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

[awaken]

11 hours ago, rue721 said:

The upshot is that this means they'll all get Covid, and Covid is apparently causing some issues with male fertility 🙃

Many of them have already admitted to having had it, even during pregnancy or with an infant at home, and it hasn’t phased them or changed their behavior in the least. 

[Zella]

What I find baffling about Henry is didn't they mention taking him to a speech therapist once? Or him having an evaluation for it. But it seems like they didn't actually follow through on anything. 

[louannems]

11 hours ago, Growsonwalls said:

I know. Henry needs speech therapy. I can't believe Jessa is basically like "Yeah, Henry can't talk ... that's cool, he can just build forts." 

He had one session, for the show, by a godly woman wearing a crucifix the size of her head!

Edited February 4, 2021 by louannems

[emmawoodhouse]

1 hour ago, louannems said:

He had one session, for the show, by a godly woman wearing a crusifix the size of her head!

Didn't she also have HUGE cross earrings? Had to show off knowing that she was going to be filmed for the Duggars' shitfest of a show. 🙄

[beckie]

2 hours ago, louannems said:

He had one session, for the show, by a godly woman wearing a crusifix the size of her head!

I thought there were two? But a while apart,  and magically he was up to speed (supposedly) with where he should be, so they never went back. 

[emmawoodhouse]

9 minutes ago, beckie said:

I thought there were two? But a while apart,  and magically he was up to speed (supposedly) with where he should be, so they never went back. 

No, just the one on the show. Jessa claims he had some further therapy, but there has been no evidence of it.

[floridamom]

Had Jessa and Ben stepped up to the plate and signed Henry up for public school intervention when his speech issues were first realized, Henry would have had the therapy in school well before the pandemic hit and he would be speaking properly by now. My own son had this intervention and from that moment on, he was fine. They did a wonderful job. He then attended that school PreK thru 5th grade. No problems with his speech ever. Jessa is really a lazy parent and Ben has no leverage with her. It's her way or the highway. She can be a cold bitch even to Ben. One day the guy will blow up. It's apparent to me.

[GeeGolly]

I didn't watch the latest video. The last time I heard Henry speak was during his math performance.

Jessa and Ben are stay-at-home parents. Although not a first and only choice for many (or any) there are plenty of exercises for improving speech that parents can do with their kid(s). They have the world of Google and YouTube at their fingertips. Surely they could have worked with him to improve his speech. And by waiting too long for an intervention they're making it harder on little Henry. Its much easier on the little guy to intervene while he's learning speech. Now they'll have to undo speech habits that are solidly in place.

 

[doodlebug]

12 hours ago, GeeGolly said:

I didn't watch the latest video. The last time I heard Henry speak was during his math performance.

Jessa and Ben are stay-at-home parents. Although not a first and only choice for many (or any) there are plenty of exercises for improving speech that parents can do with their kid(s). They have the world of Google and YouTube at their fingertips. Surely they could have worked with him to improve his speech. And by waiting too long for an intervention they're making it harder on little Henry. Its much easier on the little guy to intervene while he's learning speech. Now they'll have to undo speech habits that are solidly in place.

 

One of my nephews had a speech delay and was referred to a speech therapist.  He was completely uncooperative in every way with the evaluation.  After the session, the therapist told my sister to give him a few months and bring him back, but there was no point in trying to force cooperation.  However, she gave her a booklet with multiple things to try at home and, after taking an extensive history of how my nephew interacted with his parents and others; gave her some hints and tips on how to encourage his speech.  She and my brother in law read the information, followed the instructions and, by the time he was re-assessed, he was up to speed and didn't need further intervention.  My sister and brother in law worked full time and he went to day care, and, yet, they managed to help him all by themselves with just some good advice.

There is absolutely no reason other than laziness for Jessa and Ben not to be able to help Henry themselves.

Edited February 4, 2021 by doodlebug

[Teriacky]

I had speech therapy through my elementary school. I had it kindergarten through second grade. No more lisp!  ( and.... I was an on-air new reporter as an adult!) 

...I also learned a bunch of tongue twisters which I entertain friends and family with. 
 

I am a big believer in early speech Intervention and early dental attention for kids like Israel. 

[Spazamanaz]

13 hours ago, GeeGolly said:

I didn't watch the latest video. The last time I heard Henry speak was during his math performance.

Jessa and Ben are stay-at-home parents. Although not a first and only choice for many (or any) there are plenty of exercises for improving speech that parents can do with their kid(s). They have the world of Google and YouTube at their fingertips. Surely they could have worked with him to improve his speech. And by waiting too long for an intervention they're making it harder on little Henry. Its much easier on the little guy to intervene while he's learning speech. Now they'll have to undo speech habits that are solidly in place.

