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

[DragonFaerie]

27 minutes ago, Sew Sumi said:

As I recall, this is exactly what they do. They had a segment where Jana explained it all from the comfort of the team's cabin. I also remember that Jana was a co-team leader and had to share a bed with the other leader. 

Was the other leader Laura?

[Ijustwantsomechips]

So I took one for the team and read about JTTH.  Ten minutes and two web pages in, and I still can’t tell you what the hell it is. It sounds exactly like that new age crap where they teach you to “live your best life” at a seminar in a hotel conference room.  The kind where the motivational speaker is standing in front of rays of light on the poster.  

There appears to be team building (deprograaming), focused sessions (indoctrination), and developing a relationship with God.  They did prominently post the prices though.  

https://lifesrealjourney.com/about-the-journey/

Edited August 7, 2018 by Ijustwantsomechips

[DangerousMinds]

And ATI members pay a discounted fee!

[Ijustwantsomechips]

16 minutes ago, DangerousMinds said:

And ATI members pay a discounted fee!

How generous of them.

[Sew Sumi]

48 minutes ago, DragonFaerie said:

Was the other leader Laura?

It was years ago. The girl hadn't been on the show before, but it could well have been Laura or Tabby Paine. They briefly introduced her, but that was all we saw of her. 

[queenanne]

4 hours ago, Ijustwantsomechips said:

So I took one for the team and read about JTTH.  Ten minutes and two web pages in, and I still can’t tell you what the hell it is. It sounds exactly like that new age crap where they teach you to “live your best life” at a seminar in a hotel conference room.  The kind where the motivational speaker is standing in front of rays of light on the poster.  

There appears to be team building (deprograaming), focused sessions (indoctrination), and developing a relationship with God.  They did prominently post the prices though.  

https://lifesrealjourney.com/about-the-journey/

Yeah, I had that problem too when I visited their website, which coincidentally is supposed to be the signs of a cult ("so vague nobody can tell what you believe in", etc.; which generally translates to "we're too afraid to tell you because we know it sounds like a weird turnoff; so we keep it vague on purpose".)

[kokapetl]

JTTH sounds like it runs on peer pressure. 

[QuinnInND]

[BitterApple]

Spurge is so cute.

[kalamac]

I like that we see him telling stories about Peter Rabbit rather than trying to recite bible passages that he wouldn't even understand.

[queenanne]

"I pick him up!"  "I'm Big Spurgeon!"

lol and awwwwwww....

[Love2dance]

I could eat that child up. Num, num, num. 

[sixlets]

The Duggar's JTTH sounds like a bad push for a timeshare or a MLM company.  They want $375 if you decide (or are forced) to go again.  These idiots won't spend money on healthcare for expecting moms, but they will shill out hundreds to let someone "find themselves".  I can do that at Starbucks with an iPad and get about the same out of it.

While exploring, I did find another Journey.  This one actually sounds interesting.  Good ole Ernesto sounds like fun.  Derick could learn something from him.  He uses musical therapy and something called Trance Dance!  Oh, and by golly, he's actually licensed.  Two thumbs up for Ernesto!!

[Christina87]

I love how they will take singles 13-30 and married men/women 25+. I guess singles 25-30 aren't men and women!!! Also, why can't an older single go? You'd think a 60-year-old single person would need to learn contentment more than a 13-year-old. But then again, who understands cults?

[Normades]

22 minutes ago, sixlets said:

While exploring, I did find another Journey.  This one actually sounds interesting.  Good ole Ernesto sounds like fun.  Derick could learn something from him.  He uses musical therapy and something called Trance Dance!  Oh, and by golly, he's actually licensed.  Two thumbs up for Ernesto!!

If only Boob could get mixed up and send one of the kids to Ernesto!!!!  Now, that would make great tv!  Seriously, I want to go with Ernesto.  That sounds awesome!!

[Ijustwantsomechips]

1 hour ago, Christina87 said:

I love how they will take singles 13-30 and married men/women 25+. I guess singles 25-30 aren't men and women!!! Also, why can't an older single go? You'd think a 60-year-old single person would need to learn contentment more than a 13-year-old. But then again, who understands cults?

I’d presume the reason for sending the 13-30 years olds is so there won’t be any 60 year old single men.  Gotta keep some in the pipeline dontcha know.  I’m sure a 60+ single woman could just wither on the vine beacause menopause. 

