By Anya
We came across an interesting article on Eonline.com the other day. The piece, by Joal Ryan, provides a decidedly different perspective on the whole Jon and Kate Plus 8 debate. For months and months, many of us have been reading the opinions of our fellow bloggers as to whether it is healthy and in the best interest of the Gosselin children to continue with the show. The general consensus (even between those who argue on the merits of Jon and Kate as parents) has been pretty one-sided – the show should end now.
Ms. Ryan, who somewhat coincidentally has written about child stars in the past, actually took the initiative to question child development experts. She writes:
“What if, double gasp, continuing the show would be the best thing for the Gosselin children? Absurd? Nope.
We asked child-development experts to give us a couple of reasons why it’d be good for the kids to keep shooting Jon & Kate Plus 8—Minus Jon, Pending Court Rulings.
And you know what? We didn’t stump them…”
While the clinical psychologists interviewed weren’t in favor of putting children on reality shows, they also didn’t think pulling them out abruptly was in the children’s best interest. As we know, Jon Gosselin, had an “epiphany” recently (right after he was canned from the show) and exercised his right to unilaterally pull the kids off the show immediately. (Of course, some have suggested he may change his mind if and when “Divorced Dads Club” ever sees fruition.)
Of course, the vast majority of us don’t have the expertise of the professionals quoted in the Eonline article, but we do have opinions.
What do you think? Have the cameras become so normal for the Gosselin children that it is dangerous to pull them completely in a time when they are already going through upheavel? Is a gradual withdrawal perhaps a better option? Or are you convinced that the show does more harm than good and even if the children are upset in the short-term, it will be better for them long-term to cease production?
For the entire article click here.
Loading ...
Comments
58 Responses to Kate Gosselin’s Right—The Show Must Go On!
I agree with the article. However I’m prejudiced, because I love watching those children. I’m really going to miss the show and the funny things the kids do and say. I hope Kate’s new show is a winner, so we can at least hear about them and how they are doing.
(Of course, some have suggested he may change his mind if and when “Divorced Dads Club” ever sees fruition.)
Absolutely Jon will change his mind because even in his interviews now, his reasoning for why the kids need to be off TV is because the family is going through a divorce. So if “Divorced Dads Club” does come to fruition he’ll say the divorce has been finalized and the kids have missed the cameras!
As far as the article goes, other people that have been on “reality” TV shows (Elisabeth Hasselbeck((Survivor)) have made the comments that yes, it is difficult to transition back to the real world after having cameras following you around. Children need stability & I’m sure that just taking the cameras away & maybe the way they were informed about it, might not have been the best situation. As the article states, kids shouldn’t be on reality shows, however the Gosselins have already been there done that. It’s what to do from this point on that is vital. Since the show has been halted at this point, I’d say leave it that way rather than bring the cameras back & then take them away again.
I really wonder how the kids feel now that the cameras have been pulled. I don’t like the way Jon went about it. I think he was doing it for the court of public opinion. He seems to be the one on TV everyday trying to keep the family in the news. Kate says the kids were really upset and sobbing when she told told them. I think the truth lies somewhere in the middle.
I wonder if both parents have tried to influence the older girls to be on their side. Seems a shame. I really enjoyed the kids on the show, and would like to see them back.
Does Jon not realize how hypocritical his plans for tonight are? In the sit-down interview with Mary Hart he says “it’s their (his and Kate’s) fault” that all this publicity is affecting their lives, yet he is allowing ET to livestream his arrival? I don’t watch ET because it’s on late here, but everything shows up online eventually. However, hope that ET changes their “minds” (are there minds there?), and if not, hope Jon will change his mind, and if not, hope for power failure or camera problems.
I really think the change is too drastic, especially at the hands of their father. He’s never given them time to adjust to any of the changes since he ran off to France w/Hailey. I think they need time to prepare for the cameras not to be there. Ideally, it would taper off.
I just did a search and found out that TMZ is going to be streaming live when Jon returns home. The paps were at the bus stop this morning, so I can’t even imagine what it will be like when Jon is there to pick them up after school. It would have been so easy for him just to say “no” and not cause this frenzy. His perception of Kate’s email is so skewed. I really hope that Kate just gives up her time and is not there. It would be so low-down of him to try to spend the night. I would think that the order at expires at midnight.
Ideally, it would taper off. – Lily
My non-professional opinion is the same – I agree.
I also have to say that I think the tabloid and paparazzi frenzy is far more detrimentalto the kids than being a part of the show. The production of the show has set boundaries. The kids know the crew and are advised in an age-appropriate way as to what is going to be occurring. Contrast that to this morning’s debacle with Cara and Mady being dropped off at the bus stop. What 9-year-old child should have to put up with that at 7:00 a.m. in the morning heading to school (on their birthday, no less)?
