Jon and Kate Gosselin

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Jon and Kate Gosselin were married on June 12, 1999. Jon was 22 and Kate 24 when they married.

Jon and Kate have eight children, twin girls and sextuplets__three girls and three boys.

• Cara Nicole Gosselin: Born in October 2000.
• Madelyn "Mady" Kate Gosselin: Born in October 2000.
• Alexis Faith Gosselin: Born in May 2004.
• Aaden Jonathan Gosselin: Born in May 2004.
• Collin Thomas Gosselin: Born in May 2004.
• Leah Hope Gosselin: Born in May 2004.
• Hannah Joy Gosselin: Born in May 2004.
• Joel Kevin Gosselin: Born in May 2004.

Due to problems with infertility, Jon and Kate were unable to become pregnant. With the help of fertility assistance, they became pregnant and Kate gave birth to Cara and Mady in October 2000. Hoping for “just one more” they once again went for assistances and ended up with six beautiful babies in May of 2004.

Jon and Kate began their careers as reality shows celebrity with a one hour Special on the Discovery Channel called Surviving Sextuplets and Twins. That one-hour special turned into a weekly show for The Discovery Channel. At the beginning of season three, the show moved to TLC (The Learning Channel).

The show, “Jon and Kate Plus 8” is taped three days a week and follows the family through their daily lives and all that comes along with parenting two sets of multiples.

Tabloids and media outlets started reporting, in April of 2009 that Jon Gosselin was having an affair with a 23 year old school teacher. He was seen leaving a nightclub with her but has denied an affair. There have also been allegations of Kate Gosselin having an affair with her bodyguard. Although both deny any infidelity in the marriage it is apparent from statements made by both in the fifth season premier of the show that there are problems in the marriage. Problems that may lead to divorce between Jon and Kate and possibly the end of “Jon and Kate Plus 8.

Always take into consideration the wants and needs of the other person. Marriage is not a dictatorship, it is a partnership and in my opinion, Kate has spent years getting what she wanted with little regard to what Jon might feel.

Watching the show, it is clear that Kate is verbally abusive toward Jon. She has placed him in the roll of someone who is to do as she says instead of an equal partner with an equal say in their marriage. Kate comes across on camera as an anal retentive, control freak. She is obsessive, rigid and demands order at all cost. If you’ve watched the show you’ve witnessed Kate’s temper when things to do go as she planned.

Jon avoids conflict and defers to Kate. He always seemed to be fairly content with whatever Kate wanted. If you’ve watched the show you’ve witnessed how he acted more like Kate’s gopher than her husband. The key would with what we’ve witnessed with Jon is “appears.” Although he seemed content, it is clear now that Jon resented Kate’s controlling ways and is now rebelling and blaming her for his inability to stand up for what he wanted..

In marriage, just as in any other relationship we have to be willing to let go of our need to control the other person or the situation. Marriage does not succeed if you are not willing to take into account the wishes and needs of your spouse. Kate has failed miserably when it comes to not only being able to take but to also give. Jon has failed himself and his marriage by being unwilling to engage in conflict with Kate.

In the end, their children will suffer. On top of having cameras in their home three days a week they have parents who allowed their dysfunctions to damage and possibly destroy their family.

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