 

I agree with you 100%. Early intervention is key here. My youngest son was finally diagnosed at age 3 with severe speech delays. His speech was under 50 words and he could not speak in sentences, so he was considered non verbal. He also had echolalia, but because he couldn't speak most words properly, he would mimic the sound or tone the word would make. If that makes any sense. He was officially diagnosed with Autism just before he turned 5. He had speech therapy, O.T., and P.T. for years. I was very involved in all of my sons therapies and appointments, etc. We worked really hard, and that is why my son can speak in full sentences.  That is what being a parent is about. I couldn't imagine just sitting back and praying it away. 

 

[Temperance]

On 2/4/2021 at 5:50 AM, floridamom said:

Had Jessa and Ben stepped up to the plate and signed Henry up for public school intervention when his speech issues were first realized, Henry would have had the therapy in school well before the pandemic hit and he would be speaking properly by now. My own son had this intervention and from that moment on, he was fine. They did a wonderful job. He then attended that school PreK thru 5th grade. No problems with his speech ever. Jessa is really a lazy parent and Ben has no leverage with her. It's her way or the highway. She can be a cold bitch even to Ben. One day the guy will blow up. It's apparent to me.

Henry just turned four. Depending on the area, there may not be a public school for pre-school. When I was growing up, public schools usually started with kindergarten. His issues have been present his whole life and most schools won't take a child who is under 3 here. If the schools in their area follow the schools in our area, he wouldn't start public kindergarten until he was 5. On the other hand, our schools did have speech therapy so he would be getting that for free later in life. 

[emmawoodhouse]

They live in Fayetteville, which is the biggest city in the metro area. I'm sure there are preschool speech services available. As I said before, Jessa claims that they followed up on the home visit that we saw on the show. We only have her word, but that has been shown to be less than truthful in the past. We see Henry now, and he can barely string a sentence together. I have my doubts about what services Henry supposedly received.

[Zella]

There are numerous preschool options in Fayetteville, and that entire school district is widely considered one of the best in the state. As with most things with the Duggars, the issue is not lack of access--it's lack of interest/laziness/brainwashing. 

Edited February 6, 2021 by Zella

[GeeGolly]

By the age of 4, most children would have seen a pediatrician a number of times. Maybe a half dozen times the first year, one or two times during the second year and once a year after that. Henry has more than a little lisp, surely a doctor would recommend a speech specialist long before school. In my area there are both public and private early intervention programs that come into the home, whether or not a child attends preschool. 

The Bates have a daughter who has impaired hearing. Apparently she was fitted with hearing aids at a young age but "stopped wearing them because they were uncomfortable". I'm guessing she grew out of them. Anyway, because she stopped wearing them, she developed a speech impediment. At around age 9 or 10 she became embarrassed of her speech. The daughter was again fitted with hearing aids to help improve her speech (and obviously her hearing). 

I hope for Henry's sake, they don't wait until he figures out he sounds different than everyone else and becomes embarrassed. I'm guessing he gets frustrated talking with those outside his family now, but always has his parents and Spurgie around, interpreting for him.

I'm guessing Jesus wants children to have all the advantages as they can have. Maybe Jessa and Ben need to pray on this and get their kid some services.

 

[FizzyPuff]

12 hours ago, emmawoodhouse said:

They live in Fayetteville, which is the biggest city in the metro area. I'm sure there are preschool speech services available. As I said before, Jessa claims that they followed up on the home visit that we saw on the show. We only have her word, but that has been shown to be less than truthful in the past. We see Henry now, and he can barely string a sentence together. I have my doubts about what services Henry supposedly received.

I definitely remember them showing on counting on Jessa,Ben, Henry and Spurgeon (I think she had Ivy then too)go back to the clinic and I’m sure the lady said his speech was improving he knew more words. I can’t find any clips though this is the first time they went to the clinic (I think): 

First home Visit:

Edit: I've found the clip now and uploaded it here: I actually thought his speech was a little better but not that much: 

 

Edited February 6, 2021 by FizzyPuff

[floridamom]

In Florida, my son qualified for private speech therapy at age 2.5. I brought him 3 days a week for 2 hours. I made the sacrifice in my 'schedule' to take him to his appointments. I doubt Jessa would do that. It was a commitment to my son that I freely and lovingly made. The public school system paid for this therapy. Upon his 3rd birthday, he was admitted to a 3-4 year old preK in our local public school. There is help through the school system under 3 yrs old. I doubt Jessa contacted her local public school system for assistance information for Henry.

