If they are taking care of them --fine.  However, I think this is taking a toll on the mother's body.  I really don't think God wants them to populate the world by themselves.  The older ones are learning how to parent to fast.  One tends to wonder if this is for money or what reason. 

pitcherday said…

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.

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quick correction.. the oldest Duggar child is a son (Josh) and his wife is the one who is expecting

This was a very interesting board!  I like reading everyone's diverse range of responses.  Most people are either - "for" or "against", not very many people are on the fence.

I don't believe the parents can provide enough attention to all their children.

Everyone seems to be assuming that families with less children pay more attention to them or don't let them "parent" the younger kids.  The truth is, it all depends on the family.  Now-a-days there are A LOT of families where both parents work, mine will be one of those.  I have a lot of friends who had to watch/take care of their younger siblings every night while their parents worked. A lot of parents rely on their older children to pick up the younger ones from school, babysit them, etc etc.  

I'm not saying I would ever have 19 kids!  But I'm just trying to say that it's not completely awful nor unusual if the older ones are caring for the younger ones.  In a lot of families, kids are just as responsible for the household as the adults.  

As far as not letting them out of the house, I don't watch the show so can't comment on how that works.  But the one got married as you guys have stated, so he must have met a girl somewhere.

I'm happy it's them and not me! But seriously, yes 19 is too many. Isn't she sick of being pregnant? Has someone suggested she might have some sort of addiction? Like Octo mom? This clearly isn't normal. And ok, they seem to be handling their small country just fine so I guess it really doesn't matter it's just creepy.

sistakay: she says she hopes it's not the last one! Whoa!

dlynell: Thanks for the correction. Like I said I've just been picking at information here and there without having had watched the show. I probably shouldn't even stick my nose in.  :o)

I just read the blogs about another baby on the way.  WOW is all I can say...well, I can also say I'm glad it's not me.  I've raised 2 boys, or I should say, young adult men now, and in this day and age that's a task.  I could not imagine raising that many kids.  Thy do have a system that seems to work for them.  I wonder really how much reality TV has to do with them having more children.  How much do they earn from each episode and do they get benefits from all the re-runs too? 

Someone mentioned "Octo mom" above.  Now that is a sad situation for all those babies and older children.  She'll be getting the big bucks once her TV show starts. 

Just imagine how many grandchildren Mr. and Mrs. Duggar could end up with if their children exercise similar reproduction habits. Yikes! lol

dlynell said…

Just imagine how many grandchildren Mr. and Mrs. Duggar could end up with if their children exercise similar reproduction habits. Yikes! lol

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I didn't even think about that! :\

If that is what makes them happy and not getting gov't help, more power to them. I just know I couldn't keep my sanity with 19. My hands were just fine with two, one of each. Like my hubby said enough to replace us. And yes, their children seem to be well behaved and happy. And it is a choice they have made. I'm not going to judge them on any of it.

After reading all of the posts here, I agree with a lot of points.  1) As long as they can emotionally, financially and physically take care of all those children, I shouldn't care.  2) If the older children enjoy taking care of their younger siblings, it's fine -  however, the kids all need a childhood.  If all they do all day is babysit, that's not fair.  3) If the Duggar's children follow in the footsteps of their parents, they could soon have their own little country!

19 Now... well personaly I don't think that I could do it.... But if they have the money, engergy etc to handle having more children then I say go for it. They are a loving, carring, family who are not harming anyone, there family is not um... how would you put it? I guess what I am saying is there not letting there kids do as they wish when they wish. They have raised there children with up most respect, morals, etc that a lot of us now days seem to forget about. I love there show and there family. I wish them all the best of luck. And congrats to Michell and to there daughter in law. www.mydiapercakestore.com

I don't watch the show often but I did watch it last night. That was the first time I heard she was pregnant again, and at the same time as her daughter-in-law. This just seems like too many kids to me. I couldn't do it!

Personally, I would never want that many kids.  I had 3, including a set of twins and that was pretty tough keeping up with them and school and where they were and who they were with.  I do think that if they can afford them all then that is their business.  But really, this woman must be totally nuts!  Another note is when does she even have time for sex??

One other thing. Did anyone catch how proud he was that she got pregnant on Father's Day?

And they now have a grandchild - young parents too. Jo

It is everyones choice to do what they want, children are a blessing, and if they can afford to care for the children themselves and not burden society it is their choice, BUT.........Personally  I feel that if your children are doing alot of the work for you in raising the children, are you putting too much on them? I do realize children need to learn responsibility doing chores and things, but I have watched this show numerous times and the older girls are like little mothers and when they went to help plan the wedding for the brother there was a statement made about them needing to get back to help the mother. Wait! These are young girls that need a life also outside of watching, babysitting, or raising kids. They get the younger children ready in the morning. You don't want to just be a babymaker and let your children raise your children.

The only thing that really bothers me is that these kids aren't given a chance to be individual. Maybe that's how their parents want them protrayed, but it really looks like their personalities are generally flat after the age of 10 and they get very little, if any, personal time with their parents.

My fear is what happens when one of their children is born with a disability. How would their lives change if this upcoming baby had downs or CF? How would they handle their needs or would they just expect the child's "buddy" to care for them?

I guess I'm on the fence. It's their right to do what they want - they can afford it (of course, who knows how much TLC pays them!) and this is what they believe.
ALL of my grandparents had families with at least 12 kids (in my grandpa's case, around 22 living brothers and sisters). It was how they had to survive on a farm.

On the other hand, I disagree. Can you imagine what her bladder must look like by now? When do they have any personal time together as a COUPLE? When do the kids just get to be kids, not little adults.

I never heard of these people before this thread. I think 19 kids is crazy But I'm not the one having them. If they can afford to care for them and can emotionally give each one what they need to grow up and be happy and secure, who am I to judge? I don't think there is anything wrong with older kids helpiing younger kids. My oldest sister babysat for my brother, my brother babysat for me, I babysat for my sister. Then I babysat for my older sister's kids.

However, all kids need their own lives too, to grow up and have friends and be kids. If this family can manage all that, more power to them but man, her body must be a mess.

Oh but the fact that they have their kids on TV makes me sick. If they weren't getting paid, would they continue to have more kids? I wonder.... If they depend on TV money to pay their bills and such, then I really don't respect them much. Look at Jon and Kate now that things are messed up. Who's suffering? The kids of course.