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
25 this season · 206 totals04e01 Big Family, Big Changes 2016-06-03 01:00
Big Family, Big Changes
It's a season of change for the Bates family with new loves, new careers, and a new grandbaby on the way! But when Gil undergoes a serious medical procedure, it forces everyone to contemplate what the future holds for them all.
s04e02 Bates Boys Birthday Bash 2016-06-10 01:00
Bates Boys Birthday Bash
It's Trace and Jeb's birthday and there's only one rule: no girls allowed! The brothers, who share a birthday and a special bond, plan a party for Bates boys only complete with go carts and ice cream! Meanwhile, Erin and Chad travel to South Carolina to speak to and encourage a group of young girls about female empowerment.
s04e03 A LOVEly Day 2016-06-17 01:00
A LOVEly Day
The whole family arrives at the Bates house to celebrate their favorite holiday, "I Love You Day" AND there's someone new at the table – Tori's new beau! The family is happy to see Michaella and Alyssa return home, as well as Nathan's girlfriend, Ashley, who arrives for the celebration to have a very important conversation with Kelly Jo and Gil. Later, at the family's celebration someone in the family makes a very special announcement!
s04e04 Sunshine State Bates 2016-06-24 01:00
Sunshine State Bates
While Alyssa, John, and Allie Jane may live far from the rest of the family, they're never far from their hearts! We check in with the Webster's in Florida to see what life is like for the family of three - from their family business to their favorite pastimes. Meanwhile, expectant moms Erin and Whitney, get together with Kelly Jo to talk about all things baby girl!
s04e05 Tough Decisions and Large Ambitions 2016-07-01 01:00
Tough Decisions and Large Ambitions
Change is afoot for all the Bates boys. Lawson travels to Nashville and makes exciting new plans for his music career, but when he shares his plans with the family, they worry he may have bitten off more than he can chew. Meanwhile, expectant couples, Zach and Whitney and Erin and Chad bond over their upcoming baby girls. And Nathan shares some unexpected news about his courtship.
s04e06 The Big Chill 2016-07-08 01:00
The Big Chill
It's time to get cookin'! The Bates family is reunited once again to perform at an event very dear to their hearts, the annual Volunteer Fire Department Chili Fundraiser. As they wait for the married couples to arrive, Trace decides to get serious about his trick riding and enlists the help of Gil and Jackson to build a ring to practice in. Later at the big event, the family gets nervous about their upcoming performance. Without much time to practice, will they come up flat or be able to pull it together in time to hit a high note?
s04e07 The Great Bates Clean-Up 2016-07-15 01:00
The Great Bates Clean-Up
It's that time of the year again and the Bates are ready to clean house! With a big family, Spring cleaning is no easy feat. Kelly Jo leads the project and tries to convince the kids to get rid of their old junk and used toys. But when Gil gets sentimental he may make a mess of the whole endeavor. And while the family is working hard at home, Chad is hard at work at his job at the metal yard.
s04e08 Bates Say the Darndest Things 2016-07-22 01:00
Bates Say the Darndest Things
With 19 kids you never know what what's going to happen! And as we've seen, the Bates kids are chock-full of hilarious sayings and entertaining moments. We take a look back and highlight the funniest and wackiest things the Bates kids have said and done.
s04e09 Birthdays and Boyfriends 2016-07-29 01:00
Birthdays and Boyfriends
The Bates are back in Florida and are ready to party! It's the Bates girls' turn this time to celebrate as Allie Jane and Carlin share a big birthday. The family prepares for the birthday bash but quickly realize it's a lot harder to plan a party for both a 1-year-old and an 18-year-old then they originally thought. Then, Kelly Jo and Gil take advantage of their time in Florida when they decide to meet Tori's boyfriend's family.
s04e10 Who's in Charge? 2016-08-05 01:00
Who's in Charge?
