The Duggar Family: 18 Kids & Counting

[luvbeaches]

It is called...having a choice.

That's the big issue...they don't have a choice...and they won't. There's not a snowballs chance in $ell that any of those kids will attend a traditional university. It won't happen. If they do, it will be via the Internet. That's part of the isolation that they endure.

I am a retired teacher.

Bless you!!! My kids are what they are today because of the wonderful teachers they had.

I KNOW that Mrs. D can't teach it all. I have a graduate level education and COULDN'T teach it all. The children are not getting all they need in an education.

You are right...you can't do it all. We have an architect, an engineer and a nurse and there's no way we could have gotten them to where they are today, by ourselves.

If the girls had a good education, yet still didn't want to attend college...fine. If they decide they WANT to go to college, do you REALLY think they could score high enough on the SAT to get a scholarship or gain admission? I REALLY doubt it. Like I said earlier, we will see in the next few years how many of the girls attend college. I bet it will be way lower than the national average.

It is so hard to get into colleges these days. I don't think for one moment that any of the Duggar kids would do well on the SAT or ACT. They just aren't prepared.

And that's really a sad thing. Most parents want their kids to get a good education and do well in life. Ma and Pa seem to be doing everything possible to hinder that from happening.

I really don't think any of the kids (especially the girls) will attend a traditional college. I can see them getting a degree of some kind off the Internet, but that's about it.

IMO, it's just a crime when these wacko-religious nutballs adopt this attitude. From what I've read, Ma and Pa had normal childhoods, but something sent them off in a different direction. If it were the two of them, and it didn't involve children...well, whatever, but this does involve children. It's normal to want to protect our children from the outside world...it's abnormal to isolate them from this world and hinder their education. But we see cults and cult leaders operate in this fashion all the time. This is nothing new. But it still makes me sick when I see the kids and see what these people are doing to them.

 

[deanws]

You are right...you can't do it all. We have an architect, an engineer and a nurse and there's no way we could have gotten them to where they are today, by ourselves.

COOL! I know you are proud. I would be!!!!

 

[TheShadow]

Many home-schooled kids go to college. Let me say that I was never home-schooled. I might have been better off if I was. I was labeled gifted and though I attended a public high shool here in California, I was never challenged by any course that was taught. If I could read the book, I could get an A. No teacher ever really even tried to teach me. I taught myself. I taught others (tutored) in my classes since the 4th grade. Now not every kid is anywhere like that, but some kids will be and others will need lots of help. Who do you think will get more help? Student #1 who shares a teacher with 30-40 other kids, many who are poorly behaved and causing distractions for a teacher, who despite his/her calling and best intentions, is overwhelmed by the number of students and lack of proper equipment, or texts, and is trying to bring along kids who don't, or barely, speak English....or Student #2 who is taught by is own loving mother, true she is helping the other 10 or so kids who are of school age, but she is assisted by the older sibs who, while teaching their younger sibs, are in fact re-inforcing what they have learned in the past....which one will do better on a standardized test? Are standardized tests a valid measurement of who will succeed in our society? Does college guarantee you a good job or income? Can people without college do just as well for themselves? I don't think you can judge these folks on this little slice of life or make judgements as to whether their kids will go to college or become successful. And I suppose a lot depends on your definition of success. I never attended college and I make six figures. While I know I may not be the norm, I am also surrounded by people everyday who have also succeeded and failed "in spite" of their educational background. We are all individuals and your mileage may vary, but I think that these folks feel they are giving their children the advantage with their program just as much as people in the public education system do. American children in public shools are way behind compared to students in many European and Asian countries, so I don't really think our system is necessarily the best and there is room for a lot of variation.

 

[Jeana (DP)]

Can people without college do just as well for themselves?

Only if they know how to rap.:crazy:

 

[deanws]

Only if they know how to rap.:crazy:

:laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: You are WAY too funny!:clap:

 

[luvbeaches]

COOL! I know you are proud. I would be!!!!

We are very proud.

