Michelle Duggar pregnant with #19!!!

[luvmyfam444]

The belief of those practicing the religion the Duggar's do is that the wife operates primarily as homemaker/homeschooler under the authority of the husband. They also believe that the daughters in the family not go to college so they can get married and be fruitful and multiply, living a life just like their mother's, under the authority of the husband. Just because we don't see JB telling Michelle what to do on an edited reality show, does not mean that their family does not operate under that belief.

Correct - but FYI authority & control are 2 entirely different words & meanings - and even though the show is edited if there was control you'd see it - you can't hide control - just look @ J&K - there's not question there was control there....as long as both parties were there you'd see it in some shape or form

 

[luvmyfam444]

Nothing gets people more fired up than threads about the Duggars.

I think she should have quit with the last one so that she can focus on the children she already has, but I've really grown to love this family. I love how their principles and morals remain, no matter how much fame they've gotten (as I compare them with the Gosslins). Now that I have a son, I especially appreciate their ultra-conservative values. There are a few things I don't agree with (naming all of them with "J", women wearing only skirts/dresses, the no-dancing rule, etc), but I still applaud them.

I agree with your comments....
Funny the things you don't agree with are the things I like ....my kids start with the same letter sound (1 is the sound not the actual letter) & end with the same letter. No dancing here -& I don't mind the dresses

 

[JoShan1719]

I've been watching since the original airing of "14 and pregnant again" and I don't recall them ever saying the girls couldn't go to college/had to wear skirts/couldn't kiss until they were married. I've seen the girls in pants several times throughout the years, and they explained that they often bought skirts for hand-me-down purposes...it's quicker to hem skirts than jeans. As for their stance on affection before marriage, they are taught about waiting for the person you are going to marry, but they aren't told they "have to" wait. In fact, they are actually pretty free to follow different beliefs once they are older.

Yes, each of the kids have a buddy, but it's not like she throws them all in a room while she runs to the mall. They all do things together as a family and they all have a buddy to keep an eye on, much like when kids in school go on field trips and pick buddies. They aren't babysitting, they're helping. I don't think Michelle is doing it for attention. She and her husband really believe that all children are gifts from God, and they feel they shouldn't try to control the timing of those gifts. It's not my lifestyle, but can you honestly not think of worse lifestyles they could choose?

Oh, and I wasn't the least bit surprised about baby 19.

 

[Disney Ella]

I've been watching since the original airing of "14 and pregnant again" and I don't recall them ever saying the girls couldn't go to college/had to wear skirts/couldn't kiss until they were married. I've seen the girls in pants several times throughout the years, and they explained that they often bought skirts for hand-me-down purposes...it's quicker to hem skirts than jeans. As for their stance on affection before marriage, they are taught about waiting for the person you are going to marry, but they aren't told they "have to" wait. In fact, they are actually pretty free to follow different beliefs once they are older.

If you've been watching the shows, then I'm sure you saw the show where Michelle and Josh discussed that kissing wouldn't be allowed until the wedding day. Josh asked Michelle if it would be okay to hold hands when he and Anna were engaged and she said that would be okay, but that is all that happened until the wedding day. They made a big deal about waiting until the wedding day for the first kiss.

On another episode, the producer was asking one of the girls about not dating. She said that their parents allowed them to choose courtship. The producer said something like, "Well, what if you decide you want to date?" The Duggar girl said, "That's not an option." So while I think courtship is promoted as being a "choice," it is really the only option allowed. Not much of a choice if you ask me.

Just curious. When did you ever see the Duggar girls wearing pants? I've seen the little ones wearing bike shorts under their skirts, but never the older girls.

Josh was taking college classes online at one of the colleges that Bill Gotherd runs. There is also an online midwife program associated with Gotherd. While the Duggars say that the kids can go to college, it's never been made clear that they will be allowed to attend a public institution with no religious affiliation and actually take classes with other young people. I would be very surprised if they were.

 

[PixieDust32]

 

[MichelleVW]

If you've been watching the shows, then I'm sure you saw the show where Michelle and Josh discussed that kissing wouldn't be allowed until the wedding day. Josh asked Michelle if it would be okay to hold hands when he and Anna were engaged and she said that would be okay, but that is all that happened until the wedding day. They made a big deal about waiting until the wedding day for the first kiss.

