Jessa, Ben and Their Brood: Making a (Diaper) Mountain out of a Mold House

[Lady Whistleup]

I think Spurge is an intelligent child who is probably bored out of his mind with the forts and diaper piles. He has figured out that saying outrageous things will get him attention.

He should be in school by now -- he's the same age as Izzy. Instead, he's sitting at home with deeply dull, incurious parents. If he's acting out it's because he needs to do actual kid things.

[Zella]

6 minutes ago, Lady Whistleup said:

I think Spurge is an intelligent child who is probably bored out of his mind with the forts and diaper piles. He has figured out that saying outrageous things will get him attention.

Yeah I'm sure they're all bored, and I've long thought the atmosphere in the Seewald house is probably pretty miserable. 

He strikes me as a kid who is bright enough to pick up on what his mom wants and is extroverted/people-pleaser enough to want to perform for her in a way the other kids don't seem as interested in, which I think might explain why he seems like Jessa's favorite. If he had a normal family, he could probably channel that energy into being the class clown or a theater kid, and he'd probably be a lot more genuinely entertaining because he'd have to learn how to amuse people who aren't his mom. 

Edited December 24, 2021 by Zella

[farmgal4]

On 12/22/2021 at 4:51 PM, VioletWitch said:

Seewald Family Christmas

 

I finally got around to watching the video after reading all of your comments about it.  In Jessa and Ben’s defense, they all ate bunch of junk food at the Xmas light show, and it was already past their bedtime, so I can kind of give them a pass on the “steak only” meal.  If I had been the parent, I would’ve fed them a well-balanced steak dinner BEFORE going to the light show, but we’re talking about Jessa here so… 😏  Like Ivy, I was also the kid who liked to eat the tender fat on a steak.  Fern is a cutie pie!  Ben seemed to be in a much better mood than normal.  Maybe Jessa promised him sex later that night.  It’s too bad they didn’t put warm gloves on the kids.  I was surprised that each child only got one gift.  Henry didn’t even get a toy! 😢 Regarding parenthood, I think that Jessa and Ben wing it just enough to get by.

[GeeGolly]

The Christmas video:

• I think the entire video was bullshit. A made up 'tradition' filmed for clicks.
• They forgot to give Jessa a gift.
• Those poor kids, I'm sure if Jessa hadn't been filming them at the light show, they would have been in the car driving home long before Henry's hands got cold.
• I noticed three places in the video where Jessa didn't quite edit out Ben showing his irritation. 

As far as the steak - I thought it was an interesting choice considering we have half a page discussing a steak only meal in Jed's(?) thread. Hi, Jessa!

[Minivanessa]

Yes, many of the alleged #sayingsofSpurgeon strike me as creepy. Jessa's presenting her oldest son on social media as a not very likable kid, with creepy overtones. But I'm not comfortable calling him names. The poor kid is  intelligent and probably bored out of his skull. It's damn tragic he's not in school.

I agree with @crazycatlady58  about hunting. Most of the men I'm related to, and many of the women, own guns and hunt. I have never witnessed or had reason to suspect violent behavior by members of family.  I strongly disagree with the idea that people who hunt = people who are violent and who fill a small child's mind with violent imagery.

OTOH, I think most of the Duggars are jerks, and regardless of whether they hunt or not, are p*ss poor role models for small kids. So there's that. 

[Zella]

3 minutes ago, Jeeves said:

Yes, many of the alleged #sayingsofSpurgeon strike me as creepy.

Yeah I feel like they say a lot more about Jessa than they do Spurgeon, to be honest. Especially since I don't believe he actually says most, if not all, of them. Even if he does say them, she clearly can't read a room well enough to realize they sound off and/or lacks the storytelling abilities to make it funny and not unsettling. 

Edited December 24, 2021 by Zella

[emmawoodhouse]

It speaks to Jessa's lack of worldview. What she thinks is of as funny and appropriate just...isn't.

[GeeGolly]

I believe the sayings are true, just highly (and poorly) edited by Jessa. I bet the kids probably do say some cute things, as most do, but Jessa's idea of what is quotable is off.

