The Duggar Family: 18 Kids & Counting

[MrsG728]

I noticed the others tried to avoid having Joy speak at all- they knew she'd totally destroy them.

IMO, they looked more modern & refreshed. their hair looked nicer and styled, and michelle was wearing makeup. Not bad. I hate their FLDS style dresses they sometimes wear.

Wait, was she wearing pants?

 

[Hopeful One]

Joy Behar just asked a question that kind of went over the Michelle Duggars head: "do you still have to push?". Joy can be so crass, sometimes. LoL!!!!!!!!!

HA! That's funny!! And no surprise that Michelle didn't get it!

 

[Elphaba]

I noticed the others tried to avoid having Joy speak at all- they knew she'd totally destroy them.

IMO, they looked more modern & refreshed. their hair looked nicer and styled, and michelle was wearing makeup. Not bad. I hate their FLDS style dresses they sometimes wear.

Wait, was she wearing pants?

One of the girls looked to have pants on, but I think it was a blue-jean skirt. Were they given makeovers? it looked like Michelle had been retooled...

 

[Elphaba]

HA! That's funny!! And no surprise that Michelle didn't get it!

I cracked up... I was like "oh no she did NOT say that!". Yeah, she did. LoL It was one of those "snicker snicker giggle giggle" moments.

 

[Blue_Dolphin308]

They will be appearing on the today show on Monday, to make a BIG announcement. You think she could be pregnant again??

 

[Djane]

They will be appearing on the today show on Monday, to make a BIG announcement. You think she could be pregnant again??

I just caught a little bit of a commercial on TLC about the Duggars. I wasn't really paying attention, just passing through, BUT I did see someone holding a home preg. test...so yeah...may be preggers again!!

 

[txsvicki]

Maybe they're pregnant and also going to be grandparents. That would be big news.

 

[Kat]

I have never watched the Duggars but I know who they are from listening to my oldest who watches their show.

I'm eager to hear what their news is, please post it here when it is announced.

O/T I was only able to give birth to five children, for two reasons, 1. that's the limit we could afford 2. My body wouldn't carry anymore after the last one.

But had that not happened I would have gladly have had more.

 

[SeekingJana]

The pregnancy has to be Anna Duggar, their eldest son's wife. She and Josh were married last September. They say they want the largest family they can have also.
This is a link to Josh and Anna's website:
http://www.ja20.com


Michelle Duggar only gave birth to her last child on December 18, 2008 by C- Section. This time, I hope and pray it's not her. She could be jeopardizing two lives if she got pregnant that soon after her C section ( not to mention the shape her uterus must be in anyway).
This is the link to Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar's website:
http://www.duggarfamily.com/

 

[MomofBoys]

I'm pretty sure it'll be Josh and Anna. I can't remember the last time J and M conceived before the six month mark. She breastfeeds the infant until that point which usually circumvents ovulation. She's only at 4.5 months right now. Not impossible, but given Josh and Anna are young and in the same mindset, they're about due. Figuratively and literally, probably.

Best of luck to them. This is one large family I don't worry about.

 

[azwriter]

I don't know. I just don't get it. It's not as if I hate kids, but why the heck would a couple want so many children? Eighteen is a bit too much for my taste. It's not as if they really get to enjoy each one. There's not enough time in the day to give equally to each child.
In all the large families (one within my own in law family 13 children) I always notice the older children are in charge of the taking care of the younger ones. I suppose that sounds nice but come on - you're 10 years old and instead of getting a doll that cries and wets, you get a real baby to look after.
If there are any large family members out there, or those who grew up in a household with 8 or more kids, can you share the good, bad and ugly about that situation to me?
jmo

 

[MomofBoys]

Well, I think they truly love their children, but it also is directly tied to their religious beliefs. The Quiverfull philosophy, I think it's called. They don't believe in contraception of any form, and they believe that God won't give them more than they can handle, I guess.

