Josie Brooklyn Duggar

[princessmom29]

I have known a couple of families where the kids never had tantrums and were always well behaved.....
there was usually a reason for that....and not a good one
for some reason i would not be surprised if there is some type of fear that goes along with actign out at all in that family....

I'm just saying, from my experience, no matter how well you rasie your kid, without threats or fear of some kind, no child is that well behaved

EXACTLY!!!! That kind of behavior is typically the result of fear and intimidation. A child that never, ever has a tantrum or pushes limits is usually one that has been scared into submission.

 

[brittsmum1998]

they had 15 children is a 1300 square foot house with 1 bathroom before TLC came along. They were BARELY scraping by, just barely. They could barely afford to feed and clothe those kids.

Not true at all. They took well over 2 years (I believe) to build that house. It had nothing to do w/ TLC. TLC just started taping it. They had the whole family working on that home and got alot of building materials and products donated. They buy alot of used goods and have alot of business real estate, but I'm sure that has been mentioned on here before, I wonder why you choose not to believe it?

Please don't paint in such broad strokes on the well behaved children. Scared into submission? My dd was very well behaved growing up (she's 11 now) and was never spanked much less scolded when she was young. It just didn't work to yell at her, she got too upset and then couldn't listen to what she had done wrong. You were better off talking to her in a calm manor.

I take offense to that comment.

I am really curious as to where you get your information from and how accurate it is?

I'm sorry if your life growing up was not normal but please refrain from grouping every well behaved child into an abused relationship.

 

[GOOFY4DONALD]

Seriously? You're equating getting paid to do a TV show to receiving public assistance?

The Duggars were supporting their family LONG before TLC came along and started doing a few shows on them from time to time. They're not "Jon & Kate" -- the show doesn't supply them with an income or all kinds of free gifts and trips. They're not trying to parlay their fame into a whole new lifestyle like those two.

Both parents are licensed real estate agents, they own at least one business, if not more, are debt-free, and do NOT rely on anyone to take care of them but themselves (and God, of course). That's a far cry from public support.

I have enjoyed reading this thread and didn't think I would respond until now. ITA with the statement above. People have been bashing The Duggars and J&K(even though I don't agree with J&K's choices). Why are you posters only bashing reality TV stars. Aren't we "supporting" many actors that were barely scraping by until they were discovered? Now there are many actors that are truely talented and deserve the money they make but there are many more that have no talent and we are supporting them because they look good naked on the big screen. All of the TLC stars and all of the TV and movie stars are all supported by us. Directly or indirectly. And FWIW I would much rather my "dollars" go to the Duggars or even Jon Gosselin than some of the big b***ied girls on stupid movies like " Oh No Not Another Teen Movie Where naked chick get slashed by scary knife weilding dying psyco with a saw...Part 25"

 

[pixie921]

they had 15 children is a 1300 square foot house with 1 bathroom before TLC came along. They were BARELY scraping by, just barely. They could barely afford to feed and clothe those kids.

As other posters have stated, that is COMPLETELY untrue.

Had you ever even heard of the Duggars before they were on TLC? I had. There is no accuracy in what you're saying.

FYI, here's something taken directly from their website (and no, TLC wasn't doing Duggar shows 19 years ago):

4. How do you support such a large family? Especially with the economy the way it is these days, tips on how you manage to support so many people?