And make note, the tabloid and paparazzi are a result of Jon’s actions – his whoring around and his friendliness with the paps have encouraged them to follow the entire family 24/7. Sickening. I don’t even have words about the the live streaming. It is so far below what I consider decent behavior.
Live streaming???? I miss that one. Yikes. Jon Gosselin-father of the year ladies and gentleman!
I agree with the post and the article, as much as I’d miss the show,it probably should taper off. That video from the bus stop this morning made me so sad.
No. The show shouldn’t go on.
And I really think the luxury of a gradual withdrawal is not possible at this moment. This safer course of action would only be possible if Jon and Kate were having an amicable divorce (as amicable as possible). Judging from the public war they both seem intent on waging with each other, I think they are being blindsided by their hate for each other, and that things are going to happen with as much fuss and attention as possible. A gradual withdrawal would definitely be better for the kids, but it’s not in the cards at the moment because they’re both acting incredibly immature right now.
In any case, I’m definitely of the opinion that the show should stop anyway. I know in the short term that the kids will be affected with this disruption, on top of all the disruptions in their lives right now, but there’s much to be said about long term consequences if this show doesn’t stop right now.
It’s been said before that the kids LOVE the crew. Of course the kids like the cameras and crew. The cameramen and producers know that it is in their best interest to keep the kids happy. It behooves them to play and laugh with the kids because it makes their work environment easier. When the kids talk to the camera? Much cuteness, and the product of the trust the crew has earned from the children. So, yes, the kids like the cameras– not that they totally understand what the cameras are there to do and the future impact of having their childhoods on film, but yes they like them and yes, it would be a major disruption when or if the crew suddenly disappears from their lives.
But this is one of the consequences of the show. It was never going to last forever, and eventually the crew was going to disappear. I hope Jon and Kate have been preparing for this moment from the show’s inception. No one could have predicted the way their family destructed in public, but they had to know reality show fame has an expiration date, and one day the cameras would be gone.
In my opinion the crew’s disappearance is small potatoes compared the havoc this show could wreak if the family still remains in the tabloids. Stopping the show is one of the steps to a very long journey of taking this family off of America’s radar.
Personal story: When I was about Maddy and Cara’s age my family moved on very short notice, from one continent to another. It was majorly disruptive and traumatic as everything from my school, friends and the nearness of my extended family changed abruptly for me. (And try to imagine the culture shock that I experienced, going from the Middle East to North America…) But ultimately I got over it, and in the long term the move turned out to be one of the best decisions my family has ever made. It’s not the same situation that Maddy, Cara and the sextuplets are in, but I think it’s comparable. IMHO.
I hope that Jon and Kate, as parents first and foremost of these children, take extra care and tact with their explanation for this sudden disappearance, and don’t let their personal feelings for each other at the moment color their words.
Also: I really really hope Jon doesn’t put the kids on his own show. He hasn’t said he would yet. Hoping like crazy here!
Sorry about the long block of text above. I had line breaks in there but they disappeared. Is there a way I can edit that, mods?
If the live streaming is true, I hope Kate arranged to get the twins early and is taking them back tothe house. That would serve Jon right, everyone there waiting for the kids and they are at home. HA!
claire if you click enter twice between paragraphs you’ll get one line in between. hth
also, i keep hearing how doing the show is adversely affecting the gosselin children. i wish someone would say how. i wish someone who knows can say specifically *the kids do this and that is an adverse reaction*….i don’t see the kids being anything other than what they would be anyway.
i think jon is a contradiction period. he says one thing is what his kids need and does another. cameras are cameras, filming is filming. if the normal film crew the kids love and are used to is detrimental to them then the tmz or et camera crews whom they do not know and at a time when the parents are at peak stress (today the twin’s bday) have to be monumentally detrimental to them.
is he so blinded by what he wants that he can’t see or is it that he is mentally unstable and not capable of making rational decisions for the good of his kids?
paula i wish she would think of that!
Live streaming? – sometimes I wonder what this world is coming too. I feel the same way about this that I did when the paparazzi followed Brittany Spears going through her crazy period – that some people will do anything for buck, including encouraging them to act even crazier just so they can get the train wreck on film, with absolutely no concern about the health and well being of the people they are chasing. It’s two 9-year-olds birthday party – someone should have the common sense to let them celebrate in peace.
This is one instance when I do feel sorry for Kate, because Jon is choosing to be a jerk so it’s up to her to be the responsible adult. I think probably what’s best is for Kate not to be there – because that’s probably the way Mady and Cara could celebrate their birthday drama free – and for Kate to celebrate with the girls later. It’s not fair to Kate or the girls, but other divorced parents handle it this way, and their kids aren’t scarred for life.
