Duggar Date Night: From Chaperones to Fast Food Dinners

Candlelight, flowers and Chick-fil-A! We get the feeling that Duggar date night isn’t exactly like ours. In fact, since the couples are so keen on sharing their date nights with us — on the show, Instagram or otherwise — we know they’re not like ours.

Sure, we get the principle of saving money and think it’s great to make time for one another once you’re married. But maybe somebody should teach us why eating fast food in a car or getting grilled by a 55-year-old man is anyone’s idea of a good time? We guess we’ll have to look back at some Duggar Date Nights and learn how to really have a wild time with a guy (light arm grazing, maybe)?

When Jessa Duggar and Ben Seewald first entered into courtship, patriarch Jim Bob Duggar explained how the ritual differs from traditional dating. “Courting is getting to know each other in a group setting, both families spending time together and the couple setting goals together to determine if they are meant to marry,” he once told People. “With dating, a couple will often pair off alone and that sometimes leads to a more physical relationship.”

In an interview with Covenant Eyes, a software company that blocks websites with potentially inappropriate content, Jim Bob added that technology is a huge no-no. “It so important not to have open Internet that you can go see anything, do anything, any time you want. Especially now with smartphones. They can go off by themselves and take it out in a hurry. It has the potential to steal somebody’s soul.” Um, there’s an app for that?

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Personally right now, we’re looking to change things up with our S.O., so perhaps the move is to invite Jim Bob to lurk in on our romantic discussions. After all, that’s the essential part to a courting era date. But don’t worry, unless he’s judging or questioning someone, Jim Bob tries not to speak.

“It’s neat to see their conversations,” Jim Bob has said of chaperoning. “Don’t be afraid to get involved in your kids’ relationships.” Like, very, very involved.

Anyway, once you’re married, you can live chaperone-free. Scroll through the gallery below to learn how to date like a Duggar.

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Bring your parents along so they can warn your new boyfriend about your “thrift shopping habit.”

In the early stages of courtship, it’s good to have a chaperone (i.e. you are literally required to have a chaperone), and during Jinger Duggar‘s trip to Laredo, she brought her parents. Fun. What was extra fun is when Jeremy Vuolo, who brought his parents along, was humiliated in front of everyone when Jim Bob brought up his “modest pastor’s salary” and said he might need to get a part-time job. You know, to afford Jinger’s “expensive” thrift store shopping habit.

“Thrift shopping is expensive?” Jeremy asked, rightfully incredulous.

Take an etiquette class! With … your parents and sibling and their S.O.

Privacy is overrated.

One time Jim Bob and Michelle decided to surprise Jessa, Jill Duggar and their beaus with, “We’re going to go and learn some dinner etiquette!”

They then went to Miss. Susan’s house where she taught the girls practical life skills like, “You always enter from the left.”

Or just bring your boyfriend’s parents along so they can question your feelings for their son.

Ben’s dad once asked Jessa what she thought when she first had feelings for her now-husband.

“What did you think, did you have any feelings at all?” he asked her. In response, Jessa said, “Yeah, definitely, I noticed him right on, I was like, ‘Hmm, he seems like a nice guy,'” Jessa said. “But I never really consider a guy unless he approaches my dad.”

If you can’t get your parents to chaperone, then just take your younger brothers rollerblading.

That’s what Joseph Duggar and Kendra Caldwell did on their first date. In case you’re wondering whether Jackson was too young to make sure Joe and Kendra wouldn’t hold hands or something unholy, don’t worry. James was a seasoned professional.

“I used to chaperone Jill and Derick back when they were … needing a chaperone, and now I’m starting to chaperone Joe and Kendra,” he explained. “I’ve been doing it for … a little while, not too long, I guess you could say I’m a pro chaperone.”

Invite stimulating and intimate conversation at the dinner table.

“What are your goals for the year?” Derick asked. Jill replied, “Hopefully the same as your goals, what are your goals?”

Gosh, it’s almost like without physical contact or parental trust, they completely rushed into a marriage without truly getting to know each other. So weird.

The best part is that baby Israel had been freaking out the entire time and then shot them with an expression that either said, “Oh, no, I do not want a sibling,” or, “Have you guys ever had a one-on-one conversation, like ever?”

So, Uh, What Exactly Should You Expect From a Duggar Date Night Besides Side Hugs?

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Bring your parents along so they can warn your new boyfriend about your “thrift shopping habit.”

Take an etiquette class! With … your parents and sibling and their S.O.

Or just bring your boyfriend’s parents along so they can question your feelings for their son.

If you can’t get your parents to chaperone, then just take your younger brothers rollerblading.

Keep your marriage spicy, by ordering the mango habanero.

Eat in once in a while with some delicious spaghetti pie.

Or you know, literally don’t even leave your car and have a babysitter-less date by restraining your kids in the back of your mini-van.

Invite stimulating and intimate conversation at the dinner table.

If all else fails, there’s always Chick-Fil-A.

After many years together, make date night extra special by charging other people admission for it.