The Bates kids are in charge while Kelly Jo and Gil take a much needed couples vacation to Niagara Falls. But when some of the kids get sick will they be able to handle the pressures without Mom and Dad around? Then some of the Bates kids head over to Zach and Whitney's house for a rare treat...movie night!
s04e11 Bates Make the Grade 2016-08-12 01:00
Bates Make the Grade
It's time to flip the tassel as Trace and Carlin get ready to receive their high school diplomas! But as the family prepares for the big bash they find themselves one man down when Kelly Jo falls ill, leaving Carlin to take the party planning lead. Will her siblings come to her rescue and help her pull off the greatest graduation party yet?
s04e12 The 20th Bates 2016-08-19 01:00
The 20th Bates
Ever wonder what it would be like to be part of the Bates family? Join the 20th Bates contest winner as they meet the family and embark on a day-in-the-life of a Bates. From doing chores to riding horses, our lucky fan will quickly learn that while it isn't always easy being a Bates, it sure is fun!
s04e13 Growing Paine 2016-08-26 01:00
Growing Paine
Grandbaby Carson is turning 1 and the Bates are ready to celebrate! It's Erin's first time hosting the whole family at her house so she enlists everyone's help to set up and decorate. But she quickly loses the boys to fun and games when Kelly Jo arrives with the party's entertainment. And before the party starts, Katie and Josie hop behind the wheel for their first driving lesson under Kelly Jo's watchful (and nervous!) eye.
s04e14 Bates Dish It Out 2016-09-02 01:00
Bates Dish It Out
The Bates are hungry and ready to chow down! The family heads to an "all you can eat" buffet to get their fixin's and fill. But will some of the Bates' eyes be bigger than their stomachs? And Lawson's hard work recording for his new album continues as he finds inspiration from an unlikely duet partner, Emily Ann Roberts, a former contestant on The Voice. Will this duo be in sync or completely out of tune?
s04e15 You Can't Spell Paintball Without Pain 2016-09-16 01:00
You Can't Spell Paintball Without Pain
Jackson is turning 14 and it's time to complete a Bates boy rite of passage - helping out on a tree job. Is he ready for this big step? Meanwhile, Erin and Chad have some family over to discuss their plans of recording a new lullaby CD. Then the guys come together to celebrate Jackson's birthday with a rowdy game of paintball. But it isn't too long before the Bates boys learn that you can't spell paintball without PAIN.
s04e16 Three Pointers and Puppies 2016-09-23 01:00
Three Pointers and Puppies
The Bates boys are going to basketball camp. How will these homeschoolers do when they enter into organized sports for the first time? And in true Bates fashion, a competition emerges between the brothers to see who comes home a MVP. Meanwhile, Chad and Erin are expecting baby Brooklyn any day now! But they're already thinking about adding another member to the family - a new puppy! Will they find a four legged pal to bring home?
s04e17 Meet Kaci Lynn Bates! 2016-09-30 01:00
Meet Kaci Lynn Bates!
Zach, Whitney, and the whole Bates family get ready to meet their newest addition, Kaci Lynn! But when Whitney has an ultrasound days before delivery, they find out that Kaci Lynn is breach and if she doesn't turn, it could have dangerous consequences for mom and baby. When the time comes Zach, Whitney, and the rest of the family are holding breaths and saying prayers for a happy and healthy new Bates.
s04e18 Muddy Buddies 2016-10-14 01:00
Muddy Buddies
It's time to get dirty! The family goes on a messy adventure when they pack up and go mudding on fourwheelers. Can the family's resident daredevil, Nathan, take it easy, or will he end up with his head in the mud? But when the weather takes an unexpected turn the family is in danger of losing their muddy good time. And later, Michaella and Brandon come into town to meet the Bates' newest member, Kaci Lynn!
s04e20 Muddy Buddies 2016-10-14 01:00
s04e21 Nashville Nights & Country Campouts 2016-10-21 01:00
s04e19 And Baby Makes Five? 2016-10-28 01:00
And Baby Makes Five?
Erin and Chad are days away from meeting their little girl and are in full prep mode! Erin heads to Nashville to finish her lullaby album. But before Erin and Chad bring Brooklyn home they welcome another new addition...a puppy! And as Brooklyn's birth gets closer and closer, Erin recounts her struggles with Carson's labor and even though it will be worth it when she has Brooklyn in her arms, she worries that she'll face the same difficulties this time around.