As for whether or not the cameras being taken out of the house is such a tragedy for the kids, I can’t believe this is even a serious topic. Because, according to Kate, the kids are just doing what they would have been doing anyway -they’re not working, their playing and the cameras are just there to catch it. The cameras are there 2 to 3 days a week for a couple hours only. And as for bonding with the camera crew – while I have no doubt that happened – don’t they have a whole new camera crew? I believe on one of the Q&A episodes Kate said there is only one original crew member from when the show started. So if they kids can handle new producers and sound guys, I think they can handle the cameras not being in the house. Also, the family can handle it when the show is on hiatus, why is this such a big deal now?
Hi Claire and welcome! I enjoyed your post and thanks for sharing your experience.
Sorry, there’s no way to edit. If you’re using Firefox, it takes 2 returns to make 1. It looks fine though.
It’s an interesting perspective, but it’s too late to do things gradually at this point. I am not as concerned about the effect a sudden cancellation will have on the kids, but what it will mean to their finances. I’d hate to see them have to move again, because of a combination of poor planning and vengeance. How far they have come from the beginning of the summer when the separated to stop from arguing in front of the kids, and could celebrate the 4th of July together.
It’s sad for all ten of them.
The girls really handled that paparazzi pressure this morning very well. How awful that they had to. Now their dad has sold the right to film them coming home? Does anyone have a link to that? Yuck.
On ET’s website it now says that Jon & Kate are at the house together, she is refusing to leave as they are not agreeing on the custody arrangements for today, and they are not speaking to each other. and jon came to the house w/o the girls so apparently he didn’t pick them up. It looks like ET is not doing a live-feed, but they are getting info from somebody posted outside the house.
also on the tmz website it says et called and ordered a cake for the girls, misspelling mady’s name, and that jon came in looking at cupcakes but was told et (although the lady said esomething) ordered a cake already and jonpaid for it and took it. tmz says they called et and they denied ordering the cake BUT the et crew were there filming jon picking it up.
this is s acircus.
ok now it says jon did pick up the girls and brought them home from the bus stop and that a *source* inside the house is letting et know what’s going on inside.
i’m almost sorry that the live stream was stopped b/c it may have been a way for tlc to void jon’s move for pulling the kids off tv.
A source inside the house? Who the heck would THAT be? I suppose the source has to find something to report then? Something better than, “They had cake and are singing ‘Happy Birthday.’”
do you all remember on j&k+8 the episode where kate is talking about mady’s little face lighting up when she sees daddy as she gets off the bus? such a huge difference in this video:
etonline.com/news/2009/10/79514/
again i have to say that the kids were much less afraid and much more comfortable with the tlc crews than what they have now…
i know right? it just says a source. not sure if they have a one or not really. unless jon is wearing a wire? lol just kidding.
but if there isn’t a source they can’t really make up much more than that j&k aren’t speaking.
and in this rol article it says
Meanwhile, the battle between Jon and Kate is growing worse.
Photographers and TV crews are lined up outside the Gosselin house, hoping to record images of the kids playing in the yard.
The only problem is that Kate has heard Jon is making money off allowing some of the photographers to be there and even tipped them that he would bring the kids into the yard!
And yes, she sees that as a ridiculous departure from his demand that TLC stop filming the kids because he believes it is detrimental to them.
oh and let me just say that i give kudos to jon for saying *no comment* and *i can’t talk now* to the paps at the bus stop. good for him for having that much restraint.
i’m sorry i forgot to add the rol link to my post i quoted above
radaronline.com/exclusives/2009/10/new-photos-jon-picks-twins-gosselin-birthday-battle-underway
ok they have to have someone in the house or else jon told them already now et is saying that jon got a laptop for mady i guess so she can see all the nasty stuff going on with her parents…and an atv for cara…i guess so she can ride around and hav her pix made by the paps jon sets up at the fence. and he told us yesterday he was getting them watches! lol
etonline.com/news/2009/10/79530/index.html
so if the details on et website are changing every few minutes what does that mean? do you think jon is wired? i was just kiddign but some one has to be telling et stuff.
Hi everyone,
I know we are all caught up in the Gosselin controversy and there appears to be breaking news every hour – however – I would like to take this opportunity to invite you all to come over to the Lounge and participate in a different type of activity.
Anya created this post and it seems like it could be a lot of fun and give everyone a chance to get to know each other a little bit better without revealing too much ( I know how everyone feels about the Internet.) So come on over to our kitchen, pull up a chair and play Two Truths and a Lie.
Hope to see you there.
http://www.imperfectwomen.com/category/the-lounge/
ok i am so stinkin’ pleased with this!!!!
Could this be peace in our time?
Nah! But Jon and Kate Gosselin have briefly put aside their differences at their twins’> has learned exclusively.