We have lived very frugally, and our family motto is to “Buy used and saved the difference!” We shop at thrift stores and garage sales.
About 19 years ago, I (Jim Bob) went to a bank to inquire about borrowing a large sum of money to expand my business. A few days later, a successful businessman invited the men from our church out to his house every Friday morning for breakfast and to watch the " Jim Sammon’s Financial Freedom Seminar". I agreed to attend, as well as 50 other men. After just seeing the first session, the truths from God's Word being taught through Mr. Sammons began to convict me of my need to "owe no man anything but love." I decided right then to postpone the loan. I continued to attend the seminar, and after 20 weeks (to my amazement), God totally changed my view of not only His purposes for finances, but also how we are to be wise stewards of everything God entrusts to us. Later that year, this man had the seminar at our church and Michelle & I were able to attend the seminar together. After we both heard the testimonies of God's methods for finances, Michelle & I purposed to become debt-free. As we have chosen to trust Him, I have seen God provide for our family in ways that are supernatural. I encourage every family to watch this seminar, the testimonies Jim Sammons shares are so encouraging that our family enjoys watching it together. He challenges you to give every area of your life to God. You can now purchase this seminar on DVD and the Men's Manual Vol. 2 textbook that goes with it for only $109. This will be the best investment you have ever made. It has saved us and made us thousands by applying Biblical principles to every decision of life. (We do not make anything off this we just want to encourage others with resources that have helped our family.)

I don't know the Duggars, but I know quite a few families like them (though my own is not, not by any stretch of the imagination). The assumptions and ignorance just thrown out there as if they were facts are beyond ridiculous. I suppose they open themselves up to it by allowing TLC into their lives (they view the show as a way to demonstrate God at work in their family), but still -- how would any of you who are saying horrible things about them like to have similar assumptions made about you?

 

[Microcell]

EXACTLY!!!! That kind of behavior is typically the result of fear and intimidation. A child that never, ever has a tantrum or pushes limits is usually one that has been scared into submission.

Oh Pulease.. I have an 11 year old DD and a 7 year old DS, neither of whom have I ever (and I do mean NEVER) laid a hand on! DD is very respectful and does as she is told 99 percent of the time because she just has that temperment! DS pushes every single day!

Generalizing based on the fact that the Duggars managed to have all well behaved kids does not indicate that they are beaten into submission! I bet they have a system, and a darned good one that works! I bet it does include that horrible word: firmness!

I equate it to my DS's teachers.. Last year he hated to read, felt dumb and was doing horribly in school. He fought anything school related with great intensity and was a grade behind in reading. His teacher had no control over her class and could barely spell herself. Fast forward to this October's parent teacher conference where I braced myself for just how far behind he might be in reading, and lo and behold he is on grade level! Fast forward again to Christmas.. we got him books, binoculars, modeling clay, some cars and a Wii.. while dad was setting it up you will never guess what DS was doing... reading! Unfathomable!

Just like good teachers that can motivate there are good parents who can have control of thier kids, and I think the Duggars know what they are doing and do it well! I cannot imagine having that many kids and being angry and spiteful parents and still having kids that seem happy! It seems anytime someone brings God into things people have to look for a way to tear them down.

 

[Bitsmommy]

I just wanted to add my VERY SMALL two cents. I find that those that have already made their mind up, usually won't change it, and it is pointless to argue with them. I got the Duggar's book for Christmas have I read it this weekend. There is an entire chapter on Michelle and Jim Bob's parenting style and why their children are so well behaved. To sum it all up the secret is consistency and they teach their children to live in a way that God wants them to live, by listening to and honoring their parents. That is something that can be taught, in some respect, to someone at any age, and doesn't require fear and intemidation. She even gave a rather detailed example of doing this with potty training. In addition, she utilizes "blanket training" for the very young ones, so they are able to quietly play and entertain theirself while she is doing another activity in the same area of the home.

The book is very interesting and has about 5-10 pages of footnotes for other sources with regard to where they got their information from, so you can look it up your self, if you want further information. I suggest you read it.

Oh and the answer to the house thing, they were living in that super small house because they were saving to pay cash for the other one AND, they didn't have air conditioning or a YARD with grass or topsoil, for the first year and a half that they were there, because they were saving to pay cash for that too. TLC, did come in and pay to help finish the house for them, because it was costing them more money to send out a production crew every few weeks/months for film progress. That was a business decision TLC made, but at that point the home had been paid for. They really just did some/most of the cosmetic stuff. The Duggars said that otherwise nothing in the home would have been new. It would have been from all of the used stuff that they had already placed in storage.

