Amy Duggar recently opened up about her childhood relationships with her cousins, describing them as “surface level” during her appearance on the “Unplanned” podcast hosted by Matt and Abby Howard. The 39-year-old expressed her reflections on the teachings of the Institute in Basic Life Principles (IBLP) and the dynamics within her family.
Growing up, Amy noted that while she and her cousins spent considerable time together, their interactions lacked depth. “We had tons of trips, all the stuff, but it was more surface-level. It wasn’t really heartfelt,” she stated. Discussions about personal struggles or spiritual experiences were notably absent. Instead, conversations were limited to light topics like weather and compliments on clothing.
Amy suggested that these superficial connections might stem from her cousins adhering to IBLP teachings, which her own family did not follow. “They teach, like, if you’re not in that circle, they keep you at arm’s reach,” her husband, Dillon King, added during the podcast.
Amy is the only child of Terry Jordan and Deanna Duggar, the latter being the sister of Jim Bob Duggar. Jim Bob and his wife, Michelle Duggar, have a large family, including their eldest son, Josh Duggar, who was sentenced to over 12 years in prison in 2021 for child pornography charges.
Modesty Standards and Family Dynamics
In her conversation, Amy also discussed the modesty standards that influenced her attire when visiting her cousins. Although she typically wore jeans, she recalled instances where she was asked to wear skirts to align with their family’s values. “I’ve tried on pantaloons before. I’ve tried on one of their swimsuits,” she said, indicating her efforts to respect their rules.
Amy recounted Dillon’s first encounter with her cousins, which turned awkward due to his unfamiliarity with their restrictions. At a bowling venue, Dillon energetically danced to the music, only to find his cousins looking at him with disapproval. “All my cousins were bowling, and they don’t dance, right?” Amy explained, reflecting on the unexpected tension.
Developing Deeper Connections
Over time, Amy has cultivated a closer relationship with her cousin Jill Duggar. Both appeared in the first season of the Prime Video docuseries “Shiny Happy People,” which delves into the controversies surrounding the Duggar family. “Cousinship is so much fun. Like, we can joke around and laugh and we have inside jokes,” Amy shared, highlighting the contrast between her current relationship with Jill and her past connections.
Amy emphasized the importance of setting boundaries with her family, particularly in light of the lies and misunderstandings that have arisen. “I realized I needed to have boundaries set with my family and the situation because of the lies and things that were told,” she explained.
She last communicated with Jim Bob shortly before Josh’s trial, signaling a significant strain in familial relationships. Despite the challenges, Amy expressed a desire for genuine connections, moving away from the superficiality that characterized her childhood interactions.
