The Duggar Family is pregnant AGAIN!

[sarahlovesmickey]

Where's the Tag Fairy when you need her

I was thinking the same thing!!!!!!! That is tag worthy, for sure!

 

[ilisao]

Can they AFFORD to send any of the kids to college? I'm not thinking of just the college expenses, but the loss of a worker/nursemaid. Perhaps they commute to a community college?

Frankly, I would be very surprised if the kids, especially the girls, were being raised with the expectation of college.

 

[IWISHFORDISNEY]

I am a firm believer in to each his own, BUT that family just scares me. Are the kids really getting a freeedom of choice. How are they doing college for 18kids? JMHO. The clothes and hair are another story. LOL.

 

[lovemygoofy]

can you imagine this woman's yearly well woman exam? The gyno just pops his head down there, looks and say's your good see ya after the next baby

 

[MomNeedsVacay]

I am a firm believer in to each his own, BUT that family just scares me. Are the kids really getting a freeedom of choice. How are they doing college for 18kids? JMHO. The clothes and hair are another story. LOL.

Since when is it a parent's responsiblity to pay for their child's college tuition? I mean its a luxury if parents can do it, but it certainly doesn't make them bad parents if they can't afford it...

 

[ilisao]

I agree....
I can't stand how people judge the "quality of life" for this family. THere are families in far worse crises as far as I'm concerned. Financially and otherwise...
THe kids seem weird to me, but they all seem happy. Maybe some will even go as far to say the children are "brain-washed", but that's speculation. Who is to say these children aren't happy with their "roles"? My sister helped my Mom take care of me a little here and there- she doesn't regret it...It sure is different, and not something I want for my family, but I don't see any "abuses" taking place.

The children don't take care of the siblings "a little here and there." They are assigned one or 2 kids they are thus responsible for - they help them clean, they help them with their homeschooling, etc. They esentially have to raise their younger siblings. Even the baby has already been assigned.

 

[freckles and boo]

Since when is it a parent's responsiblity to pay for their child's college tuition? I mean its a luxury if parents can do it, but it certainly doesn't make them bad parents if they can't afford it...

Should any of the children attend college he or she would likely qualify for financial assistance based on the number of dependents at home. I personally know what it is like to have $50,000 in student loan debt and no help from my parents so I plan to assist my TWO children when the time comes. That is my choice. The bigger issue (for me, anyway) is that not one of these girls appears to be encouraged to follow any dream that isn't traditional "women's work". What if one of the daughters wants to study archeology? Or molecular biology? Or dance? Will she be encouraged and supported? Not if they truly follow the "Quiverfull" philosophies. I find that to be very sad.

 

[bgirldeb]

Good Lord! This woman's uterus has got to be waiving a white flag!!!

 

[Mouse House Mama]

All the child raising stuff aside, how healthy is it for a woman to give birth to that many children? Will she be healthy enough to take care of them all or will all of this have an effect on her health. I suppose anything can happen to anyone but this would concern me. I can't imagine that shooting a baby out every year for 20 years is good for you. I have nothing against large families but I do wonder about the health implications.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

Good Lord! This woman's uterus has got to be waiving a white flag!!!

 

[disney junky]

Should any of the children attend college he or she would likely qualify for financial assistance based on the number of dependents at home. I personally know what it is like to have $50,000 in student loan debt and no help from my parents so I plan to assist my TWO children when the time comes. That is my choice. The bigger issue (for me, anyway) is that not one of these girls appears to be encouraged to follow any dream that isn't traditional "women's work". What if one of the daughters wants to study archeology? Or molecular biology? Or dance? Will she be encouraged and supported? Not if they truly follow the "Quiverfull" philosophies. I find that to be very sad.

Both the husband and wife are real estate agents. That surely sounds like equality to me. The fact that there is women's work and men's work is a reality in every household, whether it is defined as such or not. Call it inside work or outside work. I don't follow your argument that the "quiverfull" philosophy which is a quote from Psalms concerning large families and specifically sons will somehow prevent the daughters from pursuing any study.
Psalm 127:5
Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. They will not be put to shame when they contend with their enemies in the gate.

