*For an exclusive message from Jill Duggar revealing her updated college plans, click here to read our September 29th, 2011 post.
When asked if any of her kids are considering pursuing a higher education, Michelle Duggar announced that yes, Jill is looking into college right now. After spending time in the hospital with Josie, she is considering nursing.
"She literally loves people," Michelle told TLC. The Duggars encourage their children to go where God leads them. College might not be in the future for all of their 19 kids, but it will be for some.
"She literally loves people," Michelle told TLC. The Duggars encourage their children to go where God leads them. College might not be in the future for all of their 19 kids, but it will be for some.
Jill has also been studying in depth Spanish. Thanks to her older sister's careful instruction, Jennifer, who is not yet 3, is learning a new language. Some of her favorite phrases include "Por favor" and "Si, gracias." According to Michelle, Jill and Jenny are inseparable.
Do you know a second (or third) language? Are you teaching your children another language?
Oh good for Jill. That's my only complaint this season that we have not had as much focus on the older kids and what's going on with them.
ReplyDeleteI am so happy to have found this blog! I am always excited to hear news and information on the Duggars.
ReplyDeleteI am a mother of 5 children under age 8. I know quite a bit of Spanish and am working on passing that on to my children, but my oldest daughter is very interested in French as well and wants to start studying that.
Nursing is definitely a calling, but I had to smile that Jill wants to possibly become one. She is so frightened of needles--I can't imagine her having to stick one in someone! But maybe she's only frightened when they're going to be stuck in her!! ;-)
ReplyDeleteI do think it's great that she's learning Spanish and teaching Jennifer too.
We do not know a second language in our house. My son learned a bit of German and we purchased the Rosetta Stone Spanish program that I will probably start with my younger girls this next year. As a bonus, our neighbor was born and raised in Mexico so she speaks fluent Spanish and can help with some of the things--although it's a bit different from the Spanish being taught with Rosetta Stone-the basics are the same.
Thanks Kelley! Glad you're enjoying the blog!
ReplyDeleteI'm so happy for Jill! My daughter has been learning Spanish as well. She just popped up one day and said "I want to learn to speak Spanish" so that's what we did. I took 4 years of it in high school but I think my 9 year old is doing better than I ever did! We are using Switched on Schoolhouse plus suppliments.
ReplyDeleteJill may very well be interested in nursing. However, the Duggar family has always placed far more importance on faith than on education.
ReplyDeleteThey have raised very nice children, which is quite an accomplishment. But educationally the children are very limited.
Unfortunately, when you don't use accredited programs children fall behind.
I don't think it's that important for the girls, they'll be raising families of their own soon. But I do hope the boys will take active steps in obtaining higher education.
I do believe the SOS curriculum the Duggars use for the older children is accredited!!
DeleteI do believe the curriculum they use, SOS is accredited!!! I love the Duggars and all they stand for!!
DeleteI must disagree on the last post about education. Most home schooled children are way ahead of the public school system and I think Jill will make a great nurse if that's what she chooses. I will not put my child in public school if at all possible. She is 4 years old and knows spanish and some arabic and will continue to learn them. She can write anything you spell out for her and does her own math correctly already and I will do whatever I can to encourage her to learn. I buy workbooks for her from thrift stores when I can find then and she gets upset if she is unable to do her 'homework' as she calls it. She wants to play violin because I have one but I have not been able to find her one her size. By letting her try things she see's others doing in church and at home I am giving her the opportunity to get ahead instead of letting her sit in front of a TV. I love the Duggers and everything they stand for. God Bless them in everything they do!
ReplyDeleteyes I know other languages because I listen to international music.
ReplyDeleteJenny - I disagree a LOT!! Just because they focus more on their faith doesn't mean they're not educated!!
ReplyDeleteAnd no, you don't always fall behind when you don't use accredited programs!
I pray Josie will keep doing very well. Congrat's to Jill, you will make a wonderful Nurse or whatever health care you go into. God Bless, Heather
ReplyDeleteI'd be interested in knowing what sort of science and math courses Jill has taken. She is a sweet and pretty girl, but is she ready to give a man a bath, or help him use a urinal? I don't see the Duggars encouraging that.
ReplyDeleteWe interview Michelle Duggar just last week, and she gave us an update on Jill: she is studying to be a doula, which means that she will be assisting in labor and delivery.
ReplyDeleteI am excited for Jill and her dreams of becoming a doula or a nurse. I have been an Oncology (cancer) nurse for more than 25 years. My grandmother was a midwife, my mother a trauma nurse and my daughter is a nurse practioner. I guess it runs in our family. Nursing is a calling.
ReplyDeleteWhat a piece of Heaven this family is! =) Praise the Lord!
ReplyDeleteI love all of you!
Leia Egan
Its wonderful to see this amazing Jill pursue high education.I wish lots of luck in college. I think she would make a wonderful nurse.
