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?

Personally I think Michelle is probably on valium most of the time. No mother could ever really be that chilled. And her voice just sounds so stoned...

They do have a period after birth where they cannot have sex - 90 days following the birth of a girl, and cant remember (but its less are boys are less sinful) how many days after the birth of a boy.

I do think some people have 'empty pram syndrome' akmost an addiction to the attention given during pregnancy and the newborn stage. Bloody selfish imo, there is so much more to having children than just babyhood and the older children should not have to take any great deal of responsibility for the younger ones.

I think it is really sad when children are forced to be carers due to circumstances beyond the family's control. It really is unfair to force them to be carers for younger children because parents can't look after 20 people

Also, they are not allowed to dance. Seriously.

Euurgh! Sounds inedible! Do they not grow their own veg or anything?

I disagree that it's not harming anyone - it has to be harming the children - emotionally at least.

Anyone who feels the need to keep having babies like that must have some serious psychological issues. One has to question what will happen when these women reach the point at which they can no longer fall pregnant.

yeah, dancing is really bad for you. Gotta put a stop to that.

DS2 does really hilarious dancing whenever he hears music. He swings his hips and laughs. They're missing out on the joy of toddler dancing.

Dad was one of 16; Grandad maternall 11.

They were rare even then.

Eighteen is so rare now that it gets headlines.

That says it all does it not? Extremely rare.

Dad was raised by siblings. Now his childhood was an awful one- extreme poverty (hedgehog casserole anyone?) but they've mostly done OK for themselves and the siblings saveed it for them i think.

Although many of the elder siblings had zero kids which possibly says a lot.

SMA: hedgehog casserole sounds positively delicious in comparison to some of the muck the Duggars eat.

wanna be - they take that as Gods will and that probably God is displeased with them and will look for "sin in the camp".

Apparenlty Damsel it was indeed yummy but I won;t be trying it!.

Cheap though; handful orf river clay, spare hodgepig and off you go (can;t feed many of 18 with one small field animal can you?)

"18 children - So not breastfeeding then?"

I have only 4 admittingly but all (except dd1 of course) were conceived while I was still breast feeding so it does definitely happen.

Was that extended breast feeding though gorionin?

Provided they can adequately care and provide for them then I don't have a problem with it.

I've just been reading the Razing Ruth blog, some of it is quite heartbreaking. There really is quite a sinister side to some of the beliefs held by these families.

Eighteen??? Either hubby's hung like a horse or she's had a drawstring fitted...

blimey i have two and still feel guilty at over populating the world

Riven - not to the extant the Duggar & Bates cghildren! They do ALL the housework, all the cooking and all the childcare! The older Duggar girls (from Joy upwards) take care of all the babies as soon as they are 6 months. That includes night feeds and sick children.

Tiday - Razing Ruth is a vert strong woman - I hope at least some of the Duggar girls escape like she has.

"blimey i have two and still feel guilty at over populating the world"

really?

I agree with Riven and SEA.

Theevil I'm not harranging anyone. There's a debate going on!