Wife Swap Spouse Jamie Czerniawski Arrested For Stabbing Husband
It seems that one Wife Swap participant might should of stayed with her new family! Season 2 alum and former Miss Teen New Jersey Jamie Czerniawski has been arrested for stabbing her husband Charles with a knife during a fight in their Freehold, New Jersey home on May 26. Jamie Czerniawski, 30, tells The New York Post that she acted in self defense, saying “I was so scared I just closed my eyes [and struck him] … If I didn’t do it, I would’ve been dead.”
Jamie claims the couple had just returned home at 1AM when a phone call from a mutual male friend sparked her husband Charles, 34, into a jealous rage. She says Charles told her, “If I can’t have you, no one can,” just after grabbing her wrists. She broke free and picked up a knife. Next, she says, Charles pinned her to the floor with his knees and that’s when she stabbed/slashed him.
Charles Czerniawski has “spent two days in intensive care, lost four pints of blood and hasn’t regained use of his right arm,” according to The Post. He disputed his wife’s claim that the attack was in self-defense, and his lawyer says his client will give “a detailed account of the true events” in court.
I scoured every inch of the virtual superhighway for a video clip without any luck (just give it time – I’m sure excerpts of the episode will surface) But, I was able to track down Jamie’s MySpace page (www.myspace.com/tanyourbunz) as well as the MySpace page for Jamie and Charles’ business, Aloha Tanning. Here are a few photos of the couple from her page, last updated on May 22 of this year:
Here’s ABC’s summary for the Wife Swap episode Jamie appeared on:
This week in “Kinison/Czerniawski,” a mom who lies on a bed of nails and has stars tattooed all over her face swaps places with a fashion conscious ex-Miss Teen New Jersey who owns a tanning salon.
Anna Kinison (26) and her husband, Jeremy (27), of Arizona, are both freak show performers; Anna has stars tattooed on her face and Jeremy has big red claw marks on his cheeks and metal horns sprouting out of his forehead. Anna lays on a bed of nails while husband Jeremy breathes fire and lifts weights with his eyelids. Their kids, Cataya (7) and Ryan (6), have both been brought up around the freak show — daughter Cataya is the youngest escape artist in America and can’t wait to join the show full time. Both children do well at school, and their parents are very strict about the kids’ homework. Despite their freaky appearance, the Kinisons are a very traditional family: Mom Anna does all the cooking and cleaning, and sees it as her job to have a hot meal on the table for her husband when he gets home from work. The kids don’t have their friends over very much. Instead they hang out with their parents’ friends, who are around all the time, and even go to ‘Bicker Night’ at a local restaurant, where everyone vents their feelings in public – shouting insults and drawing as much attention to themselves as possible.
Anna travels to the luxurious New Jersey home of Jamie (27) and Charles (31) Czerniawski, the youngest family in the exclusive subdivision where they reside. To Jamie and Charles, appearances are everything. Jamie never goes out without makeup and matching shoes and purse, and the same goes for daughter Alex (8). Charles spends 45 minutes in the shower and can take up to two hours to get ready before a night out. Son Mikey (6) has a cupboard full of hair products and even wears cologne when he goes out. Jamie doesn’t know how to cook anything but microwave meals, does minimal cleaning and stays in bed until 11:00 a.m., leaving Charles to pick up the slack and run between the three jobs he works in order to give his family everything they want. The Czerniawskis believe that being popular at school is more important than academic excellence. Alex is the captain of her cheerleading squad, and Mikey wins wrestling and football trophies. Both kids are popular, and their friends pop around all the time.
During the first week, Anna finds the Czerniawskis’ obsession with their appearance annoying and cannot understand why they put so much importance on being popular. The family all struggle with Anna’s outlandish appearance, and the kids comment that their mom is much prettier. Meanwhile in Arizona, Jamie is plunged into the world of the freak show and leaves the show in disgust when Jeremy starts lifting weights with his eyelids. Jamie struggles with the idea of waiting on Jeremy and his friends, and when they demand chocolate milk, she gets back at them by spiking the drinks with apple-cider.
