down on Jon and Kate............