The Duggar Family is pregnant AGAIN!

[Quest4fun]

I guess that my point is that kids/people don't have to all be socialized in the same manner. That one way is not the only way. I know one family that seems very sheltered to me. It is a farm family, homeschooled, and I dont' believe they have tv, etc. Their way of socializing is at out local farmer's market. And there, you see that the kids get along great with others (any kids that come along) are social, fun, kind kids.

It isn't the way I'd choose to raise mine. I'd die being that isolated, but to each his own, imo. I also would never choose to live in a big city, and schedule outside activities every night, to the point of no family time (my SIL's family). They think they are a part of a multicultural environment, when they really just hang with people just like themselves. No difference. I think that is as "lacking" as the Duggars and their limited socialization.

As long as the "big scandal" doesn't emerge, they seem reasonably happy. One doesn't have to be exposed to all choices in the world to be so.

They definitely seem happy but they are oh so weird.

What is their oldest going to do when he starts law school? Is he going to walk around looking at the ground and hide out when he's not in class? I'm sure it will help his study habits but at some point he's going to run into a girl who will knock his socks off (probably literally) and he's not going to want to go back to his old ways.

I just don't understand how somebody can be well adjusted without a grasp on what's happening around them. I'll agree that pretty much everything in the news is sensationized rubbish but they still need to know what's happening because it affects them.

 

[MrsKreamer]

But Amish families don't use power tools and that is the difference. My Grandfather did a lot of woodworking and wouldn't do ANY work in long sleeved shirts even--it is just DANGEROUS.

I have no issue with older kids helping with younger kids but THESE kids are RAISING the younger kids, not just helping take care of them. Our oldest helps our twins occasionally and babysat them when they were of an age where they needed babysitters and he will be expected to drive them places when he gets his drivers license but I certainly wouldn't expect him to get up with them in the middle of the night when they are sick.

When I saw the special about them building the house, the girls were dressed in short sleeved shirts and pants. They also wore safety goggles, and I believe they had their hair pulled back.

 

[Quest4fun]

When I saw the special about them building the house, the girls were dressed in short sleeved shirts and pants.

Shazaam!

 

[meandtheguys2]

Hopefully his involvement with the tv stuff, and the traveling will help him with that adjstment. We don't usually have a problem with kids adjusting from sheltered lives, contrary to all of the talk re. PK's, etc. I didn' tknow he was planning on becoming a lawyer. That should be interesting. I wonder what types of people he thinks he'll be working with.

 

[wishspirit]

But he's been living by these rules all his life. He knows what to expect ... knows what's expected of him. This is normal to him. He may see what other kids do and wonder, "Why do their parents let them do that?"

So he has a chaperone. He can't make out in public, drink or do drugs, or behave inappropriately on a date because he's got a chaperone along. Yeah, I can see how that might be unfortunate.

I am sorry but that is incredibly condesending.

Not ALL teenagers act like that without a chaperone, if their parents have brought them up well enough they can enjoy life without those things but with some INDEPENANCE.

I am almost the same age as him, live alone at University and i am unchaperoned. Some people will party and learn from the experience, and some will just learn how to live alone without mommy and daddy checking its suitable first. If they brought him up well enough, they need to learn to trust!

 

[lilyv]

I am sorry but that is incredibly condesending.

Not ALL teenagers act like that without a chaperone, if their parents have brought them up well enough they can enjoy life without those things but with some INDEPENANCE.

I am almost the same age as him, live alone at University and i am unchaperoned. Some people will party and learn from the experience, and some will just learn how to live alone without mommy and daddy checking its suitable first. If they brought him up well enough, they need to learn to trust!

Thank you for your thoughtful post. Sending my very best wishes for your success now and in the future!

 

[Quest4fun]

Hopefully his involvement with the tv stuff, and the traveling will help him with that adjstment. We don't usually have a problem with kids adjusting from sheltered lives, contrary to all of the talk re. PK's, etc. I didn' tknow he was planning on becoming a lawyer. That should be interesting. I wonder what types of people he thinks he'll be working with.

My wife filled me in on their children's prospects and they were all quite revealing. From what I can tell everybody wants a different type of profession but all seem to have chosen something that could in essence serve the family and possibly enable Jim Bob to create the utopia he's begun down there. I'm assuming their eldest will pursue family or possibly real estate law since those would help them the most. I don't recall if any of the other ones wanted to be doctor but I'm thinking otherwise since that would require an internship which would expose them to many of the world's evils. Everybody seems to be on track to get to school then get back home. It's a little creepy.

 

[meandtheguys2]

If they brought him up well enough, they need to learn to trust!

In the end, they just have to let go.

Many well brought up kids get involved with alcohol and drugs. Many who have had it rough in life, manage to pull through ok in the end. That is the funny thing about free will.

 

[NY Disney fan]

I was raised very strict. My parents wouldn't allow any boys over and when they did come over they sat in the living room only with another adult present. I had no TV in my bedroom (let alone computer). I was not allowed any sleepovers with girlfirends. I spent every weekend with my parents from birth to 20 years of age. However, my parents let me go to clubs once in a while with my sister and friends. They let me participate in overnight school events (debate tournaments upstate) and I turned out fine. They did not shield me from the world.

