So much for spending quality time with the kids. Actions speak louder than words, and saying the kids are a priority doesn't mean a pile of dogpooh if it's only words. Kate zoomed out again soon after returning home, suitcase in hand. Once again the kids are left with the nannies instead of having a normal home life with their natural parents. Meanwhile Jon supposedly fired his attorney, is selling his Beemer and has a cougar in Washington, D.C. What does any of this have to do with parenting?
It appears Representative Murt's hearings on the PA child labor laws were not a moment too soon. Legal changes won't help the Gosselin kids with their problems at home, but at least someone somewhere out there is paying attention and trying to inject some sanity and health into this situation. Who's making sure these kids' needs are met?
Using the need of money to pay for college educations is a transparent and poor excuse for not being parents to your children. Many families have eight or even more kids and they aren't all over the country trying to hook up television or Hollywood deals. Some parents even adopt mentally or physically disadvantaged kids, adding to their own large broods, because they love children and want to help them so much. There's no reason an IT guy and a nurse who worked at a great hospital couldn't provide their kids with not only the basic physical care, but also the time with their parents and individual attention growing kids need (not to mention privacy in public and in their own home.) Kids are not a meal ticket or a vehicle with which to draw attention to yourselves, make money or create a career in entertainment. Kids are people, little dependent people, with emotional and psychological needs, and they need parents more than they need matchy-matchy outfits and the other superficial trappings these two parents seem hellbent on procuring.
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Regis & Kelly have been hyping all week that Kate Gosselin was going to be on Friday morning - so I am sure she is at her swanky Manhattan hotel tonight.
I think they could have done a remote camera, though, and broadcast from her home in PA. As you said, actions speak louder - and if she had been filmed at home with her children, it would have been huge for her image.
Oh well - both parents are obviously tools for TLC and don't care a hoot about the kids. If you see some of the photos of the children as Mama Kate leaves, they look very sad.
Your doing a great job keeping us informed.
There's little that we (the general public) can do to help these children.
I think there IS strength in numbers, though. I've contacted Rep. Murt, and made a contribution to Paul Peterson's site. Whenever the opportunity to express our opinions is open to us, we should do all we can.
Thank you for creating this site. It's a nice place to visit!
WG,
I have liked your little tidbits of info, but excuse me if what I am about to say is offensive to you.
This last post is sounding more and more like some other sites. Whether you or I like how Kate raises her kids, they are her children. I get so tired of people saying she should go back to being a nurse, would you prefer her as your nurse? Or Jon should go back to ITing. They can do what they choose. Not what we, the public think is right for them. I am all over the Gosselin's kids rights etc. I don't think the kids are mistreated and I do think there essential needs are met far more than thousands of other children. Kate is a celeb. Her controversy and nastiness has got her where she is. I just hope you don't tip over and become a hate site that rips her to shreds. Keep reporting facts.
Werny Fan
None of this has anything to do with parenting, but we are not talking about parenting - we are talking about show biz and reality TV. The only non-willing participants in all this nonsense are the children.
Hi everyone and thanks for visiting. Thanks for mentioning Regis & Kelly, drama, I've not watched TV all week because I've just been too busy. Don't worry anon, I am not into the hate, but I as a therapist I do have concerns about how all this effects the kids. Sure, they're not as neglected as some other kids. We can always find other examples to compare down to. That doesn't negate the fact that these kids have been exploited for money and aren't being actively parented by two parents who make it a point to say frequently in the press that the kids are a priority.
I have given up all hope that these parents will ever wake up to the damage they may cause to their multiple children or stop exploiting them as long as they are allowed by the law to get away with it.
Triplets run in our family, I grew up with groups of multiples for cousins. I felt so lucky that I had my mom for a whole year all to myself! Babysitting my young cousins and knowing the realities of how difficult it is for even a full time mom to provide the love and care needed for "groups of same aged kids", I always prayed when I was pregnant "Just one, please. Just one".
I always felt it was unfair for so many babies/kids to have to compete for attention and to be ID as a set rather than individuals. I cannot even imagine what the Gosselins 6 have been through.
From the beginning of learning about the Gosselins I have thought that Kate failed to bonded with any of her children in the hospital or after arriving home. I see no signs of attachment when she looks or speaks about the children. Having so many caregivers to help her in the beginning may have prevented attachment and I am sure she see the multiple caregivers now as adequate to fulfilling all the children's needs- just like when they were infants.
Not to make excuses for them but instead trying to understand how parents could use their children as a source of fame and profit.
it is my hope and prayers that Rep Murt will be able to make changes in the laws and provide protection to these children and all children in Pa and someday across the USA.
Thanks Mom2six, that was very well put, and it's especially helpful to hear from a family with multiple triplets. Hope you'll come back and visit often! :)
I thought that was a great point about Kate not being attatched/bonding with sextuplets.
