5-Minute Time Out: Raising Sextuplets
Jenny Masche on avoiding the pitfalls of Jon
So, have you ever heard of a family raising sextuplets on a reality TV show? No, not that family. The network WE tv launched its new show Raising Sextuplets in June, which profiles the brood of Jenny and Bryan Masche, of Lake Havasu, Arizona and their six two-year-olds (predictably adorable Bailey, Savannah, Molli, Cole, Grant and Blake.) WE TV first started following the Masche family with cameras for a documentary on Jenny’s pregnancy (she did IUI after two-and-a-half years of trying to get pregnant.) So far the show has none of the drama of Jon and Kate (whew) but some of the fun and chaos: Jon tries to lose his “baby weight,” the kids whack each other in the tub. As if you needed any more reason to feel inferior, Jenny works nights as a physician’s assistant in the ER and runs marathons.
Babble talked to Jenny about what makes them different from the Gosselins, why they did the show in the first place, and what parents of just one or two kids can learn from a mom who had to manage six bottles at the same time. – Jennifer V. Hughes
There has been such an enormous amount of negative publicity and reaction to Jon and Kate Gosselin lately – why in the world would you want to do this TV program, especially now?
You know, all the stuff about them makes me very, very nervous, but our show started out so long before any negative publicity ever came out about them . . . we were filming our documentary when I was pregnant. But we are very different people. Just because we have a show doesn’t mean the same thing is going to happen to us. The only similarity I see between us is that we both have sextuplets.
Do you think there is something you can do with your situation to avoid the kind of media circus their lives have become?
Absolutely. It’s all about choices; they were not in the media until Jon got photographed at a bar with another woman, and then it snowballed and got crazy. Brian and I, we’re not perfect by any stretch, but we believe in Christ and we live our lives based on that, and a lot of the choices we make reflect on that. Hopefully we’re grounded in that reality with God, and that will keep us from things that will bring us negative attention. I mean, we still have our moments of being angry, but . . .
Why did you decide to do the show to begin with?
When we got pregnant with the sextuplets and they asked us to document the pregnancy, we thought this was a one-time shot for us. It was a documentary – we never thought of a show. We loved it, we just thought it was fun. It was positive, and hopefully it will continue to be positive. If it ever starts to add stress in our lives, it’s done.
Why do you think people are so fascinated by parents of multiples - the Jon and Kate thing, Octomom?
You know, I honestly don’t know. My life seems really boring to me. I don’t know anything different from sextuplets. But all my friends with one or two, their lives are so astronomically changed, people can’t even fathom having six or five or four. They think, “I’m overwhelmed with one child; how the heck does someone do this?” Sometimes it can be encouraging to see someone’s life that seems harder that yours. It helps to have perspective.
I’m sure you’ve heard about people making judgments about your decision to have so many babies, to do the show - what has bothered you the most and what did you do to deal with it?
You know, I don’t look at anything. I don’t read anything, because I want to guard my ears and my mind from negativity. As long as I please God and my husband and my family and the people around me can see that what we’re doing is a positive thing, I don’t care about what other people think.
What has been the most surprising thing you’ve experienced since having your children?
It’s surprising that it’s not as bad as we thought. I was so depressed when I delivered – I’m sure a lot of it was hormonal, I was sick, in the ICU. I had envisioned that this situation we got ourselves into was totally impossible. When you’re that depressed and negative, then when you actually have the kids come home and you realize what a joy they are . . . They fulfill me in a way I’ve never been fulfilled in my life.
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They sound like very nice people. And I doubt they have time to watch other people’s reality television shows. But there is something about this:”It’s all about choices; they were not in the media until Jon got photographed at a bar with another woman, and then it snowballed and got crazy. Brian and I, we’re not perfect by any stretch, but we believe in Christ and we live our lives based on that, and a lot of the choices we make reflect on that. Hopefully we’re grounded in that reality with God, and that will keep us from things that will bring us negative attention.”From everything I’ve read about the Gosselin family, the parents professed a similar strong belief in Christ, and a strong desire to life a faith-based life. So this isn’t really drawing a contrast that shows why things would be different for them.
catmom- I thought the same thing. Hopefully this family WILL be able to avoid the mess the Gosselins have gotten themselves into… but it seems like whenever you willingly put your life out in the public this way you lose some control over what happens next.
Well, one thing about Jon being in a bar with girls….Kate had kicked him to the curb about 6 months prior to that. And, with a wife like Kate, it’s no wonder he sought out some affection.
His babe hounding was certainly unfortunate on his part, but it all came about AFTER the marriage was over for all intents and purposes. While he should have waited until the divorce was over for many reasons, Jon was completely loyal until Kate kicked him out.
I was really enjoying this show until this week. It was the episode concerning the purchasing of a home. Bryan become so
emotionally abusive to his wife. The attitude he had toward her
in front of the realtor. Especially the crack “put your big girl panties on”. This is becoming just like the Gosselins only
in reverse. He’s the bully and she’s the abused. She is doing
everything in her power to support finacially and emotionally her
family. What does she get but this big boys attitude. My heart
broke to think that she is going to Florida alone without a support team with her. He will not be a support to her. It’s obvious. Also, couldn’t he have allowed her to buy the house she
would love instead of controlling everything. He has control and abuse and anger issues. I’m not watching anymore because this will end in a mess.
this dad is a manipulative, emotionally abusive, verbally abusive, women hating dirt bag. Get out Jenny, get out NOW!! those poor kids.
