"Fixer Upper" star Chip Gaines has an answer for the USA Today writer who doubts whether the Christian dad's family first philosophy with his wife Joanna actually has any substance to it.
In an opinion piece, Daryl Austin wrote that with a booming business and a successful TV career, it was unlikely that the Gaineses could actually make their family a top priority. Austin wondered how much time Chip and Joanna, whom he described as "two of the busiest people on the planet," actually spend time with their four young children.
The writer criticized the couple for adding to the problem of other parents aspiring to be the next Chip and Joanna Gaines and "have it all." He implied that it's impossible to juggle both a successful business and give equal time and attention to children.
"I love Chip and Joanna Gaines of HGTV's Fixer Upper. There is much to be admired about them, including their commitments to their faith, marriage, family and community," he said.
"There's an important distinction, however, that I think their millions of fans and would-be imitators need to remember: Chip and Joanna Gaines did not get where they are by putting their family first."
He added: "No matter how rich and famous, we are all limited by the same 24 hours in a day. You cannot do all they've done (or even a fraction of it) and still have any real time left over for family. Frankly, I wonder where they even find the time to brush their teeth, let alone spend quality, one-on-one time with each child daily."
Chip, however, responded to Austin's piece on Twitter by saying that with God, it was possible to balance the needs of his family with running a successful business.
"If there is ever a need with my family first, I'll shut this circus down so fast it will make your head spin," the celebrity dad wrote. "But Jo and I believe, with God anything is possible," he added. "Including having an amazing family AND career you love."
In his defense, Austin told Deseret News that he wrote the divisive opinion piece because he was trying to understand Chip and Joanna's family first philosophy.
He said he stood by his original opinion piece and reiterated his criticism, alleging in his statement to Deseret: "There's a disconnect between what they say and what they do and I thought it was a valid point of view worth exploring."
