Michelle and Jim-Bob Duggar from TLC’s Counting On have been having a somewhat uncomfortable relationship with their eldest son, Josh Duggar, for years. In 2015, revelations about his extramarital relationships and sexual abuse of his sisters, when he was a teenager, were canceled by the Duggar family’s show, 19 Kids and Counting.
Since then, Jim-Bob and Michelle have gradually found their way back into the revamped Duggar show, Counting On. Josh and Anna Duggar reconciled and have had a few more children since then. Along the way, Josh and his parents started spending more time together, and the eldest Duggar son has occasionally appeared on his parents’ social media platforms.
Meanwhile, the second oldest daughter Jill Duggar Dillard and her husband Derick Dillard, who were reportedly fired by Counting On’s TLC because of Derick’s negative comments about Jazz Jennings or I Am Jazz, have not received the same grace.
Derick has spoken out against his in-laws on social media in recent months. In particular, he accused Jim-Bob of pushing Jill to film after her brother’s abuse was exposed and of withholding the young couple’s payment. In turn, the Duggars have not recognized Jill and Derick at all on social media in recent years.
For some Telling On fans, a recent Instagram post from Josh’s wife Anna highlighted how differently the Duggars treat their eldest son compared to their second oldest daughter.
‘Counting On’: Anna Duggar took to Instagram to rave about her mother- and father-in-law
On 21 January, 31-year-old Anna shared a photo of herself with Jim-Bob, Michelle, husband Josh and baby Maryella Hope after a night out. The mother of six had added the photo: “We enjoyed a double date with Pops & Lolli tonight! It means the world to have parents who love us unconditionally and who are there to encourage us on the path of life”.
Josh’s wife added a message of gratitude to her father and mother-in-law and wrote, “The older I get, the more I realize how much I value and rely on the advice of our parents and the Divine men and women who are a few decades ahead of us in life.
Unveiling the adorable nicknames she and her children have for the Duggar parents, Anna concluded, “Thank you, darling, Pops & Lolli for such an enjoyable evening – it was great to chat, laugh and have a great evening together!
Fans wondered why the Duggar parents were willing to spend time with Josh but not Jill
Most comments on the double date of the Duggars were positive. Counting On fans praised Anna for building a good relationship with her in-laws, which not all daughters-in-law can do.
One Instagram user wrote under Anna’s post: “Having a wonderful support system is certainly a blessing”. “Pray for all of you to have many more years together!”!
Other Counting On fans can’t forget what Josh has done to Anna and his sisters in the past. Some Instagram commentators said they couldn’t believe that Jim-Bob and Michelle were willing to be photographed in public with the eldest Duggar son. “I can’t even look at Josh,” wrote a critic. “People don’t change and he’s a bad man.”
Others wondered why Michelle and Jim-Bob wanted to be photographed with Josh, but apparently not with Jill. “Where’s Jill?” one viewer wondered.
Another pointed out the double moral between Jill and Josh while he was writing: “Too bad they don’t show Jill and her family the same unconditional love.
A fan agreed, adding, “What had Jill done that was so unfortunate?” Another Counting On looker quipped in response, “I’m sure it couldn’t have been worse than what Josh did to his sisters.
The Duggars haven’t mentioned the Dillards on social media in years
This isn’t the first time Duggar fans have noticed how alienated Jill seems from the family, especially when compared to her disgraced older brother.
Many Counting On fans were surprised when Michelle wrote a lovely message in honor of Josh’s birthday in March 2019. The Duggar mother even wrote as part of a long tribute to Josh: “You are a thoughtful and sensitive man, a caring brother to your brothers and sisters, and we are so blessed that you are our son!
Meanwhile, the Duggars haven’t mentioned Jill or Derick on the Instagram family or blog since 2017, when their son Sam Dillard was born and spent time in the NICU. Especially since Jill was one of Josh’s victims as a child, the Duggar fans can’t help but notice the double standard.
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