And here I thought cults were going out of fashion! You can't possibly feel like this is a good thing. Naming all their kids with "J" names is enough.

Reply

I've been following the Duggar's story on Discovery channel. I'm absolutely captivated by them. Far from being a cult, they come across as a normal, loving family. Well, except for the fact that they have WAAAYYY more kids than just about anybody else. I'm the polar opposite of these folks: liberal democrat, non-churchgoing, only one kid. But I still admire them. I'd advise you watch the shows for yourself before you judge.

Reply

My initial reaction to these people back when they only had 14 kids was OWOWOWOW. That poor woman must just crouch and have them pop right out.

BUT, despite my aversion and headshaking over having that many kids in a world FULL of kids who need good home, and the J name thing, I too admire them in a weird way. I'd love to have more kids (albeit adopted) if we could afford more. I don't know how they do it, and certain things do weird me out. But if it works for them, and the kids are TRULY well adjusted and happy, then who am I to judge, other than knowing it's SO not for me!

Reply

I watched te first show on them awhile bakc and it BLEW MY MIND!!! As well as making me feel incredibly uncomfortable in my nether region! LOL How on earth? LOL I'm about to have my second and am going ABSOLUTELY no further in the birthing process. The oven is closed! LOL I remember her saying how that each child has a buddy and they are responsible for the younger one as far as bathing and helping them. and the children all seemed to remarkably well rounded and happy. Good for them, just not for me.

Reply

My dad is one of 17 kids, so the huge family thing doesn't phase me that much. The J thing weirds me right out, though. And I'll confess, I have a problem with this "buddy system" approach to parenting. Teaching your kids that they have a responsibility to their family is one thing. Standing them in loco parentis to their siblings is quite another. If you are so overwhelmed by the numbers/demands of your children that you need older siblings to take on basic parental responsibilities like bathing, feeding, homework etc, then you have had too many kids, and you aren't being fair to any of them.

Reply

".....but now that number 16 is about to arrive....."

I'm pretty sure that #16 arrived sometime last fall.

I bet they will be so happy to have more bathrooms! If I remember right, their old house only had two bathrooms...can you imagine that many people sharing just two bathrooms?!

Reply

I just wish they would post more of their recipes and menus on their website.

Reply

I respect the mom in this family. I have 3 kids, and sometimes I think that's too many. I just wish their tips for other parents weren't so preachy... I can always use organizational/financial advice, but not everything is connected to a god.

Reply

I feel kind of bad for the older girls, since in big families it can be easy to feel like you've already raised a family by the time you move out. My father in law is one of eleven. The oldest girl in his family chose not to have kids because by the time she was old enough to move out, she felt like she'd already helped raise 6 of her siblings. The boys could go out with friends after school, but she was expected to be back home to help with the babies and do chores instead of being a normal high school girl.

Reply

What really frightens me? That one day they'll invite me to dinner. lol. I know feeding that many people must be a challenge, but most of the recipes shared as family favorites were *seriously* unhealthy.

I try and approach their situation with an open mind, but I too wonder what life is really like for them, and I wonder at the toll so many pregnancies, so close together must have taken on Michelle Duggar's body. (From a health standpoint, not a superficial one.) How incredibly draining. I;m tired just thinking about it......

Reply

What really frightens me? That one day they'll invite me to dinner. lol. I know feeding that many people must be a challenge, but most of the recipes shared as family favorites were *seriously* unhealthy.

I try and approach their situation with an open mind, but I too wonder what life is really like for them, and I wonder at the toll so many pregnancies, so close together must have taken on Michelle Duggar's body. (From a health standpoint, not a superficial one.) How incredibly draining. I;m tired just thinking about it......

Reply

I do not like this.

First off why is that when white people have 16 kids, they get a documentary? Or should I say RICH white people? Showing a poor family with 16 kids struggleing to survive on $400 a month is more realistic.

I am COMPLETELY against siblings raising/caring for other siblings. RAISE YOUR OWN KIDS! You daughter/son did not tell you to have another (or 15) so why should they have to do your work?

Plus is their anyway possible these kids can get proper (or even adequate) time with their parents?

Reply

I fully support the Duggar's right to raise their kids as they see fit, but that said, I find their household incredibly disturbing. As others have said, the older girls take care of one or two younger "buddies" who they are largely responsible for feeding, clothing, bathing, and toileting. The oldest Duggar girl is also responsible for preparing dinner for 18 every day (with help from her sisters), the next youngest girl prepares lunch. Can you imagine preparing a meal for 18 people everyday while taking care of two young children and assisting in additional household chores and childcare? That seems like a lot to ask of an adult woman, let alone a 15 or 16-year-old girl. When do these girls have time for their homeschooling?

Also, the Duggars' religion rejects college or career for girls (except in certain extreme circumstances), instead they are encouraged to remain in the home until they marry. That means the Duggar girls either get to spend their young adult years living a dormitory style bedroom with their much younger siblings, or marry young and get out of the house. To me that doesn't seem like much of a choice.

Reply

While nothing about this family's lifestyle appeals to me, and the "J" thing makes me whole body shudder with uncomfortable waves of nausea, I must admit that it takes a lot of effort for a 4 person family to live 100% out of debit. But for a 18 member family to do so is just plain amazing.

Reply

While a lot of people have their views on this family. For me with having 8 little ones at home, i see Michelle Duggar as my role model. I have 6 girls and 2 boys and all of my children have a "b" name. I do not think this is odd or wierd. It is showing my children that they belong at a young age. And it promotes unity in our household. Instead of critizing the Duggars, every woman in America should be taking her hat off to her. She is doing an amazing job with those kids and Im sure if she has another 16. They will be as equally adjusted as the 16 featured in the shows.

Reply

If you read the book "cheaper by the dozen", a biography of a family from the early 20th century who had 12 kids, you'll see that the notion of having older children take care of the younger ones is not a new one.

Reply

I actually admire the Duggar family and since viewing the show my husband and I have changed our views a bit. I think children are such a blessing. We have decided that if someday we can afford that many children or more that we are all for it. I will take as many children as God allows me to have.

Reply

I see nothing wrong with what there are doing as lond as they can pay for everything themselves. I was one of ten and my folks did the same thing. The older ones watch out for the younger ones and the boys did the outside work and we girls did the inside. Plus the
landry and hanging up clothes and Ironing. Mother did not have a clothes dryer and we didn't have throw away diapers. You learned to work and cook and care about other people.Maybe if we went back to that alttle more there would be less problems. The kids look like well
behaved happy children better then some with only two kids in there families!!!!

Reply

I am totally impressed with this family. They all look so wholesome. I got a good feeling just watching the program on TLC. I am wondering what Mr. Duggar does for a living. I feel if more families worked together like the Duggrs, America would be far better off. Family values are deteriorating in this country. It is refreshing to know that people like the Duggars will keep America alive.

Reply

When I first saw 14 children and pregnant again, I only caught a few brief clips and thought it was mildly interesting. But when I caught the whole show I fell in love with the family. I have always wanted a big family but now they have show me that it is fine to let God bless you with the children He believes you should have.

To fay Johnson both Jim Bob and Michelle have their real estate licenses.

Reply