Jinger Duggar Shares Insight into Family’s Unique Routines While Filming Reality Shows
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Jinger Duggar Vuolo of the famous Duggar family recently delved into the behind-the-scenes details of their reality TV experience. In a recent episode of The Jinger & Jeremy Podcast, where she co-hosts with her husband Jeremy Vuolo, the couple revisited the premier of the family’s first reality show, ’14 Children and Pregnant Again!’ in 2004. This marked the inception of the Duggar’s 17-year stint in the world of reality television. Jinger reminisced about the preparations they undertook before allowing cameras into their home. She confessed, “We cleaned like crazy. Because like my mom always kept our house pretty clean — we had our chores.”
Jinger went on to explain that their house was usually well-maintained, but they made an extra effort before the crew arrived. She vividly remembered cleaning the baseboards meticulously and ensuring the white walls were spotless. The attention to detail in their cleaning routine left a lasting impression on Jinger. She elaborated, “I just remember we cleaned the baseboards because we had white baseboards at our house. And I remember we had to scrub them very well, and our white walls, because they would get dirty. We would do that, but before [cameras] came.”
Incentives were also a part of maintaining order within the large Duggar family. Jinger disclosed that her parents, Jim Bob and Michelle, devised games to encourage the children to obey the rules of being on television. One such game involved earning a penny for being the first to buckle up in the family’s 15-passenger van. Jinger shared, “Whoever the first person was to say ‘click’ or something like that, I think that is how it goes, you would get a penny. And then that would add up over time, because every time you hopped in the van, it was like a game.”
Being only 10 years old when they started filming, Jinger admitted feeling nervous about the intrusion of cameras and strangers into their private lives. The transition was challenging for her, especially when instructed not to look at the camera and carry on as usual. She reflected, “In that time, having the camera in your face was one thing. But then they would say, after that was done, then they were like, ‘Yeah, try not to look at the camera. Just do your thing.’” The adjustment took time, as the concept was entirely new to them.
Despite the initial nervousness, the Duggar family embraced their unique routines when it came to filming. With a total of 19 children, coordinating them for activities like the opening credits of ’14 Children and Pregnant Again!’ required order and discipline. Jinger recalled how they would line up in ‘code O,’ according to their birth order, resembling a line of ducks. This organised method of moving around became a familiar routine for the family.
As the Duggar family’s size and dynamics attracted attention, Jinger acknowledged that their lifestyle was unconventional. Growing up, she did not fully grasp the distinctiveness of their way of life until she became a mother herself. The family’s use of a shuttle bus for transportation and homeschooling were some of the aspects that set them apart. Jinger mused, “We did a lot of things differently than even your normal family…we would often drive a shuttle bus — for years!”
In conclusion, Jinger Duggar’s insights provided a glimpse into the meticulous preparations and unique routines her family followed during their reality TV journey. From rigorous cleaning sessions to inventive games for maintaining order, the Duggars navigated the challenges of fame while staying true to their values and lifestyle. Jinger’s reflections offer a candid look at the inner workings of a family thrust into the spotlight, showcasing the resilience and adaptability that defined their reality TV experience.