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Duggar Family to Welcome Grandson in June
Filed under: Celeb News & Interviews
Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar will welcome a grandson this summer. Credit: Kris Connor, WireImage.com
On last night's episode of TLC's "19 Kids and Counting," the Duggar clan took its latest announcement to new heights, skywriting "It's a boy!"
Michelle and Jim Bob Duggar's eldest son, Josh, 23, and his wife, Anna, 22, will welcome a son in June, joining the young couple's 17-month-old daughter, MacKynzie.
Family matriarch Michelle Duggar, 44, tells ParentDish the couple decided to let "Grandma" tell the family the baby's gender.
"Being a grandparent is the greatest joy," she says.
ParentDish caught up with Michelle and Jim Bob Duggar, 45, this morning by phone from their Arkansas home (after a mini-timeout for Michelle to change the diaper of the littlest Duggar -- 15-month-old Josie -- followed by Jim Bob cleaning up a little spit up.)
"She's not feeling well today," Michelle Duggar says of her youngest, who passed a significant milestone when she celebrated her first birthday in December. Josie was born three months early.
An edited version of the conversation follows.
ParentDish: Congratulations on all the exciting news! What's different about the role of of grandparent?
Michelle Duggar: For us, as parents, it is really neat to see our son become a dad and to take on the relationship as mother-in-law and Grandma for Josh and Anna and MacKynzie. But it's different. We have to be encouraging and supportive, but need to be quiet and not give advice unless we are asked. It's a joy to watch your child parent, but you have to honor that he will do differently with his little ones then we would do. It's a new season in life.
Jim Bob Duggar: When MacKynzie comes over for a visit all the aunts and uncles adore her; it's this huge big deal when she just walks in the door. She gets all the attention. Now, my son is a dad; that's a whole new relationship.
PD: When you say a "new season in life," is that a transition from "Mom" to "Grandma?"
MD: Yes. You never know what life will bring, but I am getting comfortable with the idea that the babies from now may be grandchildren. Yesterday, I had the opportunity to hold an 8-week-old baby and you never get over what a miracle that is. I thank God for the opportunity to be a grandparent.
JBD: They live only eight miles away, so the grandchildren will be able to pop over any time for dinner and get to be part of this family.
PD: How do you give individual attention to all the children?
MD: We try to create purposeful times for each child, but it's really about giving a safe place to each child to share what is in their heart. I do things like ask one of the children to come with me to the post office, then make sure that I ask questions that will help him to open up and share what is meaningful in their lives.
JBD: People never believe we can give individual time to our children, but we really believe that love multiplies, that they've always got a brother or sister or niece here to play with or talk to. (In June, the Duggar's second book, "A Love That Multiplies: An Up-Close View of How They Make it Work," explores that subject, he tells ParentDish.)
PD: What's a typical day like in the Duggar house?
MD: It's pretty routine. We eat breakfast at 8, lunch at noon and dinner at 5. In between is school lessons, (all the kids are home-schooled) music lessons, time to read Scriptures and then fun time after dinner where the family plays games or we go outside. Then, 8:30, it's a snack and praying and then bedtime. The older ones might come to talk to us and then we feel it's a good day if we get to bed by 12:30 a.m.
JBD: The older kids will stay up talking. We've got 1,000-square-foot rooms with two bathrooms each, one for the boys and one for the girls, like dorm rooms.
PD: When do you two get time for yourselves?
MD: Well, I'm lucky. Jim Bob bought me an elliptical machine for my birthday last September, so I get up at 6 and text my very dearest girlfriend from grade school who lives three hours away but is on her machine, too. We're a support team for each other and keep each other faithful to our daily exercise.
JBD: (Laughs, saying Michelle can exercise for an hour.) I go about 10 minutes.
PD: It's big news for Josh and Anna. Anything exciting happening for your other children?
JBD: Our next three oldest, John David and his twin Jana, 21, and Jill, 19, all signed up with the town fire department to be on the early response team. The girls are really into the medical work, and John David loves racing into buildings for fires.
MD: And we've got two other children getting their permits, so that is scary and exciting. (The family's fleet of vehicles includes a 15-passenger van, "a fleet of Suburbans" and a 45-foot-long bus for longer trips that includes 12 bunk beds and "a lot of couches.")
PD: What's next for the Duggar family?
JBD: We're off to Colorado tomorrow.
Publicist interrupts: "Jim Bob, you can't say why."
Guess we'll have to stay tuned for the next episode of "19 and Counting," which airs on Mondays on TLC.
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ReaderComments (Page 1 of 11)
3-15-2011 @ 2:29PM
Jon said...That's nice to hear! Also, congrats to The 2 Other Kids, who are getting Learner's Permits!
Reply
3-15-2011 @ 3:16PM
ely said...I JUST CAN UNDERSTAND THIS PEOPLE (SICK SICK).....
3-15-2011 @ 2:44PM
Virginia said...They have a lot of children and some may consider it too many BUT they stand by their belief that God will give them however many children he wants them to have. I do not live my life as they do but respect their sincerity and faithfullness. They seem like nice people.