In the second week of the swap, when the wives change the rules and turn the tables, Anna forbids the Czerniawskis from using beauty products, she covers all 15 mirrors in the house and limits Charles to only ten minutes to get ready. She teaches them sideshow skills, and the family put on their own freak show for friends and neighbors — costumes and all. In the Kinison house, Jamie rules that Jeremy must order his friends to leave so that he can concentrate on his kids. She tells him to cover the tattoos on his face and get a job selling cars… His first day is successful, but when it comes to making a commitment to the job, Jeremy is unwilling to change his appearance.
At the end of the swap, when the couples are reunited, will they find common ground, or will they discover their differences run too deep?
I ran across a few more things scrolling through the Wife Swap website, including a short exit interview with Jamie:
Q: Why did you want to be on Wife Swap?
A: We thought it would be a great experience for our family. Not everyone will get to experience this in their lives, however we can say we have.
Q: What parts of the swap did you enjoy?
A: I enjoyed meeting some great people that I will always remember. We also enjoyed knowing the comfort that we come home to every day…it was an eye opener.
Q: What parts of the swap did you find the hardest?
A: I found it hardest to cope with the differences in raising children. I was a single mother for a couple years, and struggled to support my babies.. I had almost forgotten just how special they are to me…
Q: How did the kids cope with the swap?
A: My kids were fine. They are strong like their parents. They found the new mom like a clown. She was on their level.
Q: Do you relate to your family differently?
A: I have a few more trepidations about letting people into our lives. I will think twice before letting anyone into my home. We also enjoy ourselves much more.
Q: Would you do it again?
A: DEFINITELY. Just not to a freak show. NO BLOOD FOR US!!
Here is the “Manual” that the Czerniawskis put together to describe their family to the incoming wife:
WELCOME TO OUR HOME!
Everyone says we are the perfect couple. We are the youngest family in our subdivision and people compare us to film and rock star couples. My husband Charles juggles three jobs to provide us with what we have; he says he’d sweep floors to make money to give the kids and me everything we want. He even bought me a tanning salon last year because I was getting bored being at home all the time. Now that’s love. I am former Miss Teen New Jersey and I live a life that many people would envy.
Charles is a wonderful husband, he looks after me so well. He gets the kids up in the morning so I can sleep in, he does laundry and helps with the cleaning. I’m not a typical housewife. Beyond throwing the TV dinner into the microwave I’m not much of a chef. I pick up around the house between the maid’s visits, but that’s really as much as I get involved. There are better ways to spend your time. I’d rather be coaching Alex’s cheerleading squad or looking in on the tanning salon for a couple of hours.
I have two fantastic kids, Alex age 8 and Mikey age 6. The kids are involved in sports and activities at least five days out of the week. My daughter Alex is a cheerleader, plays soccer, and loves to help me at the salon. My son Mikey plays football, soccer, and is an award winning wrestler. It’s more important in life to have friends than to do well in school. Charles and I didn’t go to college and look at the life we’ve got! Alex and Mikey both want to be like mom and dad and we’re perfectly happy for them to follow in our footsteps as long as they’re happy, and popular.
As a family we all believe appearance is really important. My husband Charles and I met in a gym after all. We all spend a lot of time getting ready in the morning. Charles spends 45 minutes in the shower and can take up to 2 hours getting ready. I won’t leave the house without mascara and lip gloss. Alex loves fake nails and can’t wait until she’s old enough to tan, and even Mikey has his own cabinet full of cologne and hair products. Both of our kids have great fashion sense. Mikey saw me wear ripped jeans one day and the next thing I knew he had holes in his. And Alex is developing a liking for designer look-alike handbags – like mother, like daughter.
We are the Czerniawski family: Jamie (27), Charles (31), Alex (8), and Mikey (6).
1) HOUSEHOLD CHORES
What are your views on cleaning?
A clean house is vital, but cleaning the house sure isn’t. My house must be pristine and spotless at all times. All appearances are at the top of our priority list. I don’t like fingerprints, dirt, or crumbs anywhere. A person’s house is a reflection of their taste and I am proud of my good taste. If you buy nice things they should be taken care of. But I hate getting my hands dirty so we have a maid that cleans our house until it shines from top to bottom. Any other cleaning Charles takes care of. I do what I call “light touch ups.” If I see any crumbs I’ll wipe them up. We consider our home a show house and I don’t want anyone who visits to think it is anything less than sparkling clean.
2) KIDS
What are the kids forbidden to do?
