Comments on: This Isn’t About Jon and Kate

By: Sophie in the Moonlight

Sophie in the Moonlight — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 15:38:00 +0000

I'm in complete agreement with Tigermom. (Well said, TigerMom!) The viewers see people in these situations through their own pair of Life-colored glasses. Unfortunately, the family involved has a different set of glasses through which they see and react to their own Life. An accurate sociological interpretation based on snips of arranged sets and edited conversations is impossible.

I don't watch reality shows. The only one I ever watched was Trading Space about 5 or 6 years ago. We were getting ready to buy our first home and Paige and the gang were very helpful. =) My own reality is more than enough for me to handle. I prefer news, Keith Olbermann, The Daily Show, and fantastical shows like Heroes, Caprica, and The Ghost Whisperer. Yes, I watch GW - it's my guilty pleasure. Don't judge me.

By: Cate Subrosa

Cate Subrosa — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 14:56:46 +0000

Ach, you're so brilliant. And you cracked me up with this line: Do you want me to finish this post or go googling for answers?

By: Syd

Syd — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 14:46:13 +0000

I don't watch much TV, except for news and weather. So I've never heard of the show. I would rather do other things than vegetate in front of the TV. Reading is my main past time pleasure.

By: mama edge

mama edge — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 12:12:06 +0000

Never watched the show, but I've read about the couple on line at the grocery store. Tabloid covers are screaming about their alleged extra-marital affairs, so I figured you'd be writing a little something that linked to your other blog, the Second Road.

Now I bet I've got your Google finger itching, don't I?

By: Wendy

Wendy — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 06:59:12 +0000

I'm so glad you said that about Supernanny. I've been encouraged by her, but mostly she makes me feel like a horrible parent. I'm so glad I don't have a TV anymore! I once wrote about watching someone die after being dredged out of a lake on the 4th of July, and how the people around me, the News, and my own self judged and qualified this anonymous person's life just to make ourselves feel better about this tragic death happening right before our eyes. It really opened my eyes to how ready we all are to sit in the judgment seat (it's not just me, it really is the flow of the culture!) because if we can be busy enough minding other people's business maybe no one will notice and judge us! You can't catch meee!

By: Jade

Jade — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 03:59:11 +0000

I love this post! I just learned about Jon and Kate tonight, having never heard of them or their (omg) 8 kids (having none myself and never wanting any, 8 is unfathomable to me), but I love this post all the same.

By: Dina

Dina — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 03:12:18 +0000

I've never seen the Super Nanny show. I've heard of it, and that's enough for me. I have a feeling it would make me feel like you felt. I think parents are judged way too harshly. For that reason, I've learned to avoid parenting message boards. I did find myself on a parenting blog/article today where a mother confessed to recovering from a psychological problem. She's fine today...recovered and a therapist herself. Her kids are doing well. But people posted awful comments--totally berating her. It's sad. What do people feel they'll accomplish when they do stuff like that? My theory about parents criticizing other parents is this....KARMA. If someone complains about someone else's parenting or children, they'll soon be faced with the same issues.

By: Tigermom

Tigermom — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 01:37:27 +0000

Hi MPJ,

Looking in at anyone from the outside has its risks.

Who really knows what goes on behind peoples' closed doors?

Who knows what their family of origins issues are?

Who knows how anyone's past relationships have shaped their current ones?

By: MommaSunshine

MommaSunshine — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 23:19:27 +0000

For what it's worth, I've never seen a single episode of the show either, and only just HEARD of it a few months ago (I don't own a t.v. by choice but do watch a few things that I *gasp!* download fom time to time). I think that the whole show embodies what's wrong with our society - everyone is so busy judging others that they don't have time to look at their own lives. But, it's as you said - we're all living our own individual truths. Great post, btw.

By: Mrs. B. Roth

Mrs. B. Roth — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 22:42:11 +0000

Really liked this post. When I watch the show, it makes me feel good because I compare my self to Kate and think I'm better, I make better choices, at least things here are not that bad ... blah blah blah. Ask my neighbors who have to see me chase down my naked kid almost daily. Ask the strangers who see me frantically searching the streets for this monkey who's hopped on a big wheel and taken himself for an adventure. On my blog I often write about my shortcomings, the ways in which I suck at this mothering job and people write nice supportive comments - it's so hard, don't beat yourself up so much. It's like if I confess, it's ok. Well, maybe I should just work harder at being a better mom. Right after I get the house clean and catch up on sleep.