On another note, in the above clip, old Jim Bob says that he's 'grateful to the professionals' who were able to help Josie along at birth. Does he understand that these professionals received EDUCATION and training for their expertise and abilities? Something he denies his own children. How can he be both grateful to these individuals yet be of the opinion that their education and training is ungodly? I'll never know.

[MunichNark]

Talking is overrated anyhow, right? That poor child.

Must say, I'm taking a rather deep dislike against Spurgeon - he's rather obnoxious, too much the favourite, but also seems to take on a little too many parental jobs at the same time, I feel. Perhaps I'm wrong on this, but.......

And I really really really dislike Jessa's voice, it's so damn cold and devoid of any emotions and warmth

[QuinnInND]

https://www.instagram.com/p/CK88VjmrkO4/?igshid=akr2n9d3c86i

[MunichNark]

"as we are usually awakened by a forthcoming crash of a block tower or the sound of his car/airplane buzzing around the house".

Was this load of pretentious tosh written up by JereMee? Good grief.

And why is Spurgeon in every photo?

[ginger90]

“as we are usually awakened by a forthcoming crash of a block tower or the sound of his car/airplane buzzing around the house.”

This bothers me more than it should, I suppose. I instantly thought of September 11th. 😔 

[MargeGunderson]

How is one awakened by a forthcoming crash? A premonition?

[Chicklet]

4 hours ago, MargeGunderson said:

How is one awakened by a forthcoming crash? A premonition?

When one has Jessa's level of mis-education...it makes sense. She likes "sounding" intelligent.

[madpsych78]

5 hours ago, MunichNark said:

"as we are usually awakened by a forthcoming crash of a block tower or the sound of his car/airplane buzzing around the house".

Was this load of pretentious tosh written up by JereMee? Good grief.

And why is Spurgeon in every photo?

To be fair, Spurge is only in the first, second, and last photos. In fact, the second to last photo has everyone but Spurge.

I wouldn't be surprised if JereME was the ghostwriter. Jeremy and Jessa seem closer these days than Jeremy and Ben.

[GeeGolly]

I'm a little confused with Henry. I thought the first time they had him evaluated his language development was good and his speech was delayed. It seems in the second eval they spent more time measuring his language than his speech. Maybe they left a lot out of the video? And does Jessa and Ben understand the difference? It seems to me they were looking for one answer only - that he's fine.

At three, and now four, its really more important that Henry can say eleven properly, than know 5 + 6 = 11. Jessa needs to put down the flash cards and pull out the feathers, bubbles, straws and books. Poor Henry.

 

[ozziemom]

Poor Henry will never learn more math than the basic addition & subtraction. It seems he might have a brain that gets math but who in the Duggar world could teach him more? So his ability to do flash card type math so easily will be a parlor game trotted out by Jessa for likes on SM. To me this is one of the worst thing about the Seewalds.

[QuinnInND]

https://www.instagram.com/p/CK_g66bp1UH/?igshid=6068tui6c4bz

[Chicklet]

If they are going for an emo personality for Henry. then success. Not sure he looks so happy for his birthday.

Edited February 7, 2021 by Chicklet

[ozziemom]

3 hours ago, Chicklet said:

If they are going for an emo personality for Henry. then success. Not sure he looks so happy for his birthday.

Where’s all the pictures from birthday week like we saw for Spurge? Poor Henry looks underwhelmed and bored in those pictures.

[Lukeysboat]

On 2/3/2021 at 10:12 PM, louannems said:

He had one session, for the show, by a godly woman wearing a crucifix the size of her head

A crucifix or a cross? Big difference, especially if you’re a fundamentalist. 

[BitterApple]

1 hour ago, ozziemom said:

Where’s all the pictures from birthday week like we saw for Spurge? Poor Henry looks underwhelmed and bored in those pictures.

I wonder if Jessa's given up on birthday week? I remember when she did it for Spurge and he looked over it by day 3.

[Zella]

These people are clearly not Leos. I and every other Leo I know can get a full birthday month out of their birthday, no problem.

Edited to add: I should clarify Leos born in August. I've not noted the same devotion to birthday months among July Leos, but I am working with a more limited sample.  

Edited February 7, 2021 by Zella

[Suzn]

6 minutes ago, Zella said:

These people are clearly not Leos. I and every other Leo I know can get a full birthday month out of their birthday, no problem.

Edited to add: I should clarify Leos born in August. I've not noted the same devotion to birthday months among July Leos, but I am working with a more limited sample.  

I'm a Leo and only have gone for a birthday week.  I need to expand that!

[Zella]

Just now, Suzn said:

I'm a Leo and only have gone for a birthday week.  I need to expand that!