 

[vanyel]

I only the read the first and last page of this thread and I just wonder how this goes from prayers for a premature baby to such a critique on the family? I don't watch the show but you don't have to watch to know about this family and while their lifestyle wouldn't be my choice, it's their's.

Hope the baby will be well along with the rest of the family.

 

[princessmom29]

Not true at all. They took well over 2 years (I believe) to build that house. It had nothing to do w/ TLC. TLC just started taping it. They had the whole family working on that home and got alot of building materials and products donated. They buy alot of used goods and have alot of business real estate, but I'm sure that has been mentioned on here before, I wonder why you choose not to believe it?

Please don't paint in such broad strokes on the well behaved children. Scared into submission? My dd was very well behaved growing up (she's 11 now) and was never spanked much less scolded when she was young. It just didn't work to yell at her, she got too upset and then couldn't listen to what she had done wrong. You were better off talking to her in a calm manor.

I take offense to that comment.

I am really curious as to where you get your information from and how accurate it is?

I'm sorry if your life growing up was not normal but please refrain from grouping every well behaved child into an abused relationship.

In the very first TLC special they show that small, small house they were living in. They had been working on building a biger house for YEARS and were never able to finish it. TLC finally stepped in midway thought either the first or second season of the show when the house that they were renting and living in was to be torn down by the owner. TLC put up the funds to finish the house so that they could move in. They had beeen living in that small rental for many years waiting to have enough money to finish the house that was big enough for all of them. If TLC hadn't come along it would have likely been several more years before that house was ready for the family. On the first show it was really just framework with a roof and nothing more. I maintian that without the money from the show they would still be living in a similar small rental. Sorry, but it is true. There is video footage to prove it. When they demolished the house there was a segment where Michelle talked about how sad she was to see it go and how they had so many happy memories from their years there. YEARS. In that little house. When they showed the insides they showed how Jim Bob had built special bunk beds to triple stack kids to get enough beds into the house. They showed the one bathroom they all shared and how there was barely enough room on the counter for all the toothbrushes.

Very few real estate agents in rural Arkansas make enough to build a 6000 square foot house debt free. Can you give me a nothe example of a real estate agent in their area that successful? As you said, after they got all the plublicity they got a lot donated. Dondated not earned. I wouder how much of their income is ddonated goods? Likely a fair portion. They would have never been able to earn the money to finish it without the show, and the plublicity from having that many kids. Period. They did not do it on their own as many here would argue. They did it with donations, and the money from the show, not by selling real estate.

there is a difference between well behaved and scared to act out. My dd is well behaved. I very rarely have to correct her, but it does happen that she has a meltdown or tests a limit. Children who NEVER, EVER do that are different from a generally well behaved child. Children who NEVER dare to act up are usually scared to.

 

[princessmom29]

I just wanted to add my VERY SMALL two cents. I find that those that have already made their mind up, usually won't change it, and it is pointless to argue with them. I got the Duggar's book for Christmas have I read it this weekend. There is an entire chapter on Michelle and Jim Bob's parenting style and why their children are so well behaved. To sum it all up the secret is consistency and they teach their children to live in a way that God wants them to live, by listening to and honoring their parents. That is something that can be taught, in some respect, to someone at any age, and doesn't require fear and intemidation. She even gave a rather detailed example of doing this with potty training. In addition, she utilizes "blanket training" for the very young ones, so they are able to quietly play and entertain theirself while she is doing another activity in the same area of the home.

The book is very interesting and has about 5-10 pages of footnotes for other sources with regard to where they got their information from, so you can look it up your self, if you want further information. I suggest you read it.

