Yawn and Fruit-Kate Plus Hate

I used to enjoy watching Jon and Kate Plus 8.

Yes, they argued. Yes, she is high maintenance. Yes, he takes a lot more public humiliation than my husband would ever tolerate. But in the end, they seemed sweet. They did neat things with their kids, they seemed to really know each kid really well, and they seemed pretty genuine in their gratitude for what people had provided them, and for the unique opportunities their children get to experience because of the show.

And you know what? I was often impressed that the grouching and impatience wasn’t more pronounced. Because I only have two kids, and while my love for them is indescribable, while the lengths I would go to in order to care for them are infinite, and while they are the primary reason I decided to have faith in God, there are times each day where I fear I will completely lose my mind. I mean, seriously, how many times a day can I answer the same question, get somebody a drink, change a diaper, play Candyland, or go to the bathroom with four eyes on me without wanting to go completely batshit crazy?

But I digress.

I stopped watching, primarily because I moved to an area that offered BRAVO, so my love for TLC fell by the wayside. Yes, I am fickle, and was wooed by sexy chefs and fake boobs with spray tans. But sort of out of the blue, my son and I stumbled on a recent episode of Jon and Kate, and we stopped and watched.

And boy, has that show changed.

The grouchy but ultimately loving banter is now negative and icy. The precocious children whose quirks were understood and enjoyed by Jon and Kate were now teased and even ridiculed. The sweatpants and bare feet were replaced by designer jeans and heels. The cramped house has been replaced by what looks like a McMansion.

What the hell happened?

Well, because inquiring minds want to know, I got on the Google, and found out that there is this whole backlash happening against TLC and Jon and Kate. From groups that say they are advocating for children’s rights to sites that stalk where they live, hang out, worship, or do speaking engagements, to sites that just plain old Hate Kate, there are LOTS of people that have an opinion about the Gosselins.

It’s obvious to me this family is facing hard times. It’s obvious the kids, the fame, the “work”, whatever, is putting a strain on the marriage and the family dynamic. And who really knows what is up with the big house, fancy trips, and contract with TLC.

And no doubt, doing this show has gotten them out of the long public assistance lines and into a world of experiences they would never have been able to provide to their kids otherwise.

But I’m not a hater. I can’t be on the critical bandwagon, that has a laundry list about how terrible these parents are. I mean, I have been short with my husband, dressed my kids inappropriately for the weather, let a thank-you note go unwritten, allowed a pet to eat something bad, and decided that certain friendships or relationships were not healthy for our family. I just got to do all of that in private, and not on national TV.

I think there is a bigger arc to this story, and it’s that Jon and Kate are, before our very eyes, living out the notion of being careful of what you wish for. I think that, while they might believe they are doing this with God’s blessing, they are actually allowing the work and the money and the stuff come before their relationship with God and each other. I think they probably have a lot of people around them helping them justify this bad behavior, and I think when it all comes to a head, it is going to be ugly.

We have had money, and we have been broke, and I have learned that in many ways, it’s easier to be broke. True happiness, for our little family, has been found in simplicity. If we won a gazillion dollars in the lottery, I could totally be one of those people on True Hollywood Story who lost it all and went insane, because life got too chaotic once we could have anything we wanted. My eye can be taken off of the prize, when really, though I might be wearing last year’s Target Activewear, driving an older car, and getting $10 haircuts from Great Clips, everything I could ever need is in this little house.

And I have a feeling that the Gosselins may be on the same path. And as both a Christian and a fan, I am pulling for them.