A thought and Jim Bob and Michelle

[Kitty]

I haven't seen all of 19K&C, so most of my knowledge comes from what I have seen online plus what I've read here.

 

Somehow, I get the impression that Jim Bob is a whole lot more involved with his kids than Michelle. I say this because JB helps support Josh and Anna. Oh, he's a sleaze all right, and I find him rather arrogant at times. But I can tell he really does care for his kids, on some level. even though he and Michelle have done some insanely irresponsible shit with them (see Josie in Israel). I don't doubt that he signed up for a TV show to make extra money for his family. I find it nearly impossible to believe otherwise. But the kids are fed, they have places to sleep, and their clothes are in decent condition (if outdated, at least in the earlier specials and seasons). I find QF to be ill-advised, especially the Duggar brand of it, and ATI is loathsome. Did I mention Jim Bob is still a dick and it's rubbed off on Josh? But Jim Bob does care. When Josh got married, Michelle was all "leave and cleave, baby! He's on his own." But JB still supports him to some extent. I wouldn't be surprised if JB continues to support the other kids as well, to the best of his ability. And there was just something in Jim Bob's voice, in the clip of Jason's accident, that proved he wasn't really happy with the church asking IF they should call an ambulance. To me it sounded like "No shit you should call an ambulance, my kid just fell into a 12 foot pit!" I didn't find him to be completely emotionless in that clip, and he wasn't smiling like Michelle was.

 

Michelle, on the other hand, is... detached. Something is seriously wrong with that huge smile and fake baby-voice. Didn't she have a breakdown a few years ago? It wouldn't surprise me if Michelle was like the many fundie blog-moms see snark on here- she threw herself into Gothardism and has that sort of Muchausen-by-proxy that the bloggers have. It's always about them. Narcissism. And laziness. Who does the housework? Not Michelle. Who does the child-rearing? Not Michelle. Who does the home-schooling? Apparently not Michelle. Who's the one doing the blogging and writing on Duggar daily life? Michelle. Who's the one who does hte voice-over at the beginning of each episode? Michelle. Who's the one getting all the attention for "raising" 19 kids? Michelle! Michelle is an even bigger attention whore than Jim Bob. It's all Michelle, all the time. And the worst part is, she's so detached from her kids. Did I mention that fake baby-voice and huge smile? Something is OFF about that woman. Not in a "I think she'll snap and try to drown Hannie in the tub one day" but rather just... disconnected. Fake. She could barely handle 7 kids. Why did she have more? Image.

 

Let's face it, all the hype about 19K&C isn't about Jim Bob. It's not about the kids. It's about Michelle.

 

I could be wrong, but that's the impression I get. I'm not trying to excuse Jim Bob, he's full of himself for sure and a total sleaze, but Michelle is an outright narcissist.

[Guest Anonymous]

I think Michelle is doped to the tits.

[Kitty]

I think Michelle is doped to the tits.

This is also a possibility.

[CanadianHippie]

I haven't seen all of 19K&C, so most of my knowledge comes from what I have seen online plus what I've read here.

Somehow, I get the impression that Jim Bob is a whole lot more involved with his kids than Michelle. I say this because JB helps support Josh and Anna. Oh, he's a sleaze all right, and I find him rather arrogant at times. But I can tell he really does care for his kids, on some level. even though he and Michelle have done some insanely irresponsible shit with them (see Josie in Israel). I don't doubt that he signed up for a TV show to make extra money for his family. I find it nearly impossible to believe otherwise. But the kids are fed, they have places to sleep, and their clothes are in decent condition (if outdated, at least in the earlier specials and seasons). I find QF to be ill-advised, especially the Duggar brand of it, and ATI is loathsome. Did I mention Jim Bob is still a dick and it's rubbed off on Josh? But Jim Bob does care. When Josh got married, Michelle was all "leave and cleave, baby! He's on his own." But JB still supports him to some extent. I wouldn't be surprised if JB continues to support the other kids as well, to the best of his ability. And there was just something in Jim Bob's voice, in the clip of Jason's accident, that proved he wasn't really happy with the church asking IF they should call an ambulance. To me it sounded like "No shit you should call an ambulance, my kid just fell into a 12 foot pit!" I didn't find him to be completely emotionless in that clip, and he wasn't smiling like Michelle was.