Oh and the answer to the house thing, they were living in that super small house because they were saving to pay cash for the other one AND, they didn't have air conditioning or a YARD with grass or topsoil, for the first year and a half that they were there, because they were saving to pay cash for that too. TLC, did come in and pay to help finish the house for them, because it was costing them more money to send out a production crew every few weeks/months for film progress. That was a business decision TLC made, but at that point the home had been paid for. They really just did some/most of the cosmetic stuff. The Duggars said that otherwise nothing in the home would have been new. It would have been from all of the used stuff that they had already placed in storage.

you do realize that "blanket training" involves hitting a small baby with a switch??? I know they don't tell you that part in the book, but why would they switch the edge of the blanket as they describe doing if they had no intention of using the switch. There would be not motivatino for the baby to stay confined to the blanket otherwise unless they were doing something else punitive. A 6 month old doesn't really understand bieng told to stay put. Yes, I have seen this particular horror firsthand too. Not pretty and results in babies with welps on their arms who are scared to leave their blanket.

 

[brittsmum1998]

Not going to quote the above because it sames to be same thing, differant day. Just to correct above, he may be an agent (not sure) but he OWNS business property I believe that he receives money on each month which allows them to live there lift style and pay for all those kids.

I'm not going to reply to anymore of this, as a previous poster stated, this supposed to be prayers for Josie.

 

[JUJU814]

In the very first TLC special they show that small, small house they were living in. They had been working on building a biger house for YEARS and were never able to finish it. TLC finally stepped in midway thought either the first or second season of the show when the house that they were renting and living in was to be torn down by the owner. TLC put up the funds to finish the house so that they could move in. They had beeen living in that small rental for many years waiting to have enough money to finish the house that was big enough for all of them. If TLC hadn't come along it would have likely been several more years before that house was ready for the family. On the first show it was really just framework with a roof and nothing more. I maintian that without the money from the show they would still be living in a similar small rental. Sorry, but it is true. There is video footage to prove it. When they demolished the house there was a segment where Michelle talked about how sad she was to see it go and how they had so many happy memories from their years there. YEARS. In that little house. When they showed the insides they showed how Jim Bob had built special bunk beds to triple stack kids to get enough beds into the house. They showed the one bathroom they all shared and how there was barely enough room on the counter for all the toothbrushes.

Very few real estate agents in rural Arkansas make enough to build a 6000 square foot house debt free. Can you give me a nothe example of a real estate agent in their area that successful? As you said, after they got all the plublicity they got a lot donated. Dondated not earned. I wouder how much of their income is ddonated goods? Likely a fair portion. They would have never been able to earn the money to finish it without the show, and the plublicity from having that many kids. Period. They did not do it on their own as many here would argue. They did it with donations, and the money from the show, not by selling real estate.

there is a difference between well behaved and scared to act out. My dd is well behaved. I very rarely have to correct her, but it does happen that she has a meltdown or tests a limit. Children who NEVER, EVER do that are different from a generally well behaved child. Children who NEVER dare to act up are usually scared to.

I think it's pretty ballsy to assume that because the children are well behaved that they must be scared to act out. What makes you think there's any difference between their well behaved children and yours??

I DO know what you are talking about, as I have known a couple families like that. BUT you do not know that's the absolute case with this family and you really just seem to have it out for them, and apparantly know everything there is to know about them.

Oh, and blanket training does not involve switching a young baby. I blanket trained my son and never did such a thing!

 

[talulabelle]

Prayers for Josie. Love the name. Love the family. I think they are amazing role models in so many ways.

I have no idea why or how anyone could have any ill will toward this family. This is not the life I choose for myself (mostly because I am not half the woman that Michelle Duggar is and I don't have 1/4 her patience or sweetness) but I still learn so much from them and am so inspired by them. I am a different religion than them and worship differently, but still their faith in God and their love and commitment to Him inspire me as well. I love watching this family and don't give a darn and don't find it at all my business if TLC had to help them finish the house on not. Many (including the Duggars I'm sure) just would see that as the Lord stepping in to help them in a way they were not able to help themselves.) They have done nothing wrong and they never asked or expected such help. They pay the Lord back for His help by inspiring people like me to trust more in Him.

This family is the real deal and they practice what they preach. They are refreshing. I pray that their little baby girl can join them at home soon and will thrive and be healthy. She already has alot going for her, a family full of love and prayer.

