It’s (finally) become a faux pas in recent years to ask people when they’re planning to have kids, but it seems not everyone has received that update to their etiquette guides. We’re still happy to speculate about celebrity baby bumps and ask moms when they’re planning to give their kids a sibling. Even the Duggars aren’t immune to the scrutiny, and that’s why Jill Duggar Dillard and her husband, Derick, are apparently playing coy when it comes to the topic of whether or not they’re ready for baby No. 2.
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In a recent sneak peak of the next episode of Counting On, Jill and Derick revealed they’re feeling pressure from fans to give 1-year-old Israel a little baby brother or sister. Like most parents of toddlers, they’ve already got their hands full, but in a joint interview, Jill clarified with Derick that one of their goals for the upcoming year is definitely welcoming another child.
The 25-year-old mom stopped just short of saying whether or not she’s already pregnant, but she did admit one shocking little tidbit. In an independent interview, she told producers that “lots of people” are already asking if she’s expecting, leaving women everywhere to wonder, really? What the hell happened to manners?
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It’s not exactly surprising when a Duggar admits they want to have a baby or when they announce another pregnancy, but even a member of one of America’s largest, most fertile families shouldn’t have to answer invasive questions about their reproductive future. The only time it’s OK to ask a woman if she’s pregnant is when the baby is crowning, and that rule stands even when you’re having a conversation with someone you’re pretty sure wants lots and lots of children.
The most troubling thing about Jill’s comments is the pressure she’s feeling to have a second child. When you’re in a committed relationship and childless, it seems like people can’t stop asking when you’re “finally” going to get pregnant. But once you actually have a kid, those questions still don’t stop. It’s like you get a five-second window to enjoy your new baby before people start beating down your door, telling you that your kid needs a sibling immediately and demanding to know why you haven’t had seven more kids yet.
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The Duggars have made it clear that most members of their family want as many children as possible. They don’t use birth control, and they preach the importance of having a large family. Regardless of what anyone thinks about that, the Duggar women still deserve a little privacy and respect. Having a baby is a huge decision, and it isn’t one that should be made under pressure or to please other people.
It’s likely a safe bet that Jill and Derick will want to add another child to their family of three, but that doesn’t mean they owe anything to their fans. Maybe they’re having fertility issues or doctors told them to wait. Maybe they’re simply not ready, or they’re already trying but just don’t want to talk about it. Whatever the case, their family planning is no one else’s business, and they should have the freedom to decide what’s best for them.
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