The Duggars family TV show premieres this Sat.

[Planogirl]

Besides tater tot caserole, what types of foods do they eat? I missed seeing that.

I still wonder how the girls will meet all of these future husbands as insulated as they are. I can't imagine them being allowed to go to college no matter how religious the school is but I suppose that I could be wrong.

 

[Brier Rose]

The Duggar's have made at least two tv specials -- if they were not happy with the way it was edited and the public response then why did they make another one?

If a camera crew just dropped into someone's home unannouced and edited some not so great moments and put it on tv -- then it would be wrong to make comments about the family based on this. But this family chose it, not once but twice if not more. They are obviously satisfied with what is being shown of their family and think the things we think are creepy are just fine. God only knows what stuff they choose not to share with the rest of the world if that is the stuff they chose to show.

I don't think it was edited to make them look bad.
Personally I don't think they did, I think different people see different things. That's not a matter of editing, it's more people opinion.

What I meant by not knowing the "real" family based on a one hour tv special was that it was just that..one hour. Not that it was edited to be good or bad, but just that I don't think anyone can know what a family is really like on a day to day basis by watching them on tv for one hour. Or for that matter, even spending time visting with them for an hour.

 

[hentob]

Besides tater tot caserole, what types of foods do they eat? I missed seeing that.

http://www.duggarfamily.com/articles/recipes.php

 

[chobie]

I don't think it was edited to make them look bad.
Personally I don't think they did, I think different people see different things. That's not a matter of editing, it's more people opinion.

What I meant by not knowing the "real" family based on a one hour tv special was that it was just that..one hour. Not that it was edited to be good or bad, but just that I don't think anyone can know what a family is really like on a day to day basis by watching them on tv for one hour. Or for that matter, even spending time visting with them for an hour.

We're only commenting on what they have chosen to show us: The popping out as many babies as humanly possilbly, the raising the children away from contact with anyone that does not share the same extremist viewpoint as them, the amount of chores assigned the kids, the lack of choices they have for the future, the use of power tools by children etc. We can decide that based on these things this family is seriously creepy.

Most of us think it is not fair to seal children off completly from the outside world. The other things like the tatertot casserole and the insipid "perpendicular" moment are just giving us some entertainment --which is the whole point of watching a TV show.

 

[Planogirl]

http://www.duggarfamily.com/articles/recipes.php

Thanks. I see way to much reliance on frozen and canned stuff in those recipes. Blech! Maybe they'll start a garden at their new digs.

I really had no basis for assuming that the girls wouldn't go on with their education. Usually when I see such ideas as the girls being raised to be ONLY mothers and wives then I assume that further education isn't of much importance. But of course, I might be way offbase.

Besides, how does one pay for 16+ kids to go to college?

 

[LindsayDunn228]

I think it's interesting that on their website in "Jim Bob's Message To Fathers" he says to remove all books, magazines, internet, TV, etc. that could show children "worldly or sensual" things but yet here they are doing all of this on TV and getting all of this material stuff apparently free just because they have produced children at a rate most people wouldn't consider.

This is one of my main beefs with the Duggars. Be consistent in your beliefs. And bring on the flamings, but I do believe they are ******* the family.

 

[ducklite]

Besides, how does one pay for 16+ kids to go to college?

"THEY" don't. "WE" do.

Anne

 

[Brier Rose]

We're only commenting on what they have chosen to show us: The popping out as many babies as humanly possilbly, the raising the children away from contact with anyone that does not share the same extremist viewpoint as them, the amount of chores assigned the kids, the lack of choices they have for the future, the use of power tools by children etc. We can decide that based on these things this family is seriously creepy.

Most of us think it is not fair to seal children off completly from the outside world. The other things like the tatertot casserole and the insipid "perpendicular" moment are just giving us some entertainment --which is the whole point of watching a TV show.

I understand that completly.
I was just saying that by watching the show we don't know that they have NO contact with the "outside" world. All we know is that it is in a very sheltered way. I never heard them say that they ONLY talk to people that are just like they are.