On another episode, the producer was asking one of the girls about not dating. She said that their parents allowed them to choose courtship. The producer said something like, "Well, what if you decide you want to date?" The Duggar girl said, "That's not an option." So while I think courtship is promoted as being a "choice," it is really the only option allowed. Not much of a choice if you ask me.

Just curious. When did you ever see the Duggar girls wearing pants? I've seen the little ones wearing bike shorts under their skirts, but never the older girls.

Josh was taking college classes online at one of the colleges that Bill Gotherd runs. There is also an online midwife program associated with Gotherd. While the Duggars say that the kids can go to college, it's never been made clear that they will be allowed to attend a public institution with no religious affiliation and actually take classes with other young people. I would be very surprised if they were.

I pretty much have seen the same thing you have, but isn't it funny that other people see a totally different less controlling family.

 

[wendy46001]

I've been watching since the original airing of "14 and pregnant again" and I don't recall them ever saying the girls couldn't go to college/had to wear skirts/couldn't kiss until they were married. I've seen the girls in pants several times throughout the years, and they explained that they often bought skirts for hand-me-down purposes...it's quicker to hem skirts than jeans. As for their stance on affection before marriage, they are taught about waiting for the person you are going to marry, but they aren't told they "have to" wait. In fact, they are actually pretty free to follow different beliefs once they are older.

Yes, each of the kids have a buddy, but it's not like she throws them all in a room while she runs to the mall. They all do things together as a family and they all have a buddy to keep an eye on, much like when kids in school go on field trips and pick buddies. They aren't babysitting, they're helping. I don't think Michelle is doing it for attention. She and her husband really believe that all children are gifts from God, and they feel they shouldn't try to control the timing of those gifts. It's not my lifestyle, but can you honestly not think of worse lifestyles they could choose?

Oh, and I wasn't the least bit surprised about baby 19.

Just have to correct the pants part
no they don’t wear them…you've seen the girls in legging under their skirts
even horseback riding they all had on skirts

 

[Mouse House Mama]

I just wonder how on earth she found a doctor who would take her on. I would imagine that there must be some health ramifications to all this.
Oh well, I wish her a safe and healthy pregnancy.

 

[MichelleVW]

Just have to correct the pants part
no they don’t wear them…you've seen the girls in legging under their skirts
even horseback riding they all had on skirts

As a person with horses...it didn't look all that safe riding in those skirts pushed up. They couldn't sit in the saddle right....it was very awkward. If they had different skirts on they probably would have been fine, but they wear the long straight ones, and that didn't work...

 

[rumrunnergirl]

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[VickiVM]

Doesn't their site say that they have a cell phone tower on their property, and they get income from that?

re: the eldest son's comments on "training up a child" - yes, it's a very strict upbringing used by "Christians" in the name of God. Basically, you beat the kids into submission, they are to fear the parents. In blanket training, you swat the baby when they move off the blanket until the babies wises up and stays there. I've never read the Pearl's book (cuz I'd probably puke) but some have quoted that it describes how to start swatting 4-month old infants and how not to leave marks. The 'training' comes from the Bible where it says "train up a child in the ways of the Lord" but I don't believe that's what the author meant. They also use the Proverbs "rod" verses, but again I feel they are interpreted incorrectly. You can google more info on 'training up a child'. Another site was called Godly Tomatoes or something - that woman was really scary - if you're beating your child and they can say "stop, mommy" or something, then you're not beating them hard enough, etc.

Another thing you can google is "birth junkie" - which is what I think Michelle is. The D's may say they don't practice birth control, yet I've heard (can't confirm) that she weans the babies at 6 months so she can get pregnant again - which IMO is not letting 'nature take its course'.

I saw one show where all the girls answered the question "what do you want to do when you grow up" with "Get married and have babies." I want more for my daughter than to think she is nothing more than a life support system for her uterus.

I am a Christian and yet my brand of Christianity is nowhere near the D's brand - and I thank GOD for that.

