The Duggar matriarch offered some pretty unsettling advice concerning a wife’s duties to her husband on the Duggar Family Blog.
Michelle’s post, aimed at newlyweds, reportedly stems from a piece of advice that she received back in the day, that seems to have stuck with her through her marriage to Jim Bob.
The 19 Kids and Counting star shared:
“She told me: ‘Michelle, I know you’re so excited. You’re a bride-to-be, but some day you’ll be at this point…You’ve got to remember this. Anyone can iron Jim Bob’s shirt, anybody can make lunch for him. He can get his lunch somewhere else. But you are the only one who can meet that special need that he has in his life for intimacy. You’re it. You’re the only one. So don’t forget that, that he needs you. So when you are exhausted at the end of the day, maybe from dealing with little ones, and you fall into bed so exhausted at night, don’t forget about him because you and he are the only ones who can have that time together. No one else in the world can meet that need.'”
Michelle continued:
“…be available, and not just available, but be joyfully available for him. Smile and be willing to say, ‘Yes, sweetie I am here for you,’ no matter what, even though you may be exhausted and big pregnant and you may not feel like he feels. ‘I’m still here for you and I’m going to meet that need because I know it’s a need for you.'”
What do you think about Michelle’s advice on being ‘available’ for your husband whenever he needs you, regardless of your own feelings?
The reality star went on to speak about receiving marriage advice when you need it. Michelle said:
“There are going to be those times in your marriage where you might not always agree; you might not see things eye to eye and sometimes you may need a trusted third party to be a counsel for you in your marriage. Feel free to go to that trusted wise counsel that you both respect and get counsel when you need it.”
Finally, the mother of 19 reminded all young couples to discuss disagreements in private, not in front of the children. She shared:
“…don’t ever talk about things in front of your children that are supposed to be between you and your husband only. Step aside and say we’re going to talk about this privately. And don’t ever put your husband down in front of your children or other people, especially your families.”
Well, we understand that Michelle is trying to offer her two newlywed daughters motherly advice. But, do you agree with what the reality star is advocating? Her ideas of marriage sound like servitude, rather than a committed partnership.
Please share your thoughts and comments on Michelle Duggar’s marriage advice below.