[Tuxcat]

57 minutes ago, Zella said:

Yeah I feel like they say a lot more about Jessa than they do Spurgeon, to be honest. Especially since I don't believe he actually says most, if not all, of them. Even if he does say them, she clearly can't read a room well enough to realize they sound off and/or lacks the storytelling abilities to make it funny and not unsettling. 

 

37 minutes ago, GeeGolly said:

I believe the sayings are true, just highly (and poorly) edited by Jessa. I bet the kids probably do say some cute things, as most do, but Jessa's idea of what is quotable is off.

Agreed. I think she's choosing to quote and possibly embellish -- Overall it's Jessa doing a disservice to Spurgeon here. I'm sure he says lots of things that aren't creepy - but we aren't hearing those things. The "poor girl suffocating in plastic" didn't have to be highlighted and captioned for clarity!

[Dnsj]

Jesse is so bland and always seems to be trying too hard to make the scenes work. Her voice is monotone and just off for some reason. Poor kids shouldn't have to be the money makers in the house but that is all she knows thanks to her crazy parents. Ben doesn't engage when the camera is on him. What was that about eating the fatted calf while Ivy chewed that piece standing up the whole time. Its weird. 

[Suzn]

18 hours ago, crazy8s said:

I am increasingly uncomfortable with the painting of Spurge as a demon child/damien etc. many here think Jessa's posts of "#thesayingsof.." are fake or embellished.

Also just because he is related to Josh has no relevance to the behavior/demeanor of a 6 yr old. it seems unfair to snark about evil intent or predictions for future crime. he is just a small child.

What I wrote about Spurgeon was not snark, but genuine concern that something about him needed attention.  If he indeed did say those things, which is questionable, he may need some sort of help.  I don't know what kind of help is available, but I think he needs to be responded to in a way that redirects him, rather than just posting it on social media.

If he is given a heavy dose of fire and brimstone bible stories, it could contribute to many negative things.  These people are oblivious.

[madpsych78]

Many years ago, people speculated that John David had Asperger's. I don't think JD has it, but if anyone in the Duggar family is on the spectrum, I suspect it's Jessa. Monotone voice, not "reading a room" even by fundie standards in terms of what she posts, very limited emotion in either direction. Probably ascribes to religion even more than the others because it is rules and structure for how to behave.

[Nysha]

On 12/23/2021 at 9:52 AM, Suzn said:

If Spurgeon is in fact actually saying these things, I would be concerned.  There is something creepy, menacing and off about his preoccupation with violence.

I don't believe Spurgeon is saying these things anymore than I believe Ivy even knows the word 'paparazzi'. Jessa makes this shit up b/c she thinks it makes her kids sound like they're smarter and more mature than they are. 

I also haven't ever seen any video that shows Spurgeon doing anything creepy, scary, or Damian-like. In the videos he acts like a typical oldest brother, more verbal, better fine motor skills, and a bit bossy; all age appropriate behavior. 

[Nysha]

22 hours ago, Boston said:

No side dishes and nothing to dunk the steak in for the kids.  Good job.  (I say this as an adult who likes to dip my steak in ketchup or steak sauce),  Geez, she couldn't make mashed potatoes and broccoli/snap peas/corn.. ugh.

Yeah, even JillRod opened a couple of cans of corn for Christmas dinner last year to go along with her burnt ham & cheesy potato mess.

[Churchhoney]

21 hours ago, Zella said:

Truthfully, I feel bad for Spurgeon. His mother is setting him up to be an obnoxious little asshole and very well may be inventing most of what is attributed to him, and since he's so isolated from other influences, he'll never have any counteracting influence and will just think what Jessa encourages is normal. 

And he'll learn that life is boring as all heck. .... Which won't exactly inspire him to do anything except say or do stuff that raises some eyebrows and gets Jessa to post it for invisible strangers. 

He's not being allowed to see or hear about -- let alone personally explore -- any of the world's possibilities except endless rounds of readings from the Old Testament and the opportunity to be the first to find Ivy crawling into the refrigerator. No friends, few books, endless meetings with a bunch of dead-eyed relatives. 

Poor guy. 

[emmawoodhouse]

I guess Spurge picked this one up from all the fire and brimstone. Oh Jessa...

 

 

[Churchhoney]

11 minutes ago, emmawoodhouse said:

I guess Spurge picked this one up from all the fire and brimstone. Oh Jessa...

