Duggars Expecting

[DISNEYNV]

I feel sorry for these children overall after everything I have seen of them on the show and read from reputable sources online. In this day and age, I think these children have been too sheltered and too poorly educated -especially the girls. I also do not agree with the older children rearing their younger siblings. Chores are one thing, but having to prepare all of the food for a large family or doing all of the laundry is just no way to spend all of your teenage years.

I agree. There world is a bit skewed since they are so sheltered, but that is the way they choose to live. Best of luck to them. They are all beautiful children and I hope they are happy in life. It is there parents choice on how to raise them. I think that some will rebel later and live a totally different way of living (more socially normal) and some will continue to be faithful to their parents views and moral standards. There are so many of them and it is not fair for the older ones to raise the younger ones when it is the parents choice to have so many children. Hopefully they will not follow in their parents footsteps and look to something called....hhmmmm...birth control!

 

[MICKEY4EVER!]

Okay, I may get stoned for saying this, but here goes:

INHO, I think Josh is strange. I do not think he was ready to get married, I think he was ready to get in the sack with a girl. I base this opinion on the fact that he COULD NOT WAIT to get to the hotel room after the ceremony and he and Anna both got very angry over the wrappings covering the car doors. He said he didn't want ANYTHING hindering him from leaving the church. It was obvious he couldn't wait. His hormones were raging!

I think he rushed into the engagement and the marriage, and I think he's eager to follow in his parents footsteps. They are even discussing having a name trend, just like Mommy and Daddy.

I'm sorry, but I think this guy needs to be an individual with his own thoughts. i think this is Josh's personal choice, however. Seems to me the parents encourage them to make their own decisions, as far as I can tell from watching the show, but Josh wants to be just like them.

 

[MaumeeMom]

When someone finds the perfect car, they don't need to test drive it. They just know. And I wouldn't call someone else's beliefs "goofy".

First off, I think their actions are goofy not their beliefs - there is a difference, sorry if I offended you.

Secondly, you may see a car and love it and know it is for you (I do believe in love at first sight) but buying a car is a huge time and financial commitment, as is marriage, one that is too important not to see if the seats are comfy and to check for blind spots.

I had a friend who remained chaste until marriage, it turned out that her husband liked to drive a stick shift. Taking him for a test drive could have saved her years of misery, heart ache and financial strain.

 

[MrsKreamer]

It's sad isn't it? I knew about their discipline methods a long tome ago. It makes me sick to my stomach. I know there are some who refuse to believe that they do that stuff because the kids "always look happy" but does anyone really think that 18 people can always be in a good mood? 18 kids and none of them ever have a fotch face on? None ever have a tantrum? None every whine? None ever roll their eyes even? Sorry but that is not even logistically possible. Ask Jon and Kate!

I hope this young couple has a good life with healthy happy children. I personally think they should have known more about each other before getting married but that is all they have ever known. It would definetly not be what I would want for my own children. So, let's all hope they are happy.

You obviously don't watch the show and that is OK. The kids do show moods other than happy, the kids whine, and trust me plenty of them roll their eyes.

 

[distherapy]

I had a friend who remained chaste until marriage, it turned out that her husband liked to drive a stick shift. Taking him for a test drive could have saved her years of misery, heart ache and financial strain.

 

[Goofy'slady]

I married young (20 yrs and hubby was 21) had our little girl 4 months after our 1st yr anniversary. She's now 10yrs almost 11yrs old. Just a shot in the dark, but perhaps what the general public thinks and agrees on might not work for everyone and isn't for everyone. I won't judge this young couple as I won't judge a couple who decides to first live together, marry later on and wait a few years before having kids. To each their own, it really isn't my place to say what works for others.

I knew right away I wanted to have children young and be done with having kids by the time I was 30 and that's exactly what happened; our youngest was born when I was 28. For some starting to have a family at 28 is a perfect age. But really why are some many of us dooming what could be a right way for another couple? What I mean by dooming is saying things like "I doubt very seriously if they're happy" or "they didn't have time to be a young couple". Just what if they aren't brainwashed and this is how they saw they're lives starting out and are content. Yes, there could be trouble down the road for them but why dwell on the negative and just let it be for now and rejoice in the fact that the love they share for one another will produce a bundle of joy to share that love.

