did ‘Jon and Kate Plus 8’ do the right thing?

Jon and Kate Gosselin broke their own ratings record when more than 10.6 million people tuned in to watch Jon and Kate Plus 8’s latest episode. But unfortunately, their 10 years of marriage snapped too.

They announced their divorce that night and a production break soon followed. During the fifth season of the show, People Magazine reported Kate saying this in an episode: “Parents of multiples have tripled the divorce rate,” Kate said through tears. “I was thinking we were going to beat that. I don’t know if I can say that anymore.”

Kate’s words are now the couple’s reality. And since Jon and Kate welcomed America into their home after the birth of their sextuplets, some viewers still haven’t left.

In an article published by the Calgary Herald online, a blogger identified Justmythoughts wrote: “The children NEED to come FIRST! You need to look at how much you’ve changed, has it been worth it? I’m sure all the nice things (perks) are great, but look at the sacrifice. I hope in 20 years, you’ll think it’s been worth it.”

But by doing the television show, is it possible that Jon and Kate did put the kids first? Most, if not all, parents want the best for their children. And for the Gosselins, the best would come at a VERY expensive price. Simply multiplying $40,000 a year for two kids headed to college simultaneously (and then calculating the costs for another six preparing to do the same!) could equal extreme debt or maybe even impossibility.

As I sat and pondered the summer clothes expense budget for my two children, I could only imagine the food and clothes expenses a family has for eight children. As my husband and I prepare to move to a larger living space this year for our family of four, I consider what the price would be for a home where a family of 10 could all live comfortably (for at least another 10 – 15 years!). Would this be possible for the Gosselins without the (up to) $75,000 per episode TLC paid the couple for a 20–show season? I’m sure other families of multiples could weigh in here.

“… It used to be fun watching this show on how a big family of sextuplets would go thru their daily routine such as naps, laundry and potty training” CijiDunne wrote on the website. “Now it’s nothing but product placement each and every week. Very disheartening. …Get off TV and take care of your “real” lives….. money isn’t everything.”

This is another thought some ponder. I remember the struggles I went through (and still go through for that matter) when I decided to not work and stay home with my children. I knew what kind of income I could bring into our home and what a difference it would make in our budget (a big one let me tell ya!). Eddie and I weighed that against our perceived benefit we thought our children would have if I was home more with them. We felt, and still feel, that for us the benefit of me being with our children outweighs the family financial benefit of me working…BUT, the struggle in our minds still lives. We are not moving at the pace we desire to move with our finances. Our budget many times does not allow our children to partake in things that we believe would benefit them. We desire to sow and give more into our ministry and others, but we are greatly limited. So, if I had the chance to stay home with my children AND bring home a significant income, I’m not sure if I would have chosen any differently than Jon and Kate.

Whatever the case may be, Jon and Kate have a heavy burden on their hands. And blogger Kriss reminds us that “People need to stop making assumptions about this family. Nobody has any idea what the truth is and all these magazines have no idea what is going on with the family either.”

Probably enough said, huh? God bless them all.