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Subscribe to RSSMichelle Duggar and her husband Jim Bob are expecting their 20th child, the couple revealed exclusively to TODAY.
"We are so excited," Michelle Duggar told TODAY Moms before the broadcast. Now three and a half months pregnant, the mom of 19 says she was actually surprised to discover that she's expecting again at 45. "I was not thinking that God would give us another one, and we are just so grateful."
The super-sized family stars in its own reality TV show, “19 Kids and Counting,” on TLC (guess they will have to update the title!).
Michelle Duggar breaks the big news on TODAY.
Vote! What should the Duggars name their new baby?
When the Duggars visited TODAY last June, it was the longest Michelle had gone without a pregnancy in more than 20 years. Backstage, she told TODAY Moms that her baby days might be over – and she was fine with that. But the Duggars have always said they leave their family planning up to God, eschewing birth control.
“When we look at Josie … even knowing that we went through the challenge that we did, we would do it again,” Michelle told TODAY’s Meredith Vieira last year from the family home in Springdale, Ark.
More from TODAY Moms:
Chickenpox lollipops: special (illegal) delivery
Birth as performance art: 10 reasons it's a bad idea
The secret to soothing a fussy baby is... Taylor Swift?
Michelle Duggar’s last pregnancy was fraught with danger. She suffered from gall-bladder problems as well as preeclampsia. In order to save her life, doctors delivered daughter Josie three and a half months prematurely – she weighed only one pound, six ounces at birth, and endured a series of health emergencies, including a perforated bowel. Josie eventually went home with the rest of the Duggar family, and is now a healthy toddler who will celebrate her second birthday in December.
Web Exclusive: How do the Duggar kids REALLY feel about their mom's pregnancy?
“The precious life that we see here is not a coincidence,” Michelle Duggar told TODAY last summer. “I just know that it is a miracle. I don’t take that for granted. I know that God is the one who gives life, and I’m just so grateful and thankful. We would welcome another if He saw fit, but we’ll wait and see.”
Related: The Duggars give their advice to octuplet mom
Michelle told TODAY Moms that she's over her first-trimester morning sickness, has been indulging her cravings for dill pickles, and is feeling great. She said her doctors have given her the green light for this pregnancy, and so far she hasn't had any health worries. For the past year, she said, she's been working out five or six days a week: "I'm really in better shape than I've been in 20 years."
The Duggars' 19 children, who range in age from 23 years to 23 months, are: Joshua, Jana, John-David, Jill, Jessa, Jinger, Joseph, Josiah, Joy-Anna, Jedidiah, Jeremiah, Jason, James, Justin, Jackson, Johannah, Jennifer, Jordyn-Grace, Josie.
The kids thought family patriarch Jim Bob was joking when he broke the news that they would have a new brother or sister, Michelle said. They lined the family up on the staircase for a photo, she recalled, and Jim Bob said, "Smile -- Mom's going to have another baby!"
"Their mouths dropped," Michelle said, laughing at the memory. "They all looked at me to see if he was joking."
Jackson, age 7, immediately started rooting for another boy. They'll find out the gender around Christmas, Michelle told TODAY Moms.
Jim Bob told TODAY Moms that he's thrilled for their 20th child. "Michelle and I both feel like some of the most blessed parents in the world. Our children are so sweet... we are so grateful to God."
And, he adds, "We didn't want to stop on an odd number."
What should their next J name be? Visit our Facebook page to comment!
The Duggars credit God's grace and "a lot of love" in raising their "miracle baby," Josie, and successfully making ends meet.
How do they get all those kids to sit still on live TV? The Duggar parents share their secret.
The season finale of "19 Kids and Counting" airs tonight on TLC, and you can catch a special on the family's travels to Scotland and Ireland on Sunday on TLC.
Digging the Duggars? Here's more:
Duggars say they would welcome more children
The Duggars give their advice to octuplet mom
How do you know how many kids to have?
Duggar Q&A: What's the hardest part of having so many children?
Parents of 19 now grandparents of 2
"Like" TODAY Moms on Facebook, and follow us @TodayMoms
Leave a Comment:
That is just sick....20 kids...what's wrong with these people...and what's wrong with The Today show for spreading this news?
That's my thoughts too.
They shouldn't be applauded, they should be RIDICULED!
Maybe they'll finally stop when they run out of J-names....? ;b
Couldn't agree more, Sandy. I saw this at thought, "This is just obscene". Have they not figured out what is causing this.
I feel sorry for the kids of the hoarder-parents. These people can't possibly have an intimate bond with every single child. It's the same problem parents complain about with school: The adult-to-child ratio is simply such that they can't possibly be covering all of the emotional needs each of those kids has. They've been relegated to herd status because their fame-grubbing parents won't stop pumping out babies to stay on the air.
