17 children is a bit much ?

[renovation]

Michelle Duggar, left, is surrounded by her children and husband Jim Bob, top left, while she holds her newborn daughter, Jennifer Danielle, Thursday, Aug. 2, 2007 in Rogers, Ark. Jennifer Danielle was born at 10:01 a.m., weighed 8 lbs 8 oz, was 21 inches long, and is the 17th child born to Michelle and Jim Bob Duggar.

what you think ? i personal feel thats a bit much . and this woman must stay in bed with her pantys off .to have this many children .
im sure she loves all of them but still .

Less than 30 minutes after giving birth, the Duggars already were talking of having more.

"We'd love to have more," Michelle said,

http://apnews.excite.com/article/200...D8QPK4SO0.html

[Prngr44]

17 kids?? Good lord.

[Pemolis]

Please tell me they aren't on welfare.. I don't want to pay for that.

That has to be some relgious deal to make a pair of people have THAT many kids.

How in the world is intimacy even viable anymore, considering that woman's condition.

[gear02]

I hate the fact that all of their names start with J...that's a little tacky...

Also I wonder what he does for a living. Supporting 17 kids must cost a lot of money.

[Pemolis]

oh wait, he's a former representative.. and they have a TV show... yea there rolling in cash.

[Layla]

They are regularly on TLC channel and I've watched a few of their specials. The family actually functions amzingly well, and a few of those children were born in pairs Personally, I couldn't do it, but she homeschools here kids. They have zero debt. (Although I'm sure that's MUCH easier now that they are "famous"). All of the older children help out with the younger ones. It's truly amazing to watch. Years ago, over ten kids was not uncommon, my granfather had 12 siblings...I think it's just the state of the world that we live in that makes us automatically find it odd.

[Prngr44]

I think it's just the state of the world that we live in that makes us automatically find it odd.

I'd agree. "Back in the day" there way more farming communities and large families were more the norm, rather than the exception.

My parents both came from fairly large families, 8 and 7 siblings each.

[DarkFury]

They are regularly on TLC channel and I've watched a few of their specials. The family actually functions amzingly well, and a few of those children were born in pairs Personally, I couldn't do it, but she homeschools here kids. They have zero debt. (Although I'm sure that's MUCH easier now that they are "famous"). All of the older children help out with the younger ones. It's truly amazing to watch. Years ago, over ten kids was not uncommon, my granfather had 12 siblings...I think it's just the state of the world that we live in that makes us automatically find it odd.

Well.. considering that the majority of us don't live on farms where you'd really need a big family to help with the workload (plus the ever increasing costs of current lifestyle choices, health and education) sorta contribute to not having such large families anymore.

The world is a crowded place already... and if everyone had 15+ kids... HOOO BOY!!! "We wouldn't have anywhere to ride our horsies...."

( I'm sure only a few people will know where that preveious quote/comment came from. Bonus points to anyone who knows. )

[AlwayzMarel]

Hmm, besides the parents, I noticed only two of the kids seem to be happy. lol

[DarkFury]

Hmm, besides the parents, I noticed only two of the kids seem to be happy. lol

Yeah... now that I look at the pic again, some of those kids do look like:

"Dayuuum... not another one. SHEESH! I ain't NEVER gonna have my own room at the house"

"Dayuuumit Mom and Dad... y'all need separate hobbies or something... it's getting crowded up in here."

[AlwayzMarel]

lmao, soo true. poor kids. Parents barely have time to have one one time with one or two kids imagine 17!

[oblongmelon]

I've seen the shows about the Duggars.. and personally, I think it's GREAT that they have so many kids!..there is NOTHING like having a huge family! They both sold real estate for a while, and he ran for Congress or something, plus yes, they have no debt, and had no debt PRIOR to the TV shows being made about them. They buy used, and save the difference. They also own alot of land around the new house they built themselves. (did have some help at the very end of the house because Michelle was due to have the 16th baby and they had to be out of their rental house) ..what I don't like about them is..she puts the older kids in charge of a younger one, and she takes the baby..they also believe in blanket training the kids which is a pretty harsh training routine..(look it up it's too long to go into detail here)...and also, they had their entire house furnished by the TV station when they finished it-as a "gift"....the episode where they go to the Aldi store is hysterical! They spend like 1000 dollars at the store!

[Napoleon54]

I know some brothers who grew up in a family of 12, they're friends of a friend of mine. They're über competative and selfish, supposedly behaviors they learned growing up because that's what it took to get any attention from their parents. I can't stand hanging out with them 'cause they're pricks. I don't necessarily think that's how all large families are, but it is one of the potential negatives that can develop in such an atmosphere.

[uncledaddy]

17......OMG her body must be "tore up from the floor up". Hell I have trouble with the three girls I'm raising now. Not financially but physically!

[DarkFury]

"Barefoot and Pregnant" is not a statement in that household... it's a "motto".

[renovation]

they must have just one fridge dedicated for milk .
and i hate to see the size of there laundry soap bill every month .
i just cant image what it cost for the family to go see mickey mouse just for a single day .im sure they get a group rate discount .
also try to order pizza . dont dare ask what would you like on yours

[oblongmelon]

they must have just one fridge dedicated for milk .
and i hate to see the size of there laundry soap bill every month .
i just cant image what it cost for the family to go see mickey mouse just for a single day .im sure they get a group rate discount .
also try to order pizza . dont dare ask what would you like on yours

The Discovery channel paid for them to go on vacation..which included Disney..so it was no cost to them. They do however own a great bigggggggg mobile home that they pack all the kids in for vacation. Along with a Van full of Clothes and an attached trailer that the oldest son drives when they travel. You'd be surprised how organized they really are. They go out to dinner 1 night a month-on kid's night when kids eat free-smart thinking right??? And as far as a fridge for their milk..their pantry actually looks like grocery store shelves. YOU SHOULD REALLY WATCH THE SHOW about them. It's amazing!

