Update:  A video is posted below that was just released on Access Hollywood.

Kate Gosselin: I’m in the Best Shape of My Life

Kate Gosselin is featured on the cover of People this week wearing a white bikini and looking fit and fantastic! She talks about how she reached her new level of fitness with near daily runs, “I’ve worked really hard!” she tells PEOPLE in this week’s cover story. “Haven’t I earned the right, at this point, to look good?”

Kate also addresses the rumors about her body guard, Steve Neild. While the single mom shoots down incessant tabloid reports linking her to her bodyguard – “It’s just absurd,” Gosselin says – she does hope her new body will turn some heads. “I’m waiting for Mr. Right. It would be nice if somebody noticed me, sure!”

She apparently will address the rumors regarding plastic surgery and botox in this latest issue of People that will be on the newstands this Friday.

By Anya

“[Nine-year-old daughter Cara] was upset with me because I forgot to sign them up for something at school,” Kate, 35, tells PEOPLE in a new cover story. “I said, ‘Cara, I had a really rough year. This is a new year. You’ve got to give me that. Let’s start over.’ – People Magazine interview with Kate Gosselin, June 7, 2010 issue.

Deciding how much to share with our children can be difficult. There are different schools of thought on this and each “side” makes a good argument for why their approach to parenting is the best one.  Kate was (predictably) criticized by some bloggers for her openness with Cara and taking her “parental hat” off. I think that is entirely unfair.

Let’s be clear – I am not talking about burdening young children with adult problems and concerns over which they have no control.  I think we all agree that is inappropriate.  However, I do think there comes a time when parents – under certain circumstances – can approach children on a one-to-one level and share a little bit about the burdens on them and admit their failings.

I actually admire Kate’s candid approach. Rather than troubling a child, I think honesty (again, taking into account the child’s age) is often the best approach. The fact is a bright nine-year-old already knows what is going on. Kate admitting that she has been distracted and the family has been through a lot will not be news to her. Instead, I believe it will validate the child’s feelings and that is important.

On an interesting note, a licensed professional counselor writing on PsychologyToday.com agrees with this approach.

“ While it is obvious… the reasons parents should be cognizant about the type of information they share with their children, there is certainly a concern about the mental health consequences that could result with a child who never gets to understand the more human side of his or her parents.”  Ugo Uche, M.S., L.P.C.

Mr. Uche’s actually develops the topic further to discuss different parenting approaches (fascinating on its own), but his fundamental point related to this topic is that sharing a bit of yourself with your child is good and promotes empathy.

What do you think? Do you agree with how Kate approached Cara’s issue? Do you follow a similar path or do you believe a different strategy would be more effective? Share your thoughts.

People magazine is featuring Kate and her kids in this week’s issue. It appears that the issue will be about the changes that the family has experienced, how they are healing after the split and the issues that Jon and Kate can not resolve.

• What changes over the past year have surprised you the most?

• Do you think they’ll discuss these changes in the new version of their family show, Kate + 8?

• Will you be watching the new show?

• If so, what do you hope to see this time around?

Kate has a new entry on her TLC blog titled: WARNING: Tooth Fairy! Prepare Yourself!!!

Also: TUNE IN! Kate returns with the kids on Kate Plus 8 airing Sunday, June 6, at 9 and 10 PM!

By Anya

Kate Gosselin once again graces the cover of People magazine this week. Kate spoke to the magazine for the first time since being chosen as one of the 11 contestants of season 10 of ABC’s Dancing with the Stars.

People Magazine Interview

For those of you who haven’t had an opportunity to read the interview yet, I will recap some of the more interesting comments Kate shared. (Lily was already kind enough to share a few tidbits!)

-”I hope even the moms who hate me will say, ‘Oh, this is so foreign to her, and look at her willingness to be up there.’ But I can’t promise anyone I can pull this off.”

-”I feel my job is actually beneficial because it allows me large blocks of time at home with the kids that I wouldn’t have if I worked 9 to 5.”

-”I talk to my kids up to 10 times per day. When my phone quacks–that’s my ringtone for them, a duck quack–no matter what time it is or where I am, I dive on that phone to answer that call!”

-”Learning to dance has meant facing my biggest fears, and it has brought out the hugest insecurities in me, ever.”

-”…I’m married to my kids essentially…I’m very aware of the fact that all decisions are on me. The domino effect of what I decide today is going to affect tomorrow and the next day and so on.”

-”If I last two weeks on the show, I’ve shown my kids that hard work and perseverance pays off.”

Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow

The only topic generating more interest in Kate’s world than DWTS, is predictably, Kate’s hair. Kate returned to Ted Gibson’s salon this week and had her much discussed hair extensions removed. The results looked like this:

Some have speculated this is a wig. If it is, I think it’s a pretty good one. I think the cut and color are flattering. What do you think? In any case, Kate was back to the more toussled look of late as of this weekend.

Expo for Women

In an event that I would imagine was probably booked before she landed her current gig on DWTS, Kate appeared before a standing room only audience of more than a 1,000 at the South Bend Women’s Expo this Saturday to discuss children’s health and her own infertility struggles. The South Bend Tribune has a nice write-up on Kate’s appearance and the enthusiasm she generated.

People Magazine exclusively reports that Kate is scheduled to release I Just Want You to Know: Letters to My Kids on Love, Faith and Family on April 13 by Zondervan Publishers. According to People, the book will include prayers, excerpts from her journal and eight individual letters addressed to each one of her children.

Kate shares: “Each day the thought crosses my mind that when they get older, my kids are going to look back and think about how they were raised. I know they will have a lot of questions about things that may not make sense because they were raised so unconventionally. I don’t want them to grow up and wonder; I want them to know without a shadow of a doubt how much I love them and how much every sacrifice made was worth it for them.”

After keeping a relatively low profile the last couple of months, it was also revealed that Kate would make return appearance to co-host “The View” on March 11th.

So it appears Kate may be leaving behind the dreary winter for some exciting prospects in the spring. What are your thoughts? Will you consider buying her book? Will you be turning into “The View?”