[queenanne]

3 hours ago, Normades said:

If only Boob could get mixed up and send one of the kids to Ernesto!!!!  Now, that would make great tv!  Seriously, I want to go with Ernesto.  That sounds awesome!!

It does sound like the basis for some dumb but funny teen comedy movie, doesn't it?  

Edited August 9, 2018 by queenanne

[Vacantsmile3]

So in the video Jessa posted with spurge reciting Peter rabbit it's mentioned that she is using the Charlotte Mason method of home school...any idea what this is?!

[Lunera]

14 minutes ago, Vacantsmile3 said:

So in the video Jessa posted with spurge reciting Peter rabbit it's mentioned that she is using the Charlotte Mason method of home school...any idea what this is?!

https://simplycharlottemason.com/what-is-the-charlotte-mason-method/

The Charlotte Mason method is based on Charlotte’s firm belief that the child is a person and we must educate that whole person, not just his mind. So a Charlotte Mason education is three-pronged: in her words, “Education is an Atmosphere, a Discipline, a Life.”

[Sew Sumi]

It was all well and good until "God's creation" and the bible as a learning tool were mentioned. 

[awaken]

 When we homeschooled, i used bits and pieces of the Charlotte Mason method and we enjoyed it :-) 

Better than wisdumb booklets at least!

[Abstract]

Charlotte Mason method is really great when done right. I mean, yes, it’s religious, so if you’re against Christian-based education period, you won’t like it. But the fact that Jessa even has a clue about CM means she is stepping out of the Gothard box. Ambleside Online is a free program that is based on CM methods, and if followed correctly it would meet honors standards for history and literature. No Boxcar Children at age 13 for sure!

[awaken]

 Exactly… I’m happy that at least she is exploring options and not just doing as she was taught. 

[Nysha]

15 hours ago, Christina87 said:

 

 

It's interesting that both Jill and Jessa are using completely different homeschooling materials and methods than what they used as homeschoolers. I wonder if both Derick and Ben encouraged them to look elsewhere because they can see how deficient their wives' education is.

[doodlebug]

5 minutes ago, Nysha said:

It's interesting that both Jill and Jessa are using completely different homeschooling materials and methods than what they used as homeschoolers. I wonder if both Derick and Ben encouraged them to look elsewhere because they can see how deficient their wives' education is.

And, wouldn’t it be even more wonderful if both Jill and Jessa realized on their own that their homeschooling was not very good and sought out other options for their kids? It gives me a little bit of hope that, like most parents, they want better for their own children than they had.

Edited August 9, 2018 by doodlebug

[cdp73]

I think Jessa might realize it, but Jill wouldn't.  She couldn't figure out how to buy a clue if it was on clearance at Aldi.

[yogi2014L]

14 minutes ago, cdp73 said:

I think Jessa might realize it, but Jill wouldn't.  She couldn't figure out how to buy a clue if it was on clearance at Aldi.

I agree. Jessa is obviously much smarter than Jill. You can tell just from their talking heads and social media posts. Also, Jessa knows what side her bread is buttered. I doubt very much that her and Ben love their situation but I think they are well aware that until Ben is done with school more money is better than no money. I secretly hope that once Ben graduates they move away from the compound and release a tell all LOL. 

Edited August 9, 2018 by yogi2014L

[DragonFaerie]

5 hours ago, Nysha said:

It's interesting that both Jill and Jessa are using completely different homeschooling materials and methods than what they used as homeschoolers. I wonder if both Derick and Ben encouraged them to look elsewhere because they can see how deficient their wives' education is.

I can so see this.  I wonder what the Seewalds used for homeschooling?  I also wonder if part of Derick's downward spiral is because he has to be muttering under his breath like 10 times a day, "how much of a moron are you? geesh!"  But then I think, nope, he's just an asshat.

5 hours ago, doodlebug said:

And, wouldn’t it be even more wonderful if both Jill and Jessa realized on their own that their homeschooling was not very good and sought out other options for their kids? It gives me a little bit of hope that, like most parents, they want better for their own children than they had.

