Tuesday, May 8, 2018

6 'Little' Duggars

We know you enjoy seeing new photos of Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar's youngest children, so we have a few to share. These six kids, of which Jackson (14 in 15 days) is the oldest and Josie (8) is the youngest, are growing up quickly. Tyler, Michelle's grand-nephew who lives with the family, fits right into the bunch between Jennifer and Jordyn.

Johannah Duggar, Jackson Duggar, Tyler, Jennifer Duggar, Jordyn Duggar, Josie Duggar
Johannah Duggar, Jackson Duggar, Tyler, Jennifer Duggar, Jordyn Duggar, Josie Duggar

Following in the footsteps of the older Duggars, these six kiddos take music lessons. They recently had a recital, for which they each wrote a song to match a theme (vacation destinations).

Jennifer Duggar
Jennifer Duggar

Tyler Duggar family
Tyler

Photos courtesy duggarfamily.com

137 comments:

  1. I can’t believe Jackson will be 14. He still looks about 11 IMO. And since in Arkansas they can start taking driving lessons at that age, it’ll be so weird to see him drive!

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    1. He'll be fine. There was a boy in my daughter's class in high school that never got above 5 foot. After he got his license he drove this huge pick up truck to and from school.

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    2. Do you ridicule others for their physical attributes on a regular basis, or do you save it for Internet forums?

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    3. I doubt there'sone of us who didn't look at Jackson and think he's small for his age. No need to call someone out for having the exact thought we all had.

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    4. 9:52, just because someone thinks it doesn't mean they need to say it.

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    5. 9:52, there was no need for OP to post that comment. Just because you think something doesn’t mean you need to post it, have some class

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    6. 9:52. Having a thought is one thing, however verbalizing or posting it it is quite another.

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    7. Boys do growth spurts after girls do. A friend of mine had a son who grew 4 inches after high school. Besides it’s not height that makes the measure of a man.

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  2. I enjoyed playing in the orchestra in school. I bet these kids would like it, too. Why do none of them attend a normal school with peers and different teachers who focus on their own subjects?

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    1. I agree. My daughter played in her school's marching band and pep band all through high school. It was such a great experience as it taught her discipline, working with others and she made many wonderful friends through it.

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    2. I don't know. There was a girl in my daughter's high school marching band that was home schooled. Because she lived in the school district she was allowed to participate. She loved every minute of it because she could go to the contests, march in parades, etc. I wonder if the Duggars would consider that option for their kids?

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    3. Homeschooling is great, but you should definitely find a co-op, play a sport, or do something with peers. I was homeschooled from 2nd grade to 11th (I graduated a year early), and loved it.

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    4. home schooling is very normal. the duggars do have different teachers that specialize in certain subjects but michelle (& jana) do the bulk of it. i believe it's the query's who teach them music and marjorie jackson's mother teaches spanish. its also been mentioned that laura also helps out and has been shown with josie, which doesnt surprise me since josie was so premature she may have some learning disabilities (not saying she does, its just being that premature sometimes has its problems.) they also associate with other home schooled families so they do have a significant amount of peers. plus, they get to go on more 'field trips' then kids from brick & mortar schools do and get to learn so much more!

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    5. I homeschool my 5 children and it is wonderful. Just because you don't understand it doesn't make it wrong. I could make a lot of comments about how bad public school is but I won't. Every family has to decide for themselves how they school their children. And you can play instruments at church. I was homeschooled for high school and I played the violin and piano at church and with other teens who played instruments.

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    6. Because they are homeschooled, and are taught by their mother. Their older siblings all graduated from homeschooling and are all doing well. Not all children HAVE to go to public school. These children have much better manners than most kids in public school do.

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    7. Lots of homeschoolers in my family. You can join community orchestra or band or choir. You can join all kinds of church or community sports teams. If you have a big family, you have your own ready-made band and sports team ha ha! I realise some people enjoy being at a school but there are many many many who do not. As for the Duggars, I do not know them except through TV, but they clearly interact with lots of other children all the time.