 

[Disney Ella]

Both the husband and wife are real estate agents. That surely sounds like equality to me. The fact that there is women's work and men's work is a reality in every household, whether it is defined as such or not. Call it inside work or outside work. I don't follow your argument that the "quiverfull" philosophy which is a quote from Psalms concerning large families and specifically sons will somehow prevent the daughters from pursuing any study.
Psalm 127:5
Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. They will not be put to shame when they contend with their enemies in the gate.

There's no women's work and men's work in my house, or inside work or outside work and my husband is not the head of the household. We are both capable of and both do everything. Michelle may hold a real estate license but I see no indication that she uses it anymore.

I find it highly unlikely that the Duggars will graciously allow their daughters to pursue any career they would like. I think it will be almost impossible for any of the Duggar children to break free if they want to. I would imagine if you choose to live a life that the parents don't approve of (wearing pants, living on your own, picking a more modern religion) that they may not allow you to live there anymore. And where would you go at 18, with no job, and not knowing anyone outside of the few people you are allowed to associate with who would give you a place to live? Making your own way would be very difficult.

While people have pointed out the children in large families have always helped out, very few children have been expected to do all of the cooking for the family, all of the laundry, raise another child, and have no social life of their own. These kids spend twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week with their families and the only other children the can associate with belong to people with similar beliefs. While it is a life they have chosen, it is Michelle and Jim Bob who have chosen it, not the children. And I don't believe that Michelle and Jim Bob will approve of the children choosing a different path when they become adults.

 

[Scornelius]

Just to offer another perspective...
I was 'forced' into parenthood when I was 10, and my mother had a second child. This was after 9 years of infertility, and a year after having her tubes tied. She promptly had a nervous breakdown. My dad was clueless to the situation, and just went off and worked like nothing was wrong. I was responsible for the vast majority of feeding, bathing, diapering and entertainment for my brother. I missed an unbelievable amount of school. 3 am feedings are really tough when you're in grade 5!

I wont pretend there weren't times where I resented the heck out of it. However, my brother is the most important thing in my life and I adore him completely. I desperately want to have children, because I figure if I love him so much and he's not even 'mine', the love I'm going to have for my own children will just blow me away.

Having said that, there's no way in heck I'd give my own child that sort of responsibility! Nothing rips your childhood away like having to care for a baby!!

 

[suzanna1066@comcast.]

I am completely non-religious and by choice only have one child. That being said, their family planning perspective seems to work for them so why bash it? They also seem to be able to afford these children without going into debt. Personally, I could not imagine being pregnant for most of my adult life but Frau Dugger seems to be fine with it. I have a much bigger issue with families who take fertility drugs and risk having five or six kids in one go that the parents cannot afford and that will likely have health issues.
So I say congratulations to the Duggars and here's hoping for a safe pregnancy and delivery.

 

[freckles and boo]

There's no women's work and men's work in my house, or inside work or outside work and my husband is not the head of the household. We are both capable of and both do everything. Michelle may hold a real estate license but I see no indication that she uses it anymore.

I find it highly unlikely that the Duggars will graciously allow their daughters to pursue any career they would like. I think it will be almost impossible for any of the Duggar children to break free if they want to. I would imagine if you choose to live a life that the parents don't approve of (wearing pants, living on your own, picking a more modern religion) that they may not allow you to live there anymore. And where would you go at 18, with no job, and not knowing anyone outside of the few people you are allowed to associate with who would give you a place to live? Making your own way would be very difficult.

While people have pointed out the children in large families have always helped out, very few children have been expected to do all of the cooking for the family, all of the laundry, raise another child, and have no social life of their own. These kids spend twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week with their families and the only other children the can associate with belong to people with similar beliefs. While it is a life they have chosen, it is Michelle and Jim Bob who have chosen it, not the children. And I don't believe that Michelle and Jim Bob will approve of the children choosing a different path when they become adults.

Eloquently said.

Michelle is "under the authority" of her husband. Many religions specify different roles for each gender, but "under the authority" isn't equality. The daughters will also be expected to be "under the authority" of their husbands. The Duggars have said that they purchased a large parcel of land (where their home/church is now) so they can build homes for their children. Yes, it is a nice gesture on the surface but the term "compound" comes to mind.

 

[Freyja]

To each their own. If it works for them and they´re happy, I congratulate them

 

[luvindisneyworld]

Eloquently said.

