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August 2011 Moms
What do you think of the Duggars?
The Duggar's 2nd grandchild was born last night. They are local "celebrities" here (they live about 20 mins from us). I was just reading some comments on the Today Show's FB page about them. I was just curious what others thought of them. 
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Re: What do you think of the Duggars?
Need help with high fat food ideas? Chunky Monkey
I am torn actually.
On one hand I think it is ridiculous to have that many kids and it is unfair to the them as well.
Yet on the other hand, they seem to be happy and well behaved.
While I respect their decision to have that many kids, I think at a certain number, one sacrifices the amount of attention that you can give to each individual child. It seems like a lot of the time, the older siblings act as extra parents to the younger ones.
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I can't criticize them because they provide very well for their kids, and it seems to work for them.
Although I am secretly waiting for one of the kids to be a wild child... I think it would totally freak them out.
Definitely not the life I would choose, but now, being pregnant and anticipating this baby, I can sort of understand.
That being said, I have read a few things that make me think they're a little off their rocker... Like when Michelle Duggar said that the older kids spend a lot of time raising the younger kids, which I think is pretty obvious. To me, that seems like they are robbing the older kids of their adolescence. But hey, if it works for their family then good for them, and their kids all seem to have great character, a good sense of community and social responsibility, and high morals.
I was friends with a Mormon family who had quite a few children when they lived near me (8 at the time, I think) and ended up with something like 16 or so kids after they moved away. They were an awesome family. However, as the mom got older the kids started having more developmental issues and she ultimately had a m/c around age 40-something, which is when they finally decided to stop having children.
I do find the Duggars kind of annoying (like the fact that they go on the Today Show to announce every time someone is pregnant) but it's their life. I do feel that with all the problems Michelle had with the last baby that maybe they need to think about stopping. When you're jeopardizing your own or a baby's health you need to re-examine things.
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I've never seen the show, and I disagree with telling people how many kids they should have. However, it's a good thing that most people don't think the way they do, or the rate of population increase would be insane!!
I do disagree with putting your family on a reality show, but that is a separate issue!
They annoy me.
And so does their hair.
I think luckily they seem to have raised good, respectful, well-behaved children but I just can't agree with their decision to have that many. I think you take away from the love and relationships you can give to each child by continuing to have that many. I don't watch the show but I do catch it every now and then and I think its not fair to the older children who have basically had to become parents and run a household at such an early age.
I also think that if her last child is any indication she is running a real risk health wise by having that many. Its just cannot be healthy for her but also for the children she is trying to carry now in a body that is worn out and doesn't seem to be able to handle it anymore. I think they were very lucky that their last child ended up being ok in the end, I don't think they will be that lucky if they decide to have any more.
This is always my favorite argument about the Duggars and obviously one I'm pretty sensitive to. Why does having a preemie mean that you should stop having babies?
Need help with high fat food ideas? Chunky Monkey
I was thinking the same thing. She had pre-e. That can happen to anyone at any age, and number of past children. I don't think it had anything to do with her situation at all.
It wasn't just that she was a preemie. The mom had health issues during that pregnancy and (I think?) ended up on bedrest. I just think it's irresponsible on her part because what if something happened to her during pregnancy or delivery and the other kids were left without a mother?
The facts are there that the older you get, the more risk you run for complications. If there were never any problems with her previous pregnancies, deliveries or with the children, I feel like it's kind of your body's way of telling you it can't handle it anymore.
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It's a weird combination of annoyance and pity. I feel really bad for the older kids, I feel like they're not really given a choice about the kind of life they want to lead and they're forced to spend so much time raising the younger ones, I can't imagine they have much time for themselves or studying or other interests.
I also feel really bad for Michelle (the mom, right?)- I read an article that said when they were first married they were using birth control because they weren't ready to start their family yet. Then when they did try to get pregnant she ended up having a m/c and her doctor told her it was because she was previously on birth control. I can't imagine going through that kind of loss and then having someone, a doctor even, tell you that it was your fault. Even though it's completely untrue, I'm sure it messed with her head.
