Jan 31 2009
Interview w/ Kate Gosselin: Too harsh?
On Friday, January 30th, The Early Show on CBS interviewed Kate Gosselin of Jon & Kate + 8. At the beginning of the interview, one of her daughters (Alexis) can be seen pushing her brother and otherwise acting naughty. In response, Kate politely asked the interviewer to hold on for a second while she leaned over, took hold of Alexis’ shoulder, and sternly told her to stop misbehaving. (To see the video of this interview, click here .)
There is some controversy surrounding Kate Gosselin’s little parenting tactic. Many will argue that Kate grabbing her daughter’s shoulder was too harsh and therefore bad parenting. They also look down on Maggie Rodriguez’s response to the action, where she applauded Kate Gosselin for her seemingly effective shoulder grab. (I say “seemingly effective” because at the end of the interview, Kate scolds Alexis again and gives her the mother of all “Mommy death looks.”)
Was Kate too harsh on Alexis during the interview? Personally, I don’t think so. Now, I’m not for abusing your kids at all, but if you watch how Kate grabs her shoulder, it isn’t with a death grip, but strong enough to make a point. She doesn’t hold on and squeeze her daughter, she lets go with a warning to behave. By all appearances, Alexis deserved the discipline she received. She was tormenting her brother and simply being a stinker. Maybe to some people this wouldn’t warrant such a response from Kate, but there’s something else to consider in this situation: We have no idea what Alexis was doing or saying before the interview. For all we know, she was a holy terror all morning long and this was simply the last straw for Kate.
As for Maggie Rodriguez’s response to Kate grabbing her daughter’s shoulder? What else was she supposed to say? Even if she disagreed with the action, she can’t say so during a live interview! It is my personal opinion that Maggie Rodriguez did an excellent job of pulling off an otherwise distracting and difficult interview.
Although I think Kate Gosselin can be a bit of a you-kn0w-what, especially to Jon, I find her to be extremely inspirational. On days when I feel as though I cannot handle my two children, I think of Kate chasing after eight children. Whose life is more crazy? Uhm, hers. I can guarantee I would be a bit bitchy too, if I were in her shoes.
Anyone critisizing the way Kate handled the situation with Alexis is either a pushover with their children or maybe they don’t have any kids. I see nothing wrong with the way she scolded Alexix and she is a wonderfully effective disciplinarian in my opinion. People need not judge unless they are also parents of multiples or their is clearly abuse taking place.
I didn ‘t want the interview, but from how you describe it, it sounds reasonable. I think it’s awful when parents just continue to let their kids misbehavior and don’t take any action, especially in a public place. And some kids need a litte “hands-on” touch to get the message across.
I will say though that I used to watch the show all the time but Kate can be sooo mean to Jon and the kids…my husband can’t stand her. He’s like, “If you ever talked to me that way in general, let alone on TV…ooooh I’d be so pissed!” I don’t blame him, but then again I don’t have 8 kids!! 
Obviously I didn’t re-read my comment above…oops! I meant “I didn’t WATCH the interview..” Sorry!
Okay, sorry I’m leaving a crazy amount of comments but I just watched the interview. Yikes!! That was kind-of uncomfortable to watch. It seemed like it must have been a hard morning on Kate AND the kids because their attitudes and behaviors clearly showed they didn’t want to be there. But then again that’s REAL life…gotta love live TV.
I don’t think any of us can judge any other parent’s method of discipline unless it poses a danger to the children. As a mother of multiples I’ll admit to giving in to the stress and frustration at times, but that’s life. I, too, think Kate can be a bit of a “you know what” on the show, but I’m sure I can be, too
My husband and I are outnumbered and we need to let our daughters know we’re in charge. I can’t get the interview to load on my computer but I would have to think Kate was simply trying to solve an unpleasant situation as fast as possible.
Quadmama
http://gotquads.today.com
When I read your blog about the concerns, I was expecting more of a death grip. I agree with you completely. That was a quick, “I mean it” response that seemed to have an affect given that the kids quieted down. The media attention that family has must add to the parental pressure (albeit by choice). I think about when kids misbehave around company or in public places because they know they will not get reprimanded. Those who are reprimanded appropriately–not in a cruel manner—despite being in public learn that parent expectations are the same whether in the privacy of the home or not.
I think she handled it fine. I don’t like how Kate acts on TV. She is a bit of a bleep on the show, like you said toward Jon and that does bother me at times. But I can also relate to her. Jeremy and I often joke that her and Jon are Jeremy and I. LOL. Although we only have 4 kids.
When you have 8 children to take care or 4 or 2 you can’t let them walk all over you. I think Kate did what she needed to do to let her daughter know she was out of line.
I also am no child abuser, but I think that grabbing their arm without squeezing it to death, or a little tap on the but to let them know that they are out of line needs to happen now and then.
I don’t think she was harsh, I think she was just letting Alexis know that she needs to settle down.
Being a Mom is a hard job and being a Mom of 8 is even harder.
Being a former early childhood teacher, one of the first things they teach you about behavior management, or behavior modification in college, is proximity and contact. If you really want to get your point across and adjust a behavior you have to put yourself close to the person misbehaving, establish eye contact and make a physical contact. I have to say that Kate usually keeps her 8 children (not many people out there have 8 kids to judge what that life must be like) very well-behaved and it’s because she follows those 3 rules of behavior management.