Kate had asked Jon, via email, to pick up Cara and Mady from the bus stop at 4 p.m. Thursday, spend a few hours with the girls at the Wernersville, PA home and then vamoose. Jon objected to having his time limited.
The next thing you know a crowd of photographers was gathered at the Gosselin ponderosa on Thursday and Kate was fuming that Jon had tipped some of them off in exchange for $$$$. Yes, there were live stream shots of the backyard, a white fence and trees ! But Kate was told that the plan was for Jon to have all the kids come outside to play and he was going to be financially compensated by sellers of the images.
And yes, the irony was not lost on anyone of Jon profiting off selling his kids’ birthday party while shutting down TLCbecause he didn’t want the kids filmed.
But with Jon and Kate both in the house and some people expecting the equivalent of a steel cage match, a strange thing happened: peace broke out.
Not the kind of peace that lasts forever, of course. But peace that allowed Jon to stay well past his 6 p.m. deadline that Kate had previously suggested.
In fact, RadarOnline.com learned exclusively that Jon told the kids: “I have to leave at 6pm it is Mommy’s time.”
Kate then said: “No Jon, you can stay as long as you like.”
And they lived happily after. Ok, we’re kidding about that part.
good for both of them! they DID put the kids ahead of themselves! i’m so proud of them! lol
This topic made me think of something else regarding Kate’s Today Show appearance – why would Kate get the kids so worked up about Jon possibly ending the show? It’s not a sure thing, and even if Jon told the kids they were done doing the show all Kate had to say was that Mommy and Daddy are having a disagreement and the show was on hiatus while they figure it out, just like last time. I agree with everyone that Kate has dramatic tendencies, and this is why I think Kate is putting things in a “our world is going to end” perspective for the kids, which is going to make them feel like that have to do the show for their mommy.
Also, I haven’t heard the exact statement Kate made, so it’s possible I am getting this wrong. From what I read here, Kate went on the Today and made reference that the kids were suppose to be in NYC with her when she did her Today Show interview, and then they were going to see the Statue of Liberty but because TLC will not be filming (and providing security) they weren’t going to go. The kids, understandably, were disappointed. However, wasn’t the reason Kate was on the Today Show to talk about the fact that Jon would not allow filming to continue? And if TLC couldn’t film it, why would TLC make plans for the family to go to the Statue of Liberty?
Just a few random thoughts I had.
To clear up the Statue of Liberty issue, I believe what Kate was saying was that had been a scheduled show to be filmed that week. The kids were disappointed that they weren’t going. If it is like my son, if I tell him we are going someplace fun next week and have to cancel, he is disappointed.
We don’t know that Kate got the kids worked up. We don’t know how she told the kids they wouldn’t be filming. I do think she over dramatized their response.
I think Jon drummed all this birthday drama for a payday. He sold the rights to film HIM to Entertainment Tonight. They were the ones that ordered the cake (with Mady’s name spelled wrong) and arranged for filming from the bakery. Jon went public with Kate’s email to increase the controversy and drama. He told ET what he got the kids as birthday presents. He encouraged all those paps to be there when he picked up the girls at the bus. He was going to have the kids play in the drriveway for the paps to get birthday party photos. When Kate vetoed that he called or texted in reports.
Kate handled it beautifully (her own doing or she got good advice). She was cordial. (When the paps asked what she said when Jon walked in the door, he responded “Hi.”) She encouraged Jon to stay until the kids bedtime. No World War III as Jon predicted. Honestly, I am proud of Kate that she did not feed into the birthday circus Jon created and made it as pleasant a day as possible for the girls.
Well played, Kate!
You’d think a concerned father would be happy and relieved that things went smoothly on his children’s birthday. Yet, Jon seemed a little bummed out, when he walked all the way down to the fence to make a phone call (talk to the paps). Yeah, I think he’s disappointed about the lack of “World War III”, and phone calls to the police, to put on a show for his buddies.
I think it’s a good thing they only have “two” birthdays to worry about. I don’t think they (or we) could take the stress of eight different ones!
Kiki, it seemed that way to me. I wondered if he was dissapointed he didn’t get his fight. He also might have been bummed about loosing some $s since the filming wasn’t allowed. I hadn’t seen it, but when I was looking around last night, I saw a clip of him saying he suspected Kate would film for TLC if he left at 6:00. He was threatening about that too. And then, I saw he had a pap in the car with him all the way there.
Jon’s a tool! (sorry I have no better word for him at the moment)
Sue- very good points about the camera crew & hiatus. It seems everything is getting blown out of proportion w/this family. If only this much media attention was given to truly important things going on in the world.
