Zach Bates, Whitney Bates, Bradley Bates, Kaci Bates
If you have watched Whitney on Bringing Up Bates, you know that she is a shining light who strives to love the Lord and others. Congratulations on your new job, Whitney!
Photo courtesy of tarynyagerphotography.com
Way to go Whitney! Good luck with your new job!!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations Whitney! Sounds like a good job. You will be great!
ReplyDeleteI think it's great that Whitney got a job outside the home. You don't have to stay home full-time to be a good mama or a good Christian. And as a realtor she probably has super flexible hours, which is great as a mom!
ReplyDeleteAnd you don't have to be a working mom to be successful.
DeleteWorking as a realtor, it's a lot of evening and weekend hours when buyers are available after work to go look at houses. So Whitney may still have time during the weekdays to spend with her children. It might be a perfect career choice.
Delete@anonymous at 10:37 am: Where did I say you have to be a working mom to be successful? Stop reading things that aren't there.
DeleteCongratulations Whitney
ReplyDeleteYay!!! I'm so happy for Whitney! Now this will be a show I watch. A working mother of two balancing life. Yes, I know it's still reality tv, but will still be interesting. And, kudos to Zach for supporting Whitney's goals beyond baby producing competitions.
ReplyDeleteBaby producing competitions?
DeleteHow is it that so many people miss the point with the Bates and other families like them? They aren't competing to see how many children they can produce. They simply love children and view them as the blessing God says they are, and therefore welcome all He chooses to give them.
DeleteAnonymous 12:02: I don’t think that the Bates show is a “baby producing competition” in any way. Just a few short years ago, it was NORMAL to have large families. I’m not quite sure why now in today's society people are so horrified to see large families enjoying their large families?!?!
Delete6:52- I am a senior citizen and I can assure you, families of 19 children were not the "norm" a few short years ago. We had six in our family, which was considered large. A few Catholic families had up to ten. Most of my friends had two or three siblings. There was one family in our community with 17 kids, and they were considered an oddity. The baby competition referenced in another comment was, I think, eluding to the fact that these large TV families tend to be focused on showing off their baby bumps and the blogs encourage these guessing games about who might be expecting.
DeleteLove your comment 10:29, and I completely agree!
DeleteAnon @ 6:52. 'Just a few short years ago it was normal to have large families'. My great grandmother had fourteen children back in the early 1900s (my grandfather being the second to last born in 1915). She didn't have access to contraception and her husband died young so my grandfather had to leave school at thirteen and get a job to help support the family, money was very tight and they often had to do without. He was a very intelligent man and wanted to be an engineer and join the army but never got that chance. Infant mortality was high as was maternal mortality, my grandfater hated the expression 'the good old days' because he said there was nothing good about poverty! Having a large family was normal years ago but remember life wasn't a bed a roses, for most it was very tough going! Many who had large families back then if they had the opportunities we have now wouldn't have so many children.
DeleteMy Grandmother, who was born in 1908, always said that the only reason her daddy had so many children, 14 of them, was to work in the fields. When she and her siblings got married, they limited their children to 2 or none at all. My Moma is an only child.
DeleteGood for her!
ReplyDeleteCongrats to you Whitney!
ReplyDeleteI'll be honest, I'm really sad Whitney is choosing to work. I happy she feels confident, and has a choice to work (as I know there is negative criticisms towards the Duggar and Bates not letting girls work), but I really admired them staying home with the kids. I take it she most likely won't be homeschooling now too. I'm curious why the life change? I assume they live comfortably with Zach's job and the UPTV money. I would be curious to know why they are living differently now from their previous mentioned convictions. People can change, but I'm sure curious minds are wondering.
ReplyDeleteYou can be a mother and work too. Why do you think she won't be homeschooling anymore? Her job is not 9 to 5, being a realtor doesn't have a defined schedule that you can assume. Perhaps she will homeschool in the morning and then work afterwards. Also, the kids aren't even in pre-school age yet. It's entirely possible (and likely) that she is doing this better HERSELF, not for the money only. Stop being presumptuous. She had a job before she married too.
DeleteMaybe she just wants something to do outside the household. And really, there is nothing wrong with that. Maybe they want to save money for retirement or their child's futures or Whitney is craving some adult time and the sense of accomplishment. Let's face it...so many women work today and there should be no shame of it!
DeleteWhitney wasn't homeschooled and her and zach may not want to do so. You don't have to homeschool to be a good christian. She may want to work to do more with her life than be at home all of the time. Nothing in biblical about that.
DeleteI'm not sure if Whitney had the same convictions as her husband's family.
DeleteI whole heartidly agree. Whitney has been quickly changing or conforming, actually. Sadly her appearance speaks volumes, on top of it all. A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump. Sad.
DeleteJust because she is working now doesn't mean she won't homeschool her kids in the future and is having a dramatic "life change." Who said she has to be a stay at home mom just because we can assume they are financially stable? God has given each of us gifts and talents and just because she's deciding to use them outside of her home doesn't mean she's throwing her convictions away. The only thing you should be really sad about is your narrow mindset.
DeleteThere is nothing wrong with a mother working. I was going insane being a stay at home mom because I was stuck at home most days unless I had to run errands, so I made the decision to return to work when my daughter was 3 months old. Maybe she is feeling the same way, too.
DeleteI would think she would like adult interaction and something to do just for herself.
DeleteIf I recall correctly, Whitney had job and post-secondary education before she got married. There's nothing wrong with a woman having the means to support herself and her children should the unthinkable happen in the future. Both Zach and Whitney have given me the impression that they do things their own way and aren't necessarily following the Bates parents' path to the letter. That's a good thing... to grow, mature, and make decisions for yourself. Why would you think that they'd be carbon copies of anyone else? Also, they have a large extended family. Perhaps Whitney's parents have volunteered to take care of the children. Being a realtor, Whitney's schedule may be more flexible and Zach will be at home sometimes. Between the two of them, they may still try to homeschool . If they don't, the kids will do just fine in either public or private school, because they are loving and engaged parents.
DeleteMaybe Whitney's children will actually go to school too! That would be wonderful.
Delete7:02 I don't think God has a problem with Whitney's appearance. You shouldn't either. She's a lovely young woman and there's absolutely nothing wrong with the way she chooses to dress. It's what's in your heart that counts, not the absence of blue jeans in your closet.
DeleteI agree with you both 12:25 and 7:02. Too much modern christianity and the world has made its impact upon Zach and Whit (also John and Alyssa) and it just shows. Just saying my opinion because we can on here. I won't elaborate because the ones that see it very well understand where I'm coming from. Love the Bates tho!
DeleteAnonymous at 9:52-I’m not saying all public schools are bad, with absolutely no exceptions. BUT it really seems like public schools are going down the tube, and there is absolutely NO issue with
Deletehomeschooling. I know numerous homeschoolers who have gone on with full scholarships to colleges and have come away with useful degrees including chemical engineering, photography, nuclear engineering, architecture, nursing, chemical engineering, and music degrees, etc. Take a look at a quote by a Harvard Professor of Education: "Every child in America entering school at the age of five is mentally ill, because he comes to school with certain allegiances toward our founding fathers, toward our elected officials, toward his parents, toward a belief in a supernatural Being, toward the sovereignty of this nation as a separate entity. It is up to you teachers to make all these sick children well by creating the international children of the future.” Harvard Professor of Education and Psychiatry, 1984 (Chester Middlebrook Pierce)
Parents should consider that some of the very founders of our modern day public education do NOT have a Christian background, and don't have our children's best interest in mind either. Would we rather subject our children to this "cure" by worldly men or would we rather be able to monitor our children's intake of knowledge?
6:46- Just as there are some bad schools, there are also some very poor homeschooling situations. I know, because I've seen the products of them.
DeleteAnon @ 7.02 'A little leaven leavaneth the whole lump. Sad". How very judgemental and cruel of you. Whitney was not raised the same way the Bates were and has not been changing, the only time she conforms is when she wears skirts instead of pants around Zachs family out of respect! As a LEO Zach is out meeting people from all walks of life and that has no doubt broadened his mind and made him rethink things and how he lives his life and wants to raise his family. Just because they are doing things differently than the others does not mean they are less christian or love the Lord less. In 2017 women should be lifting each other up, not tearing them down with out of date verses, I feel bad for you if you cannot see that.
Delete11:58??? What part of the "world" has impacted Zach/Whitney and John/Alyssa? Modern Christianity? Because what I see are lovely examples of Godly spouses loving each other, supporting each other, making life decisions to actually parent the children they have before adding more, loving the Lord, respecting their parents while actually "cleaving and leaving". So..maybe you could elaborate because I obviously don't "get it".
Delete8:47 I don’t disagree that there are some pretty terrible homeschool situations too, which is why I wish they would require homeschoolers to be a part of a homeschool association in every state, not just some states. In fact, I would not recommend homeschooling for everyone. In this context though, I was referring to Whitney, who, without a doubt would be an excellent teacher to her children if she so desires. And just because homeschooling can have some bad outcomes, doesn’t negate the fact that many of the underlying principles of public education are fighting Christianity, and that in general, public schools' morals and education are deteriorating.
DeleteI think many people mistakenly believe that the Bates make a boat load of money because theyre on TV. Alyssa as well as her husband John work evenings in their cleaning business. Michael does sewing to earn money. Erin gives piano lessons and does CDs. Josie is learning cosmetology. Now Whitney is in real estate. To my knowledge, police officers such as her husband Zach don't make huge salaries! Don't forget too, there are ALOT of Bates to share the TV show money with! I believe Kellys mom is divorced, so its great they may recognize we never know what the future may hold, be prepared!
DeletePublic schools are supposed to be Christian schools and they are supposed to cater to christians either. They are there for everyone. God says to be in the world and not of it. If you train your children in the way they should go allowing them to attend public school shouldn't change their faith if it's real. And homeschooling doesn't garentee they will keep their faith. I know lost of homeschooled kids that grew up in church and no longer believe in god.
DeleteThere is also no way to know if someone would be a good homeschool mom or not unless she is a teacher that people find to be good.
6:46. I understand your concern about public schools, although I do think public schools have been unfairly demonized on these blogs. However, let's not pretend that homeschooling is without any one of those things mentioned that goes on in public schools. There is just as much immorality,abuse, abuse of power, twisted ideologies etc within the homeschool culture. Yes, some do go on to college, but more often they do not; particularly the girls. I will put my children in our public schools and teach them to walk with the Lord in THIS time He has given us. Not fearing the "world" and finger pointing at every critical thing, but encouraging them to be His light, His love, His hands, His feet. I think to much sheltering does not do anyone any good in the long run anyway.
Delete11:16- If a family is concerned about providing their children with a religious education, then homeschooling or private school is the answer for them. Public schools cannot cater to or provide any kind of religious teaching. As far as your assumption that public schools are immoral- I beg to differ. I taught for 35 years, and I can assure you we emphasized the Golden Rule, which seems to be lost on a great many folks who claim to be Christian.
DeleteThe Bates children and their spouses are not a single unit. Each member is an individual in his/her own right. Whitney worked prior to marriage and for all you know, has always intended to return to work at some point. As for the Duggar and Bates not "letting" girls work - the adult female members of these families don't need permission to work or do anything else. Each of them will work it out with their families, presumably.
DeleteGreat job Whitney! So happy to see she and Zach navigating respecting Gil and Kelly Jo, but understanding a lot of what Zach grew up under theologically wasn't Scripture, but man-made rules. Alyssa works outside the home too. Great examples of lovely Christian woman ladies😃
ReplyDeleteWorking moms are not the only good moms nor is a working mom the only right way to be. Stay-at-moms are wonderful too.
DeleteThey didn't say that stay at home moms aren't wonderful? I think you're reading things that aren't there.
DeleteCongratulations Whitney!! Way to go!!
ReplyDeleteGood for her!!!!
ReplyDeletei missed the big announcement last night. Is this it??? i
ReplyDeleteThis is not the big announcement. that announcement will be posted tomorrow night/friday morning
DeleteOohhh!!! Ok! Lol I got my days mixed up😊
DeleteCongratulations on your new job! Duggar girls, take notice.
ReplyDeleteThe married duggar ladies are wonderful moms. It takes a lot of patience and self-sacrifice to be a stay-at-home mom. If they are happy and not struggling with debt, then it's perfectly alright for them to stay at home.
DeleteI totally agree 4:57. I get sick of people thinking we stay at home moms are "wasting away" at home. Being a mom is the best career there is. I definitely see nothing wrong with the Duggar women staying with their beautiful children and not getting a job outside the home.
Delete4:57- Sure, as long as they're happy and not struggling financially. However, I wonder if not having any career and being a SAHM is an expectation, rather than an honest choice.
Delete10:20 am - My only problem with any of the Duggar moms not working would be with Derick and Jill. Derick doesn't have a job and wants fans to give him $6500 for a 1 year ministry. Either Derick or Jill need to work, save that $6500, then do the ministry. Don't have kids yet if you can't work!