As far as the amount of chores for each kid, yes I agree it seems to be a lot, but it obviously isn't a list of chores that is relentlessly expected to be done, as evidenced by the laundry that was piled up.

With THAT many kids, each having a certain job that they are responsible for, I just don't know if I believe it's actually a lot, or just sounds like a lot.
It just sounds like a divide and conquer approach to me.
Each family member having a certain chore that is theirs.

For instance..though granted on a MUCH smaller scale...my DD's "jurisdictions" are her room, her bathroom, and the dishwasher (to keep it unloaded), and at all times to keep an eye out for her brother. NOT to be the one to care for him, but just check on him from time to time if I'm busy say..cooking dinner or something. Our own version of the buddy system.

What lack of choices for the future?
I never heard them say anything to support that??

As far as the 20 acres thing goes, they said IF each child wanted to build a house there.

Again..much smaller scale, but my grandmother always dreamed of having enough land that all her kids could build on and be together. Like the Kennedy compound or Dallas or something. OK..she watched to much TV.
BUT...my parents built a house on the land, as well as my aunt and uncle, and I have to say I think I had a wonderful childhood.

Walking across the yard to my grandmother house, and playing with my cousins everyday.
We even had a "community" pool!

We loved living like that..guess we were weird and didn't know it!

Now on the power tools thing..ITA!

 

[mickeyfan2]

Besides, how does one pay for 16+ kids to go to college?

That is easy, another TV show.

 

[Planogirl]

I understand that completly.
I was just saying that by watching the show we don't know that they have NO contact with the "outside" world. All we know is that it is in a very sheltered way. I never heard them say that they ONLY talk to people that are just like they are.

Since they are homeschooled and not allowed to see TV, books or other media, I would assume that they at least rarely see other people and other cultures if at all. When would the kids ever play with children not like themselves? Once they're on the new land, they'll be particularly isolated.

 

[Planogirl]

That is easy, another TV show.

 

[mickeyfan2]

On a previous show they are also home churched. So not much outside contact.

 

[Brier Rose]

Since they are homeschooled and not allowed to see TV, books or other media, I would assume that they at least rarely see other people and other cultures if at all. When would the kids ever play with children not like themselves? Once they're on the new land, they'll be particularly isolated.

Well..considering that I do indeed homeschool both of my children, I think I can speak with some authority on that subject!

It really just depends on the family how much or how little their kids interact with others. And agian I really don't think any of us know which way it is in this case.

We belong to a Christian homeschool group, BUT my DD also takes horse riding lessons, and Social. (ballroom dance and etiquette, cotillion)
At this minute she's is in there getting ready to go to a dinner at the country club tonight where there will be a large group of kids NOT from her homeschool group.

All of the friends my DS pays with are not in our "group".

We also travel a lot.

If you were to watch a one hour special on us, and it showed our homeschool day, combined with an activity with our homeschool group, and nothing else...you might think we were weirdos too.

But we're really not...at least I "think" not anyway!

And again...they never said that the children were not allowed any tv, books, or internet, just that they are selective as to the content.

 

[hentob]

With THAT many kids, each having a certain job that they are responsible for, I just don't know if I believe it's actually a lot, or just sounds like a lot.
It just sounds like a divide and conquer approach to me.
Each family member having a certain chore that is theirs.

For instance..though granted on a MUCH smaller scale...my DD's "jurisdictions" are her room, her bathroom, and the dishwasher (to keep it unloaded), and at all times to keep an eye out for her brother. NOT to be the one to care for him, but just check on him from time to time if I'm busy say..cooking dinner or something. Our own version of the buddy system.

Now add in homeschooling younger siblings, feeding babies, dressing babies and toddlers, changing diapers, laundry, making dinner, doing dishes, sewing your own clothing, as well as your siblings' clothing, teaching your "buddy" violin, brushing your "buddy's" teeth, etc.

