Jessa Duggar Claims She Got Plenty of 1-on-1 Time With Her Parents Michelle and Jim Bob Duggar Despite Being 1 of 19 Kids
Jessa Duggar is taking a cue from her parents and making sure her kids get plenty of 1-on-1 time with mom and dad. The mom of three shares Spurgeon, 4; Henry, 3; and Ivy Jane, 1 with husband Ben Seewald. As parents, Jessa and Ben are committed to making sure they spend time alone with each of their children, Jessa revealed in a recent social media update.
Jessa Duggar says 1-on-1 time with kids is ‘so important’
In the Oct. 3 Instagram post, Jessa shared a photo from her “mommy/son date” with Henry. She also opened up about her approach to parenting three kids under the age 5, explaining that she and Ben prioritize giving each child individual attention.
“One-on-one kid time is so important. In order to get this quality time with each of our children, Ben and I rotate taking a kid out either for brunch or running errands (and picking out a special treat),” the Counting On star wrote in the caption.
“I love and look forward to this time so much! It’s a chance to slow down from the daily rush, have some good conversation, and just spend time together,” she added. “They always have me giggling over the adorable things they say!”
Jessa says she spent a lot of time with her parents, Michelle and Jim Bob Duggar
Jessa makes a point of spending time with her kids, but one commenter wondered if she got the same attention from her parents. Jessa was the fifth of Michelle and Jim Bob Duggar’s 19 kids, and the person was curious if she “got a lot of 1-on-1 time” with them.
Though Jim Bob and Michelle’s 19 kids kept them busy, Jessa assured her followers that they still had time to focus on each child individually.
“Yes, my parents were very intentional!” the 27-year-old replied to the follower’s question. The former 19 Kids and Counting star added that Jim Bob and Michelle “made it [a] priority to take us out with them individually and have lots of good quality time and conversation — and we’d always get to pick out a special treat.”
Michelle Duggar shared how she made time for all her kids
In a 2012 interview about homeschooling with Alpha Omega Publications, Michelle shared how she made time for each of her children, despite having a large family.
“To give each child one-on-one time, I take one with me each time I need to run an errand,” she said. “As soon as we walk out the door, I start to ask how they are doing, what they’re thinking, feeling, and so on.”
Jim Bob and Michelle also spent time every Saturday having heart-to-heart chats with each of their children, Jessa explained in a 2014 interview with The 700 Club.
The Duggar family’s approach to parenting is controversial
But with so many kids, Michelle and Jim Bob definitely had their hands full. In order to manage, they handed off some of the responsibility for the younger kids onto the older ones. The family’s “buddy system” involved the oldest children — primarily Jana, Jill, Jessa, and Jinger — each taking charge of several of the younger kids.
Duggar family critics have slammed the buddy system, pointing to it as proof that Michelle and Jim Bob couldn’t be bothered to raise their own kids. Even Michelle’s daughter-in-law Anna Duggar has shaded the family’s controversial approach to parenting.
“We do not have a buddy system,” Josh Duggar’s wife recently told a fan on Instagram. “I’m mom, and as much as possible, I want our children to be free to enjoy their childhood!”