A good education is so important these days. We've alway stressed that with the kids. Our youngest is going back to get her Ph.D. We are just so lucky with our kids...they've not given us a minute of trouble, and all of them pretty much knew what they wanted to do with their lives (from early on). It's pretty rare...I know, but they did and they are out doing their thing. My daughter is going on a surgical trip next year with a group of docs and nurses...and they're going to do surgeries on children with facial deformaties. I'll probably not sleep a wink until she steps foot back on US soil...but I know it's a good thing to do for the children.

My kids have dreams...and we've given them the tools and support to achieve those dreams. This is one of the things that saddens me about the Duggar children...they aren't being given these opportunities.

 

[luvbeaches]

:laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: You are WAY too funny!:clap:

That was a good one. I read one of her posts earlier, and I spewed Coke all over.

 

[philamena]

Only if they know how to rap.:crazy:

OMG ROFLMAO :dance::clap:

 

[reb]

<This is one of the things that saddens me about the Duggar children...they aren't being given these opportunities.>

but again,, you have no way of knowing that... we have no way of knowing... seems like pure speculation to me.

 

[Kymistry35]

I don't have a problem with home schooling at all. I have a issue with them teaching each other and her teaching them when all she has is a high school diploma.

 

[deanws]

We are very proud.

A good education is so important these days. We've alway stressed that with the kids. Our youngest is going back to get her Ph.D. We are just so lucky with our kids...they've not given us a minute of trouble, and all of them pretty much knew what they wanted to do with their lives (from early on). It's pretty rare...I know, but they did and they are out doing their thing. My daughter is going on a surgical trip next year with a group of docs and nurses...and they're going to do surgeries on children with facial deformaties. I'll probably not sleep a wink until she steps foot back on US soil...but I know it's a good thing to do for the children.

My kids have dreams...and we've given them the tools and support to achieve those dreams. This is one of the things that saddens me about the Duggar children...they aren't being given these opportunities.

That is exactly how I feel. The important thing is the element of CHOICE! Sounds like your family was a happy one! My youngest is going after his Ph.D and I feel like he will never be finished! Your daughter is doing a wonderful thing for those children. It will change their lives.

 

[deanws]

I don't have a problem with home schooling at all. I have a issue with them teaching each other and her teaching them when all she has is a high school diploma.

I feel the same way about homeschooling. Many children are fine in homeschool. When you have to teach a few different levels..that is fine. But you can't teach 10 or 12 different levels all at the same time!!! Also, there is NO WAY she can teach each subject on that many levels and give each level and subject the time and attention needed for success.
:banghead:

 

[luvbeaches]

<This is one of the things that saddens me about the Duggar children...they aren't being given these opportunities.>

but again,, you have no way of knowing that... we have no way of knowing... seems like pure speculation to me.

This is a FORUM. I don't have a crystal ball, so, yes, it's speculation. This is MY opinion based on what I see happening on the show. And we do see a lot. What with the jurisdiction lists. The home-schooling (with her and the older ones teaching). So, IMO, these kids are getting an inferior education.

Funny how when posters are in agreement with you, things are fine, but when they aren't, it's a different story.

 

[luvbeaches]

I don't have a problem with home schooling at all. I have a issue with them teaching each other and her teaching them when all she has is a high school diploma.

Maybe Michelle is teaching them "snow-cone 101" from her earlier days at the ice cream shop (where she worked) and she's leaving everything else to the older kids. lol

I'm with you...I have no problems with home schooling (if it's done properly). There's a wide network of resources out there for those that are home-schooling their children. Ma and Pa aren't doing this.

 

[luvbeaches]

I feel the same way about homeschooling. Many children are fine in homeschool. When you have to teach a few different levels..that is fine. But you can't teach 10 or 12 different levels all at the same time!!! Also, there is NO WAY she can teach each subject on that many levels and give each level and subject the time and attention needed for success.
:banghead:

You're right...there's no way they can handle this alone...and have the kids get a decent education. But they aren't preparing their children for the "real" world like we are doing. They are preparing them for "compound" life and having tons of babies.