DeleteOk. Whether you are a working mom or a stay at home mom, being a mom in general is the most amazing, difficult, wonderful beautiful mess of a job in the world. Everyone stop with the mommy wars!! I've been both a stayvat home mom and a full time working mom and both are equally challenging but in different ways. I admire Whitney for branching out and making a career for herself. I think those who want the Duggar girls to take notice are merely implying that a SAHM is not the only choice they have in life. It appears that ALL the dugger females aspire to be a mom. And nothing else. It's perfectly ok to be a SAHM, and it's perfectly OK to be a working mom. You are not a bad mother for being one or the other!! What is sad is that the Duggar daughters are taught from birth gender specific roles they must abide by
DeleteI love Whitney, she's true to herself whilst respecting her husband's family and their beliefs, she's awesome!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations Whitney on your new job! Wishing you all the very best!
ReplyDeleteWay to go Whitney! I wish the Duggar girls, particularly Jinger, would be inspired to further their education and work.
ReplyDeleteJinger is fine in what she is doing. Being an awesome helpmeet to her husband.
DeleteCan't think of a better way to help your husband than to work( at least part time) to help financially. Also, I believe most husbands enjoy their wives working. It makes them more interesting. No husband only wants to hear about babies, diapers, homeschooling and how much you have "sacrificed" as a wife and mother. It's tedious.
DeleteI agree 3:12!
DeleteI am sure that when Jeremy and Jingervhave kids,Anon at 9:56, Jeremy will be very supportive to Jinger even if it does involve diapers, homeschool,etc.. And yes, it takes "sacrifices to be at home with your kids all day runniing the home. That is not to say that working moms ared not great or sacrifing either, but let's give credit to both sides.
Delete9:56- You are making a sweeping generality when you state that most husbands enjoy their wives working. Prior to retirement, I enjoyed a long professional career. However, I had the flexibility to take a five-year extended leave of absence when my kids were little. I can assure you, my husband appreciated having me at home with them before they started school, rather than in daycare. He never tired of hearing about our daily experiences. I am thankful that I had the option of staying at home for awhile. Not all women do. I think that's what's important, for women and mothers to feel empowered to make decisions based on what's right for them and their families, not what's best for male-dominated church hierarchy or arbitrary rules. I'm glad for Whitney that she has the freedom to make this choice for herself.
DeleteAgree 9:56. Part of being a helpmeet is helping!
DeleteHelpmeet?! Seriously?! I am speechless.
DeleteMy husband likes me staying home. He sees tremendous value in it.
DeleteMost stay-at-home-moms don't spend all their time with their children or caring for their husbands, too. They do so many things. Like running church groups, retreats, having a family band.... Which mother could just be with the kids and not feel her brain isn't used enough? All Bates and Duggar mothers work. Think of Erin teaching the piano. Think of Michelle traveling the whole USA to give speeches and sign books. Think of Kelly traveling to Australia leaving most of her young kids behind. Joy is helping with modeling of houses. AND, all Duggar und Bates Mums are working as reality TV stars. Even if they don't call it work, it is work.
DeleteShe's got to be very well off financially having been on TV as long as she has been.
DeleteAnon @ 1:53 I know, using a term that is over 400 years old to describes someones wife is archaic and a little insulting. Women fought and died to get rights for women to vote, for equal pay and place in society, yet some would like to drag us back to the dark ages. I stayed at home when my kids were little, it was my choice and I was lucky because we could afford it, but I went back to work part time when they got older as the extra income was needed, and my husbands job was not secure at the time. My husband and I are equals in our marriage, we make joint decisions about everything, he helps me and I help him, I would never dream of calling either of us helpmeets! I am happy for Whitney, she is making the right decision for her and her family, and I am sure Zach is right behind her cheering her on.
Delete9:03 So you would never dream of calling something what God called it?!?! A “help” doesn’t mean a slave, and I think everyone knows that. 2 Chronicles 18:31 says that God helped a king to win a battle. Does that mean that God’s lesser, simply because he helped a king? Obviously not. The Bible doesn’t teach that women are slaves, but it absolutely teaches that women are a helpmeet to their husbands. And God doesn't change, so this is not "archaic". (Malachi 3:6)
DeleteAmen anonymous at 7:35! Love the way you explained that.
DeleteSo happy for you well done wish you well in your new job
ReplyDeleteThis is why I love the Bates family!!! They're allowed to make their choices. Unfortunately the Duggars are too strict. :/
ReplyDeleteI disagree that the Duggars don't have choices but regardless once the Duggar girls are married they make their own choices. They are adults, and their parents don't tell them how to live.
DeleteBest Wishes!
ReplyDeleteGood for you Whitney. Keep your mind bright. You can have flexibility when working in Real Estate. You & Zach just have to work as a team. Congratulations.
