Multiple Blessings: Surviving to Thriving with Twins and Sextuplets

I have seen every episode of Jon and Kate plus 8 and have enjoyed watching their family grow. I didn't hesitate to buy the book and when I read it I was very pleased. On the show they don't talk much about their faith, and the book revealed that side of their family. They would have never made it as far as they did had they not had faith. Regardless of what has happened in recent months between Jon and Kate, as a whole, their family is truly inspirational.

What a precious story of multiples that has played out on the TV in such a public way. I'm praying for the restoration of this special family. They have been under so much scrutiny and now need our prayer and support.

This book was very well written. I love how Kate doesn't take anything for granted - not even the sun shining through her windows! Most importantly, I think Kate is a great witness of the Christian faith. Her devotion to God and her family is demonstrated throughout the book. As a Christian and a mother, I learned a lot from this book on patience and love. Some may say she comes off as being cranky for demanding so much for her family, but honestly - she says all the things I wish I could say as a mother to some people. When I had a newborn, I requested visitors to "wash your hands", "take off your shoes", "please don't come if you have a cold". But some people just don't listen. Or they will do it the first time, but not the second time they visit. I admire her strength to run her house the way she wants to run it! GO KATE!

Like many of the reviewers, I too am a fan of the show and after reading the one very obvious negative review, I'm amazed at how many immature people are out there. Jon and Kate are two young and very normal people and quite honestly interact with eachother the way most couples (young or old, married or not married, kids or no kids) do. After reading their book and seeing how many obstacles they had to overcome and still manage to survive 8 kids and a tv crew in their house is amazing to me. I also think that the criticism and negativity they receive is fueled by jealousy, resentment and just comes off as petty. As for the criticism toward Kate, yes, she is tough and I'll admit b****y at times, but when it comes to your own kids, their well being, and molding the type of people they will eventually become, it is necessary. I say "Kudos!" to Jon and Kate!

When the book came out I noticed that the author is Beth Carson (along with Kate Gosselin). On the TV show "Jon and Kate Plus 8", it has been shown that Beth Carson is a friend of Kate's, so I assumed the book would lack an experienced writing style. I was wrong! This book is VERY well written with an excellent flow and time-line of events. The story is told by Kate with details that go past what the TV show documents. One way to explain it is that the TV series shows the action while the book provides insight into the emotional roller coaster and thoughts experienced by the parents, immediate family and some volunteers. Kate does a good job of explaining the mental and physical stress of raising six infants, along with a set of twin toddlers. Kate didn't paint herself as a saint and openly talks about the times she was wrong and as she stated "not winning any friends". As a mom myself of multiples I thought the book gave an accurate portrayal of the stress of bed rest, carrying multiples, and the mental exhaustion that takes it's ugly toll on relationships. The book discusses the inital fertily treatment (an IUI), Kate's hospital stay while on bedrest, their early days in a condo by the hospital and their first house (not the house seen on TV). Each chapter of the book has a personal photo from the Gosselin family which are fairly generic and similar to what has been seen on the TV series. But unlike the TV series the book goes into detail about the parents of Jon and Kate and other immediate family members. Those family members are mentioned lovingly quiet often which Fans of the show may find interesting. The book does have many religious references, but are not stated in a preachy way. They seem to be made only to point out the reasoning behind decisions Jon and Kate made, and to follow the title/theme of the book Multiple "Blessings". I have noticed many negative reviews and it seems they are based on a personal disagreement with the Gosselin's lifestyle. Of course everyone is entitled to disagree with the Gosselin's -- I don't always agree with what I see on TV myself. BUT unfortunately it seems the majority of negative reviews have nothing to do with the contents of the book and more to do with the flood of recent tabloid press the family has received. The book doesn't seem to be written to make themselves look good - but written more in a diary style. Whether you are a fan or a critic, I think you will agree that the book is well written. Multiple Blessings is a fairly quick read that is well worth it for anyone who is curious about this family or for someone who has struggled with raising multiples. Enjoy!