waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too many

Heck no. Can I add a few more a...a...a.. to the above post?

Yes, it is too many children. I know that they have a belief system and all, but having that many kids is not good for the woman. She could possibly die before she is ready. It is taxing on the body. Of course, if she wants that many and is willing, I am saying nothing against her. As long as they can afford the kids, go for it, but I think they are a bit nuts.

I agree that 19 is too many children, but they appear to be happy and well provided for.  If everyone decided to have 19 children, this world would be a disaster, so it obviously isn't for everyone, but to each his own.  I am trying not to judge them, but to understand them (it's hard!).  Something I didn't think about before, is that it must be hard on the children for constantly getting picked on or made fun of because of their unconventional family.

Too many kids, in my opinionnnnn, first where to they find the time to give the kids they currently have attention, and support? second is it is really hard on the mother.

It is too many children for the:

1. health of the mother
2. health of the children (based both on pre-natal condition of the mother and the attention they can receive once they are born)
3. healthy socialization of the family.

haha.. it was only a matter of time

The larger the population, the more of a strain it is on the environment. So, I do believe that population control is necessary.

As much as (I frankly admit) I have enjoyed the shows and feel like they are doing a great job raising the kids, I've got to admit that I think they should have stopped a while ago. 

They should have stopped a long time ago. You can't care for that many children; I found it hard to give 2 children the proper attention.  I must give them credit because they aren't on the Federal welfare roll, but enough is enough.

I think it is up to them to decide how many is to many.  If they think it is what is right for them I am not one to judge people.  People continue to learn and grow and decide what is best for them...as for me I think 2 or 3 kids is plenty and I'll stop at that and be more than happy with what I have.

I need to be honest. I don't know anything about that show other than the title when I scroll past it in the interactive guide. I don't think I could take care of one, so 19 is a little more than I can fathom.

Are those all children from her womb? Were any multiples? I am really too lazy to go and find out. Sorry. That is really a lot of kids. I don't know how she keeps track of them in her own house, never mind in public.

Ughhh, this was the subject of my Facebook status today.  Enough is enough.  It's one thing if you're taking care of your kids on your own.  It's another to 'assign' younger kids with the older ones.  Sigh.  I'm sure her body is SCREAMING for a break.

i think if they can handle it and don't rely on the government to help raise them, then let them do it. to each his own.not something i would do but hey if she wants to why not? they seem to have a great family structure and raise their kids with morals.

I know nothing about these people, have never seen their show or read anything about them other than the comments here. That said, I think that IF they are able to financially and emotionally provide for all of their children, more power to them. If all of their children were actually born to them, however, I personally think that any god would prefer to see them adopt and end a bit of the world's suffering.

Wow!!!!!Thats alot of kids. I guess if they can handle it,but aren't they also to-be grandparents????Or already grandparents. ??? I love kids but who can even afford more than 2 or3 kids. By the time you put them thru school, than college, and all the other activities in between who can afford many.

the duggars home school their children, they built their OWN house (they owe no money on it- btw its like a 7000 sq ft home gorgeous), they own several companies, and raise their children very strictly. Only a limited amount of tv and computers along with other things. They also are penny pinchers. I seen one episode when michelle was telling all of her ways she cuts back. She makes her own laundry soap, buys only second hand clothing and shoes, only store brand food.They live modestly, they budget like there's no tomorrow.

I don't think they're grandparents yet but their oldest was married not too long ago. I'm sure he'll be popping out a little Duggar any day.

It must be heck trying to remember their names sometimes. My two kids names are kai and kaden and my husband is caleb. that's only 3 and i'm always saying the wrong name. I can't imagine having all 18 of my kids starting with J or any other letter!

Well, it certainly takes dedication! I still won't watch any of those shows, but more power to 'em, I guess...

Wow, I just heard about that family.  All I can say is it's a hungry world.  I wish them the best if they're happy having such a large family.  I'm glad it's NOT me!

I don't watch the show, but I've heard about the Duggars.  My opinion is - if they can provide for them (meaning THEY provide not the Government), and their kids are all healthy and happy then I say to each his own.

i think its too many. but they all seem so happy on tv. maybe its a cover up. idk.

pitcherday said…

I need to be honest. I don't know anything about that show other than the title when I scroll past it in the interactive guide. I don't think I could take care of one, so 19 is a little more than I can fathom.