ReplyDeleteCongrats Whitney!! And best wishes ☺
ReplyDeleteCongratulations Sweetheart. Good luck.
ReplyDeleteYou all really need to stop comparing the Duggars and Bates. They're to separate families. Maybe Jill, Jesse,Jinger etc want to be sahm. I personally have a degree and I want to be a sahm does. So what does that say about me
ReplyDeleteAnon,I'm sure you are a wonderful mom and your children are blessed!
DeleteThank you, I hope my son feels the same. Atm I'm a working mom but hopefully within the next few months that will change. I love that I have my education and degree but I want to be home with my son, plus daycare is very expensive. The ones who are staying at home are saving a boat load of money by doing it, I'm lucky enough to have family around to watch my son while I work but I still miss all the little things while I'm at work. That's the hard part, my son is my world, and it's hard being away from him 5 nights a week. And only putting him to bed two nights a week, I envy sahm right now, cause that's watch want
Delete8:14- Having a degree, or any kind of job training, shows that you have the means to provide for yourself and would it never be a waste, even if you choose to stay home with your kids. I call it sound and logical thinking. Good for you!
DeleteWhitney, you are so smart! You are going to be a great realtor! Excellent choice :-D
ReplyDeleteI'm happy that Whitney had the CHOICE to go to work outside the home. Obviously she and Zach felt it was something worthwhile for her to do. Law enforcement officers do not make nearly enough money and day to day living is expensive, even if you do follow the "buy used" philosophy. I have great joy for women who are able to be SAHM if that is what they choose rather than following the dictates of some church leader, or even their father (which is the case in another mega family) Whitney expanded her education to become certified and I'm sure she is proud of her accomplishment. I'm happy for her.
ReplyDeleteI believe it is not a hardship or boring for a mother to stay home and be with her children....it's a blessing. I think if people could see children as a gift from God rather than a burden the world would be a better place. I realize some mothers have to work outside the home, like my granddaughter who's brokenhearted that she needs to leave her baby son so she can work to put food on the table. My heart goes out to all you Moms in that position. There is no better job than being a mommy!!
ReplyDeleteWhy do all sahm's assume those of us who choose to work outside the home don't see our children as a blessing or gifts from God? Nor do we see them as burdens. We love our children just as fiercely as all the stay at home mom's. We cherish our children just as much as all the stay at home mom's. We sacrifice for our children just as much as all the stay at home mom's. We thank God for our children just as much as all the stay at home mom's.
DeleteYour first sentence is an opinion and certainly does not reflect the feelings of all women. Some mothers are not happy being at home with their children 24/7 and having a job outside the home is of benefit to them and their families. Women should never be made to feel their is only one way to approach motherhood.
DeleteWell stated and totally true@8:06.
DeleteCongratulations! Real estate can be a very flexible and lucrative career. I'm sure Whitney will do a great job!
ReplyDeleteRealiters do have flexible hours. My mom was a realiter when my siblings and I were in elementary school, she said it was the perfect job to be able to work and raise her kids
ReplyDeleteExcited for her!
ReplyDeleteRegardless...whitnet always looks darling cute clothes in my opinion.
ReplyDeleteI don't get the premise that the Bates family says women can't work. Kelly was a tutor in college, Erin teaches piano and has music CDs. Michael was a nanny before going to Chicago. Alyssa cleans businesses. Have I missed a statement by the family?
ReplyDeleteIf a mom is happy then her children will be happy. Wise words my mother told me. If Whitney is happy working that's great! I'm sure she picked real estate because it will be more flexible than other jobs perhaps. There is nothing wrong with a mother working. Maybe she wants to have more to give her children, etc., If someone is a mother and is miserable staying home full time with the kids then her kids are better off with her at work. Being a full time mother is a hard job, yes it's a blessing but let's be real..it can also be lonely. As mothers we need to all support each other whether we are stay at home mothers or mothers who work outside the home. I had to work when my first child turned 2 because my husband left. Thankfully I was blessed to be able to move in with my parents and my mother babysat for me. I would have preferred to be home. I remarried a wonderful man who is a good provider and I was able to stay home with our child. If you are married to a man who will not let you work outside the home and he uses religion to tell you you have to stay home then that is not a Godly man. Also, if a man won't let you work outside the home because you will be around other men then he is saying he does not trust you! Without trust we have nothing in a marriage. So do not marry a man who is that controlling, that is no way to live and that is abuse. God bless all of you mothers..stay at home or working, we all need to support each other.
ReplyDelete