Parenting

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Jon & Kate: Still Kid Friendly in Crisis?

We all get surprised when the media teaches our kids something we don't want them to know yet. Marital
infidelity is a mature topic that can cause confusion -- and real grief -- in little kids who count on mom and dad to always be there for them.

Jon & Kate Plus 8 started as a wholesome show chronicling the realities of raising twins and sextuplets. We saw them going on vacation. We saw Kate getting her hair done. We saw a million diaper changes. All of which was fine fare for kids 7 and older.

But, the new season started off with Jon and Kate accusing each other of infidelity. For little kids who don't understand the concept of cheating, this is not the way you want to introduce the subject, and certainly not the age to do so. And now Jon has appeared on multiple tabloid covers -- with multiple girlfriends.

As kids begin separating more from their parents around the early teen years, they gain the maturity to understand that each parent -- and child -- operates independently from each other. Relationships are complex -- which is partly why Jon and Kate are interesting to watch. But do you really want a TV show to introduce your kids to mature relationship issues before they're ready?

Tell us what you think: Is it OK for kids to watch Jon & Kate this season?

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From the Community…

Comments 1 of 1
  • anonymous whatever's Avatar
    Posted by anonymous whatever Sun Aug 16, 2009 5:02pm PDT

    I have to say that you are right. MY KIDS AND I NEVER watch this show because I DON'T want to promote IMPLANTING 6 embryos just to see what I get from IVF.. Reason... it is not natural so I don't want my children expecting it is the norm. It is pretty much a freak show now.

    It is not fun raising 6 kids and looking like you will be able to afford it and go on trips wherever you want when everyone knows that you wouldn't be able to afford them, because you can't..

    That the parents relationship is not normal.. they are not working as a team, they are barking at each other and have hired help.

    Where in the real world.. as a mom and dad you are the only ones raising your kids not a bunch of hired babysitters.

    So I don't support this show and just sit back and wait.. When these kids grow up they will hate each other because they will feel favoritism based on the amount of showtime they each had.

    They will hate their parents and will be wondering where is the money that they made for this show.. knowing that pictures will be put out there of their parents spending sprees.

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