Jon’s comment to the kids that he had to leave at 6 was a calculated move. He had stated earlier to the paps that he was not going to leave and would stay all night if he wanted to. He didn’t have a change of heart, he was doing it to get at Kate. That kind of bull in this kind of case would be enough to have a GAL recommend limited or supervised visitation. I would absolutely not stand for that and never have in my cases. I have a similar mom-talking-bad-about-dad case, and I have made that recommendation. It almost seems like Jon doesn’t want custody, he sure is doing a lot to sabotage it. This latest selling rights to entertainment tonight to film is beyond ridiculous.
I’m ashamed, I admit it but I watched ET last night as long as I could stand it which wasn’t very long. When they started to discuss Kate’s mental status I had to laugh because look who they were asking… Jon..???? They need to discuss his mental status at this time cause he is losing it big time. Mady and Cara’s faces when their Dad picked them up with the barrage of paps was so sad. They were both close to crying and I’m sure did on the way home. Usually they greet Jon w/a hug but couldn’t get near him because of the paps he called. Now he is selling himself to ET and the Insider. Can you imagine how the kids felt when he went to the fence in the middle of his visit to talk to the paps? He is definitely behaving erratically. I’m just hoping that on Tues. the judge along w/his ruling issues a gag order on the both of them.
Bully for Kate to suck it up for the kid’s sake with their idiot of a Dad. It just is what stunt will he pull next.
i’m sorry but i can’t resist posting this…
ET is saying kate filed last week for alimony….lol
Kimmie.
Interesting. I would imagine it’s a strategic legal move advised by her lawyers. I can’t imagine she really thinks she will be getting alimony, much less child support that covers 50% of the 8′s expenses. He wasn’t even able to help for very long when the children were babies and they had a much more middle class existence and did not have tuition for 8 children to contend with.
It is presumptuous of me to advise Jon what to do, and I realize that, but I really think that Jon should either a) go back to school to advance his skills or b) purchase some sort of small business. These are the only ways I see him being able to help support his children in the future. Of course, first he has to get his life together and start acting like a 32-year-old adult.
As for Kate, she may have some sort of future in the entertainment industry. To be realistic, however, there are many more people that WANT to be in that industry than there are jobs, so I would advise her to have a back-up plan too.
Off my soap box!
i think this is a strategic leverage move on kate’s part. maybe she’ll use it to get filming going again. *well i wouldn’t NEED alimony if i was still getting money from tlc* or something like that.
i agree about the future for both of them BUT i think jon thinks he has tons of career options and all of them in tv. i think he’s unrealistic and sets all his hopes on one thing (the divorced dad’s club) and when/if that falls through he’ll look for something else.
as for kate i do think she’s more marketale for sure. but i think she is also limited in her options.
Erin Kate, is a GAL working on this case? How would one be appointed?
It says Kate asked for short term alimony because of Jon taking the money out of their account. Looks to be a move to get that money back.
If someone says ‘Hey half that business is mine so I’ll just take my half in cash’ then this closes the door. He either returns the money or he gives alimony and child support. Too bad he doesn’t have an lawyer to help him with this.
And I finally saw the Jay Leno bit. That was funny!
Wow, Erin, just the other day, you were saying it was unlikely a GAL would be appointed. That really shows how bad it is, if you think different now. Did you also say one would be appointed for each child?
I don’t know how Kate stood to be around him at the party. He has been so nasty in so many ways. Good for her.
I wrote this but have to add a disclaimer: I do this every day and I REALLY love it. If I could do just GAL work for the rest of my career I would. I tend to get a little wordy on the subject because of that, and (not here you, all are very well versed) I see a lot of confusion on *other* sites about how a GAL works, what they do, etc. You can skip this if you don’t care about my opinion on Jon and Kate getting a GAL. You can also ask questions, I love to talk about the good things we actually do!
Ann: In my state a GAL is appointed in a divorce case either through motion of one (or both) parents or when a judge thinks there needs to be someone looking out for the best interests of the child. I’m not sure one won’t be appointed in this case, and I think it would be advisable. I honestly doubt either Jon or Kate would request one, unless you are super confident of your position you usually don’t–which I’m not sure either one is. Plus, they don’t want advice on what to do with the kids, they each think they know what is in the best interest of the children (whatever the parent wants, of course). Each of them wants to fight it out in an attempt to control what is happening and getting a GAL puts that control in serious jeopardy. So it is up to the judge here I think.