Michelle, on the other hand, is... detached. Something is seriously wrong with that huge smile and fake baby-voice. Didn't she have a breakdown a few years ago? It wouldn't surprise me if Michelle was like the many fundie blog-moms see snark on here- she threw herself into Gothardism and has that sort of Muchausen-by-proxy that the bloggers have. It's always about them. Narcissism. And laziness. Who does the housework? Not Michelle. Who does the child-rearing? Not Michelle. Who does the home-schooling? Apparently not Michelle. Who's the one doing the blogging and writing on Duggar daily life? Michelle. Who's the one who does hte voice-over at the beginning of each episode? Michelle. Who's the one getting all the attention for "raising" 19 kids? Michelle! Michelle is an even bigger attention whore than Jim Bob. It's all Michelle, all the time. And the worst part is, she's so detached from her kids. Did I mention that fake baby-voice and huge smile? Something is OFF about that woman. Not in a "I think she'll snap and try to drown Hannie in the tub one day" but rather just... disconnected. Fake. She could barely handle 7 kids. Why did she have more? Image.

Let's face it, all the hype about 19K&C isn't about Jim Bob. It's not about the kids. It's about Michelle.

I could be wrong, but that's the impression I get. I'm not trying to excuse Jim Bob, he's full of himself for sure and a total sleaze, but Michelle is an outright narcissist.

Michelle was as happy as usual, meanwhile there was a second or two when Jimmy sounded like he was about to cry.

Basically I agree with everything you said. Jim Bob is a dick, but at least he cares and it doesn't look half as awkward for him to interact with the kids as it does with Michelle.

[fundyfunland]

I agree that Michelle is totally off her rocker, but I don't think she's any worse than Boob. Michelle is expected to do the homemaking & child-rearing, partly because she's a parent, but mostly because she's the female parent. Boob gets kudos is he "helps out." Sure, he goes to work & supports his family, but he might be just as creepy & lazy if he was expected to do what is expected of Michelle. I'm not giving Michelle a pass by any means, just saying, I don't know if JB would do anything differently if he had Michelle's role as mother.

[takers401]

I wish we were able to see more unscripted moments of Michelle with her children. I mean when we see her on TV or the recorded appearances she's "on". I'd like to see a bunch of home videos that were recorded for family purposes only and then somehow got leaked. Part of me wonders if her apparent detachment from her kids is because she's super aware of the cameras and triple checks every action she makes which means that she's not as forthcoming with affection as she would be. I also wonder if she's just not an affectionate showing person and this is even more emphasized when compared to Jim Bob's over affection.

[Kitty]

I agree that Michelle is totally off her rocker, but I don't think she's any worse than Boob. Michelle is expected to do the homemaking & child-rearing, partly because she's a parent, but mostly because she's the female parent. Boob gets kudos is he "helps out." Sure, he goes to work & supports his family, but he might be just as creepy & lazy if he was expected to do what is expected of Michelle. I'm not giving Michelle a pass by any means, just saying, I don't know if JB would do anything differently if he had Michelle's role as mother.

JB certainly wouldn't have the baby voice and constant smile, that's for damn sure. He has neither as it is. JB's a sleaze and isn't honest, but I can still see him being a harder worker than Michelle. He'd still be a sleaze and twist everything, but he'd probably make an effort to actually do something rather than pass it off to a J'slave.

[VeraAnne]

Baby voice= teh Crazy.

[let-them-eat-cake]

She doesn't have Munchhausen-by-proxy. It definitely is something else though. Whenever I watch the show, it seems to me like Michelle uses the smiles and baby-voice to hide the fact that she wants to randomly burst out screaming.

[usedtobenice]

I noticed that Jim Bob was the one who asked if they could ride with Jason in the ambulance. His voice was very full of concern. He almost sounded disappointed that he couldn't ride with Jason, when the EMT said that Michelle only could ride with them. Jim Bob is a lot of things I dislike, but I believe he really does love his family very much.

[let-them-eat-cake]

I noticed that Jim Bob was the one who asked if they could ride with Jason in the ambulance. His voice was very full of concern. He almost sounded disappointed that he couldn't ride with Jason, when the EMT said that Michelle only could ride with them. Jim Bob is a lot of things I dislike, but I believe he really does love his family very much.

I agree, it's just that he's......really really stupid.

[usedtobenice]

I agree, it's just that he's......really really stupid.

Haha They don't call him Dim Bulb for nothing!

[marmalade]

I think Michelle is doped to the tits.

If so, only after she stopped express,ing milk for Josie that she couldn't drink anyway. Anti-depressants are a no-no during pregnancy/nursing.

