Evidently Jon wasn't interested in working on the marriage, he refused to go to counseling, etc...

It's too bad, the kids are the biggest losers out of all of this. Even with a "friendly" divorce things sometimes get nasty.

John wasn't the one who needed the counciling. When you are constantly derided and made to feel less of a person, you understandably lash out. I don't agree with what he did to lash out, but Kate is the one who needs to look in the mirror and realize she is the one who caused this. She needs counciling to curb that overbearing personallity

She won't look in the mirror. She admits that she is overly hard on him and treats him badly but will not stop it. She can't let go of controlling everything. She admits to pushing him into speaking engagements when he hates it, she admits that he didn't want to do another year but she felt they had to 'for the kid's sake'. She simply didn't care about how he felt. In People's magazine she states she's always had a job that brought in more money than he did and SHE was comfortable with that- she didn't mention what he felt... According to his old boss- she controlled the money as well... what was he responsible for other than doing what he's told.

Yes he controlled his behavior the wrong way but she controlled the enviroment that caused him to want to escape. She knew she was hurting him but it seems she expected him to deal with it instead of her letting go and act more lovingly to him. She constantly humiliated him in front of millions and he wanted to it to stop. That is why doubt counseling would work.. because she doesn't want to change or let go of her tight grip on everything.

I feel sorry for the kids because she'll treat them the same way.

It was so obvious on the final episode of last years show. Jon was not happy with continuing the show for another season and Kate said they'd discuss it further.

Kate, the show isn't your job! I know you they need to provide for their family but surely they have invested some of that money and with the kids entering school next year they could possibly take on real 9-5 jobs. Your family is your main commitment.

I can see where Jon would reach his limit with her constant "alpha" comments and demands. I know you need some sort of organization and need to delegate with a family that big but there needs to be a better way of going about it without embarrassing and belittling someone.

It is most unfortunate but I could see it coming. I wish them luck.

Please a 'real job 9-5" will not pay their bills like this show will. Why is it that the woman always persecuted for making working decisions for her family? In actuality it is her job and has provided for a family of 10 better than most could. If her midlife crisis of a husband would get off his high horse and even attempt to work on their problems this no might not be happening. You can have issues in a marriage it happens but you vow to stay together not split once it gets a little rough. Mark my words he has another woman. No man walks away so happily from his kids unless he is excited to be with another woman. Maybe he can start another family and bail in a few years.

Maybe I'm the only one but I find Kate's stead fast grip on this show amazing to a degree. When asked how the show could go on last night, her reply was it must go on. This show is going on at the expense of her marriage and her kids. Kate wants her job to be celebrity mom but she used to be a nurse and Jon used to be a computer tech. No 32 year old man is going to be happy sitting at home with eight kids all day, no matter how much he cares about his kids. I think Jon has probably been bored out of his mind since he quit working two years ago. Get a job Jon, and don't rush into a divorce.

A man can only be belittled by a woman for so long in private. Can you imagine how he must feel after watching each episode as to how badly she has degraded him in public! He is no angel either for not dealing with it earlier in their marriage, but she is as much to blame as him. They can't afford two homes without the show, I get that, but really, do you want to play this out in the spotlight. It is very sad to see this family crumble, but they need to quit the show and work on their relationship. Even if the divorce is finalized, they will still be forever parents to these children, they need to have a friendship of sorts to make that work.

I used to blame Kate for her criticism of Jon but I could also see that he was a slacker. Now, I don't think I blame her anymore. Some guys need you telling them what to do or they don't do anything - case in point - my husband. Lived in the same house for 2 yrs and he still doesn't know the trash schedule. Has never bathed his kids - because I don't ask him to and didn't use to help put them to bed because I didn't ask - well I started asking. Guys need to pitch in and help. It isn't a woman's job to do everything and take care of your needs too!

