You can now take relationship advice from Michelle Duggar, better known as the mother of 19 children and star of the TLC show 19 Kids and Counting. As one of her daughters Jessa strikes up a courtship with a guy named Ben, the series premiere gives us a sneak peek at Michelle Duggar's dating rules. "No kissing or hand holding," she says. "Always chaperoned when on a date, and really hands-off." The reason behind her no-touching policy is for the couple to "focus on the spiritual and emotional aspects of their relationship." In case you're worried that Jessa doesn't dig this, she's actually pretty gung-ho saying, "I guess the whole idea of courtship is something that's probably old-fashioned in a lot of people's minds ... but for our family, it's something that we think is very important and helps you probably avoid maybe some heartache in some areas, so I think we're all on board with that."
It seems that for now her boyfriend (is she allowed to call him that?) is on board too. Or at least on board with the paycheck TLC is writing, so we're all good there. But Michelle Duggar's sage dating wisdom got me Carrie Bradshaw-style thinking, and I couldn't help but wonder, what other romantic advice can we take away from reality TV? Well, here's your dating guidebook brought to you by TV's finest:
1. YOU HAVE TO DATE SOMEONE FOR THE RIGHT REASONS
The Bachelorette taught me that even if no one seems clear on exactly what those reasons are, they're really important. Frequently state to the person you are with that you are there for the right reasons. Maybe even sing it.
2. YOU NEED TO GET CLOSURE OTHERWISE IT'S LIKE NOT BEING ABLE TO SOLVE A MURDER
Real Housewives of Atlanta star Porsha Stewart once described breaking up with her husband as being "like someone has died and you can't find their body, so you don't have closure." So if you feel upset after a break up, gurl you need to find that dead body, and get some closure. Or at least maybe alert the police about the murder???
3. THIS IS NOT A "LOVE TAP"
For years Kate Gosselin would smack her husband and then quickly declare it was a love tap that just "cracks" loudly. Well now one divorce later and the only thing that still cracks is any faith those eight children still have in marriage after their mother and father's public battling. (Don't hit people you love, And don't let them hit you.)
4. YOU'RE PROBABLY MORE FIERCE THAN ANYBODY YOU'RE DATING, SO OWN IT
The Mob Wives' husbands may be in jail, but the real fierce people are their wives, because they are tough, incredibly loyal, and they're not afraid to fight for what they care about.
5. BE YOUR OWN VALENTINE
The Kardashians can be ridiculous, but they occasionally can be on point. Like when Kim Kardashian said, "It doesn't matter if you have a valentine or not — just love yourself and be your own."
6. MAKE IT WORK
Tim Gunn may have been talking about fashion, but this advice applies to all areas of life.
7. SOMETIMES YOU JUST NEED TO REMOVE YOURSELF FROM THE SITUATION (no pun intended)
Jersey Shore taught us that sometimes things just need to end (like the show itself). So if you don't like who you're dating anymore, maybe it's time to pull a Snooki:
8. WHEN SOMEONE DUMPS YOU AND THEN GOES IN FOR THE HUG SAY NO
This season of The Bachelor taught us how to spot a jerk and how to say to said jerk "Sorry Juan Pablo, no more besitos for you."
9. LOVE WHO YOU WANT TO LOVE NO MATTER WHAT SOCIETY SAYS
Because as Honey Boo Boo says:
Images: ABC; TLC/DCL; Tumblr/realitytvgifs; Tumblr/wifflegif; rebloggy; Tumblr/projectrunwaygifs; giphy; phillymag; autostraddle
