A Jim Bob and Michelle question

[Guest LilaFowler]

Do you think they ever raise their voices to each other during a disagreement, or do they always talk in those super calm voices?

[lilwriter85]

I can sort of see Jim Bob raising his voice during a disagreement. I think Michelle would probably keep talking in her little girl voice.

[Koala]

I don't know, but I have a long held belief that Michelle is just about as calculating as JB is dumb. That little miss innocent act she's putting on doesn't have me fooled a bit. It takes a cold hearted something or another to pull some of the shit she's pulled

[ChunkyBarbie]

I honestly could not talk in a quiet baby voice for an hour let alone all the time. Plus, she just seems so calm and/or detached. I wonder how she does it, I would need to be meded up to the gills. Ain't no Xanax big enough.

[emmiedahl]

I think Michelle probably has a rage mode that doesn't get caught on camera. She probably flips the fuck out when she does not get her way, and the kids and JB all scurry to do her bidding. There is this weird disconnect between her and the older girls; something about it reminds me of the way employees acted with an abusive female boss I worked for. She was the head of a large regional Catholic charity and usually was sweet in a Michelle way, but she would occasionally just freak out and start yelling, namecalling etc. So we were all very wary of her and eager to anticipate her wants and needs. You wanted to keep the nice Jan around as long as possible! If you brought out the bad Jan, you dealt with the wrath of everyone in the building.

[Spider Burps]

I'm pretty sure I remember reading in one of their books that JB had some sort of "anger problem", but they sorted that out by telling the kids to tell him when he got angry. Or something?

[debrand]

I'm pretty sure I remember reading in one of their books that JB had some sort of "anger problem", but they sorted that out by telling the kids to tell him when he got angry. Or something?

But what is anger in that family? Is it just showing aggravation or actually yelling?

[ophelia]

I can't see Michelle talking in that voice 24/7.. Actually I think her real personality is quite bitchy and scheming. Even more bitchy than taping your son while he is seriously injured and obviously hurt. I'm still SO mad!!!!

[Spider Burps]

But what is anger in that family? Is it just showing aggravation or actually yelling?

I'd bet it was actual yelling. At least, that's the vibe I got from the book.

In my family, you could've yelled "I'M SO HAPPY!" and you would've gotten in trouble for being angry, though, so I suppose the Duggars could be on that same boat!

[dawbs]

I'm a firm believer in 'beware the anger of those slow to wrath'

There are people who bottle things up and explode, but there are also people who just plain have 'good' tempers and long fuses--both should be expected to cause collateral damage when they finally DO get angry and loose it.

[Kitty]

I'm pretty sure I remember reading in one of their books that JB had some sort of "anger problem", but they sorted that out by telling the kids to tell him when he got angry. Or something?

I bet it was JB getting anxious over his business and letting it show through anger and frustration where it wasn't necessary. JB doesn't strike me as a guy with an anger problem, but it definitely would not surprise me if he was stressed over having to provide for 21 people and took it out on people who didn't necessarily deserve it. That cannot be easy on anyone.

I sound like I actually like JB. I don't, really. But I'm just trying to be fair.

[Kitty]

I'm a firm believer in 'beware the anger of those slow to wrath'

There are people who bottle things up and explode, but there are also people who just plain have 'good' tempers and long fuses--both should be expected to cause collateral damage when they finally DO get angry and loose it.

^sounds like JB and Michelle, 100%. JB is the one with the long fuse, Michelle is the one who bottles things up and explodes.

[IReallyAmHopewell]

I would imagine, like any couple, they have their "moments." But either one threatening to leave would bring it to an end! Who'd want to be stuck with the Cracker Barrel Warehouse home and all its inhabitants!

Seriously--they're probably at a point where they know darned well how to push buttons, but probably try not to.

[Letgo]

I have long wondered about their calm responses to everything. It just doesn't seem possible. At least not for me! But I do recall a show a from a few years back when the family was in NYC to be on the Today show, I think. I think Michelle was pregnant and they were announcing it on the show maybe? And I think it might have been around Mother's Day. I have seen so many shows that I could be mixing up the episodes, though. Anyway, while out walking, one of the younger boys was asked what he liked best about his mom. He replied that he liked how she never yelled and always explained things and talked to them when they did something wrong. I don't remember which boy it was, but it probably would have been one of the group of six in a row-Jedidiah and Jeremiah through Jackson. I think Justin and Jackson may have been too young at the time to have answered the question and I did not know all of the kids then so I can't say who it was for sure. But that answer surprised me. How can anyone never yell with so many children? Does Michelle never get frustrated when they don't listen? If she can keep her cool with the kids she might be able to with JB, too, although he is more annoying than any of her children. JB always seems so thrilled with Michelle that I can't imagine him ever getting mad at her.

[Kitty]

Michelle is doped to the tits. That's the only explanation I can come up with.

Or she just makes the J'slaves do everything, so she doesn't need to yell.

[Guest Anonymous]

LoL I've always maintained she is doped to the tits. GMTA.

[DamnPrecious]

I don't know, but I have a long held belief that Michelle is just about as calculating as JB is dumb. That little miss innocent act she's putting on doesn't have me fooled a bit. It takes a cold hearted something or another to pull some of the shit she's pulled

I agree and think that Michelle is head hancho.

[Visionoyahweh]

Or she just makes the J'slaves do everything, so she doesn't need to yell.

I think this is true, at least for the past 10 years or so. :x

[bananacat]

I can definitely see Michelle as a screamer. There have been a few times on tv when she nearly lost her cool, but if they have any footage of her actually yelling, TLC is probably contractually obligated to edit it out. You can also tell sometimes by the way kids respond her to that they are used to yelling and don't really listen when she uses her baby voice. She "corrects" them in the baby voice frequently for the cameras and they don't even notice that she's there half the time.

[Kitty]

I can definitely see Michelle as a screamer. There have been a few times on tv when she nearly lost her cool, but if they have any footage of her actually yelling, TLC is probably contractually obligated to edit it out. You can also tell sometimes by the way kids respond her to that they are used to yelling and don't really listen when she uses her baby voice. She "corrects" them in the baby voice frequently for the cameras and they don't even notice that she's there half the time.

You know, this reminded me of something I saw in one episode. Jordyn (I think) was crying over having mud on her feet or something, and Jim Bob was on the phone with Michelle, who had taken Josie to the hospital for a doctor's appointment. Jordyn ran right up to JB crying, and JB tried to comfort her and asked if she wanted to talk to Michelle. Jordyn immediately stopped crying and ran away. My memory may be hazy, but it's in the episode "Duggars, Doctors, Discipline."

It was so bloody weird and confusing, but if Michelle is a screamer... :(

From the same episode, Jinger was in charge of putting the little kids down for a nap, but one of the kids wouldn't cooperate (I think it was Johannah?) Jinger did finally manage to get her down for a nap, and Michelle made some comment about how Jinger will probably "run a tighter ship" when she becomes a mother. Well, no shit. Jinger probably doesn't fly off the handle and scream at the kids like Michelle does (if she's even around) over every little thing, so the kids are more likely to listen to her or the other J'slaves.