I don't watch this show. I've never watched any of the shows that cater to kid-collectors and I never will. I rank it higher than baby pageants in child exploitation. I can imagine many of these Duggars are going to write horrendous nightmarish tell-alls when they're adults.
First I noticed a couple was expecting their twentieth child. I thought "WTF!?" Then I noticed the father's name was Jim Bob and it all made perfect sense.
20 children? how can one spend the appropriate amount of time to parent and raise a child? it is not fair to the children that they have to raise each other. sure they seem well adjusted but i wonder how much medication it takes to create these stepford children. where is the wild child?
Just because their decision is wildly different than any decision any of us would make doesn't make them sick. The family makes enough to afford themselves. Who are you and I to tell people how to live their lives. I can say one thing about that family, their kids behave better than most any other kids I have ever seen. They are doing something I would never do in a million years, but they are doing it better than I could ever imagine it being done. They aren't producing little nightmares that is for sure.
GOD also gave doctors brains to invent birth control.
Many Doctors don't have brains; that's why they prescribe the stupid pill.
I completely agree with Richard. I actually think it is quite amazing! I was raising in a family of 5 kids, me being the middle. I loved it! Those kids will have 19 best friends. I'm sure thos kids are completely fine and are getting plenty of attention. Big families help eachother out. The parents don't have to do every single thing. That's what big brothers and sisters are for too. Congrats to them.
God does not make babies. People do. It really pisses me off when people blame everything on God.
I hope mom and baby come through this pregnancy ok, and that she has to have a hysterectomy after this one. It's getting really dangerous for both the mom and the babies at this point- last time both almost died. She's had multiple c-sections, preeclampsia, etc.
As for the way they run their family, it's great that they can afford all these kids, but the actual child-rearing is passed off to the older sisters as soon as the next kid comes along. They actually wean the babies to formula at six months to shorten the time to the next pregnancy. If they practiced natural spacing (exclusively breastfeeding until a year averages a spacing of 2 years between babies), I could be a little more supportive of their claim to be doing what God wants.
I'll concede the kids seem to be pretty "normal" and well-adjusted, so my comment isn't so much about the quality of their parenting skills/family life. However, after the extreme health problems both the mom and the last baby faced I wonder why they would risk putting another child through that, with possibly a much worse outcome. Why can't they be thankful for the kids they already have and just stop? Or, here's an idea - maybe instead of birthing additional children they could provide foster care for kids in need who are already born and don't have a family who can take care of them?
I'm the 12th child in my family. I so thankful that Mom didn't stop at 11! We had a wonderful home life. We never took any government assistance. My father, along with us children, worked hard on the farm and Mom and Dad took part time jobs at times as well. Mom sewed all our clothes to save money. They paid to send us to private Mennonite-run schools, all while paying to send everyone else's kids through public school. As a father of two, I realize how much hard work and sacrifice parenting is, so far it be from me to criticize those who have few or no children. But there is also no reason to criticize those who have many. As long as they can support them, it is none of my business how many kids they decide to have. For what it is worth, I've never heard any parent lament about having TOO MANY children, yet I run into many parents that regret how few they had. Children are truly a blessing!
the human body starts wearing out at some point. The last pregnancy she had where the child had to be delivered early, the child suffered from this situation. Her body is sending her a message but these people have no common sense and they think their greed is fascinating to all of us. The stupidity is what is fascinating to me. They are willing to put a child through hell and physical suffering so they can keep their greedy lives on TV. No one admires these people. They make me sick.
This is gross and I always thought NBC was wrong for how the openly promote this. the husband has to have some sick kinda control issues and firing off offspring is how he gets his jollies and the wife must have self esteem issues or something...these people are broken in the head
I hope the whole family dies and goes to hell. No one in a planet with has 7 billion people has the right to have this many kids. If I was king it would be a death sentence. Because of dumb @&&es like this my kids might not be able to eat when they grow up.
bernardo
seriously? Children have no business working. there are laws against that. I also find it ironic that you only have two children. None of your arguments make any rational sense
I'm anti-abortion, and I'm all for having good-sized families, but these people are insane! The last one nearly died, and almost took Michelle with her, why can't they use just a little common sense???
When the media was mocked for counting the daughter-in-law-babies the parents were left with nothing more to do but start the game anew to hold the record. In this competetion phase we see a new and exciting record being broken once again and the timing tells us they are drawing a new line in the sand for their daughter's-in-law that basically says "BRING IT!"
and nwnative.... you are so hate filled for why???? Just live your little stinky hateful life...Turn the channel and move your anger some place inert. Go bang your head against a telephone pole or something. That's more constructive than your opinion
Y'know, just because I can shoot a man in the head from fifty yards doesn't mean I should, or that it is a good idea.