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    8. I didn't homeschool my child because she would have lasted a week (maybe two) before I killed her. Some parents seem to be able to it successfully though. However, in many cases that I've observed it seems to keep the kids rather socially isolated from anyone that is not part of the parent's social and church group. I don't see that as a good thing when the kids go out into the workplace. Sports and community based arts/music programs could help with that. I don't see the Duggars being open to that though.

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    9. I agree that just because some do not understand homeschool doesn’t make it wrong but the fact that you said “I could make a lot of comments about how bad public school is but I won’t” is a comment about it in itself. Some people...

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    10. Many communities have an abundance of opportunities for homeschoolers. In our town we have co-ops, homeschool sports teams, drama camps, p.e. classes, field trip groups, etc.

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    11. The most socially awkward people I have ever met have all gone to school. In school kids interact with those in their grade level. They rarely ever have to have a conversation with adults. Homeschooled children are used to being around adults and children and those in their age group. They can easily converse with anyone. The Duggars go to restaurants and visit places all over the world. They have met all kinds of people. Of course, their main interactions are going to be with those who believe the same way that they do. The Duggars are wise to guard their children and what they are exposed to. My husband and I like the Duggars are very careful who we interact with socially. We don’t want our children hearing dirty jokes or cursing or all manner of other things. We don’t shield them from the fact that evil exists and many people choose that path, but we also don’t expose them directly to it.

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    12. Here, homeschooling is not popular since,quite honestly, our public schools are excellent and of high standards. Those I have known who were highschooled struggled when they enrolled in highschool.

      My kids took private conservatory music lesson in piano. They also took instrumental music in school (not piano) and were in the school orchestras, jazz bands and pit bands.

      This was in addition to a full slant of science, math and computer science courses plus the usual courses like history, English, sociology,anthropology and languages. They are bilingual,both in speech and in
      literacy.

      The best part of my kids' highschool was the diverse student population. More than half were immigrants or children of immigrants and it was one of the safest schools in the city. My kids made friends with kids from all over the world.

      And yes, they had field trips. They were trips to the local museums, school exchange trips, targeted local science related trips, theatre and fine arts trips. Beside the yearly productions put on by the drama and music departments, the school held a culture showcase. The orchestras and choirs would play in various venues around the city.

      Every year, middle school and highschool students, enrolled in local schoold, could sign up for 2 week long free courses at the local universities, taught by professors.

      And this of course does not included the sport teams,for both male and female,trips to other schools in the area, the city side track meets,the drama,music and dance competitions.



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    13. I was formerly against homeschooling because I thought Christian kids needed to be prepared to be "in the world." However, as someone who's child has now gone pretty far down the tubes due to the influence of school friends (although raised in a strong Christian home), I can now see the value of homeschooling. Prayers for my child would be appreciated. Spiritual battle going on in our home.

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    14. I actually went to public school until high school so I speak from experience how awful it is. And more so now than when I went to school. People can talk about homeschool and it's fine but once someone mentions public school then the person is being judgemental and whatever else. That's wrong.

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    15. I love that you are all shutting the haters down. Don't judge, you are an onlooker checking in on very small moments. Don't pretend to know their lives. I am thankful just to enjoy the small moments they share with me. Be joyous and thankful that we all walk together in this life.

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    16. At least in many states homeschooled students legally have the option to join their local school's orchestra/bands and sports teams. Ultimately it's the family's choice.

      As for homeschooled students needing to go to a co-op or participate in programs with children their own age, some may prefer that, but it's not the only way to become well-rounded, well-socialized students. Homeschooled students, like public schooled students, get their socialization in so many ways other than just co-op and other programs. Some parents who homeschool just don't feel the need to add extra when they feel that socialization isn't an issue.

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    17. I think it's funny that people think kids have to go to public school to be social. I would rather have parents teach their kids social skills over a LOT of people in the school system. There is a difference in homeschoolers and hermits, they do actually see other kids.

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    18. Being the wife of a high school principal. I see both sides to home schooling. I do not see Jackson 4 yrs behind an Josie doing kindergarten work without a special ed teacker.