Anonymous:their "essential needs" for privacy, protection, emotional stability,consistency of caregivers,freedom from parental alienation,and safety are not being met.As a therapist myself I know that these things are far more important in a child's development than financial security and basic physical care.Yes,there are more glaring examples of abuse and neglect in the world.We must each pick our battles. This doesn't make the Gosselin children less worthy of our care and concern.
Geez...Do you folks ever cut Kate a break. Did anyone even consider that it was Jon's custody day and that is why she was leaving?
Have you heard anything back from Murt regarding the required clearances necessary for working with children in Pennsylvania? Just curious, from one of the other posts, it sounded as though he was losing patience with the "stalling" and lack of response.
Anonymous- IMO it's not about cutting Kate a break. It's about finding something in this whole disgusting mess that would cut those little kids a break. They have nowhere safe to turn, and are consistently getting the short end of the stick in regard to their parents' immature carryings-on. This site is not anti-Kate, it's pro-kids. Sometimes to be pro- kids you have to say unpleasant things about their parents, so that the truth will find its way to the surface.
I thought you liked Jon?
Thursday was Jon's day, Werny Gal, wasn't it? You said he has Thurs-Sunday and that, paparazzi or not, he was showing up for it. I'm feeling a bit confussed.
Have you heard or seen anything about Kate's mom and sister supporting her? It's buzzing at other sites. Have you seen them at the house? Maybe one of the paparazzi has? I think it would be great for the kids to have a relationship with their aunt and grandma. Good news!
I'm wondering about Jon's new place. I wonder if he took my advice and moved closer to the school so they wouldn't be so hungry riding the bus!
Anon: "emotional," as defined by law, is a basic need.
Great blog, Werny! Keep up the good work :-)
Yes, you're right Mocha, Thurs is Jon's day, sorry for the confusion. Frankly I don't know how I feel about Jon at this point. I wanted to believe the kids were the priority to at least one of the parents. Now I just don't know what to think.
I don't know anything about Kate's family supporting her but as far as I know, it's always been her who rejected them, not them who rejected her. Maybe she's reaching out for support because she has so little anymore. If so they would probably be there for her, as they were before she cut contact.
If you were Team Kids you would not be running a blog that infers and implys negative things about their parents, when you have absolutely no proof of anything. The kids were with Kate in California and now it is Jon's custody time. So I do not why you are implying that they are not getting quality time with their parents. It disturbs me that you as a Therapist would do somthing that could potentially harm those children.
The picture that I believe ROL has up of Kate leaving and the kids in the doorway with their nanny...take a look at Aiden's face (he's sitting forlornly on the stoop). I think that speaks volumes! That almost brought me to tears.
I posted this under the wrong topic, so I'll try again. You know the picture that now I believe Us Magazine posted of Kate leaving after her 20 minute visit home? It's the one of her walking to the car while most of the kids are in the doorway with the nanny, but Aiden is sitting on the stoop. Take a look at Aiden's face and if that doesn't make you feel like crying, I don't know what would. His expression speaks volumes!
Anonymous- I suspect your remarks were directed at me and not the blog admin so I will respond. I was not commenting on "quality tiime". There is plenty of factual evidence to support my statements about the children's needs not being met.You seem more concerned about my small ability to influence their lives than about the much greater influence their parents' bahaviour is having on their growth and development. I have said nothing on this blog that I would not say directly to Jon and Kate if given the opportunity.I don't understand why being concerned enough to express my personal and professional view could be construed as harmful.And my opinions are backed up with a long career in Child Protection Services and Children's Mental Health, so they are not uninformed.
My name is Hilary, what's yours?Anonymous?
I have to agree that if it was Jon's turn with the kids, then for Kate to leave was ok. I think that the reason there's been a negative reaction and comments regarding Kate shopping in NYC is that all you heard out of her mouth was how much she missed her kids. The timing of dropping them off and whizzing out to NYC was not the best if you want to proclaim yourself as the world's greatest mom, but as always, Kate only thinks about Kate. She could have changed custody times with Jon to spend time with the kids at home.
Working mothers cannot spend as much time with their kids as they'd like, but what is disturbing to me, and this is my sense of the situation, is that Kate Gosselin actually doesn't want to spend time with her kids. Her proclamations of missing her kids ring hollow. Her lack of affection (and pap photos demonstrate this) with the kids is stunning. This happens to some unlucky children, but to have it played out publicly makes those who see it feel helpless and frustrated. There wouldn't be such negative talk about the Gosselins if they were great parents, instead they would be role models. TLC is not stupid. They love the controversy and are manipulating this family, and others, all in the name of money.
To Anonymous....