I read somewhere that there's a list that Ma and Pa have in the kitchen for the kids to sign up for one-on-one time with them. This may have come from the new show (which I haven't watched). But can you imagine? A list?

 

[deanws]

You're right...there's no way they can handle this alone...and have the kids get a decent education. But they aren't preparing their children for the "real" world like we are doing. They are preparing them for "compound" life and having tons of babies.


I read somewhere that there's a list that Ma and Pa have in the kitchen for the kids to sign up for one-on-one time with them. This may have come from the new show (which I haven't watched). But can you imagine? A list?

Yeah, it sounds really sad. Kind of like waiting in line at the return counter at Wal-Mart to tell them your problem when you want to return something!:doh:

 

[Hopeful One]

I just saw a hilarious picture with the Duggars on myspace. It's got a very crude yet hysterical little caption. I won't post it because it's SURE to offend but what with my disturbed sense of humor and all, I found it hilarious. Even though I love the Duggars.

 

[2luvmy]

I feel the same way about homeschooling. Many children are fine in homeschool. When you have to teach a few different levels..that is fine. But you can't teach 10 or 12 different levels all at the same time!!! Also, there is NO WAY she can teach each subject on that many levels and give each level and subject the time and attention needed for success.
:banghead:

I believe that many children can get an awesome homeschool education that could equal or be far superior than traditional education, but it takes careful planning, teaching and evaluation of the abilities of the parents. I know of a few people that homeschool and what they do is nothing short of amazing. They research curriculums online, purchase curriculums, purchase textbooks on ebay, get teaching guides, etc. Then they also join local home school groups or online forums to share teaching techniques, get together for field trips and social interaction, they even share teaching responsibilities amongst children when one parent realizes that he/she is deficient in a subject matter.

This is how I believe home school should be done, especially when teaching a large family with multiple learning levels. I am sure the children all have varying learning styles that one parent cannot address alone or have other children address appropriately. What if one of the children excels at chemistry or physics how is that addressed? What about a foreign language? What if they have a talent for painting, drawing, or pottery? How are all these individual needs and talents addressed and fostered?

I would have loved to home school my children, but time, $$, my patience and my teaching techniques would not allow for it. I have a college education, and I feel like I am pretty smart. I know that I would not be able to teach my children on all subject matters.

 

[deanws]

I believe that many children can get an awesome homeschool education that could equal or be far superior than traditional education, but it takes careful planning, teaching and evaluation of the abilities of the parents. I know of a few people that homeschool and what they do is nothing short of amazing. They research curriculums online, purchase curriculums, purchase textbooks on ebay, get teaching guides, etc. Then they also join local home school groups or online forums to share teaching techniques, get together for field trips and social interaction, they even share teaching responsibilities amongst children when one parent realizes that he/she is deficient in a subject matter.

This is how I believe home school should be done, especially when teaching a large family with multiple learning levels. I am sure the children all have varying learning styles that one parent cannot address alone or have other children address appropriately. What if one of the children excels at chemistry or physics how is that addressed? What about a foreign language? What if they have a talent for painting, drawing, or pottery? How are all these individual needs and talents addressed and fostered?

I would have loved to home school my children, but time, $$, my patience and my teaching techniques would not allow for it. I have a college education, and I feel like I am pretty smart. I know that I would not be able to teach my children on all subject matters.

Yes, that is how it should be done. I had 5 kids. I taught first grade at the local public school and let the district teach my 5 kids! LOL!

 

[georgiagirl]

I just saw a hilarious picture with the Duggars on myspace. It's got a very crude yet hysterical little caption. I won't post it because it's SURE to offend but what with my disturbed sense of humor and all, I found it hilarious. Even though I love the Duggars.

I posted awhile back on this thread about that one. I thought it was hilarious too but did not post it! It was a old family pic of the Duggars with like only 15 kids at the time and underneath the pic in real big letters is says VAGINA then under that it says in small letters "It's not a clown car!" LMAO :laugh: