Ivy26

Jana's ideal man? Fundie lite, turns out he had mumps as a teenager. Given the ignorance of these people, they wouldn't know the conception chances are slim. She can pursue even a Christian based education with her husband's support and encouragement, lives happily as everyone's favourite aunt. And even though she would have to put up with the sad looks and comments of "Jana has no blessings", secretly she is smiling because she KNOWS what real blessings are

Pffft... I owe a lot of my friends computers :-p

All in all, I would prefer the Bateses as in laws. Still a little whacked out, but not as bad as the Duggars Call me controversial, but while I think Erin and Chad have every right to mourn the loss of their pregnancy, I have a real issue with Pa and Ma Bates saying that their first "grandchild" is in heaven. Erin lost a pregnancy, it was a blighted ovum. There was no baby to lose! It was a non growing embryo. I've had two blighted ovums, and I took comfort knowing I didn't technically lose a baby. Sure I was disappointed, but in my mind it was okay. But heaven knows these people think if sperm reaches the uterus ZOMG she's pregnant! And this is why most women and couples wait until the end of the first trimester to announce anything. I think Ma Bates was kind of crass to announce the pregnancy before an ultrasound confirmed anything

Honestly with that family, I would wear old maid like a badge of honor! Except...this means she is bound to the house. No way in hell that the little old maid (at 24, FFS!) would be allowed to live on her own, do anything but take care of Mummy's crotchfruit, all while people look at her sadly and wonder why SHE can't land a man. Which is completely asinine considering the mentality that Daddy has to find him for her. I can't understand that Gothard paradox: how is SHE an old maid/ can't land a man if DADDY won't approve of anyone?

What about Lawson? He's cute

The lack of services for Josie royally pisses me off. Three out of my four kids needed early intervention (Jury is out on #4, she's just learned to walk at 15 months) and I would do it again in a hearbeat. Michelle would be a hero in my eyes if she actually sought intervention/services for Josie. Instead of this "Oh there's nothing wrong with one of MY special blessings!" BS. Remember the episode where one of Josie's NICU room mates visited the Duggars? His mother got him all the available help she could and he was leaps and bounds above Josie. Now I know every child develops at their own pace, but good grief the difference was obvious and palpable

LOL that reminds me, it also shows the class difference and lack of imagination between the Bates and Duggars Bates engagements? Over the top, romantic, personalized. Duggar? Anna got balloons at a gator themed restaurant. And Jessa got asked for courtship while her beloved held a Styrofoam cup. Come on, Duggar girls! Let the Bates set up your dates

Not at all. My humble two cents, I don't want to see them as mothers right away. They've been raising their siblings and running the house for years. They need a break. Can you imagine coming home from the honeymoon? The absolute quiet and privacy? The ability to cook on a tiny scale and just sit with their feet up and daydream? They are in dire need of that (Keep in mind, I am not saying SAHMs or wives do nothing all day. What I'm saying is compared to a house of 21 people down to TWO is a world of difference)

That's very true. We didn't get to see much of Smuggar's courtship. Plus, John David is what, 24? Time to get breedin' boy!

The favorite snack?! Wow...they are really stretching for stuff to film.... I had leftovers for lunch today. Where's my film crew?? :-p

Is she moving by herself? With no-gasp!- male chaperone?!

I fantasize about driving a passenger van to one of their events and yelling "If you're over 18 and want freedom, GET IN!" I'll come back later as the others age...

Of course she's scared. These morons put so much emphasis on the absolute horrors and dangers of lust, any way she wiggles might inspire a man to leave his wife (ala teenage Michelle), premarital sex will lead you straight to hell with no forgiveness, being alone with any man, let alone the man you're courting, will cause you to shed your clothes and do the nasty. Plus, what if it turns out she doesn't really love him? Then she will have lost a piece of her heart. These people make things so damn extreme no wonder a lot of these women are afraid of courtship.

There is a difference between a trailer and a manufactured home. I've lived in a MH, it was okay for the age. I think when we visualize a trailer for these Gothard types, we visualize a sagging roof, visible hitch, and watch out for the saggy part of the living room floor, you just may go through :-p

Gah, that poor girl! It's obvious she doesn't want a public courtship, but Ma and Pa just have to have the ratings.

Maybe that's why she's permitted to pursue it: she spews the Gothard line accurately and enthusiastically. Much easier to get your way keeping The Parents happy

I completely agree with what was said above about GOP royalty. Even the staunchest of the bunch would NOT allow a Duggar courtship. They stumped for Santorum, but can you imagine a Duggar princess being allowed to marry a (gasp!) Catholic?! Not gonna happen. And the Cuccinelli family was probably too Eye-talian for their breeding stock. I tend to vote Conservative (more Libertarian, really), and I can't see anyone here in batshit AZ rooting for these people. They'd get a firm 'thanks but no thanks'. Smart conservatives know their limits. Did the Duggars support Romney? I don't remember

By "test" I'm sure it's semi code for "Are you good enough for my sister?" Which to them is Bible passages and eschewing birth control. Because MY "are you good enough list" would be: School education? Stable and decent income? Where will you be living? Criminal background (yeah, kids 18, but I work probation. Juvie records count!) Family background (how many macadamias are hiding in the family tree, kid?) How will you treat my sister? I'm more concerned about how Jessa will be treated, not how many Gothard Bible passages this kid knows

Ugh, they are courting, not engaged. While I want Jessa to flee the hell outta there, they make way too big of a deal about this crap

All right, I'm bringing either chickenetti (ugh) or canned veggies. And Boob can eat them right out of the can

That would be horrible. But in Jim Boob's mind, ratings gold!

Wait, Whitney's pregnant? Geez, that was fast....

Hi guys! Longtime lurker over at TWOP, as in years lurking, but never got a handle. Sooo happy to have a say in what's said, if that made sense. I love to snark on the Duggars. I dislike everything they represent, and the way they are repressing all of their eldest daughters