There's a new family coming to reality TV. They are Christian, they have plenty of kids, and they believe in purity before marriage as well. If that sound familiar, it's because it looks like The Duggar Family take two. But this time, the show is airing on UP.
The new family reality TV show is "Bringing Up Bates" wherein the Bates family is featured front and center, and there's no one better to give the audience an idea as to what the show is all about than Gil and Kelly Jo Bates, the patriarch and matriarch of the family.
In an interview with Fox411, the couple immediately shared their differences with the TLC show "19 Kids and Counting." While acknowledging that there are plenty of similarities, they also said, "There are so many different personalities, different circumstances, different states, different jobs, different things happening in the children's lives that make our show different."
Gil and Kelly Jo have been married for 30 years now. They shared that their secret to a successful marriage is the Lord.
"That kind of love is something that helps you work on problems and forgive and not be selfish," Kelly Jo explained.
Now when it comes to the kids, the couple shared that they really want to be involved in the lives of their children as much as they can. In particular, they want to ensure that their kids grow up with Christian values.
"We try to start our morning with a family Bible study time. We feel that was really key in keeping our children's hearts pure," Kelly Jo said. She also added that "communication is key" when it comes to knowing and getting closer to the kids.
So, when it comes to dating, what is the Bates' take on it? Like the Duggars, they have a specific set of dating guidelines.
"Our first goal for [dating] would be first, the Lord is first in the relationship. Second, to make sure purity is a priority," Kelly Jo said. Chaperones on dates are also required.
The Bates point out that they have a different upbringing and lifestyle, not to mention less kids, compared to the Duggars, and their new story is what they are putting on the table. But Gil also pointed out, "But we have one thing in common: Everyone wants to be loved and feel loved."
"Bringing Up Bates" debuts on New Year's Day on UP.
