Why is it that people think that if a child has responsability at home, chores or helps care for a younger sibling that they aren't leading a normal life? Kids used to do this all the time. Many kids today are spoiled and lazy. I've never seen the Duggers on TV because I don't have TV. I do however have children and they are expected to do chores and help out with all family oriented work. Including housework and care for younger children. By the way we live on a farm. I was raised this way with a very happy childhood and my children are very happy andwell adjusted as well. Give this family a break. God bless them.

Why is it that people today think that if a child is expected to have responsability at home they don't live a normal life? Kids used to do this all the time. Many kids today are spoiled and lazy. I haven't seen the Duggers on TV because I don't have TV but my kids are expected to help with house work, farm work and help care for younger siblings. I was raised this way as well as many other "country kids". I had a very happy childhood and my kids are happy as well, plus they know good work ethics and are very caring towards others. And NO my grown children don't resent me for it. Give this family a break. God bless them.

Vicki...My two children, ages 16 and 7, are not lazy or spoiled. They have tons of chores and responsibilities, (which are written down and kept track of on boards, and they are reprimanded or rewarded per their behavior), and yes, my 16 year old helps out with the 7 year old. And, both of my children excel in school, play sports, etc. HOWEVER, I do not expect my 16 year old to raise my 7 year old..raising my younger child is MY job; not the job of my older child. Since you admitted that you have never seen this show, then maybe you really shouldn't comment, until you have seen the show. I have only watched the show one time, but it was incredibly evident who does the child rearing in this family..it is NOT the parents. Each older child is assigned to a younger child, and that child is their responsibility. And, by the way, I too grew up on a farm/ranch, outside of a town with only 800 people, so I know what it is like being a "country kid"...plus we currently live on an acreage with horses and other animals, and my children have chores involving the animals. So, it is wrong of you to make the assumptions that you did.

Assumptions? Maybe you are wrong to assume these kids are not being raised by the parents, after all you've only seen the show one time. Even though I've never see the show, I am very familiar with this family via their website, book, articles etc. If there is an adult present and supervising and in charge, how are the older children raising the younger? What about kids whose parents work and leave them home alone to be cared for by an older sibling or a young babysitter? Or how about women who have child after child for the welfare money and neglect them, leaving them to fend for themselves. This happens all the time and I don't see the same kind of outrage over those situations that I have seen over the Duggar family who clearly love and care about their kids and are trying to live their convictions. I think it is sad. Also, I did not intend to offend you or insult you in my post. If I did, I appoligize for that. It sound like you have some great kids.

Vicki...You make some good points, and you are right, I did feel insulted because my kids are not lazy or spoiled, so I did take a huge offense to that. So, I appreciate your statement at the end. And, I will say that I also 100% agree with you on the "welfare" moms; that whole situation makes me incredibly angry, and I wish there was more outrage about that as well. (Unfortunately, I have had to deal with generational, life-long "welfare" moms, both on a personal and professional basis, and it is so frustrating!) However, even though I have only seen one episode of the Duggar family, which did cover a few days with the family, I have visited their website as well. And, I will assure you from what was shown in that one episode, the parents were barely at home during that entire time, and the entire episode repeatedly dealt with how each older child was "assigned" a younger child, and all of the responsibilities that older child had concerning the younger child. And, when the parents were at home with the children, there was not much individual interaction with the children. It just seems that the older children are barely allowed to make a move without a younger child in tow. Therefore, how do those older children get to do other activities, like play sports and normal kid "stuff", and most importantly, how could they possibly develop relationships with friends? Their lives just seem very restricted on what they can do, and I will always feel bad for them on that. Even though my older daughter helps out with my younger son, and babysits every so often, she still plays in a tennis league, does other activities at school, etc., and gets to just go "hang out" with her friends for awhile (like go to a movie or something). I do not think that the older Duggar children are ever allowed those opportunities, and that just makes me very sad. I just feel that there is a huge difference between babysitting your sibling some times, and being tied to them non-stop...from what I have witnessed with the Duggar family, it is most definitely the latter. So, I do appreciate your viewpoints, and I guess, that we can just "agree to disagree".

Thanks for your reply and I appreciate the explaination of why you have the opinion you do and I think your points are very valid as well. One thing that I do wonder about this family is if they work out time for the kids to spend time with friends, have sleepovers, etc. That would be pretty hard with that many kids. And no matter what your age, friendships are important and I too think that would be sad. Even considering all of that, I do think the Duggars sincerely love their kids and I know from personal experience that reality TV programs like to exaggerate the negative. So.......Who knows.

