As parents of 18 children, Jim Bob and Michelle have a very real responsibility to Joshua , Jana & John-David (twins), Jill, Jessa, Jinger, Joseph, Josiah, Joy-Anna, Jedidiah & Jeremiah (twins), Jason, James, Justin, Jackson, Johannah, Jennifer, and Jordyn-Grace Makiya . How can these parents give their children any real quality, one on one time? Between the time split amongst the children and all the "Reality TV" coverage, I just do not see how any one child can get any real quality time from either parent. I just wonder what it is like when the cameras are not around. People always put their best forward when others are watching with the exception of Jon and Kate! I worry about the Physical and Psychological care of all of these children. It looks like they are doing well financially but money does not take the place of everything! If these children are going to attend college, I pray they have a lot of money!

I think it is irresponsible and unfair to the children to keep on adding to the family. At some point somebody needs to stand up and say when is enough, enough?

I believe that using these children in a reality show is a blatant attempt to make money off of them. This I believe is a sad situation and it is wrong. Kids raised in the public eye always suffer, if you don't believe me, research the past child stars and what has happened to them. It is horribly sad, the lives that most of them lead. The Partridge Family's Danny Bonaduce and The Brady Bunch's Maureen McCormick, to name a few!

Update!  September 1, 2009

"We are thrilled to announce that we found out we're expecting our 19th child," a glowing Michelle Duggar told TODAY's Meredith Vieira Tuesday from the family's home in Springdale, Ark. Just eight months after she gave birth to Jordyn-Grace, baby number 18. http://www.care2.com/news/member/194273403/1236940

They follow the So called Christian movement called Quiverfull, whose members take seriously the biblical exhortation to be fruitful and multiply. I believe this is more of a Cult movement or they would not have made themselves into a Television Reality show to make money off of their children!

I find this family a very sad situation for the children involved.

Nadya Denise Doud-Suleman Gutierrez, also known as Octomom in the media, is an American woman who came to international attention when she gave birth to octuplets in January 2009.^[1][2] The Suleman octuplets are only the second full set of octuplets to be born alive in the United States http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nadya_Suleman

Can you believe this, Nadya Suleman. The woman we either love to hate or have empathy for actually has a wikipedia entry! Octomom, as she has apparently learned to embrace (she has asked the patent office for a patent on the name), is definitely getting media attention. I hear she is in the midst of securing herself a Reality TV show and wishes to put her Octomom name on products to make money off of her children's unfortunate conditions. I feel so bad for her children, all 14 of them. Those who empathize with her and say people are being too hard on her, need to have sympathy for her children instead. So Child Protective Services are watching over them.Who is watching over CPS? Read the following disturbing excerpt from one groups cry for reform,

"Their voices cry out from across the years and beyond the grave. TaJuana, and China Marie, who died in 1993 - just two weeks after a state child-welfare official declared that she was "thriving."After the deaths of China and TaJuana, another foster child beaten to death, CPS officials vowed to fix things. But nothing changed, other than the politicians in charge of this state.And there were more voices. Henry and Odessa and 5-year-old Donovan, who was left in an unsafe home despite a pattern of abuse and a pediatrician's warning that if he died "it will be the result of neglect on the part of CPS." Donovan died in April 1996, during Child Abuse Prevention Month, and CPS vowed to change." http://protected-to-death-by-cps.memory-of.com/About.aspx

Tricia Reyes 12-year-old 2004 Bakersfield,California Foster Boy 12-year-old January 2004 Kowanyama,Australia Justin Johnson Jr. 7-month-old February 4, 2004 Madison Township,Ohio Miericole Romero 3-month-old February 8, 2004 San Diego,California

These preceding names are just a few from a list of hundreds you can find on the following site, http://protected-to-death-by-cps.memory-of.com/About.aspx who have died while under the watchful eye of Child Protective Services. For brevity's sake I did not list all of them.

Nadya Suleman simply has too many children to properly care for, some of which already have disabilities. Now through her own selfishness and what seem to be Psychiatric problems as well, and the very probable malpractice of her physician (who should have known better), the 6 children she already had will have to share her time with 8 more children. All the helpers, Nannies etc... Do not take the place of stable parents. No one knows until they start reaching milestones if they will have developmental delays and maybe even physical problems. In my opinion this is a tragedy for all of these children. It seems to me that Nadya sees the situation as a good way to get a lot of attention and make a lot of money! What a shame.

The last thing all these children need is thrown into the limelight and put on Television, having to grow up with all of their hurdles in the public eye. They are not for our entertainment, they are supposed to be loved and cared for, protected from any harm. When they become entertainment they become dehumanized, and open for public scrutiny. Any Psychologist will tell you, this is not ok!

Update: June 24, 2009 LOS ANGELES (AP) | California authorities slapped a Web site Tuesday with a series of child labor law violations for videotaping two of Nadya Suleman's octuplets without safeguards required to protect their health and safety.

