The Duggards-Agree or Disagree?

[andress_jade]

On the current cover of People, there is a picture of the Duggards with their baby Josie. It said on the cover that they are ready for more children. They almost lost their last baby, baby Josie, and now they want more! They have 19 kids! Why would they want more? I guess I just don't understand. I mean I understand they are really religious, I'm religious too (I'm Christian) but to have 19 kids because you don't believe in birth control is a little extreme to me. I know it says in the Bible "Be fruitful and multiply" but come on, 19 kids? Really? Apparently the mother (forget her name) was pregnant and didn't know it and was on birth control and had a miscarriage, and since then doesn't believe in birth control. Can't the father get a vasectomy or something? :rolleyes: I never heard of a vasectomy causing a miscarriage. ;)
Apparently they aren't in debt, and live off the land a lot. All the kids are homeschooled and very sheltered. They are not allowed to watch much television, if any at all. All the girls wear dresses and aren't allowed to wear pants, and they aren't on food stamps! If they say it, it must be true but it just seems all unbelievable to me. :eek:
The oldest child is married with a baby of his own. All the children's names start with "J". If they want more children aren't they going to run out of names that start with "J"? :lol:
I just can't agree with having so many children in this day and age. I don't know, but it's just how I feel. I mean it's their choice and more power to them, but I couldn't do it. I don't know how they do it. There should be a law on how many children you are allowed to have. The woman has spent half her life pregnant! When she found out she was pregnant with Josie, Jordyn-Grace was only 9 months old! They sure didn't waste any time did they! I believe that the scare with Josie was a sign that they shouldn't have any more kids. Just my opinion. Sorry I keep going on about it, I just had to get it off my chest.
How do you feel about it? Do you agree or disagree with me? Let me know.

[Janice]

I watch their reality show, and I think they're very nice people. What happened with baby Josie had nothing to do with having a lot of kids. The doctors stated that. The season with Josie in the hospital had me crying a lot. The nurses and doctors got emotionally involved. She was there for what seems like six months, give or take.

The Duggars live in a gorgeous house, custom built for them by TLC. They carry no debt, and are not dependent on the government for anything. It seems to me that everything about the family is exaggerated; like how the older kids take care of the younger kids. They help their parents, but it's not their sole responsibility. The parents take care of their own kids. True, not a lot of tv time, but that's probably a good thing. The parents are smart, and they do homeschool the kids. The rooms are set up just like classrooms, with rows of computers. The parents are strict when it comes to learning.

They're such a good looking family. The parents are average looking, yet their kids are very good looking, especially the older teen girls. I say it's up to the parents to decide how many kids they want. It's not something I'd do, but it works for them. They are one of the closest, most loving family I've ever seen. There's a lot of love in that home. Still, I think they'd want to stop for themselves. At this rate, they'll never have an empty nest. Long post, sorry. :)

[catlover79]

^ :yeahthat

[MickeyMac]

Who in the hell are the Duggards???????????????????

[PZelda]

Mickey, their surname was misspelled in the original post... They are the Duggars. Check out http://www.duggarfamily.com/ for more details.

Janice, are you sure about the TLC thing? I understood it as them funding their own money to build their house. I recall they didn't ask for a lot of outside help when they were actually building their house. I must've missed the part about TLC helping them with funds for their house... I do remember seeing the documentary about them building the house, but it's been a while since I've seen it. :lol: So I can believe it, TLC helping them out in exchange for a documentary. :)

Also, I agree with you on everything else in your post. People exaggerate way too much about the Duggars. JUST DO YOUR FREAKING HOMEWORK WHEN YOU'RE READING UP ON THEM. Don't trust the message boards. READ THEIR OWN DAMN WEBSITE, maybe? And then watch their damn show! THEN YOU CAN DECIDE FOR YOURSELF.

I would shoot myself in the foot if I had to spend a day with Kate Gosselin and her family... but I would love to spend a day with the Duggar family. I would go nuts with all the little kids, but there are older kids/adults to balance it out. :)

[MickeyMac]

Ok I read and checked out the webpage that Allison posted above. I am still lost. Why are these people in the news????

[Liza]

I personally would never live my life the way they do theirs, but that's not the point. I think they are good, honest people who are following the beliefs they hold in their hearts. If they can have more children and support them (and so far they've been doing a beautiful job) then I say, God bless them.