[WhiskeyPapa]

Now I can't imagine 17 kids (we only have 11 and two are grown and moved out.) But it's not as difficult/horrible/expensive/abusive as most of you seem to think it is. No, we don't make the older kids raise the younger kids, however they do babysit occassionally, which they get paid for. We also homeschool the kids, so they are with mom 24/7. People always complain that kids from a large family don't get enough attention, but it's 100% A-OK for "normal" parents to have one or two kids, and dump them in daycare almost from day one?

The Duggars are wonderful parents and I'm glad they're the "face" of large families, most of whom prefer to stay under the radar.

[DarkFury]

Heh...

Sounds like a case of "heavy duty" box springs on the bed in the master bedroom to me.

[mechmike0034]

Lets start a collection. We can buy Mr. and Mrs. Duggars a PC and internet access so they've got something else to do...

[Nija]

[InfiniteNothing]

Seems immoral. If we all had that many kids the planet would soon die. Water water everywhere...

[LPMiller]

what does overpopulation have to do with the rhyme of the ancient mariner?

[Jenny]

The Discovery channel paid for them to go on vacation..which included Disney..so it was no cost to them. They do however own a great bigggggggg mobile home that they pack all the kids in for vacation. Along with a Van full of Clothes and an attached trailer that the oldest son drives when they travel. You'd be surprised how organized they really are. They go out to dinner 1 night a month-on kid's night when kids eat free-smart thinking right??? And as far as a fridge for their milk..their pantry actually looks like grocery store shelves. YOU SHOULD REALLY WATCH THE SHOW about them. It's amazing!

I saw the shows where they were building the new house. They really are an amazing family. Regardless of your beliefs about overpopulation or whatever, they seem to be a well oiled machine. And they look so YOUNG! That's what got me at the time. I really am simply amazed at how well organized they are (like obby said about their pantry, etc). Of course, they would HAVE to be. lol

Now I can't imagine 17 kids (we only have 11 and two are grown and moved out.) But it's not as difficult/horrible/expensive/abusive as most of you seem to think it is. No, we don't make the older kids raise the younger kids, however they do babysit occassionally, which they get paid for. We also homeschool the kids, so they are with mom 24/7. People always complain that kids from a large family don't get enough attention, but it's 100% A-OK for "normal" parents to have one or two kids, and dump them in daycare almost from day one?

The Duggars are wonderful parents and I'm glad they're the "face" of large families, most of whom prefer to stay under the radar.

I agree WP, about the attention, etc. Plus, even in families of 2 or 3 kids, the oldest usually has to watch the youngest at least sometimes! heh

[Jenny]

Seems immoral. If we all had that many kids the planet would soon die. Water water everywhere...

But I think that's the thing. There are A LOT of people who have no kids and A LOT that only have 1. There AREN'T that many that have as many as WP's family and the Duggars. There used to be, yes. But not anymore. So it isn't quite that big a deal anymore for overpopulation, because it is far from balancing out.

[InfiniteNothing]

You have to think bigger. There are many cases where one person doing the wrong thing doesn't hurt anyone. Taking a sea shell from the beach; dropping something down the storm drain.

That doesn't make it okay. The only reason the sea shell taker gets to enjoy the seashell is by the responsible actions of all the other people.

what does overpopulation have to do with the rhyme of the ancient mariner?

Limited natural resources.

Globally, the replacement rate is 2.3:1 Until that dips below 2, those super breeders aren't balancing out anything. They are only being selfish.

[DarkFury]

Tears... they roll from my eyes...

[Jeffbx]

Good one!

[oblongmelon]

But I think that's the thing. There are A LOT of people who have no kids and A LOT that only have 1. There AREN'T that many that have as many as WP's family and the Duggars. There used to be, yes. But not anymore. So it isn't quite that big a deal anymore for overpopulation, because it is far from balancing out.

You know what the wierd thing is? Back in the day, (and I mean my grandmothers' day not mine) it wasn't unusual to have 8,9, 10, kids,or even more.And no one blinked an eye..then someone said.."hey! it's wrong to have so many children-no one can afford them!" and then the family went to that 2.3 child phase..when the economy crashed and prices soared, big families got smaller, and people got selfish. Money is behind the downfall of big families. Personally, I would LOVE to have about 13 kids myself. There is nothing more fabulous than endless chatter, fighting, etc between kids...there is just something about it that makes it all worth it. I came from a big family and believe me we've had our problems...but I wouldn't trade my siblings for anything (with the exception of 1 sister/troublemaker/town whore. I think the Duggars are setting an example of being able to support a big family without going on the system. They ARE self supporting, have deep rooted principles religiously (nothing wrong with that), and love each and every one of their kids equally. I give them a big thumbs up. As far as them over-populating? There is no law as to how many children you are allowed to love and raise. Personally, I think it's their own business, and if they are that dedicated to each other after all those kids, that they are still having sex..I give them credit!

[Markel]

I think the Duggars are setting an example of being able to support a big family without going on the system. They ARE self supporting, have deep rooted principles religiously (nothing wrong with that), and love each and every one of their kids equally. I give them a big thumbs up.

I would much rather see a big family with properly raised kids than a dozen families with (on average) 1.9 brats each.

Of course, I am not saying that every family with 2 kids results in brats.