ReplyDeleteI would be absolutely tickled pink if Jill became a nurse or a doula! As a doula in Arkansas, I can tell you there is definitely a need to support women in that season of life in our state. Nursing and/or encouraging laboring mothers is a ministry in and of itself. Good luck to Jill-she is a sweet young lady. :)
ReplyDeleteI think all the Duggar children would find it difficult to pursue higher education in the medical sciences because of their belief that (and I'm quoting from one of the children in the episode where they went to the Creationist museum) "Science and the Bible have a lot of differences, and when they do, you should believe the Bible more than science."
ReplyDeleteHomeschooling is not the problem; faith-based, rather than fact-based, homeschooling is the problem.
I don'y think that the Duggars placing more emphasis on on the bible rather than science will effect their childrens ability to enter into medical professions. When they say that, they are referring to issues regarding the origin of humans. Regardless of whether you believe people were placed here by God a few thousand years ago or that they evolved over hundreds of thousands of years, the functioning of the body remains the same. You can still learn everything their is to know about the human body and medical treatments and technologies if you believe that God created it spontaneously. They just won't become abortion doctors or stem cell researchers. Just about Everything else in Medical science is fair game.
ReplyDeleteJOSIE/JOSIE/JOSIE...sick of hearing about her and seeing all those photos of this baby. How about one with Michele with EACH of her kids individually televised/posted, rather than just Josie who gets so much undivided attention that she will be a spoiled brat! Talk to any sibling of a disabled child, and they will tell you how difficult it was for them, due the lack of attention by doting parents of the special needs child!!! I have never seen Michelle or JB pick up, hold or kiss ANY of the other small children (that includes the granddaughter who I have only ONCE seen Michelle hold when born). And, the fact that toddlers are crawling on table and counter tops shows lack of supervision.
ReplyDeleteI would love to see the older girls get advanced education by accredited SCHOOLS, but really...how can they let Jill treat a naked body (especially a male patient),which nurses do? It would be a contradiction to their religion to keep pure hearts, right?
Lastly, open Michelle's blog to read ...and she is teaching her own children HOW TO WRITE? And why are the Duggars so accepting of JB's mother (and father when living) but you never, ever see HER SIDE OF THE FAMILY?
The majority of our readers are interested in how Josie is progressing. The fact that she is a miracle baby and doing so well is a testimony to the power of prayer.
ReplyDeleteMichelle is a loving parent. How many times do we see her sitting out of a fun event so she can spend quality time with her little ones?
The kids are pursuing higher education through CollegePlus (http://duggarsblog.blogspot.com/2011/02/duggars-on-college.html), a program that allows them to complete the majority of their classes online. Online schooling is exploding and becoming mainstream--many teens and adults are taking advantage of this cost-effective and efficient way of learning.
"19 Kids and Counting" is about the Duggars' everyday lives. Jim Bob's family lives close by, so that's why they are on the show so often. Michelle's family is all the way in Ohio.
Blessings,
Lily and Ellie
umm I would have to disagree with jenny on her comment about the duggars education. I was homeschooled from sixth grade all the way until graduation and I went to college and I'm a nurse in labor and delivery now. So just because youre homeschooled doesn't mean youre not smart and can't go on to college and get a degree. If you put your mind to it you can do whatever you want. I hope she does and proves you wrong. :-) go jill
ReplyDeleteJill can think about Doulas of North America for certification and training. She can become a birthing doula or postpartum doula. Or get an Associate's of Science at a community college to be an LVN or LPN. Good for her!!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.dona.org/
I never thought I would be a homeschooling Mom but I am. It is truly rewarding, exhausting, amazing, and a lot of work. I love my children but at the same time I miss my alone time. Then one day, I take my 6 and 4 year old to the library and they read through many books sitting side by side together helping each other. Those small blessings from the Lord make every moment worth it.
ReplyDeleteI have a comment about Jenny's comment that "educationally the children are very limited. Unfortunately, when you don't use accredited programs children fall behind.". Jenny, while you have a right to your opinion, of course, the fact is that homeschooled students usually score higher on the tests that measure learning than publicly schooled children. And colleges love to get applications from homeschooled children because they are much more disciplined in their behavior and study habits, and do well in college. They are not limited, nor do they fall behind. I suggest that you really studey the statistics and outcomes of homeschooled children. Many are very socialized individuals with good communication skills because they have more interactions with the public and other children and adults growing up in real situations than those children who have been in public schools with 1 adult and many children only their own age all day long, day after day. I applaud the Duggars and their homeschooling endeavors!
ReplyDeleteI don't know much about the Duggar's or their TV programme but was interested in this blog when I followed a link from a focus website. I was homeschooled, we did a faith based programme and I'm now in my 4th year of medical school. Some homeschooled kids are ahead, some are behind--just as some school kids are ahead and some are behind. Please don't stereotype us :)
ReplyDeleteI am also the eldest sister with a disabled sibling and did not feel a "lack of attention" from my parents.