T.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

You obviously don't watch the show and that is OK. The kids do show moods other than happy, the kids whine, and trust me plenty of them roll their eyes.

I have watched the show. Overall there is very little acting like typical children. There is very little varying degrees of temperment. I do not agree with their discipline methods. I don't care how they appear to the public.
I wish them the best but there are many things that I simply do not agree with when it comes to them.

 

[talulabelle]

They live in Springdale Arkansas, they run a car dealership.

They are 21 & 20 years old. They will have been married more than a year when their first child arrives, which is certianly not unheard of. This would not even be an issue worth discussing if it weren't that he is a Dugger!

I wish them lots of luck... They will need it, The world can be a harsh, judgemental place!

some people criticizing this young married couple expecting their first baby within wedlock who are able to support it on their own would probably leap to the defense of a unmarried woman on welfare having abortions of babies with different fathers because it is her "right". This couple is doing everything responsibly and are well within their "rights" and people think it is wrong. The world is so screwed up these days.

 

[3prettyprincesses]

They're married, financially stable and are expecting. What's so disturbing about that? I knew that I wanted babies pronto when my DH and I were married at age 24. However, we only waited (2 years till pregnant with my 1st) because financially we weren't quite ready. Just because they're pregnant so quickly doesn't mean their marriage will be doomed. Don't you know couples who love kids and as soon as their married they crank them out? I do and these couples are still happily married.

I saw the episode where Josh took Anna to the car dealership he runs and then to the home he already had for them! I thought that was fabulous! He's got a good head on his shoulders and they seem totally in love.

A previous poster said that perhaps this is the "norm" for them, to be getting pregnant so quickly because it's something they want. I wish them the best!

As far as Jim Bob and Michelle go, I don't believe everything I read on the internet. They appear to have a happy, well adjusted family. Would it be better it they were turning out nasty, mean, dysfunctional children? Then everyone would harp on that, you know? Only time will tell if all their children will grow into mature, successful adults but personally I think they're on their way. Would I have 18 kids, no, but why is it wrong for them to?

 

[MrsKreamer]

As far as Jim Bob and Michelle go, I don't believe everything I read on the internet. They appear to have a happy, well adjusted family. Would it be better it they were turning out nasty, mean, dysfunctional children? Then everyone would harp on that, you know? Only time will tell if all their children will grow into mature, successful adults but personally I think they're on their way. Would I have 18 kids, no, but why is it wrong for them to?

I agree. Until one of the Duggars writes a tell all book about how "Mommy beat me with switches" etc, I will believe that they are happy. Tons of people said their kids would never make it in the real world, well Josh owns his own business, and they have a home for themselves.

I am sure if Grandma Duggar or Amy Duggar(neither of whom are fundamental Christians or follow the ATI program, and who are always in and out of the Duggar home) ever witnessed Michelle beating the babies with switches I am sure they would have turned them in or at least made an anonymous phone call to CPS. Not to mention all of the other people who are constantly in and out of that house...TLC is not the only film crew there.

 

[enchantingodin]

enchantingodin - We live in Jupiter too!

Hiya neighbor!

Wow it really IS a small world after all... Sorry I couldn't resist.

 

[jennifer293]

I had a friend who remained chaste until marriage, it turned out that her husband liked to drive a stick shift. Taking him for a test drive could have saved her years of misery, heart ache and financial strain.

hahahahahaha I hope she had a really good warranty because I would have wanted a REFUND on that purchase!! Do Lemon Laws apply when it comes to faulty husbands??

 

[Steph9072]

I feel sorry for these children overall after everything I have seen of them on the show and read from reputable sources online. In this day and age, I think these children have been too sheltered and too poorly educated -especially the girls. I also do not agree with the older children rearing their younger siblings. Chores are one thing, but having to prepare all of the food for a large family or doing all of the laundry is just no way to spend all of your teenage years.

