Life under a magnifying glass...

As if having twins and then sextuplets isn't attention drawing enough, how about having your best and worst qualities made into a reality show for all the world to see and analyze?

I can't imagine. Can.Not. Imagine what having 8 children would be like, let alone the 2 multiple sets that the Gosselins have. Nor can I imagine dealing with my own issues (we all have them!) in front of a television crew. Yes, Kate is controlling, OCD and rude to Jon at times, but I can also see her patience with the kids, her love for her husband and her desperate attempt to make her household run the way she sees fit.

Can you imagine having your 7 year old throwing a fit over something minor (ahem. I don't need to imagine that one) but then also having millions of people ranting over what a "brat" your child is and how one child is "better" than the other? I think it would break my heart to see my babies torn apart like that! The Internets can be vicious and cruel. Many people don't know how to utilize the saying "If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all" when it's on the internet. Somehow, having the computer screen as a buffer makes all of the nasty comments "ok."

I'm just putting this out there to say that it doesn't. The computer doesn't give you immunity from being a cruel person. If you wouldn't walk up to someone in person and say something, then keep it to yourself! You may say that they "asked" for this by agreeing to a reality show, but that is a mistake that many people make. Can any of us honestly know what we'd do if put into that same situation? I know that I am against selective reduction for myself. I would have done the same if presented with the possibility of 6 babies. I don't know that I would have chosen to do a television show, but that's mainly because I'm a fairly private person. And also, a slob. (i.e. my floor is not only NOT mopped 3 times a day, but not even 3 times a month. Also, I walk in hotels barefoot. Yes. It's true. And I'm still alive to tell the tale...)

I happen to love this show. I also love any show that gives me a look into lifestyles and families that are extremely different from my own. It gives me a perspective on how vastly unique we all are. I don't have to agree with every opinion in every family to understand that they are all ENTITLED to live the way they want! Why is it so hard for some people to realize this?

I happened upon a mass quantity of negative comments on various message boards regarding this family. I felt I had to say something, anything to state that while you don't agree with someone else's choices, there is no need to be cruel. There is no need to criticize to the point of a frenzied argument. Let's try and remember that there are always several sides to every story, every "reality" show is heavily edited, and that this is a FAMILY. They deserve to live the way they want! Jon and Kate and their beautiful children have my support.

And also? Their privacy.