I would hope that with them joining social media and experiencing more things that they might begin to see that their education was a bit lacking.  My concern is as the kids progress, at what point will Jill and Jessa be out of their depths and knowledge in trying to teach the kids?  In fact I just had a friend talk to me about this last night.  She left an abusive home at 14 and only got as far as 9th grade.  Her son was super smart and graduated public high school 2 years early.  She said she felt like such a failure as a mom when he hit about 7th or 8th grade and she couldn't make heads or tails out of his homework because he was already in advanced classes that she had never had.

[Sew Sumi]

5 hours ago, doodlebug said:

And, wouldn’t it be even more wonderful if both Jill and Jessa realized on their own that their homeschooling was not very good and sought out other options for their kids? It gives me a little bit of hope that, like most parents, they want better for their own children than they had.

I suspect that Ben was educated with Charlotte Mason. His base seemed to be much more well-rounded than any Duggar. I'm sure Jessa will co-op as well when the time comes. 

[SMama]

Jessa will co-op because she loves foisting her responsibilities on others.  I know she comes across as caring and very involved in SM. I’d come across the same with two toddlers, if I had my sisters doing the heavy lifting for me. Jessa learned from the best.

[cmr2014]

5 hours ago, DragonFaerie said:

My concern is as the kids progress, at what point will Jill and Jessa be out of their depths and knowledge in trying to teach the kids? 

Jill and Jessa are out of their depth now -- before they've even started.

Just because someone has passed the second grade, we don't give that person a license to teach the second grade. We might allow our third grader to help a second grade sibling, but we wouldn't expect that person to be his primary teacher. Having a vague hold on a few facts doesn't qualify someone as a teacher.

Teaching is a vocation, not a past time. The Duggars are no more qualified to teach than they are to do any of the other things that they've dabbled in and think they've mastered.

[all fall down]

On 8/8/2018 at 8:55 PM, Vacantsmile3 said:

So in the video Jessa posted with spurge reciting Peter rabbit it's mentioned that she is using the Charlotte Mason method of home school...any idea what this is?!

 

I totally read that as Charles Manson. That would be quite a different education method! 

[MichaelaRae]

I have very little use for "Blessa" on many levels, but she does seem to genuinely enjoy and relate to her kids and isn't the emotionally distant "Mother of the Year"/Gothard automaton her own mother is and that Dr. Jill Medicine Thingies is emulating. And considering her how Jessa was raised,, that is really rather remarkable. Spurgeon and Henry seem confident and happy (especially compared to (IMO) tentative, waiting-for-correction Izzy).

[questionfear]

10 hours ago, MichaelaRae said:

I have very little use for "Blessa" on many levels, but she does seem to genuinely enjoy and relate to her kids and isn't the emotionally distant "Mother of the Year"/Gothard automaton her own mother is and that Dr. Jill Medicine Thingies is emulating. And considering her how Jessa was raised,, that is really rather remarkable. Spurgeon and Henry seem confident and happy (especially compared to (IMO) tentative, waiting-for-correction Izzy).

Ben seems to have been raised in a loving home so that helps. Also, it's entirely possible that she might consciously talk up how great her parents are, but subconsciously she's trying to give her kiddos a better life,

[DragonFaerie]

Ben's sister Jessica is amazing.  I could not have done this, I don't think.

[SMama]

That girl has titanium ovaries!

[BitterApple]

Damn, Jessica is a straight up badass. 

Let's see one of the Duggar boys take a shock from a taser and remain standing...

[SMama]

I’d love to tase Volderjosh for several hours.

[Barb23]

2 hours ago, DragonFaerie said:

Ben's sister Jessica is amazing.  I could not have done this, I don't think.

I saw a show, think it was about the training for prison guards. Every candidate or new officer had to be tasered to see what it felt like. Go Jessica.

[latetotheparty]

1 hour ago, SMama said:

I’d love to tase Volderjosh for several hours.

Can I help?  Please?

[RedheadZombie]

On ‎8‎/‎6‎/‎2018 at 4:55 PM, Ijustwantsomechips said:

So all the older girls went to JTTH and yet no one can cook a decent meal or keep a tidy home? What the hell are they teaching them besides that goosey-eyed look they have for their headships?

Isn't that Jana's job?

[RedheadZombie]

4 hours ago, DragonFaerie said:

Ben's sister Jessica is amazing.  I could not have done this, I don't think.

