The Duggar Family is pregnant AGAIN!

[disney junky]

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.

This is no different than the farming communities in South Central Pennsylvania. If I have a 400 acre farm and my kids work the farm/business with me, why wouldn't they live on homes built on the property. The term compound only comes to mind if you are looking for it to come to mind. I don't know why they decided to allow America into their homes. I believe they thought they'd found a lifestyle that might inspire some people to emulate, but instead, they've put themselves in a position to be scrutinized and criticized.

 

[PatsMom]

I think it is their family and their decision. So I say congratulations and good luck to them. I wouldn't judge their choices any more than I would judge those who are childless by choice. Their parenting choices may not agree with mine but I don't see that any of the kids are abused or neglected.

 

[drag n' fly]

Congrats! I just hope the flow of donations worldwide to them will stop so they begin to live like the rest of the world lives....supporting ourselves

 

[freckles and boo]

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?

Not every parent does this. We raise our children to understand what we believe and why we believe it. We have rules about behavior and how we treat others. As they grow up they will develop their own beliefs and while we will help shape them, they will be their own people. That is probably why I feel so strongly about how cookie-cutter the Duggar children appear to be. There is little room for pursuit of individual passions. We are also fortunate that we live in an area where our children can make friends from different cultures and backgrounds. They hear different languages and accents in their friends' homes. Some of their friends have brown skin and some have tan skin. The children notice the differences but they are friends because of the things they have in common.

 

[okeydokey]

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.

She doesn't take care of them, they care for each other. She just pops them out and passes them off.

 

[Disney Ella]

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.



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.

Yes, I do think the Duggar children would have a hard time finding a place to live should they decide to go out on their own. While all of us may be familiar with them, they do not know us, and I doubt they would be foolish enough to go up to a complete stranger and ask for a place to stay. It would be much easier to stay with what is easy and familiar, despite the fact that it is not what you really want. Breaking free would take a lot of courage and great deal of planning and assistance from someone outside of their way of life.

As for children having to take on adult functions, I find it tragic whether the children are the Duggar children or the children of drug addicts. Children should not be given such a heavy burden so early in life and I feel equally sorry for any children in this circumstance.

 

[ilisao]

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.

Go read their website. You will see their daily schedule. There is no time for random social activities, just down time where kids can be kids. And just because thousands of kids across the country running entire households does not mean it is an optimal situation.

On the Today show segment, it was stated that the family has to schedule one on one time with each kid. I am sorry, any family that has to create a schedule to spend alone time with their kids has issues. That is not healthy.

 

[Pigeon]

There are group homes with better adult to child ratios.

 

[LisaNJ25]

Personally, I think she treats her uterus like its a clown car.

I have a great image for that but last time I posted it I got points

 

[MomNeedsVacay]

Go read their website. You will see their daily schedule. There is no time for random social activities, just down time where kids can be kids. And just because thousands of kids across the country running entire households does not mean it is an optimal situation.

On the Today show segment, it was stated that the family has to schedule one on one time with each kid. I am sorry, any family that has to create a schedule to spend alone time with their kids has issues. That is not healthy.

I only have two kids but I rarely get one-on-one time with my kids... Its usually me and both the kids...My DH works all day and goes to lawschool at night, so one-on-one time is a precious commodity. At least they schedule it.... its not ideal, but seems to work....

 

[gottaluvPluto]

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

Yes it is very unfair. In a family that big you have kids raising kids. I wonder if they are on any government handouts.

 

[autumnbaby9]

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.

I consider it abuse whether it is a child doing it because their parents are drug addicts who can't take care of them, or if their parents just choose to pop out a kid every year for 20 years and expect the other kids to do the raising.

Occassionally babysitting or getting a kid ready is fine. Doing household chores to help out is definantly expected. But to be responsible for a younger sibiling ALL DAY LONG is ridiculous.

Those kids didn't choose to have the baby so they shouldn't be responible for raising it. The parents chose to have the baby, they need to feed it, clean it, teach it, etc. Not pass it off.

 

[LisaNJ25]

I guess the parents wont need any advice on the "finding private time on vacation" thread

I am waiting for one of the older ones to move out and write a tell all book.

 

[DisneyCP2002]

A co-worker of mine just returned from a home schooling conference and all of the Duggars were in attendance except the mom and the youngest. This would defintely explain why the mom wasn't there.

 

[Buckalew11]

Well, I think this family is just sooo different that all this negativity stems from that. Supposedly open minded people deciding that another person is living the wrong lifestyle.

I would not want 18 kids. I didn't even want 2 kids. My sister has 4 and I could sit here and make you a list of what she is doing wrong. I'm sure she could do the same for me and my only.
I just never understand why this family gets so many people's dander up. Dugger topics will always bring pages and pages on the DIS. Rude and downright nasty comments being made about another family. It is always sad to read on here.
I would, however, like to see Michelle's new hairstyle. It is about time!

 

[disney junky]

There are group homes with better adult to child ratios.

Are you suggesting foster care for the children? After all, it would provide a better child/adult ratio.

 

[SadieDog]

Not every parent does this. We raise our children to understand what we believe and why we believe it. We have rules about behavior and how we treat others. As they grow up they will develop their own beliefs and while we will help shape them, they will be their own people. That is probably why I feel so strongly about how cookie-cutter the Duggar children appear to be. There is little room for pursuit of individual passions. We are also fortunate that we live in an area where our children can make friends from different cultures and backgrounds. They hear different languages and accents in their friends' homes. Some of their friends have brown skin and some have tan skin. The children notice the differences but they are friends because of the things they have in common.

Well said, thank you. I also encourage my children to make their own decisions regarding their belief system and become their own people. I also encourage friendships with others from differnt cultures and backgrounds.

 

[MemoryMakers2669]

Does anyone want to do a quick calculation of what their stimulus check amount might be!

I am betting they make too much money. They would have to, with the way they live. $150K doesn't go very far for a family of 19!

 

[bigmerle1966]

Shouldn't that be the kids raise themselves?!?!?

Too true!

 

[disney junky]

Well said, thank you. I also encourage my children to make their own decisions regarding their belief system and become their own people. I also encourage friendships with others from differnt cultures and backgrounds.

But these people believe what they believe is true. The live in a community that is 82% white. We have no evidence that the people they associate with are anything other than fellow homeschoolers. And at what age do you encourage your children to make their own decisions about their belief system?