The kids are forbidden to eat anywhere in the house besides the kitchen. We have very expensive things in our home and I don’t want them ruining the furniture or staining the floors.
Other than that, we are lenient parents and as long as Alex calls me on her cell and lets me know where they are, they have free rein in the neighborhood.
How do you discipline the kids?
If we discipline the kids, we take things away that mean the most to them. I will take away Alex’s cell phone or Mikey’s video game system.
I am not very strong willed when disciplining the kids. If they get in trouble I punish them for 5 minutes at most. I could probably be harder on them. I’m a cave in, if the kids ask for something or want to do something I’ll say yes to them and Charles is fine with it.
3) COOKING / MEALS
What rooms(s) do you eat your meals in?
Charles and I both grew up eating our meals in the kitchen with the family, so we enforce that in our home. The TV might be on in the background but it is important for us to spend dinnertime together.
We have a nice dining room but I won’t let anyone eat in there. It is mostly just for display. Charles uses our house as a showroom for his clients. He takes them around and prices all of our furniture. So it’s really important that everything is kept clean and in order.
Does your partner ever cook?
Charles is worse than I am in the kitchen. He likes to make grilled cheese in the microwave or heat up frozen dinners.
Do you all eat the same meals? If not, explain.
We eat as many meals together as we can. It is important to us as a family to share meals. It’s how we were brought up and with us all being so busy it’s an important time for us to sit and catch up with each other.
How often do you eat fast food? What kind do you eat?
We eat fast food all the time! Six out of seven days a week we eat fast food. We eat fried chicken, salads, hamburgers, pizza, everything. I like quick and easy food so it doesn’t get in the way of things I’d rather be doing.
How often do you eat out at restaurants? Where do you go? Do you take the kids?
We eat out at restaurants at least once a week with the kids. Friday nights we go out to eat with friends or just the two of us. We love going out and socializing. We consider going out and meeting people part of our business.
4) SHOPPING
How often do you go grocery shopping? When do you go?
The entire family goes grocery shopping together every Sunday after the kid’s activities. I prefer to go to the nice grocery store when we shop. I buy paper products at discount stores but I don’t like spending much time in them because they smell bad. If we forget things on our big shop, I go back during the week.
Does your partner help with the grocery shopping?
Charles goes with me every Sunday to help me shop. He also picks up things on his way home from work if I need something.
5) WEEKDAY ROUTINE
MORNING
What time do you usually get up?
During the week I get out of bed whenever I want. I’ll wake up to see the kids off to school and make sure they look presentable. Then I’ll go back to sleep and get up usually between 10am and 11am. It simply depends on what time I have gone to sleep the night before.
Charles wakes the kids up in the morning and helps them get ready for school. He makes sure that they eat breakfast, get dressed, and helps Alex straighten her hair. The kids will wake me up before they go to school to show me what they are wearing so I can approve it. I won’t have my kids going outside in clothes that don’t look good. Then the kids leave for school, Charles leaves to open up the salon on his way to work and I fall back asleep, watch TV or just relax in bed.
During the weekends I naturally wake up early because I am always so excited to go out and see friends and family.
What is your morning routine, including breakfast?
Once I feel that I’ve gotten enough rest, I’ll get out of bed, figure out what I want to wear for the day, shower, and do my hair and makeup.
My beauty routine is a crucial part of my day. Starting with my wardrobe, everything has to match and since I’m short I mostly wear high heels. I would never leave the house in a sweat suit or baggy clothes. My husband laughs at me because I wear heels all year long, whether it’s snowing outside or in the middle of summer. I have a jacket to match each purse and a purse to match every type of shoe.
My favourite types of t-shirts are ones that have statements on them, like “Blondes are Adored, Brunettes are ignored” and “I’m with stupid.” I always straighten or curl my hair; I never just let it go. Also, I never, ever leave the house without applying mascara, eyeliner, and lip-gloss.
Before I leave I check the laundry and maybe throw in a load, then I’ll go to work for an hour or two. About a year ago, my husband bought me a tanning salon so that I could tan for free and because I was bored sitting at home all day. Since it is our business I just show up whenever I want.
I don’t eat breakfast because I watch my figure and I’m usually rushing to get out the door and don’t have time.
Do you ever get to sleep in?