Just because it's on the internet, does not mean it's true or accurate. It's not fair to anybody to apply junk-food knowledge googled from the web to someone else's beliefs. This is not a fair comparison of the Duggars until they themselves express those beliefs you mentioned as their own.

Their lifestyle is not one I would choose, but I certainly don't think my 'brand' of Christianity is superior to any one else's.

 

[rumrunnergirl]

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[xoprincessmomxo]

Doesn't mean just because it's on the internet that it's false either. They said they "train" their babies. I have heard of this and know people who have read about it. I've read about it a bit, so I'm not in the dark here. Mrs D did have on her site about blanket training - not sure where on her site but I did read it there once, and I know what it involves.

And if my brand doesn't involve beating my kids and saying "God made me do it", then I think it's better. That's my opinion, you have yours and they have theirs. I definitely think they are wrong, and I have talked to people who were beat in the name of God and they turned from religion because of it.

However, I have much more important things to do in my life than spend time discussing the D's life, so I've put in my 2 cents and I'm done. )

Totally agree wtih you. Training the free will out of your children is not my idea of good parenting.

And, I'm sorry, but bad things done in the name of "your religion" does not excuse the fact that they are still bad things. But, before I get in trouble, I will stop....

 

[ead79]

Doesn't mean just because it's on the internet that it's false either. They said they "train" their babies. I have heard of this and know people who have read about it. I've read about it a bit, so I'm not in the dark here. Mrs D did have on her site about blanket training - not sure where on her site but I did read it there once, and I know what it involves.

And if my brand doesn't involve beating my kids and saying "God made me do it", then I think it's better. That's my opinion, you have yours and they have theirs. I definitely think they are wrong, and I have talked to people who were beat in the name of God and they turned from religion because of it.

However, I have much more important things to do in my life than spend time discussing the D's life, so I've put in my 2 cents and I'm done. )

I'm sure that some very, very misguided people do beat their children in the name of their religion. However, just because some people do this doesn't mean it's fair to assume the Duggars do the same. When they talk about training their children, I don't think they are talking about anything malicious. I think if those types of things were happening in the Duggar household, we would've seen at least a glimpse of it on their show.

 

[irishbosoxfan]

If each of her descendants believed in the whole quiver full thing and had 19 children, she would have 130,321 great great grandchildren and nearly 2.5 million great, great, great grandchildren.

Now imagine if everybody utilized the "right" to have as many kids as their uterus can manage, how long would it be before the earth became degraded beyond use? The sad thing is that the Duggars would love for their kids to believe in their screwy religion and have that many babies. It's pathetic.

We may have a legal right, but we do not have a moral or spiritual right.The earth is already stretched more than Duggar's uterus,we don't need people going around having a couple dozen children just because they can. No good comes of it, none at all. The kids have to raise their siblings. It's not a family, it's an institution. What is the point?????

 

[stahshee]

With 18 children already, I don't know where she finds the time to make baby #19. That would be the LAST thing on my mind!

 

[BC]

shows Anna's father "passing the authority" to Josh. I assumed that meant he would now be in control of her instead of her father. I feel sure that even if Michelle or Anna were not "in the mood", it would not really matter. It is their wifely duty and that is what they not only have to do, but feel like it is what they need to do to follow their belief.

Also, did anyone see the episode where "Grampa Duggar" died? He looked very old, however, "Grandma Duggar" looks really, really young compared! In fact, she doesn't look old enough to be Jim Bob's mother to me. Maybe she was Grampa's second wife?? Does anyone know if she lives with them?

 

[C.Ann]

They do have a TV show, however they don't necessarily rely on it to support their family. For example their house was being built before they had a regular TV series whereas if you look at the Gosslins they have their current house bc of the TV show.

I wish them lots of luck, I watch the show here and there and they really do look like a happy and close family.

They had no need to rely on it prior to having a show - nor do they need to rely on it now (as a source of income).. They have always been able to support their family without help from TLC..

From watching the types of activities they engage in on their shows it's pretty clear to me that they are more interested in sharing their ministry; sharing how family unity based on their religion functions well; passing on their personal views on morality and respect; etc.. A "tool" to reach others - to show that it "can" be done - as opposed to what "they" can get from it..

The thought that I could some day live in a country where other people determine what my family size should be taking into consideration I could afford them scares me.

