Having 19 kids presents a number of challenges.
The coupon clipping alone is enough to prematurely turn your hands into gnarled oak roots.
So fans of Duggar clan would likely be sympathetic to the occasional missed recital or forgotten birthday … if only Jim Bob and Michelle would cop to being anything less than perfect parents.
These days, the couple has the added challenge of trying to keep track of the comings and goings of an ever-growing brood of grandchildren.
Again, if they just threw up their hands and admitted that they’re less than perfect, the Duggars would probably receive a lot of sympathy from fans who have firsthand experience with their plight.
But that would mean messing with the narrative they’ve been selling for the past decade and admitting that everything they do isn’t guided by the divine hand of providence.
So what the Duggars do instead is try to cover their tracks and pretend like all of their kids are equal in their eyes, when we all know there are clear favorites.
These days, it seems that the more marketably Duggars (Jill, Jessa, Jinger, etc.) are tops in their parents eyes, while the younger siblings frequently get short shrift.
Last month, the Jim Bob and Michelle were accused of forgetting Jordyn Duggar’s birthday and attempting to make up for their memory lapse with a hastily thrown together party.
Now, the couple is being accused of repeating their mistake with son Joseph Duggar, who turned 23 earlier this week.
Joseph is expecting his first child these days, and with the amount of importance Jim Bob and Michelle place on breeding, you would think that would put him in their good graces.
But it seems his big day slipped their minds, and instead of calling, the couple sent their son a belated birthday message featuring what they describe as a Jay Leno look-alike:
The Duggars were duly roasted for their lame message, with many fans pointing out that they Joseph’s birthday obviously slipped their minds”
“You always give such generic wishes, like you don’t really know your kids,” one fan wrote. “Oh wait…”
“In all seriousness, it really shouldn’t be a surprise that birthdays are all so canned and repetitious,” another commented.
“They celebrate one once every two to three weeks basically. Like, of course, they all will meld together if you let them, and why wouldn’t 19 individuals do the same thing in your mind. Again, just proof that parents can’t be spread between 19 kids and have a relationship with each one on a deep and personal level.”
“One of the oddest birthday messages ever,” others chimed in.
“Whose birthday was it anyway? All they did was brag about their vacation and the weather and meeting a Jay Leno look alike.”
We’re surprised by a lot of things here.
For starters, the Duggars know who Jay Leno is?
We thought they condemned all forms of worldly entertainment.
Jay must get a pass because he loves denim and cars.
And c’mon, this guy doesn’t even look that much like Leno.
If you hired him for a party you’d want your money back, but then again, if you’re the type of person who hires a Leno look-alike for your party, maybe you deserve to get ripped off.
What were we supposed to be ouraged about again?
Oh, right … the forgotten birthday. For shame!
Watch Counting On online for more of Jim Bob and Michelle’s attempts to bury their mistakes.