Reply
3-15-2011 @ 3:50PM
Tuesday said...Virginia,
Their belief in God and government assistance-at least until they got their TV show.
3-15-2011 @ 4:32PM
Janet Curry said...H. Polloi, the correct term is "mentally impaired," not "retarded." After reading your insipid comments, however, I believe the the best term to describe you would be "ignorant." All children are a gift from God. The Duggars have done a fine job rearing children who are intelligent, educated, talented, and mannerly. Who could ask for more. Watch their show. You don't hear any rap music, see any jeans riding below their butts, hear any swearing, etc. The children are respectful to their parents and to each other. I say more power to them. Many parents could take lessons from Michelle and Jim Bob.
3-15-2011 @ 5:25PM
jkelly3023 said...I believe it's Learning Impaired. I guess this family never heard of birth control and don't think that the population is too high. Ol' Billy Bob needs to sleep in a locked cell, not with his poor haggard wife.
3-15-2011 @ 5:39PM
abc123 said...They have NOT been on public assistance, contrary to popular rumor. They own several investment properties and he was in politics.
3-15-2011 @ 5:52PM
Pattysboi said..."Nice people" do NOT make up a religion in order to avoid paying property taxes, which is exactly what this guy did. They also DON'T contribute to overpopulation by cranking out yet another baby when they already have 19. Were I her doctor, I'd tell her NO MORE KIDS.
3-15-2011 @ 8:13PM
MP said...The Duggars are not and have never been on public assistance (even before the TV show) and they have NO debt, UNLIKE most American families with far fewer children. They DO pay property taxes. They are not 'contributing to overpopulation' any more than any other parent. There are plenty of people with NO children - it all balances out. They create LESS pollution, traffic and waste than others by traveling in ONE large vehicle (as opposed to the 4-6 cars it would require for several smaller families to travel individually), clothes and household items are purchased at thrift stores, and handed down many times. The children get MORE individual attention from their parents than most American children, in that they are homeschooled by their parents instead of spending 8+ hours with teachers in school or daycare.
3-15-2011 @ 2:47PM
HateAllDUggars said...CHRIST!! I hate this family. They are the worst example of selfishness of parents. THe older kids actually raise the younger ones and mom is a psychotic breeder -- like a cat lady who has kids instead.
Now a new generation? Steralize them all!!!!! AHHHHHHH!
Reply
3-15-2011 @ 3:09PM
Tia said...Lol, just love the haters. you are probably some old bitty with bad plumbing and can't have kids. Get over it, I love the duggar family, they are an inspiration!
3-15-2011 @ 3:21PM
Diane said...I totally agree with you. Mom and hubby spend all their time having sex. Leaving all the work and child raising to the older children Then wants the world to think she's doing a big deal.Cats and dogs also produce a ton of 'off springs'.It takes more than reproducing to earn the title mom & dad.Those children donot know what it is to be a child or to think for themselves or make their own decisions.They are like robots..Those poor children don't know what it's like being part of the outside word.A classic example of a cult.
3-15-2011 @ 3:28PM
Barbara said...Actually, the Duggar family love and honor God, AKA CHRIST.
They are joyful, respectful, loving, giving, Christians.
God has blessed them and they in turn have blessed the world.
And I can assure you that they don't hate you. If you walked into their home they would welcome you and do everything to make you feel loved and respected. Your hate only harms you.
3-15-2011 @ 11:10PM
Vic said...This is the biggest difference between you and them. They love all people. Try love and respect for a while in your life. You will find your life will change drastically. Get to know them before you persecute them!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
3-15-2011 @ 3:57PM
dansfae said...I'm with you on the fact that the older children actually parent the younger. They as much said so on the show. They are assigned buddies. Mother buddies with the youngest. The parents supervise more than they actually parent.
3-15-2011 @ 4:12PM
RAS said...Good that they are welcoming grandchildren. They have enough children. The mother is sick and selfish to want a baby to hold and then pass it off to an older child and the father is a spineless dope. Children should help in a household but what this deranged family does is overboard. Even a minor daughter was home schooling the little ones..doesn't this violate laws regarding home schooling your kids?.
3-15-2011 @ 5:56PM
BeerBelly said...To VIC:
So you know them? Your personal friends? Maybe you shouldn't make comments either!
3-15-2011 @ 8:41PM
Tann said...What's wrong with older children helping to raise the younger ones? We spend an incredible amount of money for children to go to preschool to do what...learn social skills. These older kids not only are learning patience and kindness with the younger ones, they are learning how to parent, a much needed skill in America. In fact those of you who think the parent's are wrong in doing this, I would suggest you are instilling selfishness if you do NOT require your children to contribute to your household. They gain self esteem, not by being told how great they are but by having responsibilities and an opportunity to work. It comes from hard work, not false praise.
3-16-2011 @ 12:16PM
Kathy said...Gee, it must hurt to be so stupid and have diarrhea of the mouth.
3-16-2011 @ 6:31PM
balticstein said...I can't stand this family why are they still on TV?