Not taking anything from Jessica, but there's no way she got the full wattage.  The two men were barely holding her upright, and she didn't react typically.  Usually people look like they're having a grand mal seizure.

I don't like to see anyone being hurt unnecessarily, but I definitely believe these people should experience the effect, and at the proper wattage, before they're given the right to tase at will.

[Marigold]

I am a Charlotte Mason homeschooler.

Charlotte Mason was a British teacher in the 1840s to the 1920s.  She advocated a firm foundation in literature. A TON of reading classics.  Living books and no textbooks.  Art and music.  Nature study.  Charlotte Mason approach is very heavy on reading, narration and grammar.  

She was a Christian but it is a not a "Christian program" at all.  Charlotte Mason had her student memorize Bible verses but that was not unusual for the time period.  In her time period, she was quite a rebel and an educational reformer.  I understand there are still private schools in England that follow her methods.  

The approach is used by many homeschoolers who do not want  "school at home " and would like more of a literature/living book education.  There are secularists, Christians and I've bumped into a few Jewish and Muslim homeschoolers who like a Charlotte Mason style. They might select a few different books but the style is the same. 

It's pretty vigorous . Nothing to be ashamed of.  

Good for Jessa for picking out something of quality for her children.  I'm 100% sure Guinn had something to do with this choice.  That mess of homeschool crap that Michelle does is a joke that other homeschoolers roll their eyes at.  

On 8/9/2018 at 5:50 PM, SMama said:

Jessa will co-op because she loves foisting her responsibilities on others.  I know she comes across as caring and very involved in SM. I’d come across the same with two toddlers, if I had my sisters doing the heavy lifting for me. Jessa learned from the best.

A homeschool coop is a lot of work for the parent.  It is not typically a drop off.   yes, your child takes classes but you also have to volunteer to teach, assist or perform some service to the coop. 

I belong to a homeschool coop and I teach three classes a week.  It is a lot of work. It would be much easier to stay home. Trust me. my kids have fun and it is a nice day but it's still a lot of work for me.  If Jessa develops as lazy, she will skip the coop.  If she actually grows up and matures, she will might join one.  I do remember seeing Ben's mom post about coop trips etc.  

[Libby96]

Good for Jessa for choosing a quality program for her children, but why are Jill and Jessa "homeschooling" when their kids are barely three (is Spurgie even 3 yet)?  Why can't you just read to your kid, converse with them, have some quality toys around, let them color and draw, maybe practice letters and wordplay if they are interested?  Kids that age learn by playing and doing.  A lot of formal instruction is not needed.  In fact, it can be counterproductive.

[Marigold]

On 8/10/2018 at 8:23 PM, Libby96 said:

Good for Jessa for choosing a quality program for her children, but why are Jill and Jessa "homeschooling" when their kids are barely three (is Spurgie even 3 yet)?  Why can't you just read to your kid, converse with them, have some quality toys around, let them color and draw, maybe practice letters and wordplay if they are interested?  Kids that age learn by playing and doing.  A lot of formal instruction is not needed.  In fact, it can be counterproductive.

I think that is what they are doing.  The Peter Rabbit narration or whatever Spurgie is doing (didn't see the clip yet) is exactly the method.  Lots of reading, playing, nature. 

Ya know, when your kids are little, it's so exciting to start homeschool or school pre-k .   Once you get older, you realize it was kinda silly. :)  They are so little but when your oldest is 3, you're so jacked up to start doing "big kid" things!    Looking back?  How funny was I making educational plans for my 2 year old!!!  

Anything that Jessa is doing, whether she is over enthusiastic at his young age or not, is better than the nonsense Michelle did and continues to do.

Edited August 12, 2018 by Marigold
your and you're are different!

[Ijustwantsomechips]

4 hours ago, SMama said:

I’d love to tase Volderjosh for several hours.

Give me Josiah. He’s such a condescending little prick. 

[EVS]

4 hours ago, SMama said:

I’d love to tase Volderjosh for several hours.

Hopefully in the balls. 

[Marigold]

4 minutes ago, EVS said:

Hopefully in the balls. 

He'd probably like it.

[HooHooHoo]

5 hours ago, SMama said:

I’d love to tase Volderjosh for several hours.

Oh god, I read this as “taste”. ?

[DragonFaerie]

Brain bleach!!!!