I sleep in when I can. Probably three or four days out of the week I sleep later than most people.
DAYTIME
What do you do during the day?
Every day of my life is entertaining because I always do what I want and I make sure to have fun and pamper myself. Most days I go to the tanning salon and work for a few hours, talking to customers and making sure that my employees are doing what they are told. Then I will run errands, get my nails done, visit people, go to the spa, shop for clothes, tan, get my hair styled, or talk to friends.
I buy something every day whether it’s something for me to wear or a little treat for Charles or the kids. I’m constantly on the phone instant messaging friends or catching up with people. Even when I’m driving I am typing or talking on the phone. It drives my husband crazy but I have a very social lifestyle. I recently lost my $500 designer PDA, but my Charles is so lovely he’s going to buy me a replacement.
Around 3:00pm I have to be on my way home so that I’m there when Mikey and Alex get off the school bus. As soon as they walk in the door I make them do their homework. Alex always just does hers without being asked but Mikey can be difficult. When they are done I have them put their book bags away. I don’t like them leaving clutter around.
Do the kids have any extra classes or activities after school? Who takes them and picks them up?
It is very important for our kids to be involved in sports and extra curricular activities. It helps them be popular and have lots of friends which is very important at their age. I’m less worried about the academic side, school will naturally fall into place. They are both involved in many activities year round. Alex does cheerleading, dance, and soccer. Mikey plays football, wrestling, soccer, baseball, and over the summer he takes hip-hop dance. They are generally at a practice 5 times a week and have games and competitions on the weekends. Everyone in our household has a busy life full of action.
Charles or I take them to practice and games. We are both very involved in all of their social activities. I even coach Alex’s cheerleading team. I love making up dances and routines. I still feel like I am one of them, once a cheerleader always a cheerleader.
How often do you speak to your children during the day?
I talk to Alex all day on her cell phone. When I first bought her a cell phone, I got in trouble with her school for calling her all day.
Do you spend time without the children?
Friday night is Charles and my night to go out. We think it’s important to spend time together as a couple. We usually go to dinner then out with friends to a club or bar where there is dancing.
Besides working for his family-run furniture wholesale business, Charles DJ’s on the weekends to earn extra cash. A lot of times I go with him and party motivate, this is another way for us to have time without the kids. I love party motivating, it reminds me of all the years I was a cheerleader. At these events, it is my job to make sure people are dancing and having fun. I do whatever it takes to get everyone up and moving; sometimes I’ll even dance on Charles’ speaker boxes.
EVENING
What time do you get home from work?
I don’t really have a specific time that I finish work. Everyday is different. The girls open the salon and work there until I feel like coming in. I will usually show up around 11:30am or 12:00pm. Then I’ll stick around for an hour or two and usually leave to run errands or go shopping.
Every night I go back to the salon for a surprise visit to make sure that everything is in order. Alex will often go with me because she likes hanging out with the young girls that work there. She really wishes that she could tan like Charles and I, but I won’t let her tan until she is at least 13.
What time do you eat dinner and who prepares it?
There is no set time that we eat dinner. We fit it in our busy schedules. A fast food restaurant usually prepares it, or I heat up a microwavable meal for everyone.
When do the kids do their homework and who helps them?
The kids are supposed to do their homework as soon as they get home. Alex does well in school and I don’t have to remind her to study she has a natural gift. Mikey on the other hand struggles with school. It takes all of my energy to sit him down in front of books and it’s a constant process keeping him on track. I wonder if there are other ways to support him.
He’d much rather be wrestling or playing football. As long as he’s doing well in his sports and mixing well at school I’m not going to push him, I just want to make sure he is passing.
Do your kids have set bedtimes, and if you have teens, do they have curfews?
Since our kids are so active in sports, their schedule is different all the time. Their bedtime depends on whatever activity they are doing that day. If we get home late from practice they go to bed late. If not, I try to have them in bed by around 8pm and I’ll let them watch TV for an hour or so before they have to be asleep.
What is the bedtime routine with the kids?
We try to enforce a strict bedtime routine with the kids during the school week but with all of their extra curricular activities, their bedtime varies. Once we get home the kids shower, brush their teeth, and put on their pyjamas. They both have televisions in their room and are allowed to watch TV for an hour before they have to be in bed. Most nights, bedtime occurs around 9pm but sometimes it can fall later.