As far as supporting all those kids- aren't they considered a "church" so they don't pay any taxes? Or is that a rumor? If that's true, then that's really, really annoying.
But your risk of these things happening don't increase with the number of pregnancies that you have. I had bed rest and a preemie and I'm doing it again. Am I being irresponsible because I have another child that I might leave without a mother? I hate to be a downer, but I'm pretty sure your chances of having something happen are just the same as mine are.
This is obviously something that hits very close to home and I thought LONG and HARD about having another baby because I know just how lucky we were. But just because I had a sh!tty first pregnancy and early delivery doesn't mean I shouldn't be allowed to have another child.
Need help with high fat food ideas? Chunky Monkey
more power to them...but I'd never do it. I do disagree with how the older kids always end up raising the younger ones, but I suppose it's kind of inevitable.
I used to work at the B&BW in the NWA mall, and Mrs. Duggar used to come in with some of the girls--I'd also see her and Jim Bob in the food court a lot talking to people. No cameras, though
No, but it does increase with age. She is about to be 45.
Like I said, it's their choice and their family but if it were ME I would start to worry about complications once it had happened once. In all honesty, if I had a rough pregnancy right now and had to be on bedrest I don't know if I would be able to handle it again. Not saying that someone else shouldn't be "allowed" to. Just how I would feel about it.
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I was just wondering if there was something wrong with Josie. I know she was super premature but now that she is a little older it still seem slike something is off.. Does anyone know?
she was actually ON the birth control pills when she got pg--it's what caused her miscarriage. It's one reason they don't use any bc now. And I'm pretty sure there's no way they are considered a church. One of the things that's great about this family is they are on no gov't assistance and pay taxes.
Not to mention that some of her earlier pregnancies had complications when she was a lot younger and continued to have many more that were full term and healthy.
Just because you CAN have that many children, does that mean you SHOULD have that many children?
HA!!!!!!!!! This!
Same here. I want to say they are completely nuts but at the same time either lifestyle seems to work very well for them.
This may be TMI... but the first time I went to the bathroom after DD was born, Michelle Duggar came to mind. There is no way ever I could give birth to that many kids!
I mean, more power to them but definitely not something I want to do. To you first time moms... just wait until immediately after the birth. You will discover what I'm talking about!
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I think they are pretty cool. Jim Bob and Michelle have so much love for each other and it shows. I think that's sweet.
As for having that many children, I would never want to be pregnant for 10 years. If you add up all the months it's like being pregnant non-stop for a decade! No thanks. I like the Duggar's values and I can only hope that my child grows up to be so well behaved as their children are.
P:S: Odds are one of their children has got to grow up to be a rebellious one and a black sheep, right? I know that Jim Bob has said that he's never drank alcohol, but one of this kids is going to sneak off and get drunk at some point, wouldn't you think? lol
Totally agree with this. The kids are well loved and behaved and have a lot more than other families with only one or two kids.
I'm sure their environmental impact is much less than smaller families like the Gosselins.
This! I think Mr. & Mrs. Duggar are gods among mere mortals for being able to raise 18 seemingly sweet, well-adjusted kids. They all seem very interested in helping other people and work really hard to take care of themselves and live within their means -- buying in bulk/scratch and dent/thrift shops, etc. I think their interest in civil service is really endearing too -- I don't know many teenagers these days who are interested in local politics and have so much patriotism.
I really like them.
Yep. Understated response, but spot on.
They seem like a lovely family.
But in families that big, the kids raise the kids. To me, that's an unfair responsibility to put on your older children.
I also have a real issue with the fact that the girls aren't allowed to wear pants or cut their hair short. I also think I read somewhere that the father doesn't want them to go to college. If that's true, it pisses me off.
That being said, they seem like a well organized, functional, family.