Fans Concerned for Pumpkin and Josh Efird’s Children

Mama June fans have become worried about Pumpkin and Josh Efird’s four children. The couple is currently in the middle of a divorce, which came as a complete surprise. Though they agreed to part ways amicably and aim to co-parent, fans have concerns about the wellbeing of their kids: Ella, Bentley, Stella, and Sylus. Read on for more details.

Pumpkin and Josh Efird have been together since she was just fifteen years old. By the time she was seventeen, she had their daughter, Ella, and the couple got married when she was eighteen. Their family grew quickly with the arrival of their son, Bentley, in 2021 and twins, Stella and Sylus, in the following year. The couple also faced the additional responsibility of raising Pumpkin’s younger sister, Alana ‘Honey Boo Boo’ Thompson, starting in 2019. Alongside their children, they received support from Pumpkin’s sister, Jessica Shannon.

However, life’s challenges took a toll when Pumpkin’s eldest sister, Anna Cardwell, passed away in December 2023. On August 1st, Pumpkin filed for divorce. Both she and Josh have since moved on with new partners. Pumpkin publicly acknowledged her status with Josh and stated that she would no longer discuss it. Despite this, fans of Mama June: Family Crisis are primarily concerned about what their separation means for the children.

In a Reddit thread, one user expressed their hopes that the divorce proceedings wouldn’t air on the show: “I hope they don’t air the divorce/separation on the show. Faked or not their kids do not need their family being drastically changed (for better or for worse) video taped for them to come across and relive whatever emotions they are going to have to navigate so young.”

Other commenters weighed in:

• “Of course they will! They need that paycheck – They don’t work!”
• “If Anna’s final moment wasn’t off limits why wouldn’t Pumpkin divorce be?”
• “Nothing is off limits for that family. No one thinks of the kids.”
• “If they aired a death, they will air a divorce.”

The recent history of the show reveals a tendency to prioritize dramatic content for ratings. A whole season of Mama June: Family Crisis revolved around Anna Cardwell’s passing, depicting her final moments in a two-part special. Given this precedent, it seems unlikely that the show would shy away from broadcasting Pumpkin and Josh’s divorce. Past episodes have already covered sensitive issues such as Mama June’s addiction and Alana ‘Honey Boo Boo’ Thompson’s custody battles.

In light of this history, fans are questioning the treatment of children on the show. They worry that the children’s feelings may be disregarded for the sake of entertainment. Pumpkin, in particular, has faced criticism for how she handles her kids. Josh Efird has similarly been criticized for his behavior, including an incident in which he yelled at Anna’s daughter, Kaitlyn.

Concerns continue to grow: should someone externally step in to protect Josh and Pumpkin’s children, or is it ultimately the responsibility of the parents? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Source: TVShowsAce