 

[meandtheguys2]

My wife filled me in on their children's prospects and they were all quite revealing. From what I can tell everybody wants a different type of profession but all seem to have chosen something that could in essence serve the family and possibly enable Jim Bob to create the utopia he's begun down there. I'm assuming their eldest will pursue family or possibly real estate law since those would help them the most. I don't recall if any of the other ones wanted to be doctor but I'm thinking otherwise since that would require an internship which would expose them to many of the world's evils. Everybody seems to be on track to get to school then get back home. It's a little creepy.

Well, that is more than just a little weird...

I worked with a guy once whose family was kind of like that. in the end, all of the kids made the break.

 

[Deb & Bill]

And again, I ask ... why is that bad? Why is it such a terrible horrible thing to be raised to conform to gender-specific roles? ...

I was reading your response and started thinking about gender-specific roles. I couldn't think of too many.

Child bearer/birther (must be female)
Bra model (must be female)

That was all I could come up with.

 

[Quest4fun]

I am sorry but that is incredibly condesending.

Not ALL teenagers act like that without a chaperone, if their parents have brought them up well enough they can enjoy life without those things but with some INDEPENANCE.

I am almost the same age as him, live alone at University and i am unchaperoned. Some people will party and learn from the experience, and some will just learn how to live alone without mommy and daddy checking its suitable first. If they brought him up well enough, they need to learn to trust!

It's not about trust. It's about control. This is, of course, how cults operate. Not that I'm saying they're in a cult. It's just that if it walks like a duck, looks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it's probably a duck.

 

[lilyv]

They definitely seem happy but they are oh so weird.

What is their oldest going to do when he starts law school? Is he going to walk around looking at the ground and hide out when he's not in class? I'm sure it will help his study habits but at some point he's going to run into a girl who will knock his socks off (probably literally) and he's not going to want to go back to his old ways.

I just don't understand how somebody can be well adjusted without a grasp on what's happening around them. I'll agree that pretty much everything in the news is sensationized rubbish but they still need to know what's happening because it affects them.

About his law school goals- He's going to need to work hard and study both as an undergrad and as he prepares for the lsat. Assuming he graduates from college and is accepted someplace for law school, he will have to learn to work with others-and that includes people of different experiences, religions, and folks who could give a flying fig about religion.
Isn't Josh 20? Is he enrolled full time in an accredited university? If he's serious about this goal, he's going to have to meet some high standards beyond basic workbook work.

 

[Quest4fun]

About his law school goals- He's going to need to work hard and study both as an undergrad and as he prepares for the lsat. Assuming he graduates from college and is accepted someplace for law school, he will have to learn to work with others-and that includes people of different experiences, religions, and folks who could give a flying fig about religion.
Isn't Josh 20? Is he enrolled full time in an accredited university? If he's serious about this goal, he's going to have to meet some high standards beyond basic workbook work.

Yes he is. I don't know how he's going to make it.

 

[lilyv]

Yes he is. I don't know how he's going to make it.

I have to say, too, that parents do kids no favors by encouraging dreams while basically ignoring what the young person needs to do to actually achieve that dream. It's wonderful Josh wants to be a lawyer, but at 20 he should be studying his heart out at a college or university somewhere.

 

[WDSearcher]

Right so I guess the very best parenting would be to ensconce your child in a plastic bubble from birth until you marry them off so they can never fall down, get into trouble, see/hear/smell/taste/feel anything the parent does not approve of....

Where did I say that? Last time I looked, the Duggar kids have done an awful lot. They've driven cross-country, seen the Grand Canyon, spent time on a dude ranch, seen more of the country than most kids get to. Heck, they've even been to Disneyland! Not exactly a plastic bubble. And really ... do you allow your kids to see/hear/smell/taste/feel things that you don't approve of?

 

[WDSearcher]

I am sorry but that is incredibly condesending.

Not ALL teenagers act like that without a chaperone, if their parents have brought them up well enough they can enjoy life without those things but with some INDEPENANCE.

I am almost the same age as him, live alone at University and i am unchaperoned. Some people will party and learn from the experience, and some will just learn how to live alone without mommy and daddy checking its suitable first. If they brought him up well enough, they need to learn to trust!

Point taken.

 

[WDSearcher]

Bra model (must be female)

I've met guys who could do this. I'm just sayin' ....

 

[meandtheguys2]

I've met guys who could do this. I'm just sayin' ....

lol...were you watching the golf game, Sunday, too...

 

[chobie]

Where did I say that? Last time I looked, the Duggar kids have done an awful lot. They've driven cross-country, seen the Grand Canyon, spent time on a dude ranch, seen more of the country than most kids get to. Heck, they've even been to Disneyland! Not exactly a plastic bubble. And really ... do you allow your kids to see/hear/smell/taste/feel things that you don't approve of?

Yes, my children have heard about sex and knowthat I don't approve of it until they are adults. My children have heard about drugs and know I don't approve of it. My children are allowed out of my sight. My children are allowed to spend time with other families who are a different religion than us. They are allowed to attend churches and synagogues with friends without me being there. They are allowed to be with families who belong to a different political party than ours. They are allowed to experience other view points other than ours.



What they Duggar children have not done and will never do is experience being aroudn others who do not think exactly like they do. They are missing out because of that.