The media is having a field day with the stars of the TLC reality television show “Jon and Kate Plus 8” claiming that the family (more specifically Kate) is exploiting their children in exchange for fame and fortune.

This issue was most recently addressed by MSNBC reporter Courtney Hazlett, who penned a rather scathing article entitled “Jon and Kate Exploit their 8” that read:

If the Gosselins wanted the alleged cheating issue off the table, they’ve gotten their wish. Unfortunately, the dialogue about “Jon & Kate Plus 8” has shifted to a subject that’s almost (if not more) troubling: Whether the “Plus 8” are being exploited.

Of course they are.

Look no further than the show’s title for the most obvious evidence. The “Plus 8,” who are every bit as responsible for the show’s success as their dubiously motivated parents, have been reduced to a single unit. It’s essential to headline writing and show marketing, but who can name them all? It just doesn’t feel right that Cara, Mady, Alexis, Hannah, Aaden, Collin, Leah and Joel get none of the benefits and all of the objectification that comes with unscripted programming. Worse yet, they aren’t totally willing participants …

With all due respect to Ms. Hazlett and my readers, if you feel that Kate Gosselin is exploiting her kids for money, corporate sponsorships, trips and other perks—stop and take a good hard look at the reality behind the reality show.

Before Jon and Kate they had their children Jon worked as an IT analyst and Kate as a registered nurse. At top salaries in their industries, Jon would have brought in approximately $75,000 annually and Kate around $60,000.

That’s a combined income of $135,000—a comfortable income for a family of 3 or maybe 4—but definitely NOT 8.

Let’s not forget the cost of childcare in this equation if both Jon and Kate worked outside of the home. The bill for in-home nannies or daycare stays would be ASTRONOMICAL and far exceed the income Jon and Kate would bring in doing their traditional careers. Not to mention that it’d be incredibly difficult to find a caretaker for all 8 children, especially considering it doesn’t appear either of their immediate families are on the scene.

Now, put yourself in Kate’s shoes. It’s clear that Jon is pretty much incapable of taking responsibility for supporting his family. He can’t even take responsibility for his own happiness. How is Jon going to support 9 other people?

So like every working mother who desperately cares for her children and wants to ensure their daily well-being while being as present as possible in their lives on a day to day basis, Kate figured out a way to make it happen for her family.

What better way to spend as much time as possible with your kids while also earning enough money to meet the vast needs of 8 children?

And while it may disturb you when Kate refers to the show and the “brand” of “Jon and Kate Plus” (or maybe Kate Plus 8 ) as her family business, we can’t diminish the fact that Kate’s kids will grow up having their mother’s presence in a way they never would if she was trying to raise them on a nurse’s salary.

Other than travel for press appearances and her book tour, Kate is home with her children constantly.

Kids aren’t fakers. The Gosselin kids are happy, intelligent and wonderful children. Kate seems to be doing a pretty darn good job. And she’s looking at needing to step it up even more because it appears Jon is on his way out.

So I say give Kate and her family a break.

Of course Kate’s marriage is on the rocks. Jon is miserably unhappy and blaming everyone around him for it instead of taking responsibility for his happiness and doing something about.

What can you learn from Jon and Kate? Perhaps whatever they trigger within you can provide you with some insight into yourself and what you really want out of life.

Maybe if you are an employed outside the home mom and you see Kate as exploiting her kids and that outrages you, maybe it’s not Kate you are outraged at, but yourself. Maybe your outrage means that you really want to be home with your kids more. Let in that possibility.

If you are a stay at home mom and you get a charge from Kate’s travel without her kids maybe what you really long for is to be away, for just a night.

And if your charge comes from Jon and Kate’s relationship, take a look at that. Do you see parallels in your relationship? Are you unhappy like Jon? Can you relate?

What does any of this have to do with your wealth? The more you can move out of judgment of other people’s lives and go within to find the nucleus of your own beliefs about yourself, the more freedom you will find in every area of your life, especially in your wealth.