 

[Worfiedoodles]

Hey, does anyone have an update on how the new baby is doing? My ds was asking me last night if she would be home from the hospital for the next season, and I don't have any experience with preemies that small, so I'm wondering as well? We are praying she and Michelle will be well and as healthy as possible!

I have plenty of opinions on their lifestyle, parenting, etc., but right now it seems most logical to put any energy I want to expend on them into praying for their health...

 

[ZanyToes]

It is not the fact that they are homeschooling, but the program they chose to use and the way in which they modify it. Many, many homeschoolers get wonderful educations, and I know some who have parents who bring in college professors so that their kids far surpass most of their public school peers. These children are not getting an adequate education because they are using a method that teaches that scientific inquiry is currupting, and no real science is ever included. The program is also very weak in math as nothing beoynd basic algebra is ever addressed. There is no literature program to speak of outside of reading the Bible, because secular literature is corrupting. The program also teaches unquestioning acceptance of everything being taught. There is no room for discussion or critical thinking. You are taught the "right" thing to think and that is it. I know people who were taught under the Gottard program, and they basically had to go back to school with some kind of intensive tutoring for at least a year, most more, before they could succeed in a real college, aka not a bible college geared to graduates of these type programs.

I have comments for the rest of the list as well, but all I am going to say is this: You see it one way, and I see it completely differently, as I have lived it. If you have never lived in that kind of repressive environment, it often looks very attractive from the outside. The children are so well behaved, and look competely normal on the surface, but if you scratch the surface at all you find a child completely bound by fear and intimidation. They are taught to appear as if nothing is wrong so as not to arouse suspicion, I know we were. Believe me, these children exhibit many of the classic behaviors of children that come from a repressive religious background. I seldom watch the show anymore because it huts too much to watch these children. It is obvious to me what is going on with them, and there nothing I can do to fix it. It is too hard to sit and watch and know I can do nothing to help them get out.

Actually, I was raised in an environment VERY similar to how they raise their children, and I thank God everyday for that. I'm afraid you are very very wrong that the children are well behaved because they are scared. I personally know of at least 45-50 families who raise their children very similar to how the duggars raise theirs and about half of them have more than 9 kids. They are amazingly well behaved, sweet, responsible children who grow up into capable hardworking happy adults. They are not SCARED into being well behaved, they are TAUGHT to be well behaved, they are taught love and compassion and most importantly to them, to behave in a way that God would appreciate.

Also, you can follow a curriculum and supplement. In fact many homeschooling families follow no particular curriculum at all.


Also, in reference to your other post.. I'm pretty sure they do NOT have children who NEVER act out LOL. I've never actually watched the show (we have no t.v.) but I have seen clips on youtube. There are several where it shows the kids "acting out"

 

[Pembo]

Opened this thread to see if anyone had updates on Josie...last page is quite a read. I am a fan of the show and for those who think those kids are perfect...watch the show. They are regular kids, with a twinkle in their eye, running around that big house. This past season showed a lot more of the little kids being normal kids.

 

[smphbear]

Hey, does anyone have an update on how the new baby is doing? My ds was asking me last night if she would be home from the hospital for the next season, and I don't have any experience with preemies that small, so I'm wondering as well? We are praying she and Michelle will be well and as healthy as possible!

I had a 31 weeker 2 lb 11oz. and 32 weeker 3 lb. 11 oz. The general rule of thumb is that they come home around the time they were due. That can vary greatly. They describe the NICU like a roller coaster ride. It can have huge ups and downs. Their condition can change in the blink of an eye. We spent 6 weeks and then 5 weeks in the NICU with my boys.

I think a lot will depend on what kind of health problems Josie encounters. That can affect a lot. The good news is that they had a girl. White males are the worst preemies. My neonatologist only told me that at a reunion years later. They actually call it "wimpy white male syndrome".

The family has my prayers because the NICU is not an easy place.

