I love the show and I have NO kids (well other than 2 cats and a dog). I think there is a lot of editing going on which includes making certain people appear b*tchier than they may be in real life.
Kate accepts the fact that she is a control freak which causes her to flip out and as a control freak myself, I understand where she is coming from.
I fear from the family as Maddy gets older cause I agree, she is going to be a lot of trouble. Truthfully, I think she exhibits signs of bi-polar disorder of severe mood disorder. She needs meds and therapy.
I also felt bad for Kate's sister in law when she gave the kids gum. OMG. And poor duckie, the thought of the one kid having to watch duckie being tossed was heart breaking.
As for why it is a show, why are half the reality shows popular. It is the American human consumption of reality t.v. It use to be Jerry Springer and Jenny Jones and now it is Jon & Kate plus 8 or The Hills. The shows are not "real" shows, but edited together to show what a production team thinks the american public in eat up. And clearly they are doing a great job.