I think Bryan is horribly abusive towards Jenny. He is degrading and downright mean to her and the children. I am so worried now that they have moved away from their family that he will become worse and she will have no support system. He is not a good Christian husband- he has a warped view of how to treat his wife and children. This is so sad to watch!
Is it just me or does Bryan have a lot of gay tendency’s? Is he in denial?
And what kind of a father locks their 2 yr old in the bathroom. Bryan do you know what time out is, its putting your child in a designated spot that is in you viewing for 1 minute per age, duh. I feel so sorry for Jenny she doesn’t have enough support from Bryan he’s like a spoiled child.
I just have to remark about the last episode I watched where Jenny was trying to put the girls to bed and they were crying and carrying on and Bryan was putting the boys to bed and they behaved like angels and laid down and were very quiet. Did anyone else notice the spatula Bryan was holding while he was putting the kids to bed? Also note the comment one of them made about behaving or dad will put a spoon to your behind. Besides being selfish, childish, aggressive, and verbally abusive, it is clear that Bryan is also physically abusive to the children. Child welfare needs to nip this one in the bud and WE needs to cancel this train wreck. I wont be watching this program any more.
These “reality shows” are tearing families apart! And I am SICK AND TIRED of people using christianity as some sort of excuse to control or abuse their spouses – christians do not condone this type of behavior. Plain and simple, Bryan is a bully and Jenny is a either a doormat or is just very afraid of her husband.
I so agree with the previous poster. This show is disgusting not because of its exploit of the children but because Bryan Masche is an abusive, childish, dirtbag. Jenny needs to wake up and GET OUT. It’s one thing to choose to stay and be abused but to choose it for your kids is disgusting. Grow a backbone and kick the creep to the curb. Protect your kids! That’s your job!
Bryan is so lucky he is not married to me. His wife is a saint — however, she should realize that her “sainthood” will not protect her from that abusive husband of hers. She should have gotten out before the move to Fl with all the isolation that entails.
I wonder if the reason she feels so guilty for having to go to work is because she knows she’s leaving them with such an abusive person. When I worked and my husband stayed home, I had no such qualms because he’s such a wonderful dad.
I find the comments about Brian being abusive and how Jenny should pack up and leave him really disturbing. That is a prime example of what is wrong with society–pack up and leave if you’re not happy. If you don’t want to pay for your mortgage, just pack up and leave. If you’re not happy with your spouse, pack up and leave. It’s called a committment people. A vow. Brian has some anger management issues. I think he realizes that and that is one reason why they are in counseling. God forbid your spouse or sig other leave you for one flaw that you might have. We are all broken people…he who is not guilty cast the first stone. I am not condoning abusive relationships, but I don’t think you can label this man an abuser just because he chooses to discipline his children and loses his temper with his wife. Not saying he doesn’t need to work on it, but does not constitue a divorce.
I find Beth’s comment disturbing. Abuse is a reason to leave. Vows do not entale bullying, belittling, and letting your wife do 98 percent of household and parental work. He has isolated her and goes to counseling to keep her. He will not change. People that want change show it. Yes, it takes time but sincerity is transparent. This douche is childish, insecure, irresponsible, and will not change. Everyone has flaws but most people try to pull their weight.
What kind of example do you think Jenny staying in this relationship is setting for her children? She can show that if someone does not keep vows to be loving, respectful and faithful it is better to love yourself and leave the abuse. Or she can show that in order to keep a tv show, hold to vows that she is the only one fulfilling, and to keep a mate you should stay in abuse. By seeing one half of them, their mom, get stepped on their self worth will go down. They may treat her the same way dad does. Or dad will belittle them and tear them down. With this being the example right in their innocent faces they would likely either be abusers, abused, or screwed up and doing detrimental activities to themselves. What is more important? Keeping vows that your partner isn’t fulfilling… or being happy and having your children see and be subjected to healthy relationships? This should not be a hard one!
I find Beth’s comment disturbing. Abuse is a reason to leave. Vows do not entale bullying, belittling, and letting your wife do 98 percent of household and parental work. He has isolated her and goes to counseling to keep her. He will not change. People that want change show it. Yes, it takes time but sincerity is transparent. This douche is childish, insecure, irresponsible, and will not change. Everyone has flaws but most people try to pull their weight.
What kind of example do you think Jenny staying in this relationship is setting for her children? She can show that if someone does not keep vows to be loving, respectful and faithful it is better to love yourself and leave the abuse. Or she can show that in order to keep a tv show, hold to vows that she is the only one fulfilling, and to keep a mate you should stay in abuse. By seeing one half of them, their mom, get stepped on their self worth will go down. They may treat her the same way dad does. Or dad will belittle them and tear them down. With this being the example right in their innocent faces they would likely either be abusers, abused, or screwed up and doing detrimental activities to themselves. What is more important? Keeping vows that your partner isn’t fulfilling… or being happy and having your children see and be subjected to healthy relationships? This should not be a hard one!
Hey Beth…I’m really happy for Jenny that u r not a friend of hers. Sounds like your a friend of Bryans. Anyway you make me sick