Jon Minus Kate: What About the "Plus 8"?

Clinical Psychologist On What It Means For The Eight Gosselin Kids

(CBS/ AP)  Jon and Kate Gosselin of the hit TV reality show "Jon & Kate Plus 8" are calling it quits.

But how will the split affect their eight young children?

Dr. Jeff Gardere, a clinical psychologist said on The Early Show Tuesday that the breakup will affect each age group differently.

Gardere said the 8-year-olds Gosselin twins will likely have more aggression, confusion and sadness, because they understand a bit more of what’s going on. As for the 5-year-old sextuplets, he said they'll understand less, but may have more regressive behavior, such as temporary thumb sucking and toilet training lapses.

Jon and Kate need to present themselves to their children as a united couple, Gardere said, even though they're ending their marriage.

He added that, as parents, Jon and Kate should let their children know the breakup isn’t their fault, and reassure them that the love will always be there. He said giving each child individual attention and answering their questions and concerns are also essential as divorce proceedings advance. The psychologist adds that each parent should also strive to be as much of a presence in their children’s lives as possible.

But Gardere’s advice for the Gosselins family?

"Pull the plug."

He said continuing the show is unadvisable, particularly with what lies ahead for the family.

"There’s just too much stress on those kids, and any kids who have to go through some sort of a separation or divorce situation with their parents," Gardere said. "And now with all of the undue, inordinate amount of attention from the cameras, from the world, it’s going to be hard for them to live out a lot of these issues on the world stage."

Jon and Kate spoke of their decision to separate during Monday's episode of the TLC cable series. Near the end of the hour-long episode, a title card summed things up in stark terms: It said that on Monday, "Legal proceedings were initiated in Pennsylvania to dissolve the 10-year marriage of Jon and Kate Gosselin."

People.com reported Jon claims Kate was the one who filed for divorce.

The TLC network had been promising a major on-air announcement from the couple, whose increasingly troubled marriage has dominated the series in recent weeks, as well as fueling a firestorm of tabloid coverage.

And tabloids were in abuzz this weekend as Jon reportedly was seen looking at apartments in New York Friday.

Kate responded in a statement Monday night: "Over the course of this weekend, Jon's activities have left me no choice but to file legal procedures in order to protect myself and our children."

Kate said on the show they have been dealing a long time with marital problems and the attendant publicity.

"It's been a hard seven or eight months," Jon said on the Monday night episode in one of his separate on-camera sessions.

Kate said during the special she needs relief. "I need to turn the page," she said.

Jon described his relationship with Kate as "a total breakdown of everything."

"Jon & Kate" is TLC's most-watched series, drawing nearly 10 million viewers for its season premiere recently. But with the couple's celebrity has come nonstop media coverage, and scandal. There have been reports of infidelity by both Jon and Kate (accusations both of them deny).

Adding to the strain, Pennsylvania's Labor Department opened an investigation into whether the show's production is complying with state child labor laws. TLC has said it "fully complies" with state laws and regulations.

Mickey Sherman, a defense lawyer, told CBS News correspondent Terrell Brown, "When you factor in that you've got two TV stars, residuals, eight kids, and enormous amounts of money being in jeopardy, it’s a mess."

Looking ahead, Kate said, "I don't really want to be alone. I don't want to do this alone."

But she described the split as "the next chapter." And while she and Jon have spoken angrily about the pressure on their marriage from fame and press attention, she conceded, "I believe that it's a chapter that probably would have played out had the world been watching, or not."

One thing the couple could agree on: "Jon & Kate Plus 8" will continue.

"We interview separately, we'll film different things," Jon explained. "Me and the kids, her and the kids."

"How does the show go on?" said Kate. "The show MUST go on!"

[andie52]

The show should end and the children are already damaged by this fiasco. Jon was never keen on having children perhaps Kate should have paid more attention to that. I hope they can support themselves if the show isn't continued and if it is who would watch it?

[junfloyd]

Why are these people so important? It's not even entertainment. Who cares. Lots of families have problems, they are no one special. Kick them off TV, they suck.

[azmom]

Who cares if Jon and Kate, in particular Kate, think the show must go on? It's about time that the TLC network and powers that be pull the plug on this train wreck. Everyone keeps saying to do what's best for the kids but no one really is and the only people who have power to actually stop the show are the people at TLC. They have plenty of other shows. Maybe if people were to boycott TLC that might make this message a little stronger.

[marianita86]

I think,John & Kate have to think twice the decission, and think what's best for the kids. The are just 8 years old and 6 years old, and they all have to be together, and in family (John and Kate together)

If it's not John & Kate plus 8, then, you have no show.

[ky-man]

I think it is time to be totally concerned for what is best for the kids..it was a great idea for a show,but it is not FAIR to be 'in it for the money' when it comes to the blessing of children.

[jilldany1]

I agree that they should end the show. I have wateched it since the first show and after last night I will no longer watch it. I think that neither parent is think about those children if they continue with the show just about themselves and their needs. Look at all the free things they get the motorcycle from Orange County Choppers, clothes, and lets not forget the money. If they really want to be their for the kids and live for them then stop the show get real jobs and get the children some help. They brought this on themselves no one to blame but themselves. As for Jon grow up your 32 so what he kept saying that last night it sounded like he was saying "what about me", who cares about you, your children come first. I would strongly encourage TLC to take the show off.