State Labor Commissioner Angela Bradstreet said RadarOnline.com endangered the newborns, Noah and Isaiah Suleman, by failing to get required state permits, videotaping the infants at hours and for periods of time banned by regulations, and failing to provide a monitor to oversee their welfare.

"These babies were put at risk and exposed to conditions that violated California labor laws," Miss Bradstreet said. "In this case, we are dealing with premature babies."

The four violations deal with March 17, when the two infants were the first of Miss Suleman's octuplets to be brought to her home in La Habra, a Los Angeles suburb. They were greeted by a crush of photographers, neighbors and curious onlookers.

The citations carry penalties totaling as much as $3,000, but state officials stressed that the investigation was continuing. It's possible other violations could follow targeting other days or other children.

http://www.washingtontimes.com

Nadya's attorney has yet to respond!

Yes, I am so happy to see someone looking out for these babies! Nadya is more interested it seems in the money she can get by their being exploited than their safety. I hope that the Child Protective Service is all over this!

Update! September 1, 2009

'I think having eight was a mistake in terms of the well-being of all the kids,' the Daily Express quoted her as saying.

I am thinking, gee Nadya, maybe you should have thought about this before hand! Now your irresponsibility is affecting all of your children negativley and will for a very, very long time!

She said: 'Every time we go out we are mobbed by gawpers and bullies. We get crazy reactions, from mild ones like neighbours snickering to dangerous ones.

'I've had very nasty threats and my car has been vandalised.' She is reported to be living like a recluse in her suburban Los Angeles family home and that she and her family were being treated like 'freaks'. http://www.newkerala.com/nkfullnews-1-102222.html

What did she think would happen to her and her children? Did she think that people would not notice that she gave birth to Octuplets? And under what conditions she had them? A lot of people are simply not nice and are unhappy about what she did and are not afraid to tell her or show her. Then there are those who are just nosy and want to see the kids so are ever watchful of her home and the comings and goings.

Me, I do not believe that children should be exploited. Here they are already going through hell every time they go anywhere, simply because they were born. Now she puts them in front of the camera so the whole world can watch them. Where is their Right To Privacy? I guess they have none. But Nadya will get her money! That disgusts me!

A California appeals court has ruled that octuplets mom Nadya Suleman will not face an investigation by Child Protective Services.

Suleman's attorney Jeff Czech says the Fourth District Court of Appeal ruled Wednesday to halt the investigation that was ordered by an Orange County Superior Court probate judge. The appeals court also ruled earlier this month that Suleman would not have to have a court-appointed guardian to oversee her children's finances. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090827/ap_on_re_us/us_octuplets_2

Just when I thought those kids might actually get some help from the legal system they are let down. This is really sad. Now she is free to do as she chooses. Those poor children will pay the price for this judges ignorance. She will let those cameras have free reign and spend, spend, spend!

Nadya Suleman has decided to sign a deal with the European reality-show production company Eyeworks for a total of $250,000 over three years to be divided among Suleman’s 14 children, who are all under age 8. It has not been disclosed how much Suleman would make in the deal. Filming for the show is slated to begin Sept. 1.In response to her action, Paul Petersen, a former child actor who founded the advocacy group known as A Minor Consideration, filed a legal petition to have an advocate appointed to look after the financial interests of Suleman’s octuplets and six other children. On Monday, a judge in Orange County, Calif., granted the request and appointed an advocate, who is to file a report by Aug. 31. Suleman’s attorney, Arthur J. LaCilento, said he will appeal the decision and accused Petersen and his lawyer, celebrity attorney Gloria Allred, of “grandstanding” and being “nosy.”

Once again, I applaud the fact that someone does care enough to protect these children how ever they can! I find it disturbing that parents use their children to make money off of them. This behavior needs to be stopped.

Keith and Becki Dilley tried the old fashioned way for many years to get pregnant. When that did not work they turned to fertility drugs. Becki did get pregnant and the result was, Adrian, Claire, Ian, Brenna, Julian and Quinn, six very tiny babies. They are the United States first surviving sextuplets. At fourteen they are in High School now and like all parents, Keith and Becki worry about College. For them it is different than most, they have to prepare to send not one, but six children to college all at once. No matter how good a parent one is, no matter how well intentioned fertility drugs can really cause problems! I just wonder how responsible it is to use them? The financial burden is tremendous in so many realms. The personal burden, no matter how wonderful it is to have children, must be overwhelming and the burden on the children must be great also.

The Six babies born to Victor and Digna on October 6th, 2008, were named : Justin, Danelia, Jezreel, Genesis, Joel and Jadon. The Carpios decided to keep their babies out of the limelight as much as possible. They were not interested in makeing them a hit television series or using their births and lives as a prifitable adventure. I applaud them for that. I still worry about the cost of raising so many babies (children) at one time. And not just the financial cost. Each child will need a lot of individual attention growing up to be a well adjusted adult. It is hard to get that attention when it is divided between 5 other babies and an older brother! Mom and Dad need to give positive, quality attention to each other also, look at what has happened to Jon and Kate Gosselin.