I have seen the show numerous times, it has always seemed odd to me that Michelle spends very little time with the children after they are no longer being nursed. She does spend time with them while doing their home school routine, however that seems to be the only time you see her with them. Jim Bob on the other hand seems to spend a lot of time with the children. My big concern about the children, especially the younger ones, is how much "one on one" time to they get with their parents.

Who said they had a live in nanny? If you disagree with their choices then disagree. I admire them for standing up and being true parents and not sitting back and putting all the responsibility on the school systems like some parents do to literally raise their one or two children. These two people rely on their faith in God to raise their children to be responsible contributors to society and I applaud them for it.

Isn't it the responsibility of parents to love their children... and raise good children. You can't watch this show and not see love and good children. Look at the kind-hearted, giving nature of the kids and tell me that you wouldn't be pleased if your kids ended up just like them.

Marie...My response stated that the older children were her "live-in nannies", because I feel that a great deal of the child rearing falls on those older children. I never stated that they had any other type of live-in nanny; you misunderstood my statement.

Lili-

The Duggars are WAY better parents than the fame whores Jon & Kate. Jon & Kate were only in it for the money, you can tell it's more than that with the Duggars. If you get that reality show going, maybe I can join you. I am also a single mom, one child, zero support. They can call us the Real Single Mom's of Whatever County!

what is wrong with Christians making money, as long as they "Tithe", like they should and use it for things that are needed there is nothing wrong with it. I know parents who both work and make good money and are always looking for a way to get that government handout. At least this family shows you that you dont have to have one. Maybe the government will see this and cut off some of those parents who use the system. Have you ever asked where the money goes that the Duggars make? If you ask them (nicely, I might add) they will tell you. 19 children need food, electricity, school materials ( and I am sure they get a good homeschool education), college funds, camp, clothes, medicine and insurance. And older siblings looking after younger siblings? HELLO, do you have any siblings? I am the oldest and I looked after my younger sibs, did laundry and other chores plus had to babysit outside the home for my spending money. If this family is this self supportive and they do not come to your home and beg,or do not take assistance what business is it of yours anyway how many children they have and if they have a tv show. Maybe you need to pray and ask God what he might want you to do with your life since you have so much time on your hands to critisize the Duggars. I wouldnt want 20 children because I work with 50 all day long, but if GOD told me to I would do it. Duggars I am inspired to talk with my schoolage children about your family and how your faith keeps you strong. May God continue to Bless you!!!!!!

The Duggars do a lot of great things for the world. They volunteer. They build houses. They work soup kitchens.

Do you know what their finances look like? For all you know, they give it all to charity. Is money inherently evil? People love to watch their show. Surely they get paid something, but that's the way the world works.

Where did you come up with the idea of children raising children? Children learn about nurturing from their family life, and they also learn the opposite in their family situation. In a time where you have more children literally raise themselves, and not because they have absent parents, but some parents abdicate their duties to the older siblings. Michelle and Jim Bob Duggar are teaching their children by example as dedicated and faithful parents. The life this family leads is not for everyone, and they are the first ones to admit this truism.

Terrific!!!!!! Finally, someone really looking at this family and seeing the goodness. They never profess to be perfect, but the always give the glory and honor to God for the well being of their family.

I agree with most folks who feel that the number of kids the Duggars have is no one else's business. They don't rely on state assistance and they take care of their own, and that's what counts. And for my money, it is MORE than worth an hour of TV to see a loving family with Christian values. The garbage that passes for entertainment today (for the most part, it is all garbage) is disgusting.

I think that with regard to time spent with each child on a daily basis, we all have to remember that what we see on the show is a half hour or an hour of an entire day. We don't see everything they do or don't do, and with kids that seem as well-adjusted and happy as these kids are, I don't doubt that Jim bob and Michelle are good parents.

I wanted several kids, but was only blessed with one, but I don't think that makes me any less a mother than Michelle. Now, that said, there is no way I would want 20 kids, but it is their choice and we don't have the right to judge.

Incidentally, if they have another girl, I vote for the name Julie or Julia. For a boy, Jenner. But I know that whatever name they choose, it will be well-thought out and preceded by prayer. God bless you all, Duggars!