Lily: I think it is unlikely that more than one GAL would be appointed for a couple of reasons. One, a GAL is privately paid on divorce cases and a minimum of $750 has to be deposited with the court at the beginning of the appointment. These cases can run upwards of $8K with 2 kids, so one GAL bill for 8 is going to be enormous. If a GAL is allowed to bill at the hourly rate (mine is $150) with the amount of work you do if you have to do that times 8 it is really going to be outside the realm of what is reasonable cost wise. Two, everything you do (motion wise) has to be served on all parties plus the court and a file stamped copy for yourself. If that was attorney for dad, attorney for mom, court and 8 GALs, that would be insane. Three, it really does slow down the process. I have private cases where I need at least 4 months to do a full investigation plus write a report. Also, we get to do discovery, call witnesses, question witnesses, and do a full investigation (talking to teachers, doing home visits on all parents, talking to friends, babysitters, etc) which can cause problems with the actual court dates. Every witness that has a deposition is questioned by each of the parties, on the stand each witness is questioned by all parties. Plus, as a party, a GAL has to be at every hearing. Our biggest cases are 5, 6, 7 attorneys and can I tell you how freaking hard it is find time when 8 attorney can all clear the same day for court? I will put a caveat on this; I do know of a neighbor county who will appoint one GAL per child but it is a rarity. Also, you run into problems with multiple GALs, what if one GAL thinks Mady belongs with Jon but another thinks all the girls belong with Kate? The only way I can see more than one being appointed is if what the children want and what the GAL thinks is in the children’s best interests a separate GAL must be appointed for everyone whose wishes conflict with best interests.
Have things gotten so much worse? Things are trickling out and it sounds like Jon and Kate might be making added stress for the kids. Especially the things that I believe Jon may be saying to the kids regarding Kate. On this case, I have to be honest Kate is acting like a mom dealing with the stress of a divorce and Jon is acting erratically. On any given ay I expect a person going through a divorce to swing from scared, depressed, relieved, and even happy to move on. Doing Today and crying then seeing her do Leno seems like normal behavior to me. I DO NOT expect new expensive apartments, new expensive cars, young boyfriends/girlfriends meeting the kids this early, etc. I’m not saying these things are enough to take away custody, but these behaviors raise questions as to how fit you are to take care of your kids.
This is just an aside, but maybe says how much work really goes into these–if I’m doing an abuse, neglect or dependency case where the severity is minimal (meaning the kids will stay in the home and CSB will have supervision only) I write a report that is between 6-8 pages. On a permanent custody case it can easily go twice that. You have to relay what documents you reviewed, who you talked to, the results of your home study, observations of the children, reasoning ability of the children (do they understand a truth or a lie, do they understand what a judge/attorney/GAL does, do they know who they want to live with), the wishes of the child, and what your opinion as to the best interests of the child. So times 8 with one person may be a lot of work, but is probably the only way.
Erin Kate, thank you so much. I really am interested.
Can you practice law in PA? It looks like Jon could use a smart lawyer like you. It would be nice to see him in good hands again. I am hoping for the best for these kids, and I suspect the kids would like to have their dad around. I suspect Kate wants that for them, too, if he could get his act together and act maturely.
Things are trickling out and it sounds like Jon and Kate might be making added stress for the kids. Especially the things that I believe Jon may be saying to the kids regarding Kate. On this case, I have to be honest Kate is acting like a mom dealing with the stress of a divorce and Jon is acting erratically. On any given ay I expect a person going through a divorce to swing from scared, depressed, relieved, and even happy to move on. Doing Today and crying then seeing her do Leno seems like normal behavior to me. I DO NOT expect new expensive apartments, new expensive cars, young boyfriends/girlfriends meeting the kids this early, etc. I’m not saying these things are enough to take away custody, but these behaviors raise questions as to how fit you are to take care of your kids.
erin kate is it possible that a judge could also see things this way? i mean are judges in these cases experienced enough to think this way?
I DO NOT expect new expensive apartments, new expensive cars, young boyfriends/girlfriends meeting the kids this early, etc. I’m not saying these things are enough to take away custody, but these behaviors raise questions as to how fit you are to take care of your kids.
Erin Kate,
).
While my personal beliefs might be that the expensive lifestyle/luxuries/young women that Jon is partaking in might not be ideal for his children, I do not feel it is totally out of the norm either. Jon certainly is not the first man to do these things in wake of a divorce. As a previous social worker in the child welfare system these things WOULD NOT be enough to take away custody, sure I could see Kate asking for supervised visits if she feels Jon is acting detrimentally towards the children, but I don’t find that the apartment/cars are suggesting he’s not fit to take care of his children (even though I wouldn’t want him near mine
It will definitely be interesting to see how the rulings play out in this divorce. I’m not aware of what actual concerns have been brought forth, such as how fit or lack there of Jon is to be a parent. All judges are different, there are some that are a joy to work with & others that make you physically ill w/ their judgments. I think a GAL is probably in the best interest of the kiddos.