The kids all seem happy and well-adjusted. My perception of them hasn't changed over the years, unlike some other high-profile families. I do think their relative celebrity has lessened the load on the other kids a bit, though. They seem to wear store-bought clothes now, so the sewing room might not be getting as much work. They do use the buddy system (older with younger) but I don't know--there were times as a older child that I would have loved a baby for which to care! I would have relished it. They seem to get out as much as a devoutly religious and homeschooling family can, so I don't think they're missing out on too much. The trips and the life experiences--they built a HOUSE. As a family. I think that's really cool.

 

[SeekingJana]

I don't know. I just don't get it. It's not as if I hate kids, but why the heck would a couple want so many children? Eighteen is a bit too much for my taste. It's not as if they really get to enjoy each one. There's not enough time in the day to give equally to each child.
In all the large families (one within my own in law family 13 children) I always notice the older children are in charge of the taking care of the younger ones. I suppose that sounds nice but come on - you're 10 years old and instead of getting a doll that cries and wets, you get a real baby to look after.
If there are any large family members out there, or those who grew up in a household with 8 or more kids, can you share the good, bad and ugly about that situation to me?
jmo

Theirs is the only " reality" show I've ever watched. They are fundamental Christians who subscribe to the " Quiverfull" principle although they don't come right out and say the word " Quiverfull". How they came to want as many children as they could have is explained on their website very well:
http://www.duggarfamily.com/faq.html

I know they are fanatics in one sense of the word, but to me, I have seen nothing but a good standard of living and clean, lovely children.
They do eat a lot of very processed food vs. fresh food, but maybe it's cheaper, IDK.
I think the mom, Michelle, and the dad, Jim Bob, have devised a very good system of doing things. Their home is just beautiful with plenty of space for all to thrive. IOW, they are not putting children in jeopardy like the OctoMom has done. They plan their pregnancies and babies, and Jim Bob has several legitimate money-making ventures, some of which are listed on their website: www. duggarfamily.com

I couldn't do it, most of us couldn't or wouldn't, but this was their choice, and I expect they will have children until Michelle's life is threatened by health problems or menopause hits.
At this point, I worry for her, and hope she will pass the fertility " torch" on to Anna and then to her older daughters after they marry.. if they want to continue with the same lifestyle.

Anna Duggar, who married Josh Duggar last September, came from a family of many children too. I am thinking her family has 14 children, not sure, but I know that when Anna and Josh first met at a Church/ family retreat type thing with their families, both families were huge.
Anna is from FL, the Duggars live in Ark. Anna married Josh last Sept. and they now live in Ark. in a house the Duggars gave them.

JMO,
Maria

 

[SeekingJana]

I'm pretty sure it'll be Josh and Anna. I can't remember the last time J and M conceived before the six month mark. She breastfeeds the infant until that point which usually circumvents ovulation. She's only at 4.5 months right now. Not impossible, but given Josh and Anna are young and in the same mindset, they're about due. Figuratively and literally, probably.

Best of luck to them. This is one large family I don't worry about.

I agree with you. We were posting our last post at the same time- sorry.
I thought the Duggars were weirdos until stuff came out about Jon and Kate plus 8, and then the OctoMom.
I think the Duggars are SAINTS compared to the others.. I think they genuinely were changed by the miscarriage Michelle had, and felt guilty. I don't think their children could be any better taken care of by any of us, really.
They seem very happy and well- adjusted. I'm not sure how the older ones feel about new babies after seeing the show ( I think it was the Today show) where Michelle announced her last pregnancy on air ( the baby born last December).
The older kids seemed to have some eye-rolling, and not much enthusiasm. One said " Yeah, that's about right. It's been 9 months since the last one was born".
MAYBE they were just being kids and were disappointed that they weren't on TV to receive some kind of gifts, like a new bus or a trip to Hawaii or something. LOL.

JMO,
Maria

 

[Samigirl28]

When I first started doing Facebook, I was searching for people to be friends with. I'd read that a few people had befriended Amy Duggar, who is the father, Jim-Bob's niece. So, I followed along and have been reading updates from her. About a week ago, she wrote something, ending it with "Way to go, Josh and Anna!" Something like that. SO, I kind of figured then that that's what the news was...

