Most parents would be brimming with pride after one of their children published a New York Times best-selling book, but that doesn't seem to be how 19 Kids and Counting parents Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar are feeling at all. In fact, sources say that Jinger Duggar's parents are "embarrassed" by her new tell-all book, Becoming Free Indeed — not that we're surprised by this in the least.
Jinger's book didn't exactly paint her childhood in a positive light.
Jinger was careful to make sure she was blaming the religion she grew up in, the Institute in Basic Life Principles, and not her parents for all the fear she said she felt growing up.
Still, it's hard not to recognize the role her parents obviously played in her upbringing — after all, they're the ones who chose to raise their children in the IBLP fold, and this has brought up a lot of questions about the way Jim Bob and Michelle treated their kids when they were working toward fame.
Now, we have a bit of insight into how her parents *truly* feel.
If you follow along with the former Counting On family on social media, you know that Jim Bob and Michelle's official Instagram account has remained stagnant since May 2022, when they announced the birth of their son Jed Duggar's first child with his wife, Katey.
Publicly, the couple has remained absolutely silent about Jinger's book, but according to what a source close to the family told Radar Online, they're actually "embarrassed" by it.
Those who still live under Jim Bob and Michelle's roof likely aren't able to read the book.
According to the source, they "prefer to shield their younger children" from Becoming Free Indeed, knowing that it could poke a hole in the IBLP teachings that they've worked so hard to instill in them from birth.
It's true — reading the truth from someone they know and trust could go a long way in making them question the beliefs they've grown up with, which is exactly what Jim Bob and Michelle don't want.
It seems like they're already losing control of a few of their children.
Not only have daughters Jinger and Jill left the family's religion, but so has Jessa Duggar since marrying Ben Seewald (though she still remains close with her parents). They won't be the last to walk away, either; one of the older Duggar sons is rumored to be on the way out of the IBLP, too.
We don't know much about the state of Jinger's relationship with her parents.
From everything she's said in interviews while promoting Becoming Free Indeed, she's made it sound like all is well, but considering the fact that it doesn't seem like she's seen her parents in a while, we have our doubts.
We just hope that Jinger has plenty of support and love around her right now. Speaking out against the IBLP can't have been easy for her.
