Jill Duggar Explains Why She Chooses To Drink Alcohol Now

Counting On Jill Duggar Dillard TLC
(Image credit: Jill and Derick's Dinner Date | Counting On / YouTube Screenshot)

Jill Duggar Dillard has spent a lot of her life on camera as part of one of reality television’s most prominent families thanks to TLC's 19 Kids and Counting. She and her husband, Derick Dillard, left TLC’s spinoff Counting On, which features the younger generation of Duggars as they grow their families. Just because she is off the show has not kept Jill from opening up about why she chooses to drink alcohol.

The decision sent some shockwaves through the Duggar family’s fandom as Jill Duggar Dillard shared that she had drunk an alcoholic piña colada. It is a decision that some found surprising considering the Duggars’ conservative upbringing. Fast forward a bit and Jill is clarifying her decision to drink alcohol with her husband, telling People:

We have boundaries. In our faith, we believe like we're not supposed to get drunk. So, with drinking, it's not like we're just like going crazy. It’s more socially here and there, or at home, for a date or something. Our kids are pretty young right now, but I think it's good for them to see a healthy balance.

Jill Duggar Dillard wants to clarify that she and her husband are not drinking to the point of drunkenness, which is a choice that might not stir up any more Duggar family drama. Jill indicates they are imbibing in alcohol to chill out a bit and relax. She also shared that she wants to set a good example for their young kids.

Of course, Jill Duggar Dillard also knows that she will have her share of critics, including those from her family. The Duggars are used to dealing with detractors, as some members took heat over how they went about social distancing. In terms of keeping her distance from alcohol, Jill has not forgotten how she was raised in approaching it, sharing:

Growing up, the whole idea of drinking was not encouraged. I know my parents would not be happy with it, and I know that my siblings, some more than others, would probably have an issue with it. Other ones would probably be like, 'Whatever's good for y’all, that's fine. Live your life.' So far nobody's said anything to us about it.

Jill Duggar Dillard shared that her parents will probably be unhappy with her decision to drink alcohol. It is an interesting comment considering the drama that has unfolded between Derick Dillard and Jim Bob Duggar. Derick and Jill eventually left Counting On to live outside of the shadow of the reality series.

The alcohol update from Jill Duggar Dillard comes not too long after her husband did not shut down the possibility of their family returning to Counting On. Fans of the TLC series will have to wait and see if anything happens on that front. The Duggars have remained a fixture of interest for over a decade at this point.

Viewers have been privy to many of their milestone moments, from the joyous occasions of welcoming new children to the surprising choice to start modeling swimwear. Jill Duggar Dillard made that particular move with some modest choices. For a family that has shared so much, Jill’s decision to go public about drinking alcohol is a step in staying open with people.

While you wait to see Jill Duggar Dillard’s siblings in the next episode of Counting On, check out this fall’s premieres.

Britt Lawrence

Like a contented Hallmark movie character, Britt happily lives in the same city she grew up in. Along with movies and television, she is passionate about competitive figure skating. She has been writing about entertainment for 5 years, and as you may suspect, still finds it as entertaining to do as when she began.