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BFFs, Jon G is working to turn his life around! The dad of eight has joined a leadership program at a private Pennsylvania retreat so he can become a better dad.

Jon Gosselin wants to be the best father possible to his eight little Gosselins. The reality TV dad is tired of people making him out to be an unemployed deadbeat dad and he’s decided to take control of his life.

We just discovered that Jon took his children to The Country Place Retreat in White Haven, PA for Father’s Day — the same place where he is seeking personal and relationship guidance. We spoke with the owner and founder Dr. Sylvia Lafair who is Jon’s leadership coach, and she tells us Jon is very serious about getting his life in order.

“Jon is really redesigning his life in a very positive way,” says Sylvia. “He has really decided to look deeply inside him and reinvent who he is.”

Jon has been painted as a father who doesn’t see his children and is solely focused on chasing women. But Dr. Lafair tells HollywoodLife.com that she’s known Jon for over a year, and this time something is different.

“I knew him when he and Kate were going through their difficult times and we connected,” she says. “I’ve been doing this, Total Leadership Connections program for over 15 years and we’ve held about 40 of these leadership retreats. Jon decided to join to hone his skills to be a better leader in his family and with his kids. He wants to take a step so he can be a representative of men who are divorced or newly divorced.”

Jon spent Father’s Day with his eight kids and his new girlfriend Ellen Ross — Sylvia tells us that it was a “beautiful day” and exactly what the kids needed.

“He came up here with the kids and Ellen to spend the day,” says Sylvia. “The retreat was closed this weekend so it was private. Jon just wanted to be with the kids where they could be free and play and be in nature. Where they could run around with their dad.”

The kids spent the day playing playing games on the 450 acres of “rolling woodlands and meadows” with Jon and Ellen. Dr. Lafair tells us that despite reports, Ellen is a good influence on the kids.

“They went out on the paddle boat and we did some scavenger hunts,” says Sylvia. “Ellen is also very understated, she doesn’t make any demands. She is excellent with the kids.”

It sounds like things are really looking up for Jon. We’re really glad to hear he is making such an effort to be the best dad possible to those adorable little Gosselins.

-Chloe Melas

Read The Latest on Jon, Kate and the Rest of the Gosselin Clan!

1. EXCLUSIVE! What Does Jon Gosselin Love Most About His New GF? Her Job! What Exactly Does That Mean?
2. Jon Gosselin Says: ‘I’m Doing What’s Right For My Kids-I’m Being A Father Again’
3. The Gosselin Kids Spent Father’s Day With Dad And His New Girlfriend!
4. HollywoodLife.com’s 19 Most Controversial Moms! See Photos & VOTE!

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