They’re Pretty Much the Reason the Duggars Even Have a Show

Imagine a show where JB and Shelly (can we call them that??) only had, oh, I don’t know, two kids? We’re nodding off just thinking about it. Although the famous fam was featured on five different documentaries before their arrivals — 14 Children and Pregnant Again, 16 Children and Moving In!, Raising 16 Children, On The Road With 16 Children! and Duggar’s Big Family Album — it was the youngest Duggars who helped land their long-running 19 Kids and Counting and its spin-off Counting On. Here’s hoping they get a cut of the earnings.

Brothers and Sisters Can’t Play Together

In 2015, Josh Duggar confessed to his father on three separate occasions to multiple acts of sexual molestation against his sisters and a family friend, according to a police report obtained exclusively by In Touch magazine at the time. So you can imagine they’d be wary about mixing genders now. Peep the segregated board game playing on the Duggar Family Blog …

They Have to Follow a Buddy System

Do the Duggars have a nanny? Nay! They’ve got each other. Established in 2001, the buddy system placed the older girls in charge of the littler Duggars to “help out” when Jim Bob and Michelle weren’t available. Only the four eldest girls (Jana, Jill, Jessa and Jinger) were buddy leaders for a few solid years, with Joy-Anna reluctantly stepping in when Jill moved out. Technically, Josh was a buddy leader at one point, too.

… But TBH, it’s probably fine that they phased him out of that role.

They’re Literally All Home-Schooled

On the February 25 episode of Counting On, fans learned that Jessa’s husband, Ben Seewald, tutors the youngsters. Psh, why parent when you can have other people do the work for you, amirite? Granted, their methods are a bit questionable. The youngest at the table, Josie, is 9 years old, while Jackson is 14. I don’t know about you, but I was definitely not learning the same math in third grade as I was in eighth grade. Just sayin’.

They Must Follow a Strict Dress Code

Pants? Never heard of ’em! While some of the more mature Duggar girls (cough, cough, Jinger and Jill) have been rockin’ skinny jeans on the reg, that wasn’t always the case. Back in 2013, Michelle said in an interview with TLC that there’s a reason they dress modestly. “Our interpretation [of modesty is] that from the neck down to the knee should be covered. By keeping those private areas covered, there’s not any ‘defrauding’ going on,” she explained at the time. “My kids are taught the definition of defrauding as stirring up desires that cannot be righteously fulfilled. We don’t believe in defrauding others by the way we dress.”

They Share Two Bedrooms (Yes, Among Eight of Them)

Jason, James, Justin and Jackson share one room while Johannah, Jennifer, Jordyn-Grace and Josie share the other. It’s like one, big slumber party all the time!

Jason Already Flipped a House

Chip Gaines 2.0! The 18-year-old allegedly flipped (and sold!) a four-bedroom home in rural Arkansas, and it was actually stunning. The 2,275 square-foot pad had a large lot, a detached garage and a kitchen with stainless steel appliances — a must-have, these days — all for a cool $167,000. Not too shabby. An eagle-eyed redditor pointed out at the time that his older sister Jana helped design the place.

James Maintains the Family’s Stockpile, Er, Pantry

Fun times! It’s like working at a grocery store except you’re not getting paid. The TLC stars have an entire room dedicated to bathroom supplies, cleaning products and cans, cans and more cans. Although you may mistake the massive space for Costco, keep in mind, this is actually someone’s home.

Jackson’s Favorite Food Is, Uh, Interesting

Mac and cheese? Nah. Pizza? Ick. Tator tot casserole? No, thanks. But Salvadorian bread and refried beans? Load up Jackson’s plate!

Jennifer Duggar Is Definitely Planning Her Escape Route

#TrueStory. When she’s not crying over the loss of a sister-mom who’s getting married, she’s, as Michelle lovingly puts it, “Serious and stoic.” And like, yeah, because despite her youth, Jenni is probably woke to the fact that she’s being raised in what’s basically a cult. In other words? She’s just waiting until she turns the big 1-8 to get the heck outta dodge.

Jordyn-Grace Isn’t a Big Fan of Mom Michelle

Speaking of people who hate their fams, Jordyn-Grace is a master of the side-eye when it comes to Michelle. As lucky number 18, Jordyn can’t escape from the shadow of “Miracle Baby” Josie and it definitely shows on her face. Not to mention, their birthdays are only 8 days apart.

In this now-iconic video, a very salty Jordyn pops her gum as Michelle tries to remember anything unique about her. “Jordyn is such a loving little helper, and she’s always eager to jump in and help mama or Jana or Joy …” Michelle pauses to remember her other kids’ names. “Any of the older kids, Anna …” Not your child. “She’s always willing to jump in and help and she loves, loves, loves to carry little babies on her hip. And she is instant friends with a baby.” Yiiikes.

You Heard It Here First: Josie Will Be the Next Katy Perry

The girl’s got pipes! And while she recently showed off her skills on Happy Heart, I think she’s destined for a larger market. Katy Perry went from singing Christian songs to wearing a cupcake bra, and honestly, I stan. BREAK FREE, JOSIE.