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/queens/2008/10/26/2008-10-26_secret_of_their_6cess_queens_couple_vict.html#ixzz0IGw4U6UE&C

Jon and Kate Gosselin had twins first in 2000, Cara and Mady and then they decided to have a third child. Here is just another example of fertility treatment overkill, sextuplets were born in 2004. Then the entertainment began and that's when the trouble started escalating: " ^[2] The family originally appeared in a one-hour special titled Surviving Sextuplets and Twins. Then they moved on to, Jon & Kate Plus 8, a reality television show produced in the United States by Figure 8 Films about the Gosselin family, consisting of parents Jon and Kate and their eight children, fraternal twins and sextuplets. The show follows the family through their daily lives, focusing on the challenges of raising multiple children. The show originally aired on Discovery Health, but has aired on TLC since season 3. The show is currently one of the highest rated programs on TLC^[1] and the fifth season premiere was seen by a record 9.8 million viewers, the most watched show of that evening including broadcast television, twice as many viewers as the show’s previous series high. " http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jon_&_Kate_Plus_8

The problem is just as I have mentioned before, living in the public eye. It is not only bad for the children. Jon and Kate are suffering such stress that they are having marital problems now. This isn't something that should be happening to this family in view of a television audience and other media. I do not care how much money these parents make off this show, it is not worth their children's Psychological health, their happiness and Jon and Kate's marriage. They need to put the kibosh to the show and work on holding their family together. They chose to have all of these children together and they need to do all they can to take as much stress out of their lives as they can so they can continue to raise these children in a peaceful ( as peaceful as it can be with 8 children ), loving home with their two parents!

Update: June 24, 2009.  It looks like a divorce for Jon and Kate, after 10 years of marriage and eight children.  Jon and Kate filed documents at the Berks County Courthouse in Reading, Pennsylvania Monday, June 22, 2009. It looks like the children will be staying in their home and it is their parents who will shuffle back and forth between houses! They have agreed on shared custody and say they are trying to make this tragedy as painless on the children as they can.

But here you have it again! Such a personal family tragedy put right out there on TV for their faithful viewers to drool over. I feel so bad for the children who must face this in the public eye. It is an outrageous misfortune for them and totally selfish of their parents who should put an end to it! The show must not always go on!

Update: July 8th, 2009

It is apparent that I am not the only person who fears for children like Jon and Kate's. It is time that the world stand up and do what is best for children who can not defend themselves. Children are not a product or commodity. They are precious and should be treated with respect and loving care and concern for both their physical and mental health. We as consumers can make a difference by not watching these types of shows. We need to quit being part of the problem and help instead to be part of the solution and demand an end to exploitation of children.

The allegations of child exploitation against “Jon & Kate Plus 8” stars Jon and Kate Gosselin are growing in number, with family members and former employees coming forward to criticize the famous parents.

Kate’s sister-in-law Jodi Kreider said that while the first season was about eight episodes, the Gosselins quickly asked for more, now filming up to 40 episodes every six months. She also expressed concern on the that there were cameras present in the children’s bedrooms at one point.

Angela Krall, a former home-care nurse for the family, said in an exclusive interview with Geraldo Rivera that she was concerned for the welfare of the children because they “spend a good deal of their [lives] in front of the camera,” and feared what kind of impact that may have on the eight children later.

Child advocate Wendy Murphy told FOX News' Megyn Kelly that child labor laws in Pennsylvania, written before reality television existed, probably did not have a clause to protect children in this type of situation. State authorities are investigating whether or not TLC producers and the Gosselins are doing enough to protect the children from exploitation.

Murphy said that according to sources close to the family, the children are beginning to articulate their feelings of discomfort at the presence of the cameras, which she argued could help a case to shut down filming.

“The good news is when a government agency gets involved, they’re going to say ‘We don’t care if the parents like the money they’re making [about $50-75G per episode], what we have to be concerned about is these children,’” Murphy said.

VIDEO: Click here to see Megyn Kelly's interview with Wendy Murphy.

Murphy criticized the show not only for showing the children in intimate settings including while “sobbing, crying, in the bathroom in the shower,” but also for chronicling the demise of their parents' relationship on screen.

“Do you think these kids really need to watch stories they’re now old enough to understand?" Murph said. "People in the neighborhood are going tell them, ‘Daddy’s down the street shacking up with some young chickie!’ Do you think these kids are going to do well hearing that sort of stuff? I don’t think so!”

Bravo Wendy Murphy, these are the same types of concerns I have had all along. Children pick up on the stress that their parents are going through, and they have their own stresses. If anyone thinks a child does not pick up on everything that parents say around them, then they are sadly mistaken. The hostility between Jon and Kate off camera is probably bad enough but there they are parading it in front of cameras, in front of their children for everyone to see. Jon and Kate's first responsibility is to their children. It is not to giving their viewers a good show. These poor children must suffer the public demise of their family and like Ms. Murphy said, then hear about from the rest of the world! As entertainment, how sick.

FoxNews.com