Over the years, it's become apparent that Jill Dillard — known best as Jill Duggar — has had some issues with her family. Fans realized something was up back in December 2020 after seeing the couple share holiday photos. It was apparent that they spent the holiday by themselves. They didn't happen to visit Jim Bob or Michelle Duggar, which made people a little suspicious.
Jill Duggar and her husband Derick also chose to take a break from television. Instead, they're focusing on their immediate family. As the Duggar kids grew up in the spotlight, it's very telling that Jill chose to take a stand. Especially since there's still so much public interest in her stories. Thankfully, she keeps her fans up to date on Instagram.
But having that kind of control over your story means that certain topics may get glossed over. Such as, were they simply not invited to Christmas?
After quite some time, Derick decided to explain what actually happened. He talked to The Sun to say that Jim Bob prohibited the couple from visiting when he's not around. And it doesn't seem like it has anything to do with filming.
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"Because our visitation to the Duggar house has been restricted and that is where they and their spouses hang out, we have not been able to see other family as much as we would like so that is difficult," Derek said. His statement wasn't blaming anyone — but it left people puzzled.
Jill and Derick first met in 2011. Derick reportedly first saw Jill while he was out caroling for the holiday season. "Neither of us remembers each other specifically from that time; all I have is a vague memory of the group of people who came," Jill said, per InTouch Weekly. "Not long after this, Derick contacted my dad and asked if he would be a prayer partner during his two-year term in Nepal."
Obviously, he was smitten. Jim Bob and Derick seemed close enough in the beginning of their relationship. In fact, Jim Bob was reportedly responsible for helping things move along. He approved of Derick and felt like he'd be a great fit with his daughter.
"As my dad got to know Derick he was really impressed with his Godly character," Jill continued. "He started telling me about Derick and also told Derick about me! I listened in on a few phone conversations with my dad without Derick knowing I was doing so." In the Duggar household, that's actually pretty scandalous.
Derick proposed to Jill in 2014. Just months later, they were married. Prior to marriage, they didn't even kiss. "We're just really trying to keep our relationship focused not on the physical but really just more on communication and continuing to learn more about each other," said Jill. "We're saving our first kiss and things beyond that for our wedding."
In 2015 and 2017, they welcomed sons. Israel David Dillard was first, followed by Samuel Scott Dillard. While she had a lot of siblings before, Jill has gotten real about how hard caring for kids really is. "Today was another loooong day and the boys were a little extra," Jill reportedly admitted in a 2019 Instagram story. "I bawled when my hubby walked in the door with these and just hugged me and reassured me."
It's great that they have such a strong relationship, as Derick has been nothing but supportive of Jill in regard to the Duggar family issues. He admitted through social media that the resentment has started to build. "Jill even had to ask JB permission to go over to the house to help her sister when she was in labor because her sister wanted her help, but Jill couldn't provide the assistance until we got it cleared with JB," he wrote, according to ScreenRant.
Derick also referred to Jill as an abuse victim. And that's unfortunately true for two reasons. One, their family chose to monetize the fact that they had many children and more or less put their kids in the public eye without asking them first. Jill will never officially have a private life. What she's doing right now is the closest to it.
"It's not going to look good for TLC when it's exposed that they pressured an abuse victim to continue filming when we tried to quit, just so they could continue with Jill & Jessa: Counting On after 19K&C," Derick reportedly stated. While it's unfortunate, now's also a good time to bring up the abuse that Jill suffered at the hands of older brother Josh.
Josh Duggar is no longer part of the franchise after word came out that he sexually abused both Jill and his sister Jessa. The sisters opened up about what happened in 2015. Jill was reportedly just 12 when it happened. "I was shocked. And I'm sad because this is my older brother who I love a lot. I was angry at first. I was like, 'How could that happen?'" she said in an interview, per USA Today.
"We spoke with the authorities where I confessed my wrongdoing, and my parents arranged for me and those affected by my actions to receive counseling," Josh has said. "I understood that if I continued down this wrong road that I would end up ruining my life." In a way, he still did. Most people can't look at Josh the same way, which is why he's no longer on television.
But that wouldn't explain why Jill is no longer allowed in her family's home — especially since her parents' relationship with Jessa still seems OK. As Derick said to The Sun, he's hoping for peace in the future. "We hope and pray God would restore relationships where there is brokenness," he stated. "But, at the same time, we recognize that only God can change people's hearts and bring healing."
Derick has also hinted that their situation may be due to money. Someone asked him on Twitter why Jim Bob seems to get all of the family's cash, and Derick responded with, "I don't know. You would have to ask him that." Since he didn't deny it, it's possible he owes Jill and Derick some money. Rumors are out that Jill wasn't paid for television appearances — at least, any that happened recently.
It seems like Derick and Jill may need to be the ones to try to make amends with Jim Bob — because cutting your own daughter out seems like an extreme and immature reaction. However, maybe it's best that Jill keeps a healthy distance from the family. It seems like they didn't do a great job with protecting her best interests in life, so in a situation like that, it's better to cut off those who bring you pain.