I used to be a fan, loved it when the kids were little. But, the Gosselins are chameleons, courtesy of TLC: bible thumpers (I don't hear a peep now about God); normal marriage with ups and downs (disintegration hidden to keep the brand); author (ghost writer); talent (none); reality show (scripted to get the shot); loving mom (young nannies); family (no cousins, grandparents involved); pets (returned). It's all smoke and mirrors. What kind of a world are those kids growing up in? Jon and Kate made the decision to make their kids' lives public and here's the real price: the court of public opinion. They are "The Truman Show". This blog doesn't hurt those kids, the parents are hurting those kids. They've sold out their children's privacy to support themselves. Initially the show was entertaining and interesting, but it morphed into something distubing that should be debated. So, I appreciate your comments, but don't condemn the messenger.
I'm having a giggle, Hilary, because I thought the comment was directed at me, but I chose to ignore it. But I love your point when you said, "You seem more concerned about my small ability to influence their lives than about the much greater influence their parents' bahaviour is having on their growth and development." How true.
Thanks, Werny Gal, I wish I had the strength of character to ignore comments that are ignorant (in the real sense of the word) but I have difficulty not responding to people who appear to attack my profession without having the courage to at least post a screen name.Forgive my rant. I'm glad you had a giggle because if we can't laugh, we would all go mad!
I applaud this blog, as it appears to be a much needed watchdog group for children who desperately need a voice. Until they get appropriate representation, may this forum, and many other like-minded groups continue.
Kate wanted fame and she got it. All celebrities get snarked, it's one of the perks. And I certainly wouldn't worry about Kate getting her non-existent feelings hurt, since her ability to look the other way seems to be her greatest gift.
Hilary,
That is interesting to me that you think the children's needs are not being met. I think it was just this type of discussion that drew me to this blog in the first place. I am not sure of that, and was interested in why Werny Gal thought so. I wondered why I would watch the show and see happy/normal but others would see unhappy/abusive.
I apologize for being unclear, it's so hard for me to make my point! What I mean is, I don't see abuse so I won't call CPS. But others, experienced others, do see abuse, but still don't call CPS. Why not? I think if someone with experience in abuse sees that on TV, he/she should report it.
I do not want to sound argumentative. I really like this blog and respect Werny Gal. It's just something I don't get.
Mocha,no one is going to report anything because they will get sued and it's ridiculous for anyone who does not personally know the family to report suspected abuse. Exploitation is not grounds to report someone to CPS. It is really up to the relatives, close friends, teachers, or employees to report to CPS anyway. I do have every confidence, however, the Gosselins and TLC will get smacked down by the law and society.
Thanks, Mocha, and I'm sorry if I sounded snarky. I live in Canada. I am also wondering why the things I saw on the show and have heard of since on this blog and others, have not been reported to CPS.I agree that it should be reported. I'm not sure that it hasn't. But to the best of my knowledge CPS has done no investigations in regard to it.I personally have written to Rep.Murt with my concerns. I don't believe that CPS would take a report from me seriously as I would be writing without firsthand knowledge, from another country. But there are others, the film crew for instance, who could and should have reported their concerns when they told Jodi and Kevin about them.I feel very helpless up here in Ontario watching things going on that would be reportable here, not being attended to. Some examples are: leaving Joel,a sick child,on the cold laundry room floor in his underpants to keep him from vomiting on his bedding: threatening with, and using a weapon (wooden spoon)for discipline;continual denigrating of their father, their art efforts, and their physical appearance or personalities publicly (Joel is sneaky, Mady lies);full frontal nudity filmed when Hanna was being cleaned up after pooping in her diaper.
I can only guess that nobody at CPS in PA watched the show because it's all there for everyone to see.Again, sorry for my snark, it comes out of my complete inability to intervene appropriately in the children's lives.
-Hilary (IDModo)
P.s.to Mocha:If reports have been made we will never know unless some course of action is taken as a result, as investigations are confidential information.If they have been made and nothing has been done, the blame lies squarely on the Child Protective Services for not carrying out their mandate to protect children.
Regards, Hilary
Since you responded I guess my post was addressed to both of you, IDModo/Hilary and Werny Gal. Both of you have made many assumption, based on what you see from a very long distance. I think it is not rational, logical, or ethical. Matter of fact it is disrespectful to the parents. My name is Lisa, by the way, does that make a difference?
OOps, sorry, Mocha, I thought YOU were Anonymous. Lisa, I saw what I saw on television as did millions of other people.I am not making assumptions, I am making observations based on observable fact.Does the fact that I watched it from Canada make it any less valid? And I certainly have little to no respect for parents who treat their children in the way that I observed them being treated on J&K+8.It is not ethical for me to remain silent.I would question the ethics of anyone who suggested that I should muzzle myself and not speak "disrespectfully" of parents who allow such indignities to take place either publicly or privately.
Yes. Lisa. your name does make a difference. I now have some respect for you, not hiding behind "Anonymous" when you question my motives or ethics.
This debate is taking up a whole lot of energy that I no longer have the time or inclination to expend.You will continue to have your opinions, as I will have mine.I only ask you to check up on what I am saying by watching past episodes of the show.
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