by Janet Trieschman

Created on: January 18, 2010   Last Updated: January 20, 2010

Life’s lessons taught to Jon Gosslin’s children through his examples. I am in no way stating that Kate isn’t to blame. Marriage and divorce always has two sides.

Children learn from viewing our actions. You’ve probably heard the adage, “our actions speak louder than words”.  Here are the life lessons that the Gosslin children are learning:

When life gets tough, leave. Jon left home. He moved out. He didn’t stay. He has his own apartment separate from his children. He visits and plays dad but he has another life separate from his children. Try explaining the dedication and devotion to your children when they ask you why you aren’t around or why you have another life separate from them.

Your own priorities should be more important than your families. Jon has stated that he wasn’t happy. He has never said he tried to work things out for the sake of his children or his marriage.

There is no need to have a commitment to your wife, children or family. Obviously this means little to the man. He was caught running around with other women while he was still married. This will be such a great example documented on film for his children to use against him when they get older.

If he were to take a moment and consider how he would feel if his actions were committed by one of his children and how he would feel about it, he would be able to judge his own action more wisely.

Dating or fooling around while still married is AOK. Great example Dad. You have built a firm foundation for you to stand on for having no opinion of how your own children will act, date, sleep around, marry or divorce. Do as Dad says, not as he does will not hold weight I am afraid.

Have your girlfriend live with you – even if the relationship isn’t that serious. Heck, why wait till you have your own pad? What about the first time you are confronted with your kids wanting to have a friend of the opposite sex spend the night. You did it, why can’t I? Wasn’t the love of your life the daughter of a family friend? Dad, please explain to me what is wrong here? I don’t get it. (full sarcasm here)

Making a vow to love, honor and cherish in sickness and in health doesn’t mean anything. “No, I didn’t stick by your mom when the times got tough. No, I didn’t stick with your mom when she might have not been the nicest person. I left because her mood changed. I don’t really understand why she was mean. It couldn’t have been the pressure of raising our family, the sleepless nights or the fact that I wasn’t a strong role model for the family. No, I let her be the backbone of the family and when she wobbled, I didn’t support her or take over I left. “

Your marriage is not worth fighting for. Obviously – review my actions from above.

Being young and not having enough time to sow your oats is a good reason to falter on a commitment. Excuses, excuses, man up and face your responsibilities. Your actions are making raising your children just that much harder. Your life as an example for your children to grow up in your shadow is a poor example.

Straighten yourself out. Put your family first and make wise decisions. Not only are your actions visible by your children but they have been documented on film for them to watch over and over again.  Will they learn from your mistakes or follow in your footsteps? 

And finally, if you find in life that you need added income, turn to the media. They will pay for your life stories, put you on TV and in the tabloids. You have a family history firmly founded with them and for years to come, the media will eat up anything you want to sell to them.

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