Thank God I live in America!

Agreed.. Jim Bob supports his own family.. He does not rely on welfare or TLC to provide for them..

I support their right to choose to have as many children as they want (and can support.).

When Michelle was pregnant with her youngest daughter they showed her going to the doctor's office, and then they interviewed her doctor. Her doctor said that Michelle is very healthy and there is no problem with her many pregnancies. She's had the same doctor for at least her last several pregnancies, so the rumors that were going around earlier this year that her doctors keep dropping her because she keeps getting pregnant were/are not true.
.

I believe that was in the People magazine article as well..

I like this family. Their kids seem very respectful and nice. You don't see that in todays society. The family isn't on welfare. They seem to have it all together. If she wants 19 kids more power to her. What a good and kind family they seem to be.

It certainly does appear that they have done a marvelous job with their children.. I think it's also important to note that the love, respect, and care extends beyond the immediate family as well - as evidenced when Jim Bob's father was dying and he was moved into the Duggar household..

I think Duggars are ok people. Like others mentioned they aren't on welfare and Bob does well with his real estate business. The family buys in bulk and they make some of their clothes and shop at thrift stores.

It's refreshing to see such a large family working hard to support themselves and not being consumed by all of the "wants" that we witness in some other families..

They were in Amish Country, Ohio on June 1st (I actually spent the whole day with them riding around on their bus), then left for DC the following day, so I'd guess they were there maybe the 2nd - 4th of June? I've also known Michelle was pregnant again for a few weeks and it's been killing me not to spill the beans. IMHO it's time to say enough, if only for health reasons. I'd rather see them with a large family they can support, than someone with one child who is on welfare or abusive. For the record, they are not any different on camera than they are off. Yeah, they have a lot of kids and they can be odd, but I've never met more respectful kids ever. I joked with my husband about sending our kids to their house for some training, "Duggar Boot Camp", lol. Johanna is my favorite, she was an absolute riot!

Lucky you!! It's great to know that they are just as friendly and polite "off" camera as they are "on"..

It's against their beliefs to use any type of family planning. So "stopping at 18" is not possible, unless they practice abstinence. But then isn't that family planning as well?.

my opinion is that they are probably using it in a way that is in step with their beliefs - perhaps charity, church building, missions...who knows.

They are very eager to share their faith and TLC doesn't seem to filter it. They perhaps feel called to do this. Some faiths call it evangelizing. And as Christians, we are all called to show and model Christ's love to others. They are showing the viewing public (and every one they come in contact with as well) that they are a loving family willing to share and help and they do not shy away from talking about their faith. [/B]As a Christian, I can honestly say I don't have that kind of courage yet.

Every episode I've seen shows a very balanced family in terms of support of one another, level of happiness and joy, low level of stress and friction...generally what any family yearns for.

Not my choice in lifestyle, but it seems to be working well for them.

I would bet the family farm that the bolded portion of your post is right on target.. I don't see the "gimmes" fitting into their lifestyle or beliefs at all..

Yes, each of the kids have a buddy, but it's not like she throws them all in a room while she runs to the mall. They all do things together as a family and they all have a buddy to keep an eye on, much like when kids in school go on field trips and pick buddies. They aren't babysitting, they're helping. I don't think Michelle is doing it for attention. She and her husband really believe that all children are gifts from God, and they feel they shouldn't try to control the timing of those gifts. It's not my lifestyle, but can you honestly not think of worse lifestyles they could choose?

Oh, and I wasn't the least bit surprised about baby 19.

I have witnessed this "buddy" system in much smaller families and I honestly don't see it as a problem.. Taking care of the little ones; having assigned chores; functioning as a family unit - is a positive - not a negative.. I'm not sure how having a close family bond could possibly be considered anything but good.. Is that not what most people want within their families?

 

[kafitty]

a PP tried to post this blog but it didn't work for them...but i found it!

http://quiverfull.wordpress.com/

written by a woman who's left the church; what i've read so far is very...enlightening.

 

[PixieDust32]

Michelle can have all the kids she wants, they support them, they at least don't have tons of kids a get welfare. Go ahead Michelle is your life, your body, your family.