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Larger families

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Original poster

Duggars have 18th child

104 replies

juuule · 20/12/2008 12:13

www.guardian.co.uk/world/blog/2008/dec/19/duggars-babies

OP posts:

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Original poster

juuule · 22/12/2008 17:07

Why would it be harder to maintain your own identity in a large family than in a smaller family?

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Fivesetsofschoolfees · 22/12/2008 17:10

I think she is an amazing woman. The instinct is to try to criticise them, but they really are quite admirable.

Original poster

juuule · 22/12/2008 17:16

I think so, too.
I've watched a program about them and she seems to have so much energy. They both seem to be incredible at organising things and making things happen. I've no idea how true to life the program was but those children appear to have a great life.

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pamplemousse · 22/12/2008 17:22

That house is amazing!! Well done to them I say

mediocrebronze · 22/12/2008 17:22

I think I would have made sure each child had a different initial. What with their own they would only need a few more to make the alphabet. It would help prevent confusion I'm sure.

I admire them too though I can see the down sides. (have watched the program

needmorecoffee all the children are well trained and help with the laundry and cleaning.
the eldest boys also helped build the house which the dad did himself. they really are impressive.

blametheparents · 22/12/2008 17:28

Im sure i read somewhere that all the names begin with J because Jesus begins with a J.
I could be wrong though.

MamaBear76 · 22/12/2008 23:47

I am fascinated by them. I am in awe at how calm and peaceful they look. In my home today, within 30 minutes of the kids getting home, the gift wrap on the outgoing presents was shredded, the nativity scene disfigured, 1 cup of milk spilt down front of top, 1 suspiciously looking like choc pudding spilt down front, 2 falls with tears, 1 toilet accident and a noise level that requires ear muffs. I feel like a nervous wreck with all the chaos in my house. For me, it feels like I run around all day 'putting out fires' and never actually get anything done. My life is chaos. The Duggars seem so organised, calm, and in control.

Madmentalbint · 23/12/2008 07:21

I am in awe!

The children all look immaculate, the house is spotless, they all look happy and content, and everything is uber-organised. They put me to shame!

Astrophe · 23/12/2008 07:34

I am in awe too - find them fascinating! I do think though, that the calm and order must be partly due to the kids being 'raised' by the systems and routines of the family IYSWIM -

I don't think they could possibly raised by the 'parents' in the same way as kids in a family of 2, or even 6 or 8 might be...there just couldn't possibly be enough time to read all the little ones bedtime stories individually etc. I imagine days would go by without having the time to have a personal conversation with each child - although I guess they would converse with older siblings..

Thats not to say being raised by a family rather than your parents is worse, but it must be a pretty different experience to what little ones from more conventional families have.

Fillyjonk · 23/12/2008 07:34

My favourite photo is "michelle admiring bob for being the spiritual leader of the house"

BouncingTinsel · 23/12/2008 07:49

Excuse the invasion but coudn't resist commenting.

Well they haven't got a Jane or Jonathan yet...

Actually I think they look rather lovely.. and that house is gorgeous!

misscutandstick · 23/12/2008 08:42

i too am an admirer - fantastic house, brilliant behaved kids, and they seem to LIKE EACH OTHER! something many families could take a tip with!!!!

They are extremely religous, but it seems to work well for them. I cant remember the whole quote they use but it goes something like: "never raise a hand to hit, never raise a voice to shout.." and so on. How many of us could do with that kind of training for our children??? I think they are a wonderful family.

the only thing that got me was that they seem to have a strange way with birthdays and such ie. they seem to "share" just the one day for it (IIRC - there was a lot going on when i was trying to watch the prog! (how ironic!) Personally, if im having a birthday i want to be the only one with it, be the princess, and have IT ALL for myself, but perhaps im selfish...

On the name front, we have all 'J's too, but not as many as the duggars. due to DH being a 'John', and it just kind of stuck.

pramspotter · 23/12/2008 08:49

They use the buddy system. An older child is designated as the buddy for a younger child as soon as he/she is weaned. The older buddy basically does all of the care i.e. gets little buddy up, dressed, etc etc. The older buddy basically has all responsibility for the younger buddy.

I read somewhere that the oldest son just got married. He and his bride are only 19 or 20 years old. Now there are going to be grandbaby Duggars.

MadamePlatypus · 23/12/2008 08:59

The older children also spend all day at home, and I think do a lot of the cooking/laundry/cleaning/care of younger children.

misscutandstick · 23/12/2008 09:01

just found the latest pics here

silentnightplease · 23/12/2008 09:03

I saw a programme about them a few years ago - I think they had 14 then. I will admit to being very judgey and almost wanting to find some reason why it was selfish and wrong to have so many children.

I am now hanging my head in shame and admitting that they all seem very very happy.

I think it is lovely and agree that their house is gorgeous. When I saw the programme about them they lived in a much smaller house and there were beds everywhere!

It seems they live to some very basic values which I doubt I could ever manage but I do admire very much.

I am a new fan of large families although I won't be rushing home to DH to make one!!

MadamePlatypus · 23/12/2008 09:06

The girls look as though they have been to the hairdresser, particularly the one holding the baby.

MadamePlatypus · 23/12/2008 09:08

In one of the pictures, "Jim Bob hands Jennifer [no 17] off to her older sisters." Wonder how many times Jim Bob gets up in the night/changes a nappy.

Original poster

juuule · 23/12/2008 09:12

He might get up every night or some nights or maybe he doesn't get up any night like my dh didn't.

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Original poster

juuule · 23/12/2008 09:15

That second picture is lovely. Michelle looks really happy.

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jumpingbeans · 23/12/2008 09:17

That's no fanjo, that a trap door!

Original poster

juuule · 23/12/2008 09:24

She had this baby by CS.

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Tobermory · 23/12/2008 09:25

I am the only one who thinks 18 is just too many?

Original poster

juuule · 23/12/2008 09:28

It doesn't seem to be too many for them, does it?

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mellyonion · 23/12/2008 09:35

Wow! she looks fab!

i think its great...i only have 3 kids, all with different initials, and i get muddled calling my kids for tea....i bet they have a gong!!

i wonder how many children they'll have all together. i'm sure i read before that each of their children is a gift from god, and they will keep receiving the gifts while god is giving them.......she's still fairly young isn't she? another 10 years of baby making left do you think???

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