Jessa Duggar Addresses Criticism Surrounding Her Family and Parenting Choices
Jessa Duggar is not interested in any criticism regarding her pregnancy experience or her sizable family.
“Regarding negative opinions, I know it’s not the same for everyone, but personally, I’ve never had anyone confront me in person,” Duggar, 32, said during a YouTube video on Thursday, May 8. “I’ve certainly encountered many rude comments online, but they’ve never come to me face-to-face.”
As one of Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar’s 19 children, Jessa often faces comments suggesting that she and her husband Ben Seewald are “breeding like rabbits” or questioning if they’re “trying to emulate [her] mother’s life.”
“I won’t have 19 kids, but my mom is my hero. I love and admire her, and she serves as my role model in countless ways,” Jessa, who is currently expecting her sixth child, shared. “Her patience, love, gentleness, and kind words represent the ideal of motherhood for me. So when people ask if I want to be like her, I respond, ‘Yes, please, Lord, guide me.’”
The Counting On alum emphasized that no “nasty” comments have been made directly to her face.
“I understand that some individuals have to deal with a lot of criticism or feedback from those close to them, unsolicited opinions,” she stated. “That must be much tougher, but thankfully, that hasn’t been my situation.”
Jessa offered some insightful advice for handling negative remarks.
“Recently, I heard some advice that resonated with me – it suggested that we can often influence how people receive our news,” Jessa explained. “When we announce, ‘Oh, we’re expecting,’ or express gratitude like, ‘We’re so thankful for this baby,’ it sets a more positive tone compared to, ‘We’re definitely done after this one.’”
She continued, “While I don’t believe there’s anything wrong with how we express certain things, sometimes we may adjust our phrasing based on how we think others might respond to the news. If we fear judgment for having another child, we might choose to share it in a way that conveys hesitation or apologetic sentiments regarding our life choices.”
Jessa also made it clear that neither she nor Seewald, 29, can “completely control” external opinions.
“We don’t live for others’ approval,” Jessa noted. “It’s not about seeking validation from others, but I do believe we can influence how we share our news and how that might shape others’ perceptions.”
Jessa and Seewald announced in March that they are expecting their sixth child. The couple, married since 2014, are also parents to sons Spurgeon, 9, Henry, 8, and George, 16 months, and daughters Ivy, 5, and Fern, 3.