I’d rather poke my eyes out: I said those things wouldn’t be enough to take away custody. Ideal isn’t exactly what I’m looking at. Couple what Jon is doing with the interview where he said he would “absolutely” dip into the kids savings accounts. If you just bought a Benz, a BMW, an ATV, a 230k emptied bank account, and a 5k a month apartment suddenly the spending looks a lot more sinister. The girlfriend: how are you looking out for the best interests of your kids if you are introducing them to your flavor of the month every month? Not to mention car shopping for a porsche presumably with your money (since the only money she has is Mom and Dad’s money). I don’t have all the behind the scenes stuff but if I was presented with just the facts in front of me Jon would not be given full custody–Kate would. Although I seriously question whether or not Jon really wants custody, what with his “business contacts” in NYC.
For any other divorce, that spending doesn’t really have the same tenor as if Jon and Kate spend the money because in part their children earned it. That is why these hot cars, etc. are so problematic in this case.
Kimmie, I don’t know PA law well enough to know when a judge would appoint a GAL but I would bet he will or face a whole herd of criticism. That’s not enough of a reason to appoint one, really, but judges do give in to pressure occasionally. Also, this is really a case where it looks like there needs to be someone looking out for the best interests of the kids, so absolutely it is an appropriate case for a GAL.
Ann, I actually can motion in to any state for one case only. You basically find a local attorney who will speak for you and supervise your work. The local attorney files paperwork, does the groundwork, and you come in to make the big deals and do the big hearings. You can do this as long as you are an attorney in good standing in another state, and on the advice and consent of the courts: basically your state has to allow it (Ohio and PA both allow pro hac vice). The reason Jon’s attorney didn’t work out is the discipline in his home state. I’m not sure I ever would practice elsewhere, because it is hard to do and you have to have an associate in the state that basically “takes up” for you. I absolutely would turn this case down if I was called to take it. This is a mess not for the faint of heart.
Gosh so much has happened in Gosselin Land this week , I am not sure where to start. I read the article about the show and I have to agree that taking the show away in the manner it has been done will be difficult for the children, a gradual withdrawal most likely would have been the best course of action. The children have faced many changes this summer having the camera crew leaving in the manner it happen is just another upheaval for them. The one episode where they were putting up the outdoor movie was a great example of how the kids really interact with the TLC crew when the one man was trying to put up the sound system. They really had fun messing with his hair , had me laughing.
The whole birthday affair with the camera crews was to much to stomach I was so furious with Jon on this one on what ever point he was trying to make. In light of all the interviews he gave last week I could understand why Kate wanted to keep his visit brief . This might be World War III ? Geez I don’t think I would want to be in the same room with you either
I am glad Kate put on her happy face and let Jon stay but he really didn’t look to happy leaving because he didn’t get the reaction he wanted from her. Face it Jon you are about 2 steps behind Kate on what ever ideas you come up with 
because she has already thought of what else you are going to come out with . Plus her lawyers are smarter and not as swarmy as the one you hired 
My question of the day is the lawyer who was going to sponsor Heller withdrew his motion . Does that mean that Tuesday hearing will be delayed? When you meet with an arbitrator are lawyers still present?
Holy Hilarious, Batman. If this guy isn’t snipped he should be, I pray the kids are more like Kate.
.parentdish.com/2009/10/09/jon-gosselin-loves-his-kids-his-girlfriend-and-the-jews/
Erin,
I was just going to do a main post on this. LOL
I just read the article also too funny ladies !
Can we have just one day with the man not speaking?
By the way I did love the clip Kate did for David Letterman it was hysterical …good for her to make fun of herself.
One more comment that really had me fuming and please ladies I am not bashing anyone’s religion but the comment he made about jewish family morals just upset me. Why would you make absurd comment like that. All faiths have family morals.
Erin Kate, it’s so nice to have an attorney’s input on this. It has made it more interesting.
I’d rather poke my eye out, I didn’t know you are/were a social worker in child welfare. That’s so challenging. One of those jobs, I know I would not be cut out for.
I requested a GAL towards the end of my divorce for my little girl. But, he never finished his entire report and only testified once before a magistrate before circumstances changed. Maybe one time w/my attorney before the judge but it wasn’t necessary I be there. He was great and his wife had just had triplets that very month. When I met w/him, he scheduled the home visit for “next Thursday” but he meant “this Thursday”. I had planned on the house being pristine w/my applie pie candles burning. My mom was going through radiaiton for breast cancer at the time, and I had not been home to do anything for three days when he woke me up by knocking on the door. He was so nice about it. I had to change my little one’s diaper who just woke uop and feed her a banana while I was showing him around. Of course, I hadn’t even brushed my teeth and was in a robe. I was a manic mess when I realized he was there like that. My experience with a GAL was a good one though.
OH my goodness! When reading this there were times when I was wondering if it was made up?
Too funny- thanks for posting.
No doubt Jon knows Kate’s true personality, etc. But this whole article just brings out all sorts of facial expressions as I’m reading it…
Pam–I love that article! The comments are hilarious. If it wasn’t so tragic I would take it as pure comedy.
