Jill Duggar and husband Derick Dillard made a very surprising visit to the infamous Duggar family home on Christmas, despite previously being banned from the residence… and despite the couple writing a tell-all book about Jill’s family earlier this year.
The former Counting On couple was spotted at Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar’s “Big House” over the Christmas holiday, where they celebrated among assorted Duggar siblings and sibling in-laws, according to photos posted to the Instagram account of Jill’s brother James.
While Jill and Derick were photographed mingling with Jill’s brother Jed and assorted Duggar spawn, they did not pose for pics with or near Jim Bob himself.
As fans/critics of the Duggar family know, Jill and Derick confirmed in 2020 that they were no longer welcome to kick it at Casa de Duggar, due to Jim Bob allegedly fearing the couple would have a negative influence on the other Duggar blessings kids.
Jill and Derick’s Christmas visit to the Duggar Compound also comes on the heels of a year in which Jill and Derick heavily criticized both Jill’s family and the Institute of Basic Life Principles– the religion in which Jim Bob and Michelle raised their children.
Jill (along with Derick) released a Duggar tell-all this year, Counting the Cost, which detailed alleged altercations and interactions that occurred between the couple and Jill’s parents over the years, as well as the strain that being forced to appear on the family’s reality shows put on the couple’s marriage.
Earlier this year, Jill and Derick also participated in the scathing Prime Video docuseries, Shiny Happy People: Duggar Family Secrets, which detailed the controversies surrounding the former 19 Kids and Counting family and their connection to the IBLP.
While fans were surprised to see Jill and Derick attend the holiday festivities at the Duggar house, Jill has stated in the past that she does hope to mend her relationships with her family.
She has also claimed that some of her 18 siblings support her and Derick’s book, although they have not commented on it publicly.
“I kind of refrain from saying specifically who is like in our corner and who’s still sorting things out,” Jill told CNN of her family’s reaction to the tell-all, before mentioning the public “positive feedback” she received from Jinger.
(Jinger was not in attendance at the Christmas party, as she and her family live in California. Also absent was the eldest Duggar son, Josh, who spent his Christmas locked behind bars in a Texas prison.)
Jill also posted that her parents had sent her a Christmas package that included her favorite ramen, causing some fans to think that perhaps Jill and Derick had called a truce with the Duggar clan.
RELATED STORY: Former ‘Counting On’ Stars Jessa Duggar & Ben Seewald Welcome Fifth Child, Days Before Christmas: See the First Baby Photos
(Photos: TLC; Instagram; YouTube)
Based on having a manipulative family of my own, I’d say they are trying to smooth things over with Jill so she stops talking about them to the public/media. I’d also speculate that the tell all book didn’t tell everything and whatever was left out, they really don’t want her talking about thus, they are acting like they are one happy family again.
She must have had a dress code requirement to enter the premises…wtf is she wearing?! Jill! Don’t resort to their funky ass rules!!
Well good for everyone involved. Maybe they all figured that at Christmas is not the time to ban your own child from your home, and Jill has always said she still loves her family and was just hurt by them. A lot of families have issues but at the holidays can still come together and put it aside for the day.
Hopefully their kids got to know their cousins a bit.
Looks like Jill resorted to wearing “Daddy approved” clothes though – a long jean overall skirt thing. I’m sure Jim Bob still found something “sinful” about it.
Did she wear pants is the question.
I think it’s nice when families can put aside their differences and just enjoy being together—especially for the holidays. It’s almost like they are acting like adults who love each other.
It’s interesting that they criticize the family in public but still celebrate with them in private.
I’d say they went so she can see her younger siblings. Some still live at home.