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    19. I don’t think there is anything wrong with the idea of homeschooling. However, I think that those who wish to homeschool their children should have a bachelors degree at a minimum. Educating the future is nothing to mess around with and we would never let unqualified teachers in a public school classroom. Why does it happen at home?

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    20. 10:50, just curious if it’s ok to ask, what state do you live in? Also 5:29, I was agreeing with you in my head, and then I realized that my mom who homeschooled me and my siblings never received a bachelors degree! My siblings and I all seem to be doing fine, and scored high on our SAT tests. My sister was just excepted into her nursing program, I’m going into real estate, and my younger siblings are still in school. You can do it, you just need to be following the right curriculum.

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    21. There are pros and cons for both homeschooling and public education. Not all public or private schools are wonderful, nor are all homeschoolng environments. Some children flourish in public schools, as did my own, and some flourish with homeschooling. Trying to make one as being better than the other is a waste of time. It depends on the child and personal circumstances. It's too bad that people get so defensive about their choices.

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    22. I believe God created parents to lead and teach their children and I don't think their is anyone better suited for the job.

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    23. The fact of the matter is, parents know their children better than anyone else does which makes them the best people to teach their kids.

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    24. Blogger at 11:24, you certainly have my prayers. I know exactly what you are going through. I was a wreck about our son, who hated school and cultivated the wrong friends and values. A dear friend, reminded me that he was a baptized child of God, and assured me that God holds our children near and dear. It was great advice and she was right. Our son got his Masters Degree and is a full professor at a university. Put it it God’s hands. She’s not so far “down the tubes” that God can’t reach her.

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    25. Regarding the duggar children high school age being in marching band or pep band and going to band contest--- i dont think its allowed because of the drums-- i think i read where they dont believe in drums. That is also why pop or rock music is not allowed maybe? Plus band involved dance moves on the field and there are also the flag girls and dance team girls in tight or immodest costumes who also perform immodest dances. Drums with down beats are not christian but piano and harp are good as is violin

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    26. 5:33- As a parent and retired public school teacher, I can tell you that sometimes mom and dad are not the best people to school their own children on a full time basis. As a parent, you can be too close to a situtation and not see a big picture. I've known some who have blinders on when it comes to their child's academic or behavior struggles. Personally, I always enjoyed going to public school, as well as college. Sure, it wasn't perfect. However, I liked having a world that was my own, away from my rather large family. I loved them all, but I didn't want to be with them 24/7- especially as I grew older. I also don't think my parents had the patience to homeschool us, even though they were loving in every way, very intelligent and my dad had a college degree. Teaching is a calling and I don't think parents should feel guilty or that they're doing the wrong thing by sending them to public school. They may very well be doing them a favor.

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    27. OK then 7:39, why does God let some kids go completely down the tubes, until they are in jail or dead? Why would He pick and choose certain kids to save and not do the same for others?

      I sure wouldn't have wanted my parents to tell me that they were done with me because they had "put me in God's hands." Parents have to do the work (with the help of professionals) and sometimes you need to administer tough love on the toughest cases. You can't sit back and wait for God to sort them out.

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    28. 10:05- I hardly think your limited personal experiences qualify as being true across the board, that all public school educated students are the most "socially awkward." I could claim the same about some of the homeschooled kids I've known. There is no perfect, one-size-fits-all educational setting for every single child. What works for one, will not for another. Grandious claims that homeschooling or public schools are far superior to the other is pointless and certainly not productive.

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    29. 7:39 PM Your son is a full a professor at a university and only has his Masters Degree?? Here, you need a PhD to be a professor.

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    30. I was home school up until 8th grade and I hated it. I did take dance lessons and interacted with kids from church but it wasn’t enough for me. I hated spending the day at home and not doing what I felt was enough school work or learning. I spent a lot of time reading books. I loved going out for school when I finally did. I didn’t always have the best experiences with other kids but that is life. The worst experiences I had with other kids actually happened at church. There were some kids I knew that loved being home schooled. I think as long as the kids are truly happy at being home schooled and are socializing with kids their own age and are actually learning then it’s fine.

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    31. Ann. 5:32 & 5:33
      I give you my mother as example and offer that your statement would be less hurtful with the addition of “usually, mostly, or nearly always” to parents as teachers.
      It sounds like you may never have had the misfortune of knowing emotionally abusive parents? I can’t imagine how I could have survived being around and under my mother’s thumb for an additional 4-6 hours a day for most of the weeks when I was growing up

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  3. Tyler's stance and bow hold are excellent! Good for him!

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    1. Doesn't he look super! So nice to see all of them looking so sharp!

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  4. Music lessons are good. I'm glad they're all learning to play an instrument.

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  5. Jacksons small for fourteen, glad he has a male 'buddy' in Tyler despite their age difference.

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  6. I miss seeing life in the "big house". I mean I love babies and weddings, but there was just something sweet about seeing the day to day lives of the kids growing up.

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    1. Agree Sarah!!! I feel the same way :D

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    2. I have to laugh every time someone refers to 'the big house', it also being slang for jail.

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    3. I agree with Sarah and Jorah.

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    4. Totally agree!!!!

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    5. When I hear "big house" the first image that comes to mind is an antebellum Southern plantation. Not the best image, really. The Duggars may keep a tight leash on their children, but not THAT much.

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    6. 4:26, I always think of the song from Muppets Most Wanted😂😂

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    7. I think it was wrong for TLC to punish Jim Bob and Michelle for something their son did.

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    8. 5:35, what do you mean? They’re slowly coming back onto the show

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    9. I think that TLC refocused the show away from Jim Bob and Michelle and towards the married and adult Duggar kids because of the intense public backlash. It was more to preserve a Duggar show and continue to make money than TLC as a network wanting to punish them. Jim Bob and Michelle are on the Counting On more often as the seasons go by. I've questioned how much TLC knew about Josh's actions since the investigation was happening around the time the early specials were filmed.

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    10. Jim Bob and/or Michelle have been on just about every episode of Counting On, or at least every season and every pre-wedding event plus every wedding plus every birth. How is that "punishing" them???

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  7. Johannah looks a lot like Joy!

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    1. I was just going to say that. I vey much agree.

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    2. I was thinking the same thing!

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  8. thank you so much for posting on the 'little' ones! lol, they sure arent that little anymore! johanna is getting so tall and this picture makes her look a lot like jana. and jennifer is getting so pretty, going from a cute kid to a pretty young lady so quickly. nice to see that they still do things the same way and they havent changed

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  9. Jackson seems very short for his age. I hope he has a growth spurt and doesn't end up like the boy in my high school class that was about 5'1". Since my classmate had bright red hair he sort of looked like a leprechaun behind the wheel when he was driving.

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    1. I really can’t believe you just posted this.

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    2. Why was this comment allowed?

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    3. However well meant that comment may have been, it is poor taste to criticize a child. I can't belive this post made it either- I thought negative comments were not allowed. Shame

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  10. Amen sarah I agree! It's sad it was all taken away from us, the many many viewers who loved and very much miss 19 kids and counting. All the network would have to do is rename it something else, but go back in the home, show the family vacations, speaking engagements, home schooling, chores, family bible study time with Jim Bob and Michelle, how the bedrooms have changed, who baby sits out of the Duggar's at home yet, oh and who all lives at home yet and who if anyone is going to college or trade school? See all these great ideas!!😃

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    1. I agree. I would love to see that part of the Duggar family life again.I very much miss it! With so many of the older children married now I am sure the dynamics changed in the Duggar household. Thank you for sharing the lovely photos.

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  11. Vacation destinations: love to know which destinations each choose.
    Homeschooling is absolutely the way to go in these days of school shootings, parent driven public schools and student behaviors not being addressed seriously enough and special needs being addressed too much!!!
    Music lessons are a great discipline; but, so are sports, dance, and part time jobs!!!

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    1. I'm not familiar with parent-driven public schools, but I do know of public schools that believe that a parent's rights disappear when their child steps in the school. In my opinion, that is far more dangerous.

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    2. We've been cutting funding to public schools for decades. We're pretty much getting the public schools we deserve for doing that. Teachers are grossly underpaid and facilities are in disrepair. The newest school in my local district is over 50 years old. Many families can't afford to have a parent stay at home to educate their children.

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    3. I think that homeschooling is a solid alternative to public and private school if you have the knowledge, ability, and means to provide your children a quality education. A way to ensure your child has the educational and social skills to succeed in the world is essential. I agree that sports and lessons outside the home as well as part-time jobs enrich the homeschooling experience.
      I think that extreme cases where parents have intentionally isolated their children or used it to cover up abuse has given homeschooling a bad name.

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    4. How does one address special needs too much?

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    5. I'd like to know the qualifications of all the parents 5:35 thinks should be teaching home schooling. Do they hold degrees in education, the way trained teachers in classrooms do?

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    6. I agree with Anonymous 10:07.

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    7. I don't agree that teachers are underpaid. They get a Christmas vacation, an Easter vacation, 8 AM-3PM work day, all federal and other school holidays, and a 2-3 month summer vacation. Figure their salaries based on those hours, and you'll see they're paid very handsomely. It's a perfect job for a mom with kids in school. Sick of their complaining.

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    8. 4:42- Not sure where you get the 7 hour work day. My contract required me to put in 8 hour days for a certain number of days per year. Teachers aren't there just during student hours. They're expected to plan lessons, attend meetings, special education conferences, complete report cards, grade papers, as well as other duties too numerous to mention. I regularly came to school two hours early and brought work home with me each night and weekend. I spent my summers furthering my education, which did not come cheap, as well as attending mandatory workshops and professional development. At the end of 35 years and holding a Master's degree, I was paid $63,000/year. (Salaries had been frozen for the last five years.) I don't think that was an exorbitant amount, considering my experience.
      Now I volunteer in my local public school. I see first hand how hard those teachers work. They deserve every dime they're making, and then some. If you think it's a cakewalk, I urge you to get licensed and give it a try.

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    9. 4:42, most teachers I know also have to have some kind of side job to make it by, so I don’t think you know what you’re talking about. Saying you’re sick of their complaining is rude, especially if you have one or more children in school who you yourself aren’t willing to teach.

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    10. Anonymous @ 3:13 PM May 10- I can't speak for all homeschooling parents (nor would I attempt to as we're not one-size fits-all). Many have degrees (education and otherwise). I've experienced many teachers with degrees who had no business in a classroom. They knew the material, but had zero teaching ability. My Algebra-Trig teacher was one such person, with our final exam being curved so much that my 45 was "D" and mine was one of the top scores. The following year, I chose to repeat the same class in college, acing it with an excellent professor. A teaching degree doesn't automatically equal a good teacher. My college English professor (with loads of tenure) wasted our weekly class sessions discussing his drinking escapades with the class. I had to have his class to graduate and knew the administration wasn't going to remove him, so I studied the textbook on my own and basically taught myself the material. Coursework, student teaching, and a degree aren't the gold standard of teaching that they used to be. We're in our 16th year of homeschooling, with family and friends that are/were public school teachers. I can't tell you how many times we've been stopped by former teachers/retired teachers when we're out and about and been congratulated on our school choice.

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  12. They release a pic of these young one's, and you all are body shaming a young teenage boy? Get out. That's not right, anymore than it would be if you were talking about one of the girls. Just stop. Teens grow at different times and believe it or not, these kids are not all clones. SMH.

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  13. SO GOOD TO SEE THESE LITTLE ONES. I MISS THE SHOW. MOSTLY MICHELLE SHE JUST HAS A GREAT PERSONALITY AND I MISS SEEING HER INTERACT WITH ALL THE FAMILY.

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  14. I love this family to pieces. It is such a privilege to watch these kids grow up and start lives of their own. I wish we could see more of them.

    I am curious to know how the youngest girls are getting on without their older sisters in the house as much? Jana I’m sure is still a strong role model for them, but I do wonder how the dynamic has shifted in the girls room. The younger girls are almost a separate group of sisters in a way since they are close in age like the older girls were. Is Johannah taking more of a leadership role? What is it like for Jana sharing a room (I assume) with sisters who are 16 - 20 years younger?

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    1. I wondered the same thing, 8:52.

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  15. Didn’t they adopt Tyler? Shouldn’t you say the Dugger’s adopted son Tyler?

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    1. No, they haven't and she shouldn't.

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    2. They didn't adopt Tyler. The Duggars have temporary custody of him which is common when there is a problem in child's own family which needs to be resolved.

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    3. No, he's under JB and Michelle's legal guardianship. Hopefully, his mother can rebuild her life and they can be reunited. This isn't a dig against the Duggars, who wonderfully stepped in to help family and are providing him with stability, just a prayer for Tyler and his mom that they can be together again.

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    4. They haven't. They are Tyler's legal guardians. Big difference.

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    5. No,they did not adopt Tyler. He is their foster child. Please.get your facts straight.

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    6. He’s not a “foster” child either! He’s a nephew and cousin who is staying with his extended family. Haven’t any of the readers temporarily taken care of a relative??! To me, it’s not a big deal - just part of being a family.

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    7. LEGALLY, he is their foster child. Children in need are first p!aced with family. Bring their foster child does not mean he cannot be related to them.

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    8. My question is regarding Tyler and his schooling. Did Michelle and Jim Bob continue with the education he was getting before Tyler moved in or did they push their education thinking on his mom and convince her that their way was better. What does Tyler think of his education which is homeschooled know and going to school the other. I am just curious.

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  16. Johannah looks like she is the oldest out of the bunch, even though Jackson is older. I like how Jackson and Johannah are standing right next to each other, just like when they were little and were best buddies.

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  17. My son was 5ft tall in 9th grade. We had a bone scan done and they said he’d be in the 25 percentile. That means 75% of men would be taller. They were wrong. He grew 8 inches in a year and 8 months. Guess what? He’s 6ft tall!! I think you all are adorable!❤️😀

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  18. The oldest kids grew up with the joy of a new sibling added (almost) each year, but the youngest group grows up with a sibling leaving almost as fast. Their youth of saying goodbye is a big contrast to the youth of saying hello. No judgement, just an observation! It's lovely to see them growing up and i wish we would see more of them

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    1. Having come from a large family myself, I agree that saying good-bye to older siblings as they leave home to create their own lives is often emotionally difficult on the younger ones. The older Duggar children have helped create a security for these younger ones that is now missing. I hope these younger ones can establish their own unique sibling group to support each other through all these changes.

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    2. Good point! I never thought of that.

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    3. anny- Except for Jinger, the rest stay close by and it seems that they all spend a lot of time with each other. Of course, the unmarrieds live at home and there are new grandchildren that come along frequently. I doubt they're wanting for company.

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    4. Good observation, Anny. I never thought of that. I can relate as my sister was much older than me, and I was quite devastated when she left home to marry. I was not as fortunate as the Duggar kids to have other siblings my age at home, and did not like suddenly being the "only child"! Kudos to the Duggars for having all those kids! (Also, ditto to your last sentence!) :)

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    5. Wow, good point. The older kids always saw and expected something new in their life while the younger ones know that some next sibling will leave the house soon and should be prepared for separation. Of course most of them live in the area, but it's not the same as having stable life with parents and siblings, share the house, study together. Younger ones have different childhood. I remember how Joy interviewed that she did not like Ben at first because Derick already just came and took away one of her sisters (Jill) and now Ben is taking away her other sister (Jessa)...
      It's like a feeling that someone is leaving all the time...

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    6. It's like two groups of kids growing up. The older girls were growing up in a small crowded house, and then they worked to move into the new big house. The young girls always were living in the huge house with lots of space and land.

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    7. Both groups of kids had indeed different childhood. The older kids were growing in a young and growing family, saw dresses for themselves, lived in a small house and mostly traveled to Texas for school conferences in an old bus.
      The younger kids know they are the youngest and their group won't change. They live in a big house with land, take overseas trips with their family, and money is not a problem there.
      One thing I don't understand why family so emphasizes the thrift stores, they perfectly can buy new clothes for kids.

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    8. But there are also other types of exciting events now such as weddings and new nieces and nephews that the younger ones get to enjoy. Life is all about changes. I'm sure the younger ones feel loved. They may get more attention from parents now too, since there are less children at home.

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  19. Shouldn't Josie be 9 or almost 9? I worked at ACH when she was there. I left ACH at the end of 2009.Josie was in the NICU when I worked there. I remember seeing the family coming in and out of the hospital daily.

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    1. She'll be nine in December (I remember it well because Jordyn was born the December before, one month before my daughter was born. Jordyn and my daughter are nine, and Josie will be nine this December).

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    2. I think her birthday is in December, so not even 8-1/2 yet

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    3. So maybe you can answer this: Is there a medical reason that her hair won’t grow long? And are her different facial features due to her prematurity, also?

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    4. KitKath: I have seen pictures of Michelle at roughly the same age as Josie and they look like peas in a pod. I think that out of all the kid Josie is the one who is going to look most like her mom.

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    5. 5:23 -- What are you getting at with "different facial features"? I think she's adorable.

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  20. Way cool that they take music lessons!

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  21. Nice to see a picture of the younger ones. :) Can't believe Josie is 8 now!

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  22. Johannah looks like a mini-Jana! So cute!

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  23. I went to public school and did alright. I'm surprised this whole thread is on homeschooling. Wow

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    1. 6:25, I don’t think anyone is bashing people who go to public school, it’s more about how they’re being run today. Teachers are not well paid, many kids aren’t being taught to respect authority at home and are horrible to their teachers and bully their peers, kids are loaded up with WAY to much homework IMO.

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    2. Teachers aren’t well paid? When you compare their compensation to the private sector and take into account that they receive pensions and don’t even work year-round I completely disagree. There’s been a long-running narrative that teachers are underpaid but just because people repeat that idea doesn’t make it true.

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    3. Most teachers look the other way when bullying happens and they do assign too much homework, IMO. Homework should reinforce what's been taught, not be a substitute for it.

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    4. 4:45- I was a public school teacher for over 35 years until retirement. Comments such as yours get my goat. Your first statement is an outrageous over generalization and you've no way to know what "most teachers" do in every situation where bullying happens. When I was still teaching, our school district required us to report such incidents and the matter was taken up with the principal and/or social worker. It was treated seriously, even when the situation was based on a misunderstanding. Regarding the homework issue- you should realize that teachers are danged if they do and danged if they don't. Some parents demand lots of homework, others do nothing to encourage their kids to do any of it. Some districts require a certain amount. If you think most teachers are subpar, I suggest you get licensed and put yourself in front of 30 students every day... children of varying abilities and needs, all demanding your attention. Add to that the parents of each one of them... those who think their own child is perfect and the most important, and others who don't give a flying fig if their child has had a good night's sleep or a decent breakfast before coming to school. (Just a tip- make sure you use the bathroom before that first bell, because it's anyone's guess when you'll be able to have a break to go again.) Have fun!

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    5. 4:45, your last sentence is spot on! As far as bullying, from kids I know most of it is done in bathrooms in the hall when there aren’t adults supervising behavior. But yes, some teachers do look the other way. Honestly, if your child is bullying someone else I think they should be expelled. I find it unfair that there are children at school trying to learn, and can’t focus because of how much added pressure they receive from their peers

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  24. How refreshing to see the younger Duggars. Miss seeing them. The show is not the same without the younger members of the family. After a while it gets monotnous seeing one wedding and courtship after another. Would love to see this concert on the show.
    Joan,Marion and Marilyn

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  25. Yes.... you said it Sarah!! ☺️ That’s my thoughts exactly too

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  26. What surprises me is that Jackson seems so separated from his older brothers. Justin to Jed and Jeremiah seem to be close and then Jackson grouped with the four younger girls. Justin is only about a year and a half older than Jackson. The age gap between Jackson and Tyler is farther apart than with Jackson and Justin.
    I think it's outstanding that Jackson and Johannah have such a bond and that now he has a friend in Tyler, but do wonder why Jackson, at almost 14, is in the same grouping as an 8 year old.

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    1. Becouse he is so short and still a child.

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    2. Interesting comment. Jackson was the first born on TV, and who knows maybe that was a different childhood for kids growing just with mom and dad and no TV crew. Also he somehow was so close with Johannah when they were small kids, they were unseparable. And then parents tried to join Jackson to boys, and I guess it could be too late to change. I wonder who was Jackson's buddy. Could that be that Jana was a buddy for both Jackson and Johannah, and that's why they were so close?

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    3. Jackson is a teenager. Justin was an apprentice to a mechanic (Pastor Caldwell) at 13. The older kids were helping Jim Bob build a house at a similar/younger age.
      Jackson being short also doesn't explain the separation when the boys were younger.

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    4. I have wondered that too. He has always been grouped with the littler girls, and I had thought that once he got older that would change and he would be grouped more with James and Justin, but it doesn't look to have happened yet even though he will be 14.

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  27. I hope they go to a doctor with jackson. There could be a medical probleem.

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    1. I think a lot of the Duggar boys have Growth Hormone Deficiency. A few members of my family have it, but it’s not that big of a deal. They could take growth hormone shots for it, or just leave it alone and be short, which is fine too.

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    2. Why? He seems perfectly healthy.

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    3. 10:21, I don't think so. I think they just have short genes. Michele is a short lady.

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    4. He seems not. Hormones can help him

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  28. Can anyone tell is about Josie? She deels to have learning problems and looks different. I am concernt and pray for her.

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  29. KitKath - I have never. Noticed that but you are right. Can someone answer the question.

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    1. Josie had that one famous seizure on TV (that Jana had to handle) and then nobody talked about any of her condition(s) again. What did Michelle call that? "A glitch," or some other term that down-played how serious it was. 911 doesn't show up and they don't hospitalize you for "glitches." But nobody will say if she's healthy now or still having "glitches." This is where Ellie (friends) could set the record straight and stop people from talking about health problems that may not exist.

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    2. Forgot to say that for the record, I think Josie looks mischievous and a little full of herself (not in a bad way, a confident way). I think she gets a lot of one-on-one attention, maybe more so than any of her other siblings (particularly given her health history and seizure disorder). She seems pretty comfortable in her own skin, so to speak.

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    3. She is a mirracle child. It is logical that she gets a lot of care and attention. She is special

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  30. Re: The Comments & questions about Josie- I think it may be because watching Josie growing up, her toddler teeth were pretty uniform in size and positionally "correct". There seems to be a pretty significant issue going on with her permanent teeth. As the Duggars are clearly strong advocates of orthodontics, I don't really think it's a big deal right now (unless it's a big deal to Josie). The hairstyle choices may have been fine for the majority of the other Duggar girls, but Josie's forehead is wider with a higher hairline-the hairstyles being chosen seem only to further highlight that rather than complimenting her individual features. Having been a preemie, she doesn't have a lot of fullness in her face-I say that having been a preemie. ;) You have to rememeber that she missed the stages in utero where the baby is laying down fat store supplies. Those fat stores are used by the baby to fuel brain growth and rapid physical development in that first 2-3 years. I suspect that as she heads into adolescence, her face will fill out more and look more "balanced". Right now with her forehead-cheek area being the widest point, hairstyles adding visual weight to the top or side of her head only accentuate that. She does often seem to look on the pale and tired side (as a once-preemie, I'd be looking at and ruling out food allergies, seasonal allergies, anemia). I think that may be what some viewers and posters may be seeing and expressing concern over. Some people may not be the best at expressing themselves, but I genuinely think most of the commenters are honestly concerned about her and her health. I get the sense reading here that she's pretty dearly loved among fans and readers.

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  31. Oh, good grief. I went to school with a guy who was maybe 5'8" when we graduated. He is now about 6'6".

    My nephew is 6'8" and got his height early. His younger brother (by four years) was short.....after graduation he shot up to 6'2". He isn't as tall but my point is let's find something else to worry about other than the Duggar boys height.

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  32. We don't see the younger kids (well, except for Josie) to know what they are up to. The Hannie/Jackson "team" was so precious when they were little. We want to see this group.

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