Jill Duggar and Derick Dillard have been married for six years and over that time, the couple have distanced themselves from the 19 Kids and Counting and Counting On patriarch Jim Bob Duggar. Ever since TLC allegedly fired Jill and Derick (because Derick cyberbullied a trans teenager), the feud between Derick and Jim Bob has taken several turns that have left fans speculating about what’s going on behind the scenes.
Derick has accused Jim Bob of having too much control over how revenue from the show is distributed. He’s also been critical of TLC for not covering some of his family’s medical costs while they participated in the show. Aside from physically distancing themselves from Jim Bob, Jill and Derick seem to be dissociating themselves from the rigid, conservative beliefs and lifestyle that Jim Bob and other members of the Duggar family ascribe.
Derick Dillard recently appeared on a podcast called ‘First Class Fatherhood’ and he discussed parenting and a range of other topics.
On the podcast with host, Alec Lace, Derick discussed life as a dad, his missionary work, life under quarantine, and his relationship with his wife. Jill and Derick have two kids Israel David, 5, and Samuel Scott, 2. When asked about the possibility of having more kids, Derick did not give a definitive answer.
“We’ll see,” Derick said. “We’re just kind of enjoying life.”
Derick went on to say that the prospect of more kids is “not definite.”
For any other family, this reply would not raise eyebrows. But, the Duggars tend to favor large broods.
As the name of the reality TV show implies, Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar have 19 children. Having large families and not using contraception is all part of the Duggar mythology bolstered by Jim Bob’s religious beliefs. Members of the family consider themselves Independent Baptist Christians which is a faith based on fundamentalist beliefs.
Many of the Duggar children have large families and fans take delight when the Duggar women become pregnant. So when Derick raised the possibility of only having two kids, it could easily be seen as a slight against Jim Bob and the Duggar family overall.
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The comment could be part of the ongoing feud between Derick and Jim Bob.
Since Derick and Jill’s departure from the reality TV empire, they have not attended large family gatherings. In fact, it’s been reported that they have to request permission to attend holiday functions and other family events from Jim Bob.
The feud between Jill and Derick and Jim Bob is about money and Derick claims that the younger members of the Duggar family are not adequately compensated for their time. According to Derick, Jim Bob has control over all of his children’s contracts and also the money they are paid.
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Are Jill and Derick further distancing themselves from Jim Bob?
While a public spat between Derick and Jim Bob is one indicator, the couple deciding not to grow their family with any new babies might be further confirmation that Jill is the apple that’s falling further from the tree.
Derick does discuss his faith and mission work on the podcast, however, there’s no reason to assume that he and Jill plan on being as fundamentalist as other members of the Duggar family. After all, the couple has already ‘broken some rules.’ Jill has pierced her nose, wore pants instead of dresses, and sent her kids to public school instead of homeschooling! Gasp! Excuse us while we find some pearls to clutch!
Derick’s comments provide more proof that he and Jill are charting their own path. Nothing more or less. Fans speculating that Jill and Derick are choosing to not have additional kids to spite Jim Bob in some way should chill. Let’s not read between the lines.