Whoaa-back up to the comment about the Duggars never picking up and holding their kids.
ReplyDeleteI am surprised at the negativity in some of these comments! I have seen most of the episodes and Michelle and Jim-Bob definitely are hands-on parents. He often picks the little ones up and puts them on his shoulders, and plays games with both the girls and boys. They have a sweet mom who is very tender with them, even when she corrects them. As far as Michelle's family, I had the impression that they live further away as I remember an episode where she went home to visit.
BTW, having had a child who was in the public school system and then tutored, homeschooling is as good as the curriculum used and the time spent learning. Although I am not of the same religion as the Duggars, as the mother of adults I want to commend them and thank them for their ministry, which in this case, happens to be a family. I have learned a lot from watching the show!
I think it's wonderful that the Duggars are encouraging their girls and boys to get an education.
ReplyDeleteAs someone who is educated in the department of science, I fully believe that someone can learn what they need to know about the human body without running into issues regarding evolution. There are programs out there that focus strictly on anatomy and what you need to know about being a nurse and you don't need a general course in biology.
Also, to go to any college, don't you need a GED or HS Diploma? If homeschooling is equal to public education in terms of the material, you should be able to get a GED. I don't think it matters whether you're homeschooled or not, if you want to go for something, you'll find a way to do it.
I'm agnostic, but I want to commend the Duggars in raising their children. It's refreshing to see teenagers and kids with morals and respect for their community.
To the kids: If you have a dream, no matter what, do not be afraid to follow it.
Jill- I hated needles too, haha, but nursing is a calling from the Lord and I absolutely cannot imagine doing anything else! I'm back in grad school to become a midwife after going on a medical mission trip to Kenya, so I can only imagine how helping with Josie stirred up your heart to nursing. Follow Him...after all, He is the only thing that matters.
ReplyDeleteI think JB and Michelle are very loving and kind hearted people. Their kids are all very well behaved and they all have fun and always having opportunities to go do things. This family is such an inspiration to me and mine. I love them! Praise God for Josie. I am so happy she is doing well. God bless
ReplyDeleteI am subscribed to your email.
ReplyDeletePeppermint R.
If God wants Jill to go to collage, she will!
ReplyDeleteI know Jill personal and she has a wonderful joyful attitude and would love to serve the Lord where ever he wants her to be.
P.S. Do the Duggars know about this blog? It is kinda rued to create a blog on them, when they don't do any social media (fakebook, blogs, etc....)
Hi Anonymous,
ReplyDeleteThe Duggars do know about and approve of our blog.
~Lily and Ellie
I love the Duggars, but I would love to see more of Jordyn. We see Jenny with Jill most the time and Michelle with Josie so who's with Jordyn? As far as this grandma is concerned Jordyn has my heart..May God continue to bless Duggars!!
ReplyDeleteAnonymous Grandma -- I'm a Jordyn fan too. Her personality is more independent than that the other two. Josie had ta have more care & Jenny's a cautious little girl.
ReplyDeleteJordyn's outgoing & involved with everyone! Jinger fed her when they came home from Little Rock. Justin's on her buddy team & helps her. James(?) gave her the decorated hat. She just hears mom's voice on the phone & muddy feet were ok. She grins up at the camera all the time & makes friends with Jonathan (from Thailand) and Amy's boyfriend. She seems to collect approval and support from the world around her.
Jill seems to be a kind , caring , intelligent young woman , not to mention beautiful . I'm sure she will do great at whatever she chooses .
ReplyDeleteI watch the show and this is a beautiful family but I can't help but wonder, why so many kids?
ReplyDeleteI know about their beliefs but who wants to be pregnant the same time as their mother or mother-in-law?
At what point do you stop having children? I would think you would stop when your grand children are older than your own kids. I am curious to see if she will still be giving birth five or ten years from now. If so, god bless her!
I love watching their show. I too, am agnostic, but I did convert to Jewdaism when I married my ex husband. I only worry about if one of the kids decides to get into something like Geology. That's a subject that would hinder religious teachings about the age of the earth. But that's just a long shot. I love their kids and I did worry about Jordyn just because she kind of got cut off early being the baby since Josie was born too soon
ReplyDeleteHey sgw555, the theory of evolution is just that a "theory" and not a fact! Here's some scientists who accept the biblical account of creation:
ReplyDeleteDr Pierre Jerlström in Molecular Biology, Colin W. Mitchell in Geography,Dr Ronald G. Samec in Astronomy,Dr Marcus Ross in Paleontology,Dr Graeme Mortimer in Geology,Dr Patrick Young in Chemistry and Materials Science,Dr Larry Vardiman in Atmospheric Science
@Jenny Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and all things shall be added unto you.
ReplyDelete