Are those all children from her womb? Were any multiples? I am really too lazy to go and find out. Sorry. That is really a lot of kids. I don't know how she keeps track of them in her own house, never mind in public.

---

Two sets of twins. I wrote an article for another site about the fitness aspect of all this and got a few nice comments and a few "mind your own business" comments - the kids are happy and healthy. Of course the "kids" are taking care of the little ones. Jo

PS I also commented about every name starting with a J. As a former Social Worker that would have been a red flag. AND she homeschools them so keeping track of them outside probably isn't as difficult if they were all out in the world. The oldest, 21 is married and having a baby. As I said the apple doesn't fall far from the tree since Michelle was 17 and Bob was 20. Not saying young marriages are bad - just noting how fast the 21 year old got out of the house and had a kid!

Way to many kids. I know I couldn't deal with that many. More power to them!!!!

What I am impressed with is how well-behaved, all things considered, the kids seem to be on the show. I live in a part of the country where families of that size are not terribly uncommon so it isn't very shocking to me to hear about them having their 19th child. My in-laws live in a community where although they only had 3 children it was common for several families in the area to have at least 10 or more children and they have even told me about a family that had 20. However, many families I know in these circumstances do not have the same amount of discipline and financial means as the Duggars and so I think this show is sort of a mis-representation of how things can be in a large family.

Jo said…

pitcherday said…

I need to be honest. I don't know anything about that show other than the title when I scroll past it in the interactive guide. I don't think I could take care of one, so 19 is a little more than I can fathom.

Are those all children from her womb? Were any multiples? I am really too lazy to go and find out. Sorry. That is really a lot of kids. I don't know how she keeps track of them in her own house, never mind in public.

---

Two sets of twins. I wrote an article for another site about the fitness aspect of all this and got a few nice comments and a few "mind your own business" comments - the kids are happy and healthy. Of course the "kids" are taking care of the little ones. Jo

---

I just read an interview with her on ParentDish. This is a quote:

MD: My 16-year-old Jessa is the school coordinator. I think she's harder on them than I am. With her they have to get at least a B-plus or else they do it again. I'm more lenient; a low B or a C would not be horrible. Some come crying, "I have to repeat another lesson."

If you can afford them, have them. But YOU parent them all! Don't turn the older kids into mini-parents at the age of 16! Kids need a childhood. No wonder the oldest one got married and pregnant so quickly. She's probably been the mother for years and felt out of place without a kid. maybe I will get an MYOB comment, but I feel strongly about that point.

pitcherday, I have to say that I agree with you on your last point.  If you want that many kids, you should parent them too.  Kids NEED a childhood and it sounds like she is depriving hers of that.

i understand both pitcherday. jo and this2shallpass19's points but i think that's the way she wants to raise her kids. She wants to raise girls that will make good mothers and such. I think it has a lot to do with their beliefs. I mean what else would the girls be doing if they weren't helping? They're homeschooled and I'm sure the parents don't let the kids out of the house. All kids need respsonsibilities and maye just maybe that's the kids' way of contributing to the household. I don't see anything wrong with her kids helping out.

The kids are more than helping out, they are the parents. Kids should have responsibilities, but they should have social lives, too. If they wish to do something other than being a parent, that should be ok, too. It seems like they are being trained more than raised. I know that letting them off the compound exposes them to the ills of society. They should be able to navigate those waters while maintaining a good faith and set of values. Completely avoiding society isn't helpful. Trust me, I know people raised that way.

For anyone who needs a religious reference, I think it's tantamount to burying your talent.

i wasn't agreeing with her methods of raising her children by ANY means except about children having responsibilities. I'm just saying they have very religous backgrounds and i feel it's because of those beliefs that they raise their children that way. If you watch the episodes then you can tell how happy they are with the way that they live.

It's OK, even if you did agree with her parenting. :) I admit that I have a problem with really closing off your kids like that. My husband was raised in a culture like that, and it didn't do anyone any good.