Older children helping to rear smaller kids is not new to just the Duggers. My mom was the 5th child of 8 that my Granny had. The older kids helped raise the younger ones. This has gone on for years. As far as preparing meals my sister and I did that from the time I was 7 she 13 if not we would not have eaten until 8'oclock at night because both our parents worked.

 

[eh24fan]

It is. I couldn't believe it either. I looked it up and found a lot of websites that not only confirm it but support it. It completely changed my perception of them.

(example - http://www.ffministry.org/blanket_training.htm)

"This concept involves placing your baby or toddler on his/her favorite blanket, explaining to the best of their understanding that they must stay on their blanket, and then demonstrating the consequences of getting off the blanket with a small rod or switch. Simply switch the floor or carpet all around the outside edges of the blanket and firmly but sweetly say, "No, No! Don't touch!" Give your child few favorite toys to keep his attention, and switch the toys out every little bit, and that child will learn to stay on his blanket for quite a long period of time. Begin with just 3 - 5 minutes with very young children, and after practicing every day for several weeks, he will build up his time to play happily on that blanket until he can stay there for an hour or more! "

Taken directly from the site you linked...they do NOT scream at or hit the child.

 

[emh1129]

Homeschooling is not an issue here. I manage to homeschool my children (about to have #5) with ease. Blanket training and switching/spanking are also completely un-needed. I have never once spanked a child of mine, switched a child of mine, and positive discipline has enabled us to have a relatively peaceful home where every one can learn what they need to and toddlers are able to explore and get their needs met as well, without the Gothard measures..

Yes. Homeschooling and blanket training are completely different issues.
I homeschool and do not want to be associated with anything remotely close to blanket training/hitting my children.
We much prefer positive discipline as well. Of course whether they truly practice this, who knows. I would hope they don't, but who knows.

Back to Josh and Anna.. congratulations to them. Yay for babies

 

[distherapy]

Taken directly from the site you linked...they do NOT scream at or hit the child.

It was from the next part where she described how they use it for church -

"Every day, we sat them on the couch, within touching distance, (After all, that's how close they must sit in church!), put in a Bible story tape, explained what behavior was expected of them, (sit still, don't touch your brothers and sisters, be quiet, etc) and then I sat across from them in a chair with my little switch. "

I don't think she was conducting an orchestra with her "little switch"...

 

[3prettyprincesses]

It was from the next part where she described how they use it for church -

"Every day, we sat them on the couch, within touching distance, (After all, that's how close they must sit in church!), put in a Bible story tape, explained what behavior was expected of them, (sit still, don't touch your brothers and sisters, be quiet, etc) and then I sat across from them in a chair with my little switch. "

I don't think she was conducting an orchestra with her "little switch"...

She still didn't say she struck them with the switch. If you'd read the previous part about blanket training then you'd see that she said you use the switch to tap around the area of the blanket so as to capture the child's attention. It doesn't say anywhere in this article that she struck her child with a switch or anything for that matter. Read it again if you need to:

http://www.ffministry.org/blanket_training.htm

 

[M & K + 6]

I think their a little weird.

 

[distherapy]

She still didn't say she struck them with the switch. If you'd read the previous part about blanket training then you'd see that she said you use the switch to tap around the area of the blanket so as to capture the child's attention. It doesn't say anywhere in this article that she struck her child with a switch or anything for that matter. Read it again if you need to:

http://www.ffministry.org/blanket_training.htm

Oh, I've read it, as well as excerpts from the Duggars book. I strongly believe that "swift corrections" and "consequences" mean physical contact with the child. I guess I'm glad you don't, because the world needs more people who believe that behavior is terrible and unimaginable.

 

[3prettyprincesses]

Oh, I've read it, as well as excerpts from the Duggars book. I strongly believe that "swift corrections" and "consequences" mean physical contact with the child. I guess I'm glad you don't, because the world needs more people who believe that behavior is terrible and unimaginable.

Huh? Why would you be glad that I don't? I was only referring to the article you quoted which clearly didn't state that the woman advocating blanket training "switched" her kids. I think I'm misunderstanding your comment. My point was simply that the author of that article did not say she used the switch to strike her kids. That's all.