 

 

Now I think that one's definitely a Jessa invention. .... And if it is, she's heard too damned much Old Testament reading, too, with no salutary doses of anything else, it seems like. 

And if it is Spurge....his parents are telling him way too many unfunny Old-Testament jokes. Yeesh. 

Surely Bin and Jessa must be bored out of their minds, too, right? 

Edited December 24, 2021 by Churchhoney

[Suzn]

3 hours ago, Nysha said:

I don't believe Spurgeon is saying these things anymore than I believe Ivy even knows the word 'paparazzi'. Jessa makes this shit up b/c she thinks it makes her kids sound like they're smarter and more mature than they are. 

I also haven't ever seen any video that shows Spurgeon doing anything creepy, scary, or Damian-like. In the videos he acts like a typical oldest brother, more verbal, better fine motor skills, and a bit bossy; all age appropriate behavior. 

I hope you're right.  If Jessa is making this shit up and posting it as clever things Spurgeon says, she's the one who needs help.

Edited December 25, 2021 by Suzn

[VioletWitch]

I predict a “big happy family” moment coming up soon since she’s losing the popularity contest amongst the married sisters. She didn’t seem to happy about the reaction to her last video 

[Lady Whistleup]

I know that this might not even happen because Ben doesn't seem to like Jessa anymore but I really believe that Jessa wants to be preggo again. It's kind of the only thing she seems to know how to do -- pop out kids.

[VioletWitch]

Seewalds at church 

https://www.instagram.com/p/CX46yyfrIba/?utm_medium=copy_link

[emmawoodhouse]

1 hour ago, VioletWitch said:

I predict a “big happy family” moment coming up soon since she’s losing the popularity contest amongst the married sisters. She didn’t seem to happy about the reaction to her last video 

Yeah, she had to shut off the comments. 

[GeeGolly]

If ever there was a time to have a fire extinguisher handy...

[emmawoodhouse]

5 minutes ago, GeeGolly said:

If ever there was a time to have a fire extinguisher handy...

I hope they didn't let Spurge have one. A candle, that is. That kid is obsessed with fire and explosions.

Edited December 25, 2021 by emmawoodhouse
Rogue comma!

[Cinnabon]

3 hours ago, VioletWitch said:

I predict a “big happy family” moment coming up soon since she’s losing the popularity contest amongst the married sisters. She didn’t seem to happy about the reaction to her last video 

She lost that contest years ago.

[crazycatlady58]

9 hours ago, emmawoodhouse said:

I hope they didn't let Spurge have one. A candle, that is. That kid is obsessed with fire and explosions.

According to his mom. What was actually said may be different. 

[Rootbeer]

12 hours ago, Lady Whistleup said:

I know that this might not even happen because Ben doesn't seem to like Jessa anymore but I really believe that Jessa wants to be preggo again. It's kind of the only thing she seems to know how to do -- pop out kids.

I don't think Ben has liked Jessa much for a couple years now and it hasn't slowed the baby train.  I don't think feeling loving towards one another is part of the equation when it comes to doing the deed and having more kids.

It looks like both Ivy and Henry are holding lit candles.  Why would anyone think that was a good idea?

Edited December 25, 2021 by Rootbeer

[dargosmydaddy]

https://www.instagram.com/p/CX6OkSJhwGa/

I'm impressed that Henry knows all the words to "All I Want for Christmas Is You"! How very secular...

[ginger90]

10 pictures:

 

https://www.instagram.com/p/CX64dOmJLjo/

[SnapHappy]

Jessa looks physically ill.  I'm not even being snarky, she just looks like she needs a hospital, stat. That weird grin thing looks like she's in actual pain. 

 

 

Edited December 26, 2021 by SnapHappy

[Heathen]

The Seewalds look like normal, modern people. Jessa looks homely. I wish a sister-in-law or her mother-in-law would pull her aside and explain that she can be conservative and modest without looking like she got dressed in 1890. I actually feel bad for her. 

[VioletWitch]

I remember Jessa being quite stylish and put together before and a little after she married Ben... I think she’s actually pretty low maintenance appearance wise but I think Jana and Jinger could give her some help 

[YupItsMe]

That’s the same dress she wore for their family pictures. It does her no favors. She needs more color. 