Michelle is "under the authority" of her husband. Many religions specify different roles for each gender, but "under the authority" isn't equality. The daughters will also be expected to be "under the authority" of their husbands. The Duggars have said that they purchased a large parcel of land (where their home/church is now) so they can build homes for their children. Yes, it is a nice gesture on the surface but the term "compound" comes to mind.

Oh I am so glad that you said that.It was exactly what I was thinking but just didnt know how to put it.

 

[disney junky]

There's no women's work and men's work in my house, or inside work or outside work and my husband is not the head of the household. We are both capable of and both do everything. Michelle may hold a real estate license but I see no indication that she uses it anymore.

I find it highly unlikely that the Duggars will graciously allow their daughters to pursue any career they would like. I think it will be almost impossible for any of the Duggar children to break free if they want to. I would imagine if you choose to live a life that the parents don't approve of (wearing pants, living on your own, picking a more modern religion) that they may not allow you to live there anymore. And where would you go at 18, with no job, and not knowing anyone outside of the few people you are allowed to associate with who would give you a place to live? Making your own way would be very difficult.

While people have pointed out the children in large families have always helped out, very few children have been expected to do all of the cooking for the family, all of the laundry, raise another child, and have no social life of their own. These kids spend twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week with their families and the only other children the can associate with belong to people with similar beliefs. While it is a life they have chosen, it is Michelle and Jim Bob who have chosen it, not the children. And I don't believe that Michelle and Jim Bob will approve of the children choosing a different path when they become adults.

But this is all speculation based on a few episodes of a show which is little more than a human interest story extended into a now miniseries. They are christians by their own definition and by christians they believe that the husband is the head of the household. They choose to live that way. I raised my children to believe what I believe, and yes, all of our friends were of like faith and socioeconomic status. You seem to think that's wrong. What parent doesn't somehow do that? But I do appreciate the fact that you have chosen to voice an opposing position in an intelligent manner rather than simply making crude comments about Michelle.

 

[WDSearcher]

I find it highly unlikely that the Duggars will graciously allow their daughters to pursue any career they would like. I think it will be almost impossible for any of the Duggar children to break free if they want to. I would imagine if you choose to live a life that the parents don't approve of (wearing pants, living on your own, picking a more modern religion) that they may not allow you to live there anymore. And where would you go at 18, with no job, and not knowing anyone outside of the few people you are allowed to associate with who would give you a place to live? Making your own way would be very difficult.

These kids helped build the house they live in ... it's not like they would walk out into the world with no skills other than child raising and laundry. They're probably more hirable than most of us! As for not knowing anyone -- these kids are pretty famous. You really think that if a Duggar kid "broke away" and wasn't allowed back that they'd end up living on the streets? These kids aren't stupid. They have life skills, trade skills and educations. Don't think for a minute that these kids couldn't take care of themselves if they had to. They're probably far more ready for life on their own than some rich debutante or priviledged Hamptons kid.

While people have pointed out the children in large families have always helped out, very few children have been expected to do all of the cooking for the family, all of the laundry, raise another child, and have no social life of their own. These kids spend twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week with their families and the only other children the can associate with belong to people with similar beliefs. While it is a life they have chosen, it is Michelle and Jim Bob who have chosen it, not the children. And I don't believe that Michelle and Jim Bob will approve of the children choosing a different path when they become adults.

Which America do you live in? There are literally THOUSANDS of older siblings (and even really young kids) out there who are "expected to do all of the cooking for the family, all of the laundry, raise another child, and have no social life of their own." Find a multiple-child, single-parent family living at the poverty line and you'll see it. Find a kid whose parent(s) are on drugs or in jail or unable to function for themselves -- those kids are out there running entire households while also trying to go to school and figure out where the next meal is coming from. A big chunk of America is made up of kids who are doing all of this and more. And those kids have far fewer advantages than the Duggars. We see the Duggars on television -- we see a teeny tiny piece of their lives. We have no idea what kind of social lives these kids have. We have no idea what they do when the cameras aren't rolling. All we ever see is the family time.

 

[Oreo Cookie]

Personally, I think it's stupid and unfair to the rest of the kids. There, I said it.

MTE

You can't be a good parent to 18 kids at once. How much time do they get to really spend with their kids. I think it is also very unfair for the older children to have to take on parenting responsibilites because mom and dad want to be record setters.