Apparently I’m behind the times a bit because I just stumbled across this book when I was hunting for a fun memoir to read. I thought the concept of having 8 kids within 5 years of marriage was fairly intriguing and so is the book Multiple Blessings: Surviving to Thriving with Twins and Sextuplets
Jon and Kate Gosselin had twins with the help of in vitro fertilization the first time they were pregnant. When they decided to add to their family of four they went through treatments again. However, instead of becoming pregnant with one or even two babies, they discovered that Kate was carrying SIX children. (Can you just imagine?!) This book tells their story of struggle, heartache, joy and blessing. It rather runs the gamut of emotions and I imagine different readers will have different reactions to it.
Kate describes herself as a first born, go-getter, take charge planning type A personality. That personality definitely plays itself into the book but that’s not something I happen to mind because, er, well, uh, Ihavethesamepersonality and I identified with her *clears throat* just a little. I’m not a germophobic as she admits to being, but I do have my areas of great concern and typically everyone knows about them. As for her personality, I was ok with it as she describes how she created a game plan for raising eight kids under the age of four. That’s not an easy task and I would imagine that a great deal of planning and organizing had to be done to accomplish the job!
Personally, I was most moved by the beginning of the book when Kate describes how her heart longed for children but her body wasn’t cooperating. Kate and Jon briefly considered adoption at one point but passed up the opportunity in favor of making an attempt to get pregnant one more time. And boy howdy did they!
The refreshing aspect of this book is that they truly view their children as being blessings. Today’s culture is generally anti-kid friendly. It’s hard to take my ONE toddler out in public sometimes. There are days when I really don’t want to leave the house unless I’m convinced that he’s going to be perfect which, what are the chances? I’m not perfect, how can he be? But he IS a blessing, regardless of the periodic bad public displays. He’s my gift and I love him dearly. My husband and I are currently expecting our second child via adoption (due summer 2009) which we are very excited about because we view children as being blessings. There is room in our hearts to love and to give to more than one child and we’re anxious to do that and excited about the opportunity. Therefore I identified with Kate in her desire to nurture and care for her little brood.
I can see how it would be easy to misinterpret Kate and Jon Gosselin’s desires for a family and to criticize their approach to it. They certainly are a curiosity, whether they enjoy being one or not! Six kids at one time is nothing to sneeze at! Whether you read this book because you are curious, or read it because you want to hear a fresh attitude towards children who are wanted and loved – well, this book fits the bill. It’s an interesting and entertaining read and sometimes wildly unbelievable. (How could any woman survive carrying SIX . . . !?!) I thoroughly enjoyed this book and recommend it.
Carrie comes by her book obsession honestly, having descended from a long line of bibliophiles. She blogs about books regularly at Reading to Know.
We LOVE their show!!! I cannot believe you hadn’t heard of them before.
The show is awesome and they are from PA, just about 2 hours from me. If the book is anything like the show, I am sure its a good book.
You would like Morocco. They DOTE on children here. Even fussy children are just smiled at in public. It’s really refreshing actually.
Oh gosh, my 5yr old LOVES their show. Ok, Jason and I do too. I JUST picked up their book the other day, actually. Look forward to reading it … but have a few others in line first lol
Even I, who doesn’t own a tv let alone have cable, have heard of Jon & Kate Plus Eight!!
I’ve seen the book and definitely want to read it as well as the book by the Arkansas family that just had their 18 or 19th child (who live about half an hour from my parents).
You are spot on that today’s culture does not value children. It is rare for me to go out in public with my 4 and not receive some kind of mildly negative comment. My parents have even received comments about the size of my family – and they live in AR!!
Anyway. Congratulations on the coming adoption!! VERY exciting!! And thanks for this positive review of large families.
Congratulations on your coming new baby!
I’m a fan of the show and actually just finished this book about a week or two ago. I enjoyed it and thought it gave some insight into their early days with all the babies and their longing for children. I love big families! But I only had four. I’d also like to read the book on the Duggar family in Arkansas.
Congratulations on your soon-to-arrive little one, Carrie! How exciting!
I’m glad you reviewed this book, too, since I’ve been thinking about reading it. I sometimes catch and enjoy an episode of Jon & Kate Plus Eight, and I’ve been curious about learning more of their story. Sounds good.
[...] Multiple Blessings: Surviving to Thriving with Twins and Sextuplets (recently reviewed by Carrie HERE) and The Duggars: 20 and [...]