Jason Duggar, star of the hit reality show “19 Kids and Counting,” and his wife, Maddie, have officially shut down ongoing rumors that they’re expecting their first child. In the latest episode of the “Jinger and Jeremy” podcast — hosted by Jason’s sister Jinger Duggar Vuolo and her husband, Jeremy — the couple spoke candidly about why they’re not ready to start a family just yet.
Maddie made it clear: “We are not expecting at all, and we’re not trying to be expecting. Right now, that’s just not a priority for us.” Jason, with a mix of humor and firmness, added: “Stop saying we’re expecting — that’s for whoever is listening.”
The young couple tied the knot last October, but instead of jumping straight into parenthood like many other Duggar couples, they’ve decided to wait. The main reason? Maddie is currently finishing her education and is set to graduate in May. “I want to finish school first,” she explained. “I can always get pregnant later on, Lord willing. But right now, we just want to enjoy this time, relax, travel, and keep learning more about each other. Even though we’re married, that first year is still about truly getting to know one another.”
While children aren’t in their immediate plans, both Jason and Maddie admit they sometimes get “baby fever” when they see little ones in the family. However, their decision to wait has been shaped by advice from Jason’s older siblings. In a YouTube video posted last April, Jason revealed: “Some of the couples in my family have said, ‘Hey, we wish we would’ve waited a little bit — that way we could travel and do different things.’ That’s something we both wanted.”
Looking ahead, Jason emphasized that he and Maddie don’t plan to have as many kids as his parents, Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar, who famously welcomed 19 children. “I loved having 18 siblings — it was wonderful growing up in a big family, and I do believe that was my parents’ calling from the Lord. But for us, we want to enjoy each stage that the Lord has us in. Every season has its value, and we want to live it fully.”
By taking this approach, Jason and Maddie are charting a path that’s a little different from Duggar tradition — focusing on thoughtful preparation, personal experiences, and building a strong marriage foundation before welcoming a new little one into their lives.