Once Mikey falls asleep I go in his room and put together his outfit for school the next day. I lay out his shoes, pants, a shirt, socks and anything else that might accessorize with his outfit. For Alex, I let her pick out what she wants to wear and make sure that she shows me in the morning before going to school so I can approve. She is at the age where she wants to express herself, but I want to make sure that she is always presentable before she leaves the house. Appearances are important in life and I do my best to make sure that my kids look amazing at all times.
What else do you do in the evenings from Monday through Friday?
Once the kids are asleep, Charles and I spend time together alone. We talk about the day and he gives me an hour back rub every night. At night, we’ll also watch TV, a movie, or oftentimes our wedding video together.
Since physical fitness is a big part of our lives we work out as often as possible, usually at night. I will do the elliptical machine for an hour while Charles lifts weights. The elliptical machine is great because it works both your arms and your legs. We also go to the gym as much as we can, depending on how busy our schedule is. We work out 3 or 4 times a week, either at home or at the gym.
What time do you go to bed?
We go to sleep whenever we feel like it, sometimes we conk out early from our busy schedule and other times we will stay up until 2:00am talking or watching TV.
6) WEEKENDS
What do you do Saturday afternoon?
Saturday afternoon depends on the kids’ sports activities and if Charles has a DJ gig. Most weekends Mikey will have a game or Alex will have a cheerleading competition, so we are all running around supporting them and taking them to functions.
What do you do Saturday evening?
Most Saturday nights Alex will go to a sleepover, to her friend’s house, or someone will spend the night with us. Alex is a social butterfly and is always spending time with her friends. Mikey never spends the night out; he’s just too rambunctious.
Since we have an important social life, my younger brother usually stays at our house on the weekends to take care of the kids when we are out. Charles gets booked to DJ about 65 parties a year.
What do you do Sunday morning and Sunday afternoon?
If one of the kids has an activity early on Sunday we’re all up and out to support them. Sunday is the same as any other day in terms of getting ready and looking our best.
Sundays are just as busy as Saturdays in our house. We take the kids to activities; go to wrestling matches, cheerleading competitions, and football games.
After the kids’ activities we’ll go grocery shopping together. It’s the one chore we all do together, Charles and I really enjoy it because we can buy little treats for the kids on the way round the store. We end up spending over $300.
Once the shopping is out of the way we like to do something really fun as a family. We love going to the boardwalk and playing the arcade games. We’ll treat the kids to ice cream and candy. Charles and I enjoy the kiddie stuff just as much as Alex and Mikey. As young parents, I think it’s really important to enjoy activities with our kids on their level.
When we get home I’ll throw something quick into the microwave for dinner – if we’re hungry after snacking at the boardwalk.
What do you do Sunday evening?
Sunday evenings we try and wind down before the start of the new week. Charles finds it hard to switch off; he’s always taking calls and arranging appointments. He’s always thinking of ways to make money to support us, he’s wonderful. Even though he works so hard, he still takes such good care of me. He gives me a massage every single night before I go to sleep.
If we have time on a Sunday we’ll snuggle down and watch our wedding video. If anything, our relationship has got better since our wedding, and watching the video reminds us of how much we love each other.
7) LEISURE AND SOCIAL LIFE
What kinds of things do you like to do when you go out as a couple?
We are very fun, spontaneous people that are up for anything. That includes dancing, drinking, eating, socializing, going to the movies, and going to the boardwalk. We go to Atlantic City a few times a year to gamble. We just love going out and having a good time.
We try and go out as a couple at least once a week. We go to local clubs, meet up with our friends, have a few drinks and dance the night away. Charles and I love dancing. We know all the current dances, and we teach them to the kids. Before we go out we’ll put on music and run through a routine with the kids in the living room. They love it because they want to be just like mom and dad.
What kinds of things do you like to do when you go out as a family?
We do anything and everything when we go out as a family. We are an extremely active and spur-of-the-moment family. Whatever the kids want to do, we will do. It’s really important to us that the kids have the absolute best childhood, if that means me and Charles do loads of kids’ stuff that’s more than fine with us, we love it too. We go to the boardwalk, the movies, ice skating, the pool, the beach, batting cages, we play mini golf, we’ll go skiing, tubing, wrestling, cheerleading competitions, go out to eat, amusement parks, see our parents or go to the park.