[PZelda]

Ok I read and checked out the webpage that Allison posted above. I am still lost. Why are these people in the news????
Right now, probably because of baby #19, Josie Duggar. It's a pretty big deal, being Michelle delivered all other 18 of her children with no complications.

Michelle had Josie REALLLLLLLLLLLY prematurely (Michelle had Josie about halfway through a normal 40-week pregnancy, at about 25 weeks... Josie should have been born around March of this year, but was born around early-ish December of last year), and Josie has had a lot of problems associated with being such a premature baby. Michelle had a condition called pre-eclampsia, that caused her to have to deliever Josie that prematurely. Josie spent the first 6 months mainly in the hospital (she's 8 months old now). She is doing a LOT better now, but is still needing medical assistance in certain areas that is no longer requiring round-the-clock care at the NICU, so Michelle is able to do that at home now.

Otherwise, they're in the news regularly for, y'know, having a huge family and not ever requiring governmental assistance. They don't even own credit cards! (THE SHOCK AND HORROR!) :)

[browneyes106]

I don't think the Duggars are bad people. I think the buddy system they use with their kids is a bit too much and unfair to the older kids. When I was little by older siblings did babysit me often and they learned responsibility but my parents also allowed them to do things outside the house on their own and be involved in hobbies or sports. Based on what I have seen the Duggars don't allow the older kids to discover hobbies or talents on their own and I think kids should have to time to themselves.

I do see where the Duggars are debt free. Some families that have debts aren't always shopholics some people have debt to educational expenses, health problems and other things life throws at them. The Duggars are self employed and likely provide their own health insurance and there is a chance they could end up in debt if their children had health problems or if Josie continues to have health problems. I have seen people end up in debt due to copays and other added expenses. There is a slight chance the Duggars could end up in debt and require some government assistance.

As for the 19 kids I think they should stop. Michelle is in her 40's and there is a chance for a 40 something woman to have a child with Down syndrome or other problems.

[Janice]

I don't think the Duggars are bad people. I think the buddy system they use with their kids is a bit too much and unfair to the older kids. When I was little by older siblings did babysit me often and they learned responsibility but my parents also allowed them to do things outside the house on their own and be involved in hobbies or sports. Based on what I have seen the Duggars don't allow the older kids to discover hobbies or talents on their own and I think kids should have to time to themselves.

I do see where the Duggars are debt free. Some families that have debts aren't always shopholics some people have debt to educational expenses, health problems and other things life throws at them. The Duggars are self employed and likely provide their own health insurance and there is a chance they could end up in debt if their children had health problems or if Josie continues to have health problems. I have seen people end up in debt due to copays and other added expenses. There is a slight chance the Duggars could end up in debt and require some government assistance.

As for the 19 kids I think they should stop. Michelle is in her 40's and there is a chance for a 40 something woman to have a child with Down syndrome or other problems.
It seems that you've got different reasons for them to stop having kids, mostly based on IFs. Many woman have kids in their 40s, so are you against it completely for other woman as well? As for their finances, they're in great shape. They live off their real estate income, and their reality show is in its 5th season. They've got books, DVDs and all sorts of other ventures.

As for the buddy system, we had it in my house. Quite a few of my friends had it as well. It's nothing new. Too much is made of that buddy system anyway. Unless you've seen their show and how they work it all out, you don't have a clear picture. This family is wonderful. The kids are mature, the young ones are well behaved, and all of them, so good looking, and well-balanced. The parents are simply the best that any child could ever hope for. So they had a bunch of kids. I think it's great.

In the future, please let me know if your post is double, triple or in this case quadruple posted. Thanks.

[Brieannas21]

I think that Michele should stop having children, but it is none of my business what she and Jim Bob decide to do. They are not living off taxpayers, they actually built their own home with help from friends and family. So if they can afford to house, clothe and feed their children that is all that matters. I watch their show, and their children seem well behaved and happy.

[Janice]

Mickey, their surname was misspelled in the original post... They are the Duggars. Check out http://www.duggarfamily.com/ for more details.

