to think that having 18 children is just wrong?

[Rhinestone]

www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1328007/The-family-prays--gets-bigger-bigger-Meet-devoutly-Christian-Mr-Mrs-Bates-EIGHTEEN-children.html

Wrong on so many levels surely?

who are we to judge how many is too many? Personally I think three is too many, four is crazy and five is ridiculous. However, I'd never actually voice that opinion to anyone, as it's not my business how many children other people have, as long as they can support their decision financially, emotionally etc.

My great grandparents were almost all one of eleven or more - and undoubtedly grew up in harder times than the modern day.

But 18 is a whole 14 more than 4! If everyone had 18 children then the world would be standing room only in a few generations.

My grandmother was one of 18. But that was before contraception.

Where do you draw the line???

Ok, so we'll just adopt a one child per family policy, like China?

We are already way over populated - we live as a race as if there were 3.5 planet earths.

If that's your attitude, lets start it now so that it doesn't get worse.

Ah well, such is life. Nobody's business how many children a person has. If they are willing and able to support them then it's up to them.

Ah my good friends, Tha Batses

But it's not just about over-population. I can't believe that every child is getting much one-on-one time with Mum and Dad.

at Ma Duggar. Wow, amazing that you have time to be on MN!

Im surprised that the real Duggars havent announced number 20 yet.

Maybe not, but they're probably getting heaps of attention from siblings. There is more than one way to raise a family.

They all seem happy and healthy and they have a family business which obviously provides enough for them to have more kids. I would have an issue with it if they were having more and more kids on UK benefits because we as tax payers would then be funding it. But they look after themselves so why not?

I once saw a fascinating program in Germany about large families (10 children minimum). One mother was even a single mother whose ex-H had moved abroad

Anyway, no the children didn't get much one on one time with the parents, but they had equivalent support/love etc from other siblings. Only in 1 out of 5 families did there seem to be a real problem with jealousy. The 3 eldest girls were jealous of the time, love and attention given to the 2 youngest children.

It's a different childhood that's for sure, but I don't think we can say it's worse than being an only child, or one of 2/3/4.

The parents were very impressive with their routines and feeding of at least 12 mouths a day!

That family actually are best friends of teh Duggars, they have been on the programe quite a few times.

I'm just trying to work out how they all got to the restaurant in the photo... hire a minibus? Pregnant for most of 23 years... ewwww....

They have a "buddy system" where an older child is paired to a younger sibling, to take care of. They are totallyself-sufficient too, money-wise. The religion they belong to actively encourage you to work for yourself and to live debt-free and to not take welfare handouts.

There's no way that everyone would have 18 kids, Rhinestone. I'm sure the kids are all very happy and loved.

If people want to have 18 kids, I say let them. It's not like the DM can even have a go at them about being scroungers either.

I don't see the point of such a large family.

I like the idea that they don't have a telly - they actually spend quality time together. Seems to me they have made a conscious decision to opt out of consumerist society to some degree.

Don't get me wrong, 18 is absolutely NOT for me! I am lucky to be expecting my first at my advanced age and assume it will be my only one.

What point does there have to be?

The OP didn't say we shoudl have a china style one child per person system, did she?

Just that she thinks it's wrong which you can agree with or not.

However I agree it is wrong. For a lot of reasons.

They are "quiverful" - in that they let God decide how many children they should have. Each one is a special blessing from God, and therefore each baby God gives you means he loves you more. Or some such shite lol. They are not allowed to stop Gods blessigs in any way.

What that article doesnt mention is that Kelly Bates was very very ill while pregnant with baby 17, and almost died. yet she has gone on to have more .

I totally agree Shreik! Far too much on their young shoulders.

I have very mixed feelings about both of those families when I watch that show. On one hand, the kids all seem very well behaved and loved, but it seems very tough on the older girls who are pretty much raising the younger children and doing the majority of the housework. They don't know any different because it's how they've grown up but it kind of worries me that they're told that girls = wives and mothers and boys = working outside and providing for their future family. Weren't the older girls offered the chance to train as midwives and the dad didn't let them because they would be away from home too much?

I was born in 1948. Parents were Irish RC. Father disappeared off the planet.
I was a foundling baby left at the children's home where I remained until I was 15 in 1963.
I never met either parent, but when my mother died she was left with just one daughter. Every one of the remaining 15 had been taken into care or adopted out.
She shouldn't have had them if she couldn't cope.
I had 7 and coped very well.