8.) THE RELATIONSHIP
What tips can you give for coping with your other half?
Be spontaneous and have fun. Look nice and presentable. Talk to him on the phone all day, at least ten times. Our lives are so busy and Charles works so much that he’s constantly calling me asking questions about our schedule.
Sometimes he needs help dressing. He often puts on outfits that are completely mismatched and I have to redress him. I like to buy him clothes so that this doesn’t happen often.
How do you like to be treated?
I am a princess and expect to be treated like one. My husband gives me a back rubs every single night. I like to be taken care of and babied. I get what I want and I expect that.
What happens when you and your partner disagree on something?
If we disagree on something, I usually get frustrated and just walk away and ignore him. Charles can’t stand it when I’m mad at him so he’ll just follow me and ask me questions until I give in.
What subject do you and your partner disagree on the most?
We disagree most on family interferences. We’re pulled in different directions because Charles’ family have very high standards for him. They tell him to jump and he jumps high. This upsets me and we argue over family issues often.
9) FAMILY
How much of a role does family play in your life?
Family plays a big role in our life. Charles and I both come from large families and our sisters and brothers are always dropping by. My younger brother stays with us every weekend to take care of the kids while we go out Friday nights. We are very close to my younger brother. He even works for Charles and has an active role in the business.
10) PETS
How many pets do you have and what do they require?
We don’t have any pets.
11) FINANCES
Who controls the money?
Charles is good at making the money but not at managing it. I pay the bills and control every aspect of the money.
Are you spenders or savers?
Charles and I like to spend, spend, and spend more.
12) IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU WANT TO TELL ABOUT YOUR HOUSEHOLD?
We are a fun loving, free spirited family who is extremely socially oriented. We live for the moment and like to go, go, go.
These are the rule changes Jamie imposed on the Kinison family:
Jamie’s Rules
Kinison Household Rule Changes
Mission Statement: I skeeve this place. I think it’s dirty, I don’t think it’s clean enough – I’m going to make him take it up a notch, not me.
1. Looking like freaks is having a terrible effect on your family. From now on, there’s no more fire breathing, no more straitjacket.
2. Jeremy, you need to learn some appreciation for your wife. From now on, you’re doing the cleaning. You’re going to cater to my every whim and treat me like the princess I am. And since you’re so good with fire, you’re doing the cooking in this house.
3. I will help pick out your clothes from now on, like I do for my family. Jeremy, because of the way you’ve looked, you’ve really limited your job opportunities. So I have found you a job selling cars, so that you can support your family the way you should.
4. You’ve put your friends’ needs before your children and your wife. When your friends come around tonight, you have to tell them to leave. Instead of hanging out with mommy and daddy’s friends all the time, you’re inviting all your friends to a party and your daddy’s going to do games and tricks that are kid-friendly.
5. Ryan, you have zero interest in the freak show. Instead, you’re going to put all that energy into soccer. Cataya can do cheerleading.
Here are the rules imposed by Anna on Charles Czerniawski and the Czerniawski kids:
Anna’s Rules
Czerniawski Household Rule Changes
Mission Statement: It’s definitely not all about microwave meals and high heels.
1. Charles, I think you’re being a doormat. In my house, my husband goes out to work. My job is to have a hot meal on the table when he returns and cater to him. I’m gonna do the laundry, all the cooking and the meals. I want you to sleep in every morning while I get the kids off to school.
2. Your family is materialistic and way too obsessed with appearances, and the 15 mirrors in your house are ridiculous. I’ve snowed out every single one of them. I can’t believe how much time you devote to getting ready in the morning. So I got a stopwatch. You’re only allowed to spend ten minutes getting ready in the morning.
3. Alex, your mom picks out all of your clothes. You need to learn to express yourself. I’m going to take you out shopping and we will buy clothes that you like.
4. Charles, your kids are involved in too many extra curricular activities. Their education must come first. You’re going to make sure that Mikey completes his homework, and you’re going to come home everyday to help him.
5. I’m going to teach you about what I do, and at the end of the week we’re going to have a performance right here in the house. We’re going to have everyone come over and watch you guys perform.
