Inset Photo of Israel Dillard With Backpack on First Day of School Over Selfie of Jill Duggar and Husband Derick Dillard
Courtesy Jill Duggar/Instagram

The first day of Kindergarten is a big deal for any kid — but it was an especially big deal for Jill Dillard (née Duggar) and Derick Dillard’s son Israel, who became the first of the Duggar kids or grandkids to attend public school on Monday, August 24. Though the Dillards were excited about his big day, it seems the rest of the Counting On family wasn’t. In an Instagram Story shared on Monday, August 24, the mom of two hinted that family drama played a role in the momentous occasion.

“Feeling loved and blessed by so many friends who’ve reached out and sent their prayers up for a wonderful first day of school for Israel! Y’all know who you are!” Jill, 28, wrote in the post, which didn’t mention any relatives. “I’ve definitely felt peace, and the day has been wonderful so far! Can’t wait to hear all about his day when we pick him up!”

Jill Duggar Thanks Friends Not Family Who Reached Out For Israel's First Day of School
Courtesy Jill Duggar/Instagram

It sounds like none of the former TLC star’s siblings reached out with similar well wishes for their nephew. Notably, they also didn’t comment on her post about Israel’s first day of school. Amy Duggar King, who’s also spoken out against their famous family in the past, was the only one to drop a little love on the post. “Cuties!” the Counting On cousin wrote.

Jill and Amy, 33, have grown particularly close in recent years. The singer encouraged Derick, 31, to keep “shedding some light on some very dark, gray areas” as he spoke out about father-in-law Jim Bob Duggar and what filming 19 Kids and Counting and Counting On was like. She’s also gushed about how Jill “smiles just a bit brighter these days” as she distances herself from her family’s rules and way of living.

Jim Bob, 55, and  haven’t publicly responded to or acknowledged the family feud — they even wished Derick a happy birthday, something he didn’t necessarily seem to appreciate — but they have kept their distance. While Michelle, 53, has made an effort to celebrate birthdays and special occasions with her daughter’s family, the patriarch seemingly hasn’t been pictured with his second oldest daughter since Thanksgiving 2017.

Despite that, the drama didn’t stop Israel from having a great start to Kindergarten. “This guy had a fabulous first day at school!” Jill told her followers later in the afternoon. “Thanks for all the well wishes!”

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