He seems to be going thru some crisis. Perhaps now that he is a "celebrity" (if you can even use that term) and hair plugs, women have been noticing him more and that has gotten him some attention that he didn't use to get. He seems to be regressing instead of being a better dad. I don't believe he quit his job for the benefit of the family. From everything I have read (including the statements from his boss that Jon lied about why he quit), he didn't like his job - going to work and had bounced around between lots of jobs before quitting and staying home for the "family". I think it just became apparent that he no longer needed to work and once he realized that he would have to work at home - which is much harder than a real 9-5 job - he didn't like the taste it left in his mouth. Kids are hard to deal with and when you are outnumbered with 8 screaming, fighting, crying kids all day - it becomes VERY overwhelming. I only have 2, I can't imagine 8. The sports car, the earrings and his attitude are all telling about Jon. He doesn't want to grow up and face the music of being a dad to 8 kids. He only wants to do it part time - VERY SAD INDEED. I believe that Jon will figure it all out - well after the fact- when the fame dies and he is no longer chased by the photogs - he will go back to being plain-old Jon - BORING! By then, hopefully Kate will have moved on. She needs a much stronger man than Jon.

I know that Kate is a nag too, but think about it. They have 8 kids, if you don't have a schedule your entire day would be chaos. She has to crack the whip. And I also realize that there is nicer way to talk to each other but sometimes you just forget and expect the other person to be a grown up and do what they are supposed to do without constantly having to tell them.

I would also like to note that we only watched the show sporadically in the beginning and when we turned it on last season, we turned it right off because Kate was so nasty- talking to Jon (maybe there discontent has been going on a long time). I watched this season's opener and the show with the "big" announcement. So I am not a long time fan of the show. I ultimately feel sad for the kids.

Hi Kimrc,

"No man walks away so happily from his kids unless he is excited to be with another woman."

No man walks away from his kids period.

Jon needs to grow up! He sat there and said he was excited about this new chapter in his life. He is having a midlife crisis, but he needs to get over that and suck it up for his family. Both Jon and Kate have faults, but they need to work this out for the kids. Marriage counseling would be a great place to start and stop taping the show. Jon can go get a 9-5 job where he can be around other adults. Kate can do her public speaking engagements, so between her engagements and if Jon got a job they should be able to provide for their family without doing the show. Family is more important than money and fame. The children are the ones who will pay the price. My prayers are with their family.

the show must go on because she can't pay the bills on a very upscale lifestyle that SHE has become accustomed to as to the antics of the ninny, JON, who with 8 kids goes jetsetting all over Europe with his wife's plastic surgeons daughter it's not a reality show it is a soap...who is scripting this fiasco?

Exactly!

VA Mother of 2 - in your other post, you quote Jon's former boss about why Jon quit work.

From everything I read, Jon's boss finally spoke out and told the public that he FIRED Jon. Jon didn't "quit".

If any of you really watched last nights show you would have heard Kate specifically say even if they had not had the tv show, their marriage would have been in trouble since they both had been growing in different directions over the past year. Statistically multiple children families are a high rate for divorce. It can be overwhelming and unfortunately it all unfolded on television. I am sad that it has not worked out and Kate needs to stay strong... She can be another role model for the myriad of single mothers.

She's not a single mother if the father is still in the picture heling to raise his children. Single Mothers do it ALL on their own.

Bitter, party of one please

You are so right, some family prayers would be helpful. Do they even go to church?

I also agree. I thought I was the only one who remembered their marriage renewal this past season. Especially when Kate said"mommy and daddy love each other very much"( not to mention their new lifestyle). What happened to those vows? They must have stopped going to church when the fame took over. Now it's time to get back to God, and repair their family.

I just cringe everytime Kate screams "Jonnnnn" and belittles him in public. Hopefully the children won't remember how controlling she is with him-although I think they know, especially Madie. Aaden needs help too before he turns into a total germaphobe like Kate. My prayers are with the entire family.

Maybe you should cry for John...He's the one who's had to put up with this hell Kate created for him. Should he grow up, probably, does he deserve the treatment he recieved from her, hell no. His best plan would be to get out of the situation, take his kids with him, and all get away from the obsessive compulsive disorder that is Kate.

You think they meant to have 6 kids?  No.  The 6 kids were caused by furtility meds, they just wanted 1 more.  And TLC sought them out.  They didn't have the 6 kids to get a show!