Counting the Cost

The Duggars do not talk about what Josh did; he is sent away to work on a construction site with some of Jim Bob’s friends. One of the Duggar family rules is children should not “stir up contention among the brethren” (47), meaning they cannot speak badly about each other or discuss difficult topics. All of the children are kept busy with a heavy roster of chores and household maintenance. Meanwhile, Jim Bob tries to further his political career. Though his Senate campaign is unsuccessful, it does draw attention to his unusual family. The TV network Discovery Health wants to make a documentary about them. Jim Bob relishes this “window of opportunity” for the family to “show people what a Christian family can look like” (51). They go ahead with the documentary, despite the situation with Josh. Jill is initially self-conscious on camera. The film crew pays for a grocery run, allowing the children to choose foods normally outside their budget. By the time the documentary (14 Children and Pregnant Again!) is released, Josh has come home, apparently having been “fixed” by manual labor. Michelle gives birth to her 15th child, Jackson, and new filming opportunities open up. TV appearances become the family’s “ministry,” allowing them to show that children are a blessing from God.