[emmawoodhouse]

33 minutes ago, YupItsMe said:

That’s the same dress she wore for their family pictures. It does her no favors. She needs more color. 

I agree. With her coloring, she'd look spectacular in jewel tones.

[BitterApple]

6 hours ago, emmawoodhouse said:

I agree. With her coloring, she'd look spectacular in jewel tones.

I agree. I remember Jessa wore that raspberry colored bridesmaid dress for Jinger's wedding and she looked stunning. 

Looking at the pictures, it's a shame Bin and Jessa don't live closer to his family. The Seewalds seem like they adore the kids and would probably help Jessa out a lot. I think she'd be happier and not so overwhelmed.

[cmr2014]

26 minutes ago, Heathen said:

The Seewalds look like normal, modern people. Jessa looks homely. I wish a sister-in-law or her mother-in-law would pull her aside and explain that she can be conservative and modest without looking like she got dressed in 1890. I actually feel bad for her. 

I hope that none of them did. I think any advice given to Jessa goes over like a lead balloon.

She comes from a perfect family and knows everything there is to know about everything, and anyone who disagrees is a "hater" who doesn't know anything about her.

I agree that that dress is exceptionally unflattering, even by Duggar "modesty" standards.

[awaken]

I still cannot tell Bin’s sisters apart!  And is that his little brother, so tall now?

[scriggle]

In the photo of Fern and the boys, it looks like she has a small bruise on the bridge of her nose.

[irisheyes]

49 minutes ago, scriggle said:

In the photo of Fern and the boys, it looks like she has a small bruise on the bridge of her nose.

She’s a toddler. When my kids were toddlers, there wasn’t a day that went by where they didn’t have a bruise somewhere. 😀

[Cinnabon]

27 minutes ago, irisheyes said:

She’s a toddler. When my kids were toddlers, there wasn’t a day that went by where they didn’t have a bruise somewhere. 😀

Fern or Ivy?

[irisheyes]

6 minutes ago, Cinnabon said:

Fern or Ivy?

Ooops, pulled a Michelle and mixed up the kids names. 🤣🤣

[Lady Whistleup]

Those are some nice family pictures of the Seewalds. I love Jessica's black bob.

[GeeGolly]

It seems like a long time since Jessica Seewald has been in any family pictures. Did she move or something?

[Zella]

2 minutes ago, GeeGolly said:

It seems like a long time since Jessica Seewald has been in any family pictures. Did she move or something?

I can never keep his sisters straight, but is she the one who got divorced? If so, I can't imagine her parents being super happy about that, given their beliefs. 

Edited December 26, 2021 by Zella

[GeeGolly]

3 minutes ago, Zella said:

I can never keep his sisters straight, but is she the one who got divorced? If so, I can't imagine her parents being super happy about that, given their beliefs. 

She is. Now she is either engaged or remarried.

[emmawoodhouse]

5 minutes ago, GeeGolly said:

It seems like a long time since Jessica Seewald has been in any family pictures. Did she move or something?

There is a picture of her in the Seewald family montage upthread. I think she was with her husband for  Christmas. It appears that he's military and deployed.

[GeeGolly]

Just now, emmawoodhouse said:

There is a picture of her in the Seewald family montage upthread. I think she was with her husband for  Christmas. It appears that he's military and deployed.

Oh, is she holding Fern? I missed that one. I didn't see her in the family pic, and they threw in the random one, so I thought she wasn't there.

[emmawoodhouse]

No, she wasn't in the family pic. That's why I posited that she's with her husband. 

eta I stand sort of corrected. He's deployed, but she's home, wherever that is 

https://www.instagram.com/p/CX5Bhh4ovdr/?utm_medium=copy_link

Edited December 26, 2021 by emmawoodhouse

[Lady Whistleup]

1 hour ago, Zella said:

I can never keep his sisters straight, but is she the one who got divorced? If so, I can't imagine her parents being super happy about that, given their beliefs. 

She's divorced and working as a cop. She seems like a tough lady who doesn't take any shit from anyone.

[Zella]

2 hours ago, Lady Whistleup said:

She's divorced and working as a cop. She seems like a tough lady who doesn't take any shit from anyone.

And that's great, but as I said, I don't see her asshole parents being super happy about that.