Duggars say “Goodbye”
I recently watched an episode of 18 Kids and Counting, the show about the Duggar family – anyone who knows me, knows I’m a fan of their show. This particular episode showed the Duggars saying goodbye to their beloved grandfather – Jim-Bob’s father. I was just so impressed not only by how honestly they filmed it, but how much raw emotion this normally “together” family was willing to share.
I was particularly surprised and moved by the scene where one of the older girls put together a computer photo presentation (first of all – see, they don’t just make the girls cook and clean!) of Grandpa Duggar. Jim-Bob watched the slide show and just broke down. I was a little surprised and impressed that the always positive and happy Jim-Bob was willing to show this of himself.
It was also helpful and interesting to watch Michelle and Jim-Bob explain to the younger ones where Grandpa Duggar went when he died – and what death was.
Once Grandpa Duggar fell ill, the family invited their grandparents into their home and the children learned to take care of him. He was included in family events of all sorts despite his deteriorating condition and was thoroughly respected in every way. It really moved me because you so often see children these days unwilling to go to such lengths and just put Granddad in the home because taking care of him would cut into their life.
While I do not believe I could live exactly the way the Duggars do, I hope that despite their differences from the world at large, people will take these types of values away from the show and apply them to their real life.
Instead of people picking on the Duggar family for having a lot of kids, I hope they will see that they are really kind people who truly “practice what they preach.” They believe in community service, being kind and are really some of the most non-judgmental people I’ve ever seen.
Everyone could benefit by their non-cynical example.
Sorry I just can’t agree with you on this one. But I do enjoy your blog.
Personally I don’t think the Gosslins and the Duggars are much different — they’re both exploiting their children on a reality TV show. I don’t care if Michelle Duggar over populates the earth with 50 kids as long as she and Jim Bob raise them and don’t expect the older kids to be burden down with the choices, they as parents, made. Fact of the matter is, the older kids ARE raising the younger children every step of the way. It was very apparent on the TLC episode where the older kids traveled south to help prepare for the wedding of Anna and Josh. Michelle and Jim Bob were left to care for the younger children and Jim Bob didn’t appear to be a happy camper about it either. HE couldn’t wait until the older children arrived back home to their “responsibilities”. He even says that neither he or Michelle are used to that much child care. WHAT? They chose to have that many children, nobody else did, why do they expect the older siblings to raise the younger ones? I don’t get it. Jim Bob’s no fool. He knows how to make a buck and a reality TV show is a sure fire way to make a lotta bucks. Do I think the Duggar family is a little more pleasant to watch than Kate Gosslin? You bet I do. Michelle Duggar is about as passive as they come…it’s doubtful she’s ever challenged ole Jim Bob about anything, let alone how many kids they’re gonna have. The Duggar children have no expectations, nothing to look forward to — no college, no living on their own, no original thoughts –marry the first guy/gal you meet BUT no kissing before the ring is on the finger, believe in god and have a family. It’s like they’re all brainwashed — a herd of sheep. With Jim Bob as their fearless leader. Choices are made for them — all the way from the clothing they wear to how they spend their day: cooking, cleaning and raising children. Perfect family, perfect life or anyway that is what they’d like you to believe. I no longer watch any TLC that exploits children. I said my good byes to the Duggars and the Gosslins long time ago.
I too love the Duggars. Sadly, I have actually had people say to me in disgust ” How can you have that many kids? That is just terrible!” What I see is a loving family. It isn’t the life that many of us would choose. I am happy with my little brood. But if we can take away just a little of the lessons that this family teaches we, our families and the world in general would be much better off.
I’m so amazed by the criticism of the Duggars. We are so afraid of anything that is different. I have watched this family since the news broke that they were having their 14th child. Everyone thought that they were being supported by the public, that they did weird things to their children, that their kids were abnormal. I know that they are on camera but you can only pull off so much and these kids are as normal as it gets. The lifestyle is not for everyone but the family is beautiful. I’m not concerned about this family but rather by the hatred for them. why? I really don’t get it .
I just think Michelle is a stepford wife….whatever you say is great dear….I am a perfect wife and mother. Except as one poster said….the older kids take care of the younger kids.
Have you ever watched them on Today show when they announce a new baby….the others all have this smile pasted on their faces and it doesn’t change. Someday one of those 19 are going to rebel…..you can count on it.
To those who claim there is no educational future for the children…eldest boys went off to college. If you watch the episode when the they come home from school to help work with their father. So, there is no lack of education. The particular young man you just got married and had a child on the way was not forced into that relationship. He just happened to do the opposite of what most young couple do today: hook up, have sex, get knocked up, and then MAYBE get married.
The parents raise their children better than a lot of parents who only have one or two. Michelle isn’t trying to be her daughter’s best friend. Jim isn’t condoning his son’s demeaning females. The family knows how to properly manage their finances and teach their children the importance of saving. They aren’t running the street. They aren’t on welfare. They don’t flaunt around the money that TLC pays them. TLC, by the way, sought them out after Michelle started having these children. So they can’t be doing it just for the money. If anyone is doing it to cash in it’s TLC.
What is the sense in criticizing a family who is happy, responsible, loving, and takes care of each other when there is so many people out there who abandon their babies, beat their babies, abuse their spouses, have children JUST FOR THE WELFARE, or don’t care for or teach their children at all? There are worse parents out there to question. Who are we anyway?