Janice, are you sure about the TLC thing? I understood it as them funding their own money to build their house. I recall they didn't ask for a lot of outside help when they were actually building their house. I must've missed the part about TLC helping them with funds for their house... I do remember seeing the documentary about them building the house, but it's been a while since I've seen it. :lol: So I can believe it, TLC helping them out in exchange for a documentary. :)

Also, I agree with you on everything else in your post. People exaggerate way too much about the Duggars. JUST DO YOUR FREAKING HOMEWORK WHEN YOU'RE READING UP ON THEM. Don't trust the message boards. READ THEIR OWN DAMN WEBSITE, maybe? And then watch their damn show! THEN YOU CAN DECIDE FOR YOURSELF.

I would shoot myself in the foot if I had to spend a day with Kate Gosselin and her family... but I would love to spend a day with the Duggar family. I would go nuts with all the little kids, but there are older kids/adults to balance it out. :)
Allison, I just looked it up. You're right, they did build it, with family and friends. Sponsors of the show took care of furnishings. I can only imagine what that cost. That home is beautiful.

[catlover79]

I personally would never live my life the way they do theirs, but that's not the point. I think they are good, honest people who are following the beliefs they hold in their hearts. If they can have more children and support them (and so far they've been doing a beautiful job) then I say, God bless them.
Amen!! I can't even imagine bearing one child, let alone NINETEEN. :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:

[PZelda]

Allison, I just looked it up. You're right, they did build it, with family and friends. Sponsors of the show took care of furnishings. I can only imagine what that cost. That home is beautiful.
Oh yeah! That does make more sense now - all that had to have cost a fortune to be able to fully furnish their house. :crazy: So, good for the sponsors helping out there. :)

[OH Nuts!]

I watch their reality show, and I think they're very nice people. What happened with baby Josie had nothing to do with having a lot of kids. The doctors stated that. The season with Josie in the hospital had me crying a lot. The nurses and doctors got emotionally involved. She was there for what seems like six months, give or take.

The Duggars live in a gorgeous house, custom built for them by TLC. They carry no debt, and are not dependent on the government for anything. It seems to me that everything about the family is exaggerated; like how the older kids take care of the younger kids. They help their parents, but it's not their sole responsibility. The parents take care of their own kids. True, not a lot of tv time, but that's probably a good thing. The parents are smart, and they do homeschool the kids. The rooms are set up just like classrooms, with rows of computers. The parents are strict when it comes to learning.

They're such a good looking family. The parents are average looking, yet their kids are very good looking, especially the older teen girls. I say it's up to the parents to decide how many kids they want. It's not something I'd do, but it works for them. They are one of the closest, most loving family I've ever seen. There's a lot of love in that home. Still, I think they'd want to stop for themselves. At this rate, they'll never have an empty nest. Long post, sorry. :)


Couldn't agree with you more. Having 19 kids is not for everyone but they are a special couple - they LOVE having kids and know how to take care of them so I say more power to them.

[andress_jade]

Don't misunderstand me. I didn't say they weren't good people, I just said that I think it's crazy to want more children after having Josie since she almost died.
I am a Christian and I grew up in some not so good conditions, I turned out fine. I don't do drugs, I don't smoke and I don't drink. My stepmother was an alcoholic, my dad smoked for years, my mom smokes. I believe that you can still grow up normal without living in a sheltered home. I am a prime example. Jesus is first and foremost in my life. I don't have to wear dresses and skirts all the time to be close to Him, I don't have to avoid television to be close to Him, and I don't have to wait to kiss a boy before marriage. I have kissed lots of boys but am still a virgin at my age.
I guess the way that they choose to raise their kids is fine with me, but all I know is that you don't have to live a sheltered life to grow up normal and close to God.
That's all I'm saying. I also believe you don't have to have a lot of children to show God how much you love Him. There are so many children out there that don't have a home, and can be adopted. I think it's great that they aren't living off the government but some of us aren't that lucky. I know that I couldn't have all those kids and not be in debt. I wouldn't want to have all those kids and I love kids! Also, I don't agree with not letting the girls make the decision whether they want to go to college when they grow up, not all of them may want to be a wife and mother right away. I believe the girls should have a choice.
More power to them and may God continue to bless them, doesn't mean I have to agree 100% with their lifestyle.

