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[Pembo]

.

 

[AllyandJack]

I believe they owned a business and sold it around the time the kids started to be born. He also held some sort of public office for a small time. I think they just live simply - drive older cars they buy in cash, etc.

I thought the kids were great....so well-behaved and they all seemed very happy. They don't seem to associate with other people, which is a bit concerning, but that's not my place to judge.

I think they got a lot of stuff for free for the new house.....that last show was like one big commercial.

 

[theprincess]

We watched that show and couldn't believe it. Wow 16 kids!!! I was wondering if she made their clothes but then again how would she have the time?!

 

[Disney Ella]

There was another show on TLC where they moved into the house. They had a TLC designer working with them and had most of the furniture/food donated to them. There was a long thread on the Duggars last year, but I only saw the shows this year, after reading that thread.

The parents invested in real estate and have a number of rental properties. The father is a former state representative too.

 

[minniecarousel]

There was a huge thread here about a month or so ago, weighing the pros & cons of this family. I don't happen to remember their name, but if you do a search, you'll find the thread. (very passionate feelings both ways regarding their lifestyle.)

 

[disykat]

I watched because of the last thread where so many people said "if you'd seen the first show you would have been horrified". I wasn't horrified. They obviously seem weird to me because they make very different lifestyle choices than me - but they appeared to be a loving, healthy family.

 

[froglady]

We watched that show and couldn't believe it. Wow 16 kids!!! I was wondering if she made their clothes but then again how would she have the time?!

I would assume that her family does what families did when 10-15 children was the norm...the older kids help out with everything. Yes, she's homeschooling, but back in the days of one room school houses, the older students always helped the younger. Back in the days of large families, the every child had his/her chores to do.

I suspect she does all of the sewing at one time, with any daughters who are old enough helping her with cutting, hemming, pinning, etc. Also, after 16 children, she has a constant supply of hand-me-downs, so only has to replace clothing that gets ruined. It doesn't look like the children are wearing the latest style from the GAP or Gymboree.

I had a friend whose mother made all of her clothes (but she would copy from Seventeen) so only purchased shoes, purses, socks, and underwear.

 

[KarenAylwood]

I feel like I've seen a ton of shows on this woman and her kids. I think it's pretty crazy and I'd never want to live like that, but hey- to each is own!

The funniest part to me was the ice cream sandwich cake and the tater tot casserole.

Yes, they appear to have a healthy family life, but the thing that would worry me is that these kids don't socialize with others outside the family and on top of that, are homeschooled... what's going to happen when these kids get out into the real world?? Surviving and getting along in the real world is hard enough for anyone- I went to public school and was socialized continuously since I was little and still find it a bit daunting... what are these kids going to do when they are 25 and all they know are their parents, siblings, tater tot casserole and the inside of their house??

 

[cardaway]

If they were allowed to socialize the kids might start to feel differently about their life, especially the older ones.

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

Not only do they not seem to socialize with other kids (except for that other big family or two, also with a lot of kids...shown on another show about them...that they get together with for Sunday "services" in their home), but all the boys share a bedroom as do all the girls. Did the kids REALLY want that? My two DDs share a room, and #2 is counting down the days until #1 goes off to college. When do these kids get to be individuals, instead of one of 16?

As for all the "J" names...yikes!

On one show about them, they showed one of the older girls making a younger sister a dress (and petticoat, I think) for Christmas. I'm sure the mom just had to "train" the older kids, and they take over "training" the younger ones with things like sewing.

They also showed the parents buying new bikes for all of them for Christmas. Were these everyone's first bikes? What about hand-me-down ones? With 4 older siblings, I didn't get my first NEW bike until I was in high school.

 

[Parkers_girl]

I'm guilty..this show amazes me and its got me hooked..I've seen the first shows about the Duggars..but not the one where they move into their new house. I love watching how they do things, how well mannered and helpful the children are, and just their lives. Whenever its on, I stop to watch it..no matter how many times I've seen it!! But those kids must be dying to get out and dress how they want and do some of their own things..I could not stand wearing a long sleeved plaid dress everyday of my life...whew!

 

[hlbtimes2]

All I have to say is that mother needs a new hair cut.

 

[Horseshoes]

It reminded me of Little house on the Prairie, the boys helped "pa" and the girls helped "ma".

The thing I dont get is how they built that house to look perfect. I mean if my kids were helping, things would get screwed in wrong, or crooked. Especially since some of the youngers ones were helping too.

 

[KarenAylwood]

All I have to say is that mother needs a new hair cut.

Ok, maybe she needs a haircut... as long as she doesn't change those bangs- they are awesome! Did you see them when they watched their old house get demolished and it was windy out? Those babies didn't move an inch!

 

[AllyandJack]

TLC should put Mama on their "Ten Years Younger" show.

That hair does have to go. If they want to wear sacks, that's their business. It's expensive to clothe all those kids (I presume), but she can get her hair cut for $25. or so and it would make a WORLD of difference.

I could never manage daily life with infants with that hair in my face.

Sometimes I wonder if they're just breeding little slaves. I never see the mother do any housework. They might be on to something here......

 

[sweet angel]

Here's a bunch of recipes from their website:

tater tot casserole

 

[Mskanga]

I saw on one of the shows not too long ago that they have a buddy system where each one of the older siblings , takes care of one of the younger ones.
Not my cup of tea, I have two and that is enough.

 

[HoneyPooh]

I have a hard time getting time "alone" with my DH with two kids, how the heck do these people have enough time "alone" together to conceive 16?! It's not like they ever have the house to themselves .

Hey, where is all the free stuff for people with only two kids? I need a new couch like nobody's business .

 

[lilprincessnbuzz]

It blows my mind!!! I can't even begin to imagine what their lives must be like. I've never seen the show (we don't have cable) but it sounds like they received a new furnished house, that sure would be nice!

I think to each their own as long as they are happy, healthy and not living on assisstance. Don't get me wrong, I think public assisstance has it's place, but I wouldn't agree with it being for a family that continues to have children if they can't afford them. It does however sound like this family supports themselves.

I wonder how the parents have time for all the kids and their emotional needs. I love bedtime at our house, both kids get tucked in seperately with songs, books, talk about their days, etc . How can you possibly give 16 children individual quality time/attention? I know the older kids don't need bedtimes like the younger, but they need a lot of guidence in other ways.

We really enjoy going places as a family. The park, movies, library, dinner, road trips, spur of the moment weekend getaways, DISNEY etc. I wonder if they get to do these things?

And HOW on earth do the parents have enough time to even *make* more babies??????

 

[sweet angel]

I can't even imagine the co-pays on the doctors visits they must pay. Could you imagine the look on the face of the company's human resource person when the husband turned in his insurance application? That's assuming they HAVE medical insurance.

Day to day expenses must be amazing. Toothpaste, soap and toilet paper for 18 people???? Feminine products for the females?

Could you imagine even the bill at McDonald's???????????