GeeGolly

Yikers & wow. Very charged discussion. I think the Duggar's influence, whether political or spiritual would only effect like minded folks. Like GEML said, famous people's opinions do not carry a lot of weight. What celebrities can do & do is bring awareness to a larger audience. I believe as many folks look at the Duggar family and think "Yup, nope" verses "How godly & wonderful they are". As far as Robocall verses outing the Duggars, two expressions learned in childhood come to mind; 'do unto others as you wish them to do unto you' as well as 'don't dish it out if you can't take it'.

One thing I thought was very telling about Michelle, as well as her 'friendship' with the Bates was when she was filmed helping Kelly(?) in the church kitchen for Erin's wedding. Sometime later I saw a photo of the exact scene - minus Michelle. Michelle was in the kitchen only for filming that shot, and someone in the Bates' camp was bothered enough to take a photo of the actual truth. I'm sure if a savvy poster poked around they could find both the filmed scene and the still photo.

Yes, I believe it was when JB was taking the family for pizza, JenCarroll. I think it was Josie, and he was slathering her hair with something, and remarked that her dress was too short.

I think the only change Jana might secretly long for would be living on her own, or with a roommate, possibly one of the Bates girls. She has many perks the average 20 something doesn't have. Many mainstream kids are not college or marriage bound at her age. Jana most likely doesn't realize how repressed she is, so her life might feel pretty good.

I think Derick leaving Walmart was already in the works. I believe he quit to be available for filming. It probably pays better and then Jilly can have him home. Not sure what they will do now though, if TLC drops the whole family.

Hoping for peace, love, and healing for you today, Jellybeans.

Humbleopinion, I'm laughing. Especially M & J looking in the windows!

If TLC does VSEs with Jiil and Jessa, advertisers would be supporting survivors, not Josh. It may be appealing to many to support the girls, including TLC.

Sweet ... Maisie's daisies

I agree in the early days they barely made ends meet. IIRC, Friends would drop off food and clothing on their porch, made their own laundry detergent, etc. I think without TLC income and possibly a reduced speaking engagement schedule, they will be making some serious economic adjustments.

I think they have all matured quickly in these past few weeks.

I had a dream last night that Josh was verbally abusing me and also trying to physically abuse me. The dream ended with me being stuck in waist high mud in a parking lot. It must be a message to stop following this story/family yet I find myself drawn to it. I’ve decided to believe Jessa’s & Jill’s feelings as is, however they reached them, because we all make decisions with influences by parents and finances, and for some spiritual influences. I am going to respect where they are at, and just wish the best for them.

I'm happy that therapy is feeling positive for you Wanderwoman. PTSD is just that; Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. The impact of the trauma is where the diagnosis comes from, not necessarily the trauma. No one should minimize one trauma verses another. Suffering is an unfortunate equalizer. Good luck, and I hope the meds offer more relief in the coming weeks.

I assume that Josh took the FRC job with some trepidation about his past being revealed. I also assume that the Duggar family believed that juvenile records would remain sealed. It is my understanding that both criminal and DCF records regarding minors are not supposed to be made public.

I believe the girls are quiet on social media because they have been bombarded with negative comments. They most likely do not want to be reminded of a trauma they suffered as they post a joyous picture, nor be accussed of not taking the situation seriously, nor be reminded that the public knows what happened to them, or at least think that they know. I would bet they feel like prisoners in their own homes, which in a small way re-victimizes them. I truly feel bad that this has been made public. They now have no choice but to revisit this trauma, regardless where they are in their healing.

I don't think humor is on the approved list of character qualities.

I also think I need ti be evaluated for PPD or PTSD. In the NICU, they were good about taking care of our mental needs and since returning home, I haven't seen anyone or talked to anyone. I think I need to consider meds or therapy just to get me through this tough spot. Thank you for being my sounding board. Pregnancy and new parenthood is hard enough under the best circumstances. Complications, heartache, and unknowns, make it that much more difficult. Please be kind to yourself as you adjust, just as you would be kind to a friend under similar circumstances. Seeking professional help is a great idea, and IMO, the sooner, the better. As they say for plane safety, parents need to put the oxygen mask on themselves first in order to take care of their babies. I wish for you many bright and peaceful moments as your new family adjusts.

Jessa: at home pissed that this being made public is messing with 'her turn' to shine and be to focus of the show and magazines? Or genuinely sad, hurt, re-traumatized, and praying for healing? Or a little of both?

I work with many individuals that have experienced many forms of trauma. We prefer to use the word survivor rather than victim.

I very much agree with what you said, both with public knowledge of other traumas, as well as the Duggars putting their kids on parade. What I was referring to was the police report being made public, with details. With the other public cases we were given general knowledge, and with the exception of JonBenet, it appeared that the survivors were given some control over what was shared. It just feels very invasive to me, even when coupled with the Duggar parents opening their family up to public scrutiny.

Why is there no outrage toward the news outlets that thought it okay to publish documents about abused minors?

"Absolutely, it happens in too many homes, of all spiritual types. But here's the thing...they didn't have to be the PERFECT CHRISTIAN FAMILY. They could have been just as successful, especially as the real hook was always the huge family, being human. If the show had been more about how this is a big challenge and mistakes are made but we try to do our best, they would have been far more sympathetic now." However, this would be exploiting the girls and violating their privacy. I'm sure there are plenty of other ways they could have showed their 'human- ness', but this situation isn't one of them. With that said, with the girls on board, they could now talk about family challenges and "mistakes", but at this point not much that they do will seem right or enough.

""Counseling" is a very ambiguous word. A person could have a heart to heart talk with their grandmother and they would not be lying if they said they had received "counseling". Any idiot can hang a shingle outside their door or place an ad in the paper claiming to be a therapist. There is no regulatory body overseeing "therapists"." Nope. Therapists must have at least a Master's degree and work under a licensed clinician or be licensed themselves. There are multiple various regulatory bodies overseeing therapists depending on the degree, Counselor, on the other hand can be ambiguous, but most, outside of religious organizations, have a Bachelor's degree.

As far as cover up, I was referring to not making this public. I was not referring to not handling the matter.

I don't believe the situation is so black & white. The parents didn't make the best decisions, but probably the best that they knew. As for a "cover-up", I think those words are too strong; they kept something that is private, private. Josh may be a stupid kid who grew into a self-righteous man, or worse he may be a predator, but we don't know if he is a predator. I hope for all involved that he was a mixed up kid. I wish no ill will for anyone involved and hope that they can turn this into a time of self-reflection and healing.