 

[hsmamato2]

wow. I can see the various points of view all pp's have been expressing here- but wow.
1st, homeschooling,raising children to 'believe like their parents believe' is NOT abuse. There are well documented cases all over our country of sub-par education in school systems-and many many kids who 'have access to all the options out there' are exiting traditional schools pitifully under educated. The world is full of folks who have basic educations and are assets to our society.
Again,it's a sad commentary on our times and methods of raising kids that we assume that well behaved children = fearful children.
terrifying thought pattern,that.
I understand that some of you have bad memories of a strict upbringing,and equate that with these conservative people abusing their kids. But every person has a different viewpoint,and for some their lifestyle on the show represents a comfort and joy,while to others it represents a a very bad thing.
But it's NOT abuse,in any way shape or form,unless it is TRULY documented abuse!
It may be different than what you choose,but that is not abuse!
I hope that baby does well. I hope ALL babies born do well,and thrive.

 

[TaraPA]

On a lighter note - I'm curious how people from around the country are pronouncing her name - Josie. We have a Josie in the family and we say it "JOE-see." I've heard others though pronounce it with more of a "Z" sound - like "JOE-zee." I haven't heard any of the Duggars themselves say her name yet, so I'm curious!

 

[princessmom29]

It as become obvious that thre are many here who simply do not want to admit or choose not to believe that there is actually a lot of evil done in the name of some brands of so called christianity. This is not about raising children to be religious or to have tha valuse oft heir parents. It is not about how many children a family has or why they chose to have them. It is about abusing children in the name of religion. There is a definite difference. The Duggars are members of a religious movement that advocates a lot of "child rearing techniques" that the vast mojority of parents would consider to be abuse. Wether you choose to believe that or not it is fact. Michelle has identified herself with these orginizations several times early on in the show, before thay became aware enough of the backlash to start hiding it or changing their alliegances. Behavior exhibited over and over by thier children, especially in the early days of thier exposure to the media leads me to believe that they are practioners of many of these methods, because they are exhibiting the same behaviors I have seen from children exposed to this kind of discipline in the past. Most people who blanket train, especially those who are part of the quiverfull/ Gottard communities use switches to blanket train. It is very labor intensive and difficult to get a 6 month old to understand they are not to leave a blanket if you are not using an immediate punitive consequence such as a switch. It only takes a couple of times being hit with a switch to get the idea. They are masters at hiding what the are doing. They call it "correction" rather than switching in all of the literature published, but everyone in the community knows what that is code for.

No, you do not see most of this in the later shows because they have gotten really good at hiding what they are doing and mabye they have actually come to realize that they were misguided. Watch the very first TLC special that introduced this family. All of the children's respones to questions are obviously scripted. All the children of smiliar age respond the same almost word for word to every question asked of them. Michelle won't answer a single question without looking to Jim Bob for an ok. If the kids are asked something they weren't prepped for they get confused and won't answer at all. They are terrified to say the wrong thing and get in trouble. They seem intensely uncomfortable and fearful anytime they are filmed playing ect. Michelle slipped up in an early interview and talked about using a switch to blanket train. She described hitting the edges of the blanket with the switch and shouting NO, NO, and eventually hiding around a corner to watch and see if the child obeyed and stayed on the blanket. When asked what happened when the child left the blanket she siad they were corrected. When asked how she would not answer. This is textbook Gottard blanket training, and the correction is hitting the first part to come off the blanket with a switch.

 

[JUJU814]

It as become obvious that thre are many here who simply do not want to admit or choose not to believe that there is actually a lot of evil done in the name of some brands of so called christianity. .

and it's extremely obvious that there are some here who simply do not want to admit or choose not to believe that there are actually a lot of very loving, strong Christian families with happy, healthy thriving children, simply because they can't get past some sort of childhood trauma they experienced.

I really find some of these posts about the Duggars absolutely appalling.

I will not return to this thread. False accusations of child abuse by people who presume to know everything about a family they've never met truly disgusts me and turns my stomach.