“I missed this on first reading: PD: With all this turmoil, where do you turn for parenting advice?
JG: I have a therapist. But hanging around Jewish people you don’t need to talk to anyone else. My parents and grandparents are divorced and I want to break the pattern. I have Hailey and Mark Heller, my attorney, my therapist. They’re all Jewish. I watch them and I confide in them, especially Hailey. She is my best friend. She’ll tell me if I do something wrong. God has put these people in my life for a reason. My inner circle is Jewish. I only care what they think. I never talked about anything until therapy. Kate never wanted to go to marriage counseling. The thing in therapy is about teaching me how to talk to my kids.”
Jon? Unless you want to drop Hailey and somehow convince Kate that you were kidnapped by aliens you will not be breaking the cycle of your parents and grandparents being divorced. He would make a perfect cult target. He was Catholic, he found Jesus with Kate and lost him again with Hailey. I have the utmost respect for my Jewish friends, and I wouldn’t ever presume that because I eat bagels or corned beef I was Jewish.
I did post a thread above to discuss it.
thanks erin kate…i know the kids need a voice. i just hate that a gal will add even more time to get this mess over with. if the divorce is final maybe there will be some stopping of all the fighting back and forth.
pretty sure the ruling financially will have a separate account where not all that $$ is…
i don’t know where to put this but i was readin gon gwop and they said on showbiz tonight it’s reported that tlc moved all the filming equipment ou tof the gosselin house and filming is over. i can’t find it anywhere else yet but *locals* are saying it’s true.
GAH! (and you should know how much a don’t like it since i’m using caps!!!) lol. there is a poster on gwop with my name! i have only seen someone spell thier name like mine once. But i don’t post there under my name…they never posted anything i wrote anyway. lol anyway, if you see someone posting on gwop under my name it is not me!
If the Gosselins were right in saying that the kids weren’t working or acting and were just doing what comes natural playing and the cameras were just there filming them, then it shouldn’t bother them much.
If they’ve bonded with the crew, which has been there for years, they may miss seeing those individuals but perhaps this is a wake up call for mom and dad to allow the children to have relationships with their family and to make friends who will be there whether or not they are paid to be. The isolation of these kids is not good. The last show, with the way they talk to each other and their little guest Clay, shows that their manners and social skills are not where they should be. They could use the exposure to real life and real people who dno’t stick around because they have to no matter how offensive you are. You learn to be kind, compromise, take turns and keep your hands and mouth to yourself.
But keeping a dog in a cage is probably normal for him at some point, he will have to get used to being outside of it and learn real world behaviors, it can be stressful but they do acclimate to it. They are resilient. The real harm to them is not in being off camera it is in the way the parents relate to each other and to them.
If they are TOLD that they will never see their “friends” the crew again, and can’t have toys and experiences like going to NY, then of course that will be a bad thing. It depends on whether the parents FOR ONCE put the kids’ first or use this like everything else to bash away at each other. Why can’t their kids go to NY sightseeing, without the show? Mine did. And we live in Houston, not a 3 hr drive away.
I can’t believe my eyes but at the airport last weekend I saw a magazine I think it was US, which had the kids on the cover and it said “Gosselins kids to their parents; stop ruining our lives!”
Good Lord! There seems to be no bottom to how low the press and media will sink all in the pretense of discussing what’s best for the kids, they tear away at the whole family. This should be a wake up call to families as to what these network execs and all media are really made of, they want to make a buck off you. I can well believe TLC made over $160M and Gosselins got a few million of that. ANd until recently had nothing set aside for the children of course. Spending money like it grows on trees with no realization that this show could stop any time. for instance if the network pulls it because the ratings are so poor, down 85% – they ought to have been planning and spending wisely.
Everyone involved here seems to need their own lawyer and that’s sad.
JG: I have a therapist. But hanging around Jewish people you don’t need to talk to anyone else.
LOL – I did not take this to mean that Jewish people are all so holy or such great therapists but rather that the particular Jewish people he is hanging out with are all too ready to have those kinds of emotional, personal conversations. Jon’s not the most forthcoming person as we have seen. My Jewish friends play it much less close to the vest than the WASPs I know (or than the Catholics for that matter). Jon’s finally getting out into the world, in his lame way of course.
My parents and grandparents are divorced and I want to break the pattern.
I think he means with his next marriage – not with his marriage to Kate!
he WOULD make a good cult convert. He seems to have no thoughts of his own and to be one of the most un self examined adults I’ve encountered. He seems to have stalled at about age 15, with that teenage brain that does not allow you to fully understand risk,the need to be oppositional, feckless, emotional, live for today, etc.
Hopefully he will grow up soon now he is not treated as the 9th child, because his children need him to do more than rescue them from TLC. Someone’s got to keep the lights on over there and choosing to live near his GF rather than his children is not a good start.