One thing I must say first. This site rates consumerism as a non-issue. Excuse me, but have you ever watched this program, I mean EVER? It is absolutely impossible to miss the MANY (at least 20) episodes that were essentially commercials – 'The Tale of Despereaux' (it really was a wonderful movie with a rich plot and positive messages for kids), crooked houses and some cottage playhouse to name a few. They have received umpteen free tickets to places like baseball games, shows and an aquarium including special "backstage" activities (and gifts) only they get to experience. We also can’t forget the numerous vacations (the sextuples will probably not even remember) to places like Disney world, ski resorts, beach houses and of course the free $$$$ Hawaii wedding are featured. In addition, they also get tons of free stuff from the plates that they eat off to the matching designer clothes that kids always wear. This is especially glaring, because the show was tagged for drinking. It’s ridiculous to think drinking wine with dinner is an issue, THIS IS NORMAL, demonizing it wrong. There are WAY to many other things to point out as being inappropriate to worry about that.
I have watched it from the beginning and LOVE it. I will continue watch, even if I know shouldn’t. However, at the same time, I feel it is completely inappropriate for kids to be watching. I cringe when I hear that parent watch this with say their 8 year old kids. What are you thinking? There is nothing for a child to gain by watching this. What is portrayed as reality is often fiction. Adults SHOULD know this, but kids don’t. Try explaining to your kids why the Jon and Kate had a huge wedding and told their kids over and over (dozens of times) “mommy and daddy will always be together,” then got a divorce less than two years later. Message sent – parents are liars.
As much as I love this show, and don’t like to judge, I find it inconceivable that they knew (they defiantly did know) that their marriage was in trouble, but chose to re-do the wedding for the free vacation. In fact, I hate when others judge, especially when they criticize poor 8 year old Maddy – just think about this child reading your comments someday folks, would you want someone do that to your kid? Yes, I know they are not TV, but that is NOT THEIR CHOICE, it’s their parents. Even if you don’t care what your kids watch, if not for to protect them, then to protect the children that appear on it. If it were your children on the show, would you really the parents of kid next door watching last night’s episode where their friend had a tantrum. Or, perhaps letting them watch a rerun where their friend (choose one of the sextuples) was potty training. Who in the hell thinks it’s appropriate to let your kids watch the neighbors child being potty trained? I know there are only a few kids that have contact (attend school) with the twins, but I just think it is morally wrong for the parents of the few who do, to discuss the details of TV kids lives and set them up to be teased. It doesn’t matter that your own kid doesn’t know any of the eight kids on TV, it’s the premise. Again, this is fine for an adult, but not a kid – 16 and up, at least!