Last episode
‘Tis the Season to Get Married
s11e06 · 2025-06-16 · 12:00
What it is
Twenty-seven years ago Gil and Kelly Jo Bates tied the knot with no plans to have kids. Fast forward 19 kids later and this tight-knit family, seemingly too good to be true, has a tremendous bond but are far from perfect. As you will see, when you have a house full of 19 children, from ages two to 25, daily chaos is multiplied exponentially, but so are the joyful and poignant moments that life can bring.Led by devoted father Gil (49) and his loving wife Kelly Jo (47), the Bates do everything in bulk while staying true to their values and rules for the family -- which means everyone has chores, little to no TV, only dresses for girls (though pajamas are worn in private), strictly side-hugs until marriage (except for front hugs on special occasions), and more. With a grand total of 19 children ranging in age from two to 25, they are the definition of a "big, happy family." But lately -- as viewers will see -- their simple rural lifestyle in Tennessee is in a flurry of transitions, see it all on Bringing Up Bates.
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Episode guide
14 this season · 206 totals02e01 All Together Again 2015-06-05 01:00
All Together Again
In the season 2 premiere, the family celebrates their special tradition, 'I Love You Day,' with surprise gifts (and surprise guests) for the whole family. Gil and Kelly Jo host a special 'game night' just for the couples and everyone joins together to prepare for Alyssa's baby shower!
s02e02 Future in Laws? 2015-06-12 01:00
Future in Laws?
Gil, Kelly Jo and Michael head to Chicago to see Brandon's parents. Brandon corners Gil for a 'heart to heart' talk in the most unlikely of places! Meanwhile, back in Tennessee, Erin and the kids rush to redecorate their parent's bedroom before Gil and Kelly Jo get back.
s02e03 High Risk, High Hopes 2015-06-19 01:00
High Risk, High Hopes
Erin and Chad meet with Dr. Vick to discuss the risk of having a stillbirth and the precautions they must take for the rest of her pregnancy. Later, the couple invites Zach, Whitney and baby Bradley over for dinner while the older boys square off against the younger ones in a giant Airsoft battle!
s02e04 Meema Moves In 2015-06-26 01:00
Meema Moves In
Gil and Kelly Jo take Trace and Josie to the orthodontist to get braces, and Gil reveals how he can afford orthodontia for so many kids. Later, Kelly Jo's mother Meema announces that she wants to live closer to the kids. So Kelly Jo takes her house hunting, but the task proves tougher than anyone could have imagined.
s02e05 Blessings... and New Beginnings? 2015-07-03 01:00
Blessings... and New Beginnings?
With Erin and Chad's due date looming, the whole family gathers for their baby shower. Erin's friend Kelsey comes for the occasion and helps put together a sentimental surprise that leaves Erin speechless. Nathan and Lawson's friends from New York, Ashley and Anastasia, also visit and the kids have fun showing these city folk a real country adventure!
s02e06 Brandon Pops the Question 2015-07-10 01:00
Brandon Pops the Question
The Bates celebrate two joyous occasions in a special episode! First, Gil and Kelly Jo fly to Florida to see Alyssa and John and welcome their new granddaughter, Allie Jane, to the world. Then, a few days later, they're off to Washington, DC, where Brandon plans to propose to Michael using an elaborate scavenger hunt that will have her trekking all over the city!
s02e07 Doctor's Orders 2015-07-17 01:00
Doctor's Orders
Erin has been experiencing early contractions, so she and Chad rush to their doctor, to find out what's wrong. Meanwhile, Michael and Brandon discover how stressful it can be to plan a wedding long distance via video chat.
s02e08 Life Lessons 2015-07-24 01:00
Life Lessons
How do the Bates educate 19 kids on their own? Kelly Jo takes us inside her schoolroom and shows us the tricks to homeschooling so many children, all at different grade levels. Meanwhile, Tori continues her education at Crown College and Nathan takes to the skies in flight school.
s02e09 The Wedding To-Do List 2015-07-31 01:00
The Wedding To-Do List
Michael and Brandon meet with a wedding planner to go over all the details of their upcoming nuptials. Meanwhile, Lawson learns he has to have his wisdom teeth removed and gets very nervous about the impending surgery.
s02e10 Erin's Little Miracle 2015-08-07 01:00
Erin's Little Miracle
Erin and Chad have their final appointment with Dr. Vick and anxiously await the arrival of their baby. Since the delivery is a high-risk procedure, the family is on pins and needles, hoping and praying that all goes well.
s02e11 Boating with the Bates 2015-08-14 01:00
Boating with the Bates
It's time for the annual family lake trip! The kids waste no time jumping into the lake, swimming, boating and skiing! But what starts out as a perfect day soon turns to disaster when thunder strikes and the family has to head for the hills!
s02e12 The Quest for the Dress 2015-08-21 01:00
The Quest for the Dress
Michael takes Kelly Jo and her sisters into town to look for a wedding dress. But after hours and hours of searching, she gives up. None of the dresses are right. The wedding is only 2 months away and Michael is starting to get nervous!
s02e13 Addee & Ellie's Pool Party! 2015-08-28 01:00
Addee & Ellie's Pool Party!
When you have 19 kids, it's hard to spend one-on-one time with any of them. But it's not impossible. Kelly makes a point to spend the day with Trace, while Gil and Josie take off for a father/daughter adventure. Afterward, the whole family gathers together as Addee and Ellie celebrate their birthdays with a joint swim party!
s02e14 Hello Dollywood! 2015-09-04 01:00
Hello Dollywood!
Lawson gets the opportunity of a lifetime - to perform at the world famous "Dollywood," in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. While he does his sound check on stage, the rest of the family enjoys the theme park and keeps an eye out for Dolly herself!