AIBU to think the Duggars are not actually raising their millions of children

[workshy]

just watching it because there is nothing else on and the parents are always swaning off and leaving the younger kids with the older girl ones

why have so many kids if you aren't going to look after them -older girls being used as childcare and the younger ones not spending time with parents

the mother actually seemed quite flustered when she had to deal with a little one and then said the 'testing' behaviour was ok because the child was in training -WTAF????

Its because I am terrible at remembering to eat and drink, I am not sure I would be any better with just one in all honesty!

that's better, bogey, at first it sounded as if you were being a bit of a martyr, which could be just as damaging for children

personally I would have been very uncomfortable with seeing my mother neglect herself- I'd have preferred to bring her a tray, and I am sure dd would feel the same

Out of curiosity, I just watched some episodes about this family on YouTube. How incredibly dull. I do like babies, but, really, not THIS much. All they talk about is reproducing. Some of them are going for "refresher" birthing classes. Rabbits are more interesting.

I have four and older do look after younger now and then, but here's the important thing - the older ones are still allowed to be children. In other words I look after them as well most of the time. I do not delegate extensive care of tinies to teens, and nor should anyone. It is one thing giving a sibling the odd bath and another being entirely responsible for long term cleanliness of a sibling. One is practising parenting skills, the other is becoming the parent. Iyswim.

Mothers absolutely need to set an example by caring for themselves, otherwise their children suffer indirectly, due to compromised quality of care. You also fail as a role model if you permanently look like a harassed wreck to your children.

The eldest, Josh, has just admitted to sexually molesting 5 girls (some of whom are his sisters) when he was 14. He was sent away for a summer of hard physical labour, to deal with this. He also got a stern talking-to from a policeman friend of the family who was later convicted on child pornography charges.

This thread is 2 years old...

I know - I thought it was worth pointing out.

Of course children rebel! What a stupid notion that just because they are "brain washed" they won't.

Look at the children of the Westboro Bapist Church. So many of them have left now leaving with nothing and leaving family behind.

As a mum to a large family myself i've watched the Duggars on a few occasions and think the way they live is odd.

In my family, children are children, they can go out with friends/to friends houses/parties/sleepovers etc, they go to school, the older kids are not expected to do look after the younger ones, although i have asked my eldest two to watch the baby so i can nip to the loo, house work is done by the parents, the kids are just expected to keep their rooms tidy and tidy up after themselves if they make a sandwich for example, which i don't think is unreasonable. My children actually ask to change a nappy or feed the baby on occasion and they can with supervision.

I chose a large family and i'm quite happy to raise the kids myself and keep the house in check (when i'm not at work that is).

Never heard of these people but they sound vile

I'm astonished the US equivalent of social services isn't all over every member of this church given their child rearing methods.

The Duggars are disgusting parents. And to anyone who feels sorry for Michelle - she chose this life, after living a normal childhood and being educated at high school. A choice she then inflicted upon her own daughters, removing their choice. Absolutely despicable.
I'm the eldest girl out of 5 children (not something my mother deliberately chose). I had to help out at times but my mother certainly didn't just dump her responsibilities on to me.

kors where's the evidence that the children of the WBC were as tightly controlled as the Duggars? Some of them (at least) went to school and college. They're a family of lawyers.
The Louis Theroux documentaries were the catalyst for at least one defection. So far the Duggars haven't been exposed to such treatment from the media. The children will be unaware of the criticism, seeing as they're only allowed very restricted internet access. Somehow I don't think Free Jinger or No longer quivering will be on the list.