Several years ago a couple met at a picnic. After they married, they found they couldn't get pregnant and decided to utilize IVF. They became pregnant and gave birth to two twin girls. A few years later, they made the effort for another child, and with another IVF treatment, found that they were the expectant parents of sextuplets.

Soon after the sextuplets were born, the parents were offered an incredible opportunity. They were offered a reality series on TLC. Eager to have their children's early years documented, they accepted the offer and became: Jon & Kate Plus 8.

Now, it's no real surprise that in the fifth season of their reality series, Jon and Kate Gosselin have become celebrities in their own right. The now famous parents and their two sets of lovable multiples have been invited into thousands of homes across America one night a week.

Jon and Kate have become heroes to parents throughout America as they've openly expressed the sacrifices and hardships endured to provide a healthy and educational lifestyle for their eight growing children. Still, their open display of the emotional rollercoaster that exists in a marriage daunted by the stress of raising children and maintaining a budget have upset some viewers. Furthermore, the additional stress of dealing with instant fame has wearied the two young parents.

As they strive to understand and cope with their newfound celebrity, they must swat away headlines suggesting exploitation and infidelity. To make matters worse, recently, several insiders have made themselves available to the media, suggesting they know the truth behind the allegations that Jon was unfaithful to his wife. Their testimonies have graced every entertainment channel.

Furthermore, on the season premiere of Jon & Kate Plus 8, the couple was never interviewed together until the very end of the episode. While their reunion sparked hope in many loyal fans, the fact remains that no one outside of the marriage is genuinely knowledgeable about the Jon & Kate's fate.

Still, it's fairly evident that while divorce rates are high overall, divorce rates for parents of multiples are further elevated. While everyone tunes in to Entertainment Tonight to learn about their favorite reality couple, the attention could certainly only additionally hurt the couple's marriage.

Has Hollywood managed to corrupt another marriage? Has the attention that comes with fame quieted another budding star? As a mother, I riveted by the Gosselin's show, but respect their privacy and hope others will also give Jon & Kate time to decide what is best for themselves, instead of looking to hints from entertainment television spies.

Learn more about this author, Jen M. Hernandez.
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