 

[Issi]

remember ladies... It's a uterus.. not a clown car.

 

[SeekingJana]

^^I used to read statements to the effect of the "clown car" thing on Televieion Without Pity and I really expected to hate this family, to see abuse or negect, no discipline, a fility old house, whatever. I know it's sort of an old joke, but really- they are a devoted and committed family, and I won't disrespect them in any way.

Look at the photo slideshow on the Duggar family website, and then tell me if those precious, beautiful, clean children are " clowns".
They have an alternative lifestyle from what most 21st century families have or can afford, but Michelle's body didn't produce any clowns. Those are some of the cutest kids I've seen.

I doubt many very young couples today can practice the " as many children as God gives us" principle and remain financially independent and mentally healthy.
The Duggars started their large family in 1984, so they have had many years to develop their own set of rules which work, their buddy system, and to have storerooms full of food and clothing.
I think Michelle and Jim Bob's whole world is centered around God and their family. I would feel honored to meet them and speak with them ( and hold their baby girl).

JMO,
Maria

 

[reportertype]

remember ladies... It's a uterus.. not a clown car.

LOLOL!

It must be that they are grandparents. The parents being preggers again isn't exactly news anymore! That would be 19! Whew!

 

[MomofBoys]

They have an alternative lifestyle from what most 21st century families have or can afford, but Michelle's body didn't produce any clowns. Those are some of the cutest kids I've seen.

I agree, and really, in the aforementioned 21st century, I feel like we're supposed to accept any alternative lifestyle except those based in faith, particularly the Christian faith.

I'll be honest. I have issues with my own faith sometimes and wouldn't consider myself the most religious person out there, but I think if the Duggars were Buddhist or Muslim or whatever else, some people might be more accepting. That's not aimed at anyone here, but it seems like we have acceptance for so many lifestyles and Christians get the least benefit of the doubt in terms of beliefs and motivations. I've noticed that for a very long time. It's not PC to make fun of people of some faiths, but it's always open season on Christians.

I say that pretty objectively. I've never been made of for my faith or lack of faith or whatever, but some of the vitriole I see out there on message boards is just so disturbing. I used to be a member at TWOP back when it was MightyBigTV and then later until it went all mainstream and Bravo-fied. I liked reading the recaps (all but CSI--Sobell turned really mean and dissed my Sara too much, LOL) and the message boards were full of really funny and astute people. But when I went to threads for shows like this or Kids by the Dozen or whatever else, it was strange to me to read the sheer hatred for the Duggars and people who make the decision to have a large family. Like they have a personal stake in it. They don't! And more often than not, it all came back to them being fundamentalists.

I mean, maybe that's what it does come back to in the strictest sense. I just was surprised by the venom. Not the snark. I expect and enjoy that, but the lack of objectivity was startling.

 

[Mr. E]

SeekingJana, I'm with you. I used to be much more critical of the Duggars before J&K+8 and Octomom. While I believe that the Duggars do get quite a bit of their income from TLC, they don't annoy me with their rampant spending like the Gosselins do. For instance, the Gosselins take ski vacations and go to Disney World, while the Duggars invite friends to go skydiving, or they go to a film festival to support their ideals. Mind you, I am not a fundamentalist Christian, and I certainly don't have the same values as the Duggars, but I would much rather see them exposing their kids to a film festival and letting the toddlers run off their energy than watch Kate yell at everybody because they're getting ice cream at Disney World. Kate seems to take the money for granted, and she doesn't often seem to enjoy all her children. While Michelle and Jim Bob genuinely seem to enjoy spending time with their kids. If I had to choose to spend a day with Michelle and her brood or with Kate and hers, I would choose Michelle 100%.

And Octomom, she's just the mayor of crazy town; she's not even in the same league. The only thing interesting about her is her craziness. If it weren't for the helpless children she's bring down with her, she might be fun to watch.