Sunday, March 21, 2010

Season 4: Free Pass or Fair Game?

Season 4 is going to be different that the previous 3 and that needs to be taken into consideration. However in light of that, people still have no problem posting on blogs about how they think the Duggars should live their lives, treat their children, stop procreating, and stay off TV. Some things I personally think we should remember are:

a) this family is in crisis
b) they are living in a strange home and trying to live as normally as possible for the little kids--it may seem odd to us to take a day trip when their child is in the NICU, but they can't be in the NICU 24/7 even though they may want to be, and they have to paste smiles on their faces even though their hearts are breaking and show their other children that life is still going on around them and hasn't stopped just because Josie is in the hospital
c) foodwise they don't have the storage space and refridgerator space that they have back home so they are making the best of a terrible situation---they are also living in "stress mode," and frankly "comfort food" mode and who of us haven't been there before?---I gained 15 lbs when my husband was in the hospital with double valve replacement, not an excuse but and example of how some of us cope
c) They are "camping out"...that isn't their home so it's not what the first 2 seasons were...we aren't going to see them at their best when it comes to school work, house work, cooking, diet, or just about anything except sticking together and loving each other and supporting each other

So, do we give them a free pass and wait for them to get back on an even keel? Do we wait and see what happens with Josie before we start in on all the negative comments? Or because they have chosen to remain on national television does that give people the right to comment however they see fit on the Duggars lifestyle?

What do you think--free pass or fair game?

5 comments:

  1. I can't imagine what they are going through. If I had to take my two kids to a strange home, strange city, and devote enough time to my newborn in NICU I don't know how I would handle it. Bless them for managing with 19!!

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  2. As the parent of a preemie, they are holding up very well. I am glad they decided to show this part of their lives. From what I understand, they were supposed to be off camera right now for "off-season," but decided to let the cameras back to film this event.
    When you have a preemie, all you want is to be by the baby's bed side. You know that anytime you leave, you could be seeing your child for the last time.
    While Michelle could probably get a room at a Ronald McDonald House or such, it would mean her staying away from the rest of her kids for an extended amount of time. The several hour commute would be too long. With a preemie, especially one as early as Jose, a parent needs to be able to get there ASAP if any changes occur to the baby's stability.
    As to the family upheaval, you have to do what is best for the mental stability for your family too. With my second pregnancy, it became very high risk, very quickly. I had to move in with my parents, 1 hour from my husband, so that I could be close enough to the hospital with a level 3 NICU. My son came with me. We tried to make it the most balanced for him. My only other option would have been to stay in the hospital for the duration of the pregnancy, which, fortunately for us, lasted another 24 weeks.
    As for how they will be afterwards... they won't be the same Duggars. You don't stand at the cusp of loosing your child and go back to normality. The way you see things and do things is different.

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  3. Anon--I think you said it better than anyone--I only wish those who aren't such fans of the family would understand what you just wrote :)

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  4. I don't see much difference in the way their family is run, this season or any other. Michelle does well by the new baby. The other small children are raised by the older girls. The middle kids run amok. The other household jobs, cleaning, laundry and cooking are done entirely by the older girls. The kids homeschool themselves. And good ol JB? He hangs out and makes childlike proclamations. What is different? It is, what it is.

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  5. We get is Celestie...you aren't a fan...you've made that point more than once.

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