Now? Probably Xanaxed up to her eyeballs. Aside from keeping up the baby voice, her only other working functions these days concern her new toy (iphone weather, photo and "flashlight" apps and smiling when Mr. DeMille, Sean or Boob tell her it's time for her close up. Oh, almost forgot. Spray tan and hair spray guru. Thank heavens she only has to put the crap on her face, neck and arms. I can't imagine Boob lathering up her back or what her midsection must look like after carrying 19 kids. Maybe she's kicking back these days getting Brazilians with Anna while the J'slaves "watch/educate" the Howlers.

Can't wait for her to go all Mommie Dearest, but feel for poor Joy who will probably be the victim of the hanger in an ironic twist, after she flung hangers at Jill about a year and a half ago.

[Kitty]

I noticed that Jim Bob was the one who asked if they could ride with Jason in the ambulance. His voice was very full of concern. He almost sounded disappointed that he couldn't ride with Jason, when the EMT said that Michelle only could ride with them. Jim Bob is a lot of things I dislike, but I believe he really does love his family very much.

Indeed. There's a lot of things to gripe about Jim Bob, but his concern for his family isn't one of them.

Doesn't excuse the 'jurisdictions' or dragging Josie around imo, but I have to wonder how much of that is actually JB's decision, how much is Michelle's decision, and if both aren't getting fucked by TLC for money.

[Kitty]

She doesn't have Munchhausen-by-proxy. It definitely is something else though. Whenever I watch the show, it seems to me like Michelle uses the smiles and baby-voice to hide the fact that she wants to randomly burst out screaming.

Well, Michelle does use her kids' pain for her own gain. Maybe I've gotten it wrong, but Michelle does seem to try to gain attention through her kids.

[usedtobenice]

I truly think Michelle is the "brains" behind the scenes. I doubt very much JB would ever go against her. He adores her, way more than she does him imo. I think JB likes to think he's the head of the family, but something tells me Michelle knows how to make him think a lot of things are his ideas, when in reality she's the one who wants something done.

When M was having her emergency C with Josie, we all saw how terrified and devastated JB was. Granted, JB has never had any emergency, but we've never seen M get upset or even really worried. I kind of doubt she's on benzos, b/c of my personal experience. I take xanax for anxiety. I still have emotions when taken at a minimal dose, the edge is just taken off. When I've taken enough where absolutely nothing bothers me, I am as cool as a cucumber, but I do not have even a fraction of the energy M shows in her talking heads, etc. I think that she is just very, very detached.

I am now mad at myself for saying nice things about JB in two posts lol

[Kitty]

I truly think Michelle is the "brains" behind the scenes. I doubt very much JB would ever go against her. He adores her, way more than she does him imo. I think JB likes to think he's the head of the family, but something tells me Michelle knows how to make him think a lot of things are his ideas, when in reality she's the one who wants something done.

This. So this.

[KnightInShiningAmore]

This. So this.

I would like to pipe in and say this is true from my experience with them. And the busier things became, the more Michelle seemed to be controlling things. Not out of any 'anti-patriarchy' sentiment, but just because they work as a team and she's a faster harder player.

But this is true of many modern ATI families. The men tend to take a backseat to the general guidance and direction of their wives, even though the majority believe in the doctrine of patriarchy. The doctrine and the practice are often quite different from home to home.

[Kitty]

I would like to pipe in and say this is true from my experience with them. And the busier things became, the more Michelle seemed to be controlling things. Not out of any 'anti-patriarchy' sentiment, but just because they work as a team and she's a faster harder player.

But this is true of many modern ATI families. The men tend to take a backseat to the general guidance and direction of their wives, even though the majority believe in the doctrine of patriarchy. The doctrine and the practice are often quite different from home to home.

In my experience in conservative mainstream churches, women were often the ones running everything while the men took a backseat. Not a single one would admit it.

[ElphabaGalinda]

Both Jim Bob and Michelle have their faults, for sure, but Jim Bob seems to at least care about his kids no matter how old they are. Michelle cares most about the kids while they are fetuses, and probably until they are done breast feeding. After that, it seems like she forgets about them completely while they go to their "real mothers" really older sister. I can totally imagine her loosing one of the forgotten ones like Justin or Jordyn and not even noticing, or not even knowing which one it is. Jim Bob has a lot that I can critisize him for but he does seem to love his kids. Michelle seems to not even know which one is which.

[SunnyAndrsn]

Fundie celebrity deathmatch idea: Duggars vs. Browns

Yeah, I know the Browns are not really fundie, but they are a TLC product. No doubt that Meri, Janelle, or Christine could easily take Michelle. Not so sure about Robyn. Kody would win hands down against JB.

The real fun, IMO, would be the girls match up. The Brown girls vs. the Duggar girls.

Man, I really need to go study for my test.