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Like the rest of the Jon and Kate Plus 8 fans, I (Lindsey) found the anticipation for tonight’s show almost unbearable all day. Those of us who have grown to know and love the Gosselins, who have invited them into our living rooms every Monday night, shuddered at the thought that this very episode just might be the end of our favorite reality TV family.
My dear friend, and office-mate Erin Smalley, her two daughters and myself gathered around the t.v. to find out the reveal of what TLC has hyped as their “big announcement”. Even during the show, we took guesses at what it was. Some thought it was the fact that they might stop the show to work on their marriage, others thought it might be divorce. I so desperately wanted it to be the first one.
Jon and Kate, while being interviewed separately, both easily admitted that they wanted what would make their family happy. Kate finally admitted, after long drama and anticipation, that they were going to separate. Okay … I can handle separation. However, I found myself a bit saddened because their reasons for separating had absolutely nothing to do with their marriage. It once again, led to what would make them happy. Jon and Kate continued to talk in vague terms about their separation and thier relationship. I knew viewers were going to keep wondering after this show was over. But then, TLC lets us in on a little secret. “On Monday June 22, 2009, legal proceedings were initiated in Pennsylvania to dissolve the ten-year marriage of Jon and Kate Gosselin”. Our mouths dropped, although it probably wasn’t as big of a shocker as it should have been.
So a month after all of the separation talk, of the “lets do the best for our family” talk, after the “I’m in this for the kids” talk, Jon and Kate are going to end it. They both claim they will be together for birthdays, holidays, and major events. But if these events are going to be as awkward and cold as their Mother’s Day brunch was, you can count me out.
I am saddened by how all of this played out. I am saddened that America has gotten the picture that you don’t have to fight for you marriage, just doing what makes you happy and what’s best for the kids, justifies a divorce. But, I think even what saddens me more, is the camera man became their therapist. I believe they revealed more on national television, separately, than they did to their spouse. Kate at one point even claimed, “I’ve tried to have a discussion with him, he just wont listen to me”. Kate believed that how the events that played out, would have ultimately happened, even if they were not on a reality t.v. show. However, America watched this family grow up, we witnessed over half of their years of marriage, and certainly some of their most trying moments.
While I have many more thoughts about Jon and Kate, I am more interested in what you might have to say on the subject.
Do you think Jon and Kate’s divorce is justified? Did they make the right decision? Did they do every thing they could have done? Is happiness in marriage the ultimate answer?
I am in total agreement about America not thinking of marriage is nothing to fight for. I am living proof that without God you can’t fight for something that both do not want. I know this divorce is not justified, this is what happens when you let the secular world in to run your lives. You have to be very strong in the Lord. I am proud to say I have been married for 19 wonderful yrs, but God has been in the center of this marriage.
Through out the life of the show, they have mentioned here and there of their faith. Where did it go? There was no mention whatsoever of God’s plan for their family, just what makes the kids happy. My belief is that God puts the relationship of the marriage above the relationship of the parent to children. When our children come before our spouse, it causes problems. What we think is the best thing for our kids by removing our spouse from the picture is actually the worst thing for our kids. They need Mom and Dad, and more importantly, they need to know that Mom and Dad are each other’s first priorities.
Do you think Jon and Kate’s divorce is justified? No, they are simply taking the selfish path. “Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because your hearts were hard”… same case here, but not the right thing
Did they make the right decision? No, ask the kids in 10 years
Did they do every thing they could have done? I would say no, but we don’t know all the details.
Is happiness in marriage the ultimate answer? No, there are times that aren’t that happy, but the reward of faithfulness and diligence are far greater than anything divorce will lead to.
My wife and I will no longer watch the show, but we have committed to praying for restoration of the Gosselin family. What an amazing example to the world it would be if they chose to seek God’s will and work this out.
I was not surprised, but saddened, by the divorce. The ultimate victims here are, of course, the children, not Jon and Kate. Divorce is so often the decision of one partner who refuses to work with the other on honoring God’s plan for marriage and the family. The movie Fireproof would be a remedy for so many couples who think their marriage is over. After 49 years of marriage, I can honestly state that there are times when discontent rules, but it is so worth the effort to hang in there and have faith. Jon and Kate didn’t have a chance at a normal relationship after having such a large family at so young an age. And of course, they were thrust into the public spotlight by their unique situation. I wish they would put aside their own feelings and really put the children first. It would take lots of counseling and work, but would be worth the effort in the long run. None of us can see into the future, but I know these children will be harmed in the long run.
I was not surprised of the divorce announcement between Jon and Kate. My family has watched the show from the beginning when time has permitted. At the end of last season, you began to see Jon and Kate’s hearts harden. I have been through a divorce so I have seen the “signs” anger, hatred, pain, fear, all the emotions that go through you. I feel so sorry for the kids. When they say they are looking out for the kids and doing the best for them, well, the kids have mentioned on the show that they want daddy home. I heard this morning on 101.1 KLRC that this couple needs to open their hearts again to each other and I have thought of nothing else today. That is so true! I feel the only way it would work for them is to make some major changes in their life. Cancel the show, use some of their money they have earned for productive marriage counseling, no more cameras every where, time for each other and time for family, fellowship with the Lord, and prayer as a couple and individual. This will help them to crack away that HARD shell that has grown around their hearts and the counseling will help them see how to respect and truly appreciate each other.
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