And then you have to sleep in the same room with the "Rugrats" (did you hear the 17 y/o call his younger siblings that on the program ), while the 'rents get their Romantic Hideaway

Day after day after day after cultish day

I once read an article where the older ones kept the younger ones quiet so mom and dad could eat lunch together in peace.

 

[Gillian]

Nothing wrong with frozen veggies, people! They are often higher in nutrients than fresh, due to being frozen more quickly than fresh ones are eaten. And most of them are plain, with no salt, butter, etc.

You can also get plain frozen fruit that is great for smoothies. We freeze our own blueberries when they are cheap in the summer and use them during the year.

It's canned evegetables that tend to be high in sodium.

Anyhow, who's having tater tot casserole for dinner??

 

[Gillian]

The only strong feeling I have about this is that when you have so many children that you can't possibly take care of them yourselves, it's time to stop. The kids your older children raise should be your grandchildren.

I'm not against rules, chores or good behavior, but it's just not fair to the kids to have so much responsibility.

 

[tevagirl]

Anyhow, who's having tater tot casserole for dinner??

Yes and I'm thinking about opening up a can of peas to go with it.

 

[Brier Rose]

Now add in homeschooling younger siblings, feeding babies, dressing babies and toddlers, changing diapers, laundry, making dinner, doing dishes, sewing your own clothing, as well as your siblings' clothing, teaching your "buddy" violin, brushing your "buddy's" teeth, etc.

And then you have to sleep in the same room with the "Rugrats" (did you hear the 17 y/o call his younger siblings that on the program ), while the 'rents get their Romantic Hideaway

Day after day after day after cultish day

I once read an article where the older ones kept the younger ones quiet so mom and dad could eat lunch together in peace.

Like I said before, MY perception of the whole thing was that EACH child had ONE main thing they were responsible for, and the rest kind of helped out as needed. Not each child doing every chore, every day.
One doing the laundry
One doing the cooking
One washing the dishes
etc..

I also got the impression that it wasn't so much the older kids doing all these things for the younger ones, but more them helping them learn how to do it themselves.

I mean if an older sibling is in the bathroom brushing his teeth, what is wrong with him also helping his little brother learn to do it at the same time?

As far as the schooling goes, their schedule basically starts at 9:00am, and the older children help the younger ones, and then start on their own studies before they break for lunch at 12:00pm. So at most they are helping the little ones for an hour or two.

After lunch, the little ones go down for naps, and from 1:30-4:00, mom spends time teaching the older children, after which they have free time.

As far as the day after day thing, she says herself that they don't always keep to the schedule, and that sometimes they just get out of the house for a field trip or for some fun family time.

 

[dtuleya]

The only strong feeling I have about this is that when you have so many children that you can't possibly take care of them yourselves, it's time to stop. The kids your older children raise should be your grandchildren.

I'm not against rules, chores or good behavior, but it's just not fair to the kids to have so much responsibility.

Very well said Gillian!

 

[graygables]

Like I said before, MY perception of the whole thing was that EACH child had ONE main thing they were responsible for, and the rest kind of helped out as needed. Not each child doing every chore, every day.
One doing the laundry
One doing the cooking
One washing the dishes
etc..

I also got the impression that it wasn't so much the older kids doing all these things for the younger ones, but more them helping them learn how to do it themselves.

One doing the laundry (FOR 18 people)
One doing the cooking (FOR 18 people)
One washing the dishes (FOR 18 people)

See where I'm going here? *I* wouldn't do the laundry, cooking, dishes for 18 people, why on EARTH would I ask an 11yo to???

You can get to know the nature of the people by reading their own website in addition to all the media they produce.

As soon as baby is weaned, its care (COMPLETE care) is handed over to another child. The older children must completely care for their buddies, which, essentially makes THEM the parent. In addition to the physical care giving, they also have to "help" the younger ones learn violin (and maybe piano, I thought I read that somewhere) and assist with lessons.

It boils down to they wanted a publicity machine and they made one. The level of parental selfishness is astonishing.