Jon: Leaving 'J & K' Was 'Best Thing I Ever Did'

Although Jon Gosselin and his ex Kate had lived comfortably off of the money earned from Jon & Kate Plus 8 for five seasons, the former reality star tells ET that leaving the TLC series at the onset of his divorce in 2009 was the "best thing I ever did." 

"I'm absolutely glad [I quit]," says Jon, who remains prideful of the fact that his messy split wasn't broadcast for the world to see.

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"My divorce was never documented. Best thing I ever did. Best thing I ever did. There's no documented proof and filming of the reality show of Jon & Kate's demise on television in any kind of episode. It was like a hiatus. That's the best thing I ever did for my children, for anything."

While his current income gained waiting tables at a Pennsylvania restaurant is a far cry from the Jon & Kate days, the 36-year-old tells ET his modest income is enough to take care of himself, as well as his kids when custody time rolls around.

"[Kate and I] both support them financially because she takes care of school and all that stuff, but I take care of the exact same things she takes care of," Jon explains. "I buy their own groceries, they have their own clothes at my house, their own bedrooms, their own stuff. It's doubled."

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Despite the Gosselins' agreement to share the financial weight of their eight kids, Jon says his relationship with Kate has become nonexistent.

"The nanny comes out and I exchange kids at her gate or at the bus stop or wherever," he shares. "I don't physically see [Kate]."