[catlover79]

^ Thanks for sharing your story, and for your honesty. I'm a believer, too - and a single woman with no children. However, I do have two small nephews and love them dearly. I can honor God just as much by being a good aunt and a good role model to them. :D

[Crimson and Clover]

its there life why should i care.

[Janice]

Also, I don't agree with not letting the girls make the decision whether they want to go to college when they grow up, not all of them may want to be a wife and mother right away. I believe the girls should have a choice.
That's not true. The Duggar parents encourage their children (girls included) to be anything they want to be.

http://www.lilsugar.com/2727153

One Duggar flies the coop and another arrives! The large family known for their TLC show, The Duggars: 17 and Counting (http://old.lilsugar.com/tags/The+Duggars%3A+17+Kids+and+Counting) has had an eventful year. First born Joshua got married in September. (Tune in tonight to watch the wedding, which includes the 21-year-old's first kiss with his wife, Anna.) Then just before Christmas, baby Jordyn made her debut as number 18!

Despite their hectic lives and sleep deprivation, parents Jim Bob and Michelle took time to write a book, The Duggars: 20 and Counting! (http://tlc.discovery.com/tv/17-kids-and-counting/duggar-family.html) and carved time out of their schedules to talk to me about it. While their oldest son settles down to start a life and family of his own, Jim Bob and Michelle still have plenty of charges. They shared their thoughts on the future and how they are preparing their offspring for the real world. Aside from helping build the home they live in, the Duggar kids have been taught everything from plumbing to tile work and learned about politics while sitting in on committee meetings when their father was a state legislator in Arkansas. Other youngsters have the business inkling having built and sold bikes and eventually motorized vehicles for as long as their parents can remember.

lilsugar: Josh is now married and living with his wife, but in regards to your other children at what age would you encourage them to move out and become independent?

To see their answer and thoughts on modest dressing and setting their girls up for success, read more.

Jim Bob Duggar: When each of our children move out really has to do with what the Lord has in store for their lives. I would not want a married son or daughter living with us I mean unless it was a crisis type situation. I'd want them to have their own place because they are their own family unless maybe at an older age we may be living with them (laughs).

Michelle Duggar: At this point, I don't think we have anyone who wants to get out and thinks we're driving them nuts. Even Josh and Anna, they come this way and accompany us on some trips.

Jim Bob Duggar: As far as my children, my goal, especially for my sons is to be able to develop skills so they can hopefully provide for their families in the future. I also want my daughters to develop skills so they can provide if they had to. Some of my daughters may get nursing degrees. My sons, it really depends on their interests. My second oldest son (John-David) really wants to be a pilot so instead of him moving out on his own and spending all his money on paying for his apartment and expenses, I'd rather him go and save up and get his pilot's license and then start saving up for a house or make some kind of investment in business where he doesn't have any overhead so he can save up money and really get a good start.

Michelle Duggar: We taught our children from the very beginning that you never stop learning in life. School is never over. When you have that perspective, it's not the traditional way of viewing it. There are people who are out there and they are professionals at what they do and if you are a hard worker and have good character — are honest, responsible — there's many people that would be glad to have someone like that to work along side them. You can gain skills while you are being paid. A lot of trades, you may decide you like this right now, but go to work with somebody who does that and you'll find out if you really like it. There's so many people who go to college and turn right around and not use what they went to college for and this way, you're thinking it through.

lilsugar: In such a progressive society where many parents, especially mothers, are encouraging their daughters to be tough enough to make their own way in the world, your show often features your girls taking the homemaker and child rearing roles. Do you think they will be able to provide for themselves if they don't marry?

Michelle Duggar: Our girls are go-getters. No matter what, I know they could do that if they wanted to or needed to, but in their hearts, they would love to marry and lord willing if they had children to stay at home and raise their families. I've got a couple of them talking about going for their real estate licenses and about getting their CDL licenses because they want to be able to drive some of our big equipment. Believe me, my girls are not Namby Pamby. They've got goals and the desire to do things.

[andress_jade]

its there life why should i care.

I'm not saying you have to. It's just they have a television show and tell the world and show the world their private lives. If they didn't want us to know, they shouldn't have agreed to do their own show. We are going to continue to talk about them as long as their show is on the air. I'm just saying...