"While emotions ran high in the nursery, life at home was wrought with stress. We were still staying at my parents house (which Kate says was very close to the hospital) and I longed to regain ownership of my days, my girls, and my life! I wanted to be "Mommy" again. I hated feeling that they had drifted away from me, and like a mother hen wanting to collect her chicks, I wanted them under my wing, if not under my roof. Jon saw my need and made a phone call to a social worker in the NICU explaining our situation. By the Grace of God, and the diligence of the social worker, we were told we could move into the Ronald McDonald House."
Then I saw Jon's interview on Baby Mama's site (click here to see it) and I really started thinking. After finding Kate's sister blog (look at me...I feel like one of those GWOPpers snooping around. Man...when I get going in my journalistic mode watch out now...) I had to write this. Well that and the fact that I was on that site the other day and my blood really started boiling after reading how some "reporter" wanted to do an in depth piece on the Gosselins and would "love" to talk to any friends and neighbors of the G's from GWOP only but I will save that for another post because that story will really get me off topic. So anyway...
I thought about Jon's comments on his family and Kate's. While I do think that he went a little too far with the information he gave (which goes to show that he isn't like most celebrities which state..."Look at me!! Look at what I am doing!!! But don't bother asking me what I do in private even though I flaunt it in public!" Sorry Hollywood just irritates me sometimes...which is probably why I watch so many reality shows. Go figure!!) I believe that it did give deeper insight to why we don't see many people on the show and why Kate isn't talking to her parents. Do I think we will ever know to what extent and why...no but then again it is none of our business. Of course there will be others on GWOP who say that because they chose to make their life public then we should know every little detail down to how many times they go to the bathroom or grocery store. Who cares?? Like I stated in a post before...it is all about the perception of reality. And the perception is not always clear or accurate. But with ASSumptions running around it just seems like the blind leading the blind. But back to the topic at hand...
While many may agree or disagree with how Jon handled the situation or why the grandparents aren't in the picture I for one understand why him and Kate are doing what they are. And contrary to popular belief it will not hurt the kids AS LONG AS Jon and Kate tell them what they need to know about the situation in regards to keeping it simple because of the age they are telling it to. I am sure at some point in time the kids will know the full story and while they may try to have a relationship with their grandparents I am not fully sure if that will happen. How do I know??? I am currently going through this with my own grandmother. Without going into grand personal details, my own my father and his mother barely spoke to each other if at all when I was a child. I remember clearly being told that the woman (who I consider my grandmother) that raised my father was my grandmother. While I do know who my paternal grandmother is I do not "know" her nor do I care to get to "know" her. She has made no attempts to contact me or my family and only ask about me or my children every once in a blue moon. Did it scar me as a child...no and while as an adult I do wonder from time to time why she chooses to be very close to her other grandchildren and not me and my brother I really don't care. That might be the same way for the Gosselin children. Does it matter whether or not the grandparents in their life are blood related? To me no...my children have "sudograndparents and sudo aunts and uncles" galore and they seem fine with it. I am guessing that the Gosselin's probably do see Jon's side of the family and while they may not see Kate's I think they have a full understanding why. So why the vocal minority of naysayers out there go on and on about how Jon and Kate keep them from their family. Who knows...maybe its to turn more people against them. But unless you have concrete evidence to the contrary ...maybe it is a good thing grandma ain't in the picture. (Oh and let me throw it out there because I am also experiencing this...maybe they aren't close because of opposing religious views. It can happen and believe me you don't want to be accused of being a sinner just because you choose to wear makeup or not follow the bible literally.)
I think about all the times Kate says she wants to make memories and family traditions I understand why. Though my mom had it...my father did not and he was all about that. He is still all about keeping the family together and calls me once or sometimes even twice a day. I understand this because when you grow up not having it you crave it as an adult and vow not to let it happen to your family. My husband is the same way but for different reason. (I tell you what...if TLC ever did a show about a dysfunctional family mine would be d*mn near the top. If you call having loony tunes and weird situations that should only happen on TV happen to my family then yea...give me a show...I'll show you a dysfunctional money grabbing family with all kinds of faults. And I am only talking about the extended family here. Let's not get started on the immediate family.)
So to end this very, very, very, long post. Here's a question for you..do you think Jon went to far and why? Or do you think he had a right to answer every question the way he did?
3 comments:
Well I basically enjoyed the interview. Everyone has been asking for more answers for quite some time and he appeared to give them.
To tell you the truth, I was uncomfortable about the way he answered the question regarding Kate's parents. I felt he should have given an answer if he wanted to regarding their relationship with Kate's parents. I did not think he should have brought in the rest of Kate's family.
I think they need to speak for themselves if they choose to.
I agree, most families have some type of dysfunction.
I liked the interview as well and appreciated Jon's honesty. I did squirm in my seat a little, thinking that he was being a bit "too" honest. But that was his decision.
We are in a similar situation, where my husbands father is not part of our lives. I wish that he could be, but at this point in all of our lives, it is best that he is not. This is a mutual decision on all of our parts because my husband and his father both have put distance between them.
It sounds like the situation is similar.
I also grew up not knowing my own biological father or his family. I was raised by a wonderful man who IS my father and the grandfather to my children! So yes, I agree with you that blood doesn't make a family!
I think this is more common then most people want to believe. And I don't find it odd that the Gosselins have family conflict as well...don't we all
I read Kate's book and she spoke a lot about her mother and it seemed that at one time she had a close relationship with her. It is unfortunate, that for whatever reason they are no longer close.
Good piece, thanks for your insight!
I think he answered the question in the way he felt comfortable and really, that's all that matters. He specifically made comments about how "real" they are in their show and I 100% believe those statements. I could tell by his answer that he was being "real". And I can't fault him for that.. because after all, isn't that what it's all about- being real and not worrying about what people would think? I think if he wouldn't have answered the question at all, people would question why. Or if he answered it in a sugar-coated way, people would also have asked why. I think people in Jon & Kate's situation, in the public eye, have it hard because of interviews like this- no matter what they say, someone will not like it. But ultimately, I believe he was truthful in what he said and he may have just felt at that moment that something needed to be said about her side of the family and how "weird" they are. If that's him being real, I'm all for it, ya know? So yes, he had every right to answer how he did and I don't think he went too far at all.
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