Come join the dark side! 

I once saw something on FB that was along the lines of "Okay, August kids, enjoy your whole damn birth month" and I felt so seen. 

[Suzn]

Just now, Zella said:

Come join the dark side! 

I once saw something on FB that was along the lines of "Okay, August kids, enjoy your whole damn birth month" and I felt so seen. 

I love that!  Do you have any peridot jewelry?

[Ljohnson1987]

Jess and Ben were at a wedding. No masks in sight. Of course. *Insert Eye Roll*

[Zella]

1 minute ago, Ljohnson1987 said:

Jess and Ben were at a wedding. No masks in sight. Of course. *Insert Eye Roll*

I wonder if this was the same wedding that a couple of her brothers and Austin were attendants in. If so, not only were there no masks, contrary to the crap they claimed on the wedding site, but they all drove a few hours to attend.

11 minutes ago, Suzn said:

I love that!  Do you have any peridot jewelry?

Responding in Small Talk! 🙂 

[emmawoodhouse]

5 hours ago, Zella said:

I wonder if this was the same wedding that a couple of her brothers and Austin were attendants in. If so, not only were there no masks, contrary to the crap they claimed on the wedding site, but they all drove a few hours to attend.

Responding in Small Talk! 🙂 

Different wedding. This was a childhood friend of Ben's in Florida. Jessa wore a dress with a beaded bodice (didn't see the bottom). Her hair was up. I wonder if she was a bridesmaid?

Edited February 8, 2021 by emmawoodhouse

[Zella]

20 minutes ago, emmawoodhouse said:

Different wedding. This was a childhood friend of Ben's in Florida. Jessa wore a dress with a beaded bodice (didn't see the bottom). Her hair was up. I wonder if she was a bridesmaid?

Oh lawsy they went all the way to Florida?!

[BitterApple]

22 minutes ago, emmawoodhouse said:

Different wedding. This was a childhood friend of Ben's in Florida. Jessa wore a dress with a beaded bodice (didn't see the bottom). Her hair was up. I wonder if she was a bridesmaid?

The dress definitely looked like a bridesmaid get-up, which is weird, because Jessa doesn't seem particularly chummy with any of Ben's friends. The bitchy part of me wondered if she was selected because they needed to round out the numbers. 

[emmawoodhouse]

4 minutes ago, Zella said:

Oh lawsy they went all the way to Florida?!

Ben's whole family went. Guinn posted from the venue and had a pic of the happy couple.

[Twopper]

6 hours ago, Zella said:

These people are clearly not Leos. I and every other Leo I know can get a full birthday month out of their birthday, no problem.

Edited to add: I should clarify Leos born in August. I've not noted the same devotion to birthday months among July Leos, but I am working with a more limited sample.  

I have 3 cousins and 5 friends who were born on July 28th making them all Leos and they all fit your description.  They exhaust me.

 

6 hours ago, Ljohnson1987 said:

Jess and Ben were at a wedding. No masks in sight. Of course. *Insert Eye Roll*

I have "attended " several weddings during COVID.  Watched them all online.  Our priest allows the couple, family, and one attendant, I think, in the church.  I think he did several outdoors, too, with limited seating and mandatory temp checks and masks.  

I am just as glad not to go since I have gained weight during COVID and my go-to-wedding clothes may not fit anymore.

[Zella]

13 minutes ago, Twopper said:

I have 3 cousins and 5 friends who were born on July 28th making them all Leos and they all fit your description.  They exhaust me.

This makes me feel better about the July Leos, upholding our noble tradition. 😄

To be on topic, are any of the Duggars Leos? I can't think of any off the top of my head. 

[emmawoodhouse]

Isn't Josiah born in August? Not sure if he's a Leo or Virgo, though.

[Zella]

Just now, emmawoodhouse said:

Isn't Josiah born in August? Not sure if he's a Leo or Virgo, though.

He's a Virgo. 

[emmawoodhouse]

Jennifer! The least Leo-like personality in the entire family. August 2.

eta Kendra is also a Leo (8/11).

Edited February 8, 2021 by emmawoodhouse

[Zella]

Just now, emmawoodhouse said:

Jennifer! The least Leo-like personality in the entire family. August 2.

Oh hell! She's the day before me! 

Kendra is also apparently a Leo--August 11.

[emmawoodhouse]

My post was amended to acknowledge Kendra. 😃

[andromeda331]

I wonder if Jessa was in Florida the same time as Jill R?

[emmawoodhouse]

13 hours ago, andromeda331 said:

I wonder if Jessa was in Florida the same time as Jill R?

Appears so. But Florida is a big state.