And, Bernardo@1.17, While I have heard people express regret over not being able to have ANY children, I have never heard anyone bemoan the fact they had too few children (unless they were farmers looking for more agricultural helping hands). And, don't get me wrong. There is absolutely nothing wrong with kids doing farm work to help sustain the family. It is good for them and farm-raised kids who do so tend to have a deeper respect for the value of the equation {Hard work=income=self-respect}.
I'm just not sure the Duggars are thinking very clearly. The world, including America, is seriously overpopulated. Not only is there a problem in trying to feed so many people. (Commercial farming has escorted in so many health problems, including contaminated food supplies) There is an even greater problem in being able to support and sustain the population we now have. Where are all of these people going to work and live? If people proclaim to love God, they need to show a little respect for that higher power by being responsible caretakers. And that doesn't mean procreating at a rate to make rabbits jealous!
KJ, the problem is we have way too many NON-believers who don't know how to raise what children they do have. I'm not saying I think 20 children is smart specially considering the difficulties she had with #19 but if GOD is with them through #20, great. Oh yeah, I think two of the oldest children have children of their own now, just wondering where this will lead.
I have feelings of admiration mixed with bewilderment for the Duggars. I descend from of a long ago couple who settled in a remote area in the early 1800s. Fascinating they survived at all, let alone parented 21 children. More than 30% of the county I live in claims to be a descendant of this single couple. That is in addition to the many who are scattered across the country. What if everyone did that. Where would we put everybody?
I do admire the Duggars' self sufficiency, cheerful frugality, and faith.
Totally irresponsible and also gross.
The world population just hit 8 Billion and water is drying up.
Totally irresponsible of the Today show to glorify such irresponsibility.
Hoarding chilldren is nebtally and physically unhealthy - like hoarding cats!
they're doing it for religious reasons... every child brought into this world is a messenger of their beliefs.
We all know that she'll probably need medical intervention, as well as the baby, which is costly in a financial as well as a physical sense. She won't give up until she a) becomes infertile or b) she can't procreate anymore.
typo #1.29 post:
restatement:
Hoarding children is mentally and physically unhealthy - like hoarding cats!
This is TABLOID NEWS coming from NBC!!!
I find it amazing that anyone would have the emotional and physical resources to tend to 20 children (I suppose some of them are adults or close to being one). I see posters are saying that if the parents can support the kids, then 20 and counting is okay. That's fine in the financial realm, but what about emotional support? Sometimes I am physically and emotionally drained and I have only three children! As a parent, I do not believe it is the older children's job to take care of the younger ones. There are other ways to teach children responsibility and empathy. Posters are also commenting on how well-cared for, well-behaved and well-mannered the children are, but how do we know that this is really true? We see what the parents/show want us to see. We don't know what's going on when the camera is off, but I do hope that these children are doing as well as the appear. However, I do feel sorry for them because I am sure some of them get lost in the shuffle. Folks, not agreeing with you does not make someone hateful or nasty!
a little common sense....20 is too many for any BODY to endure...the raising of the little ones is being done by the older children which is wrong in my opinion. the parents should be doing the parenting not the kids. the cost, not only physically and emotionally, but financially as well has to be extremely costly. BUT as long as they are not counting on any other source of money besides their own income i guess they have every right to build their own sports team(s).
If they are leaving pregnancies to 'God', why not leave the outcome to 'God'. That would mean she should have let the last pregnancy in 'Gods' hands, which means she and the baby would have died. Of course, like all who believe in the Bible, they picj and choose how to follow it and what passages to live by in this world.
This overpopulated world does not need people having 4,5, or more kids in this day and age, let alone 20. These people are sick. When the world starts to go to hell in a hand basket, I do want them migrating with their herd to my neck of the woods.
My theory is that Mr. Duggar has a pregnancy fetish...I know I will catch a lot of flack for this post, but just my opinion.
@ Mack - Seriously? You think 20 kids is going to mean your children are going to starve? That's ridiculous. I'm BEYOND glad that YOU aren't king. It's no ones business how many kids they have. I'm glad the government can't tell me how many kids I can have.
Why are people all for the rights of women to have multiple abortions based on "well it's their body, their right"...but someone has a bunch of kids and all of a sudden people are saying they shouldn't be allowed? It's THEIR body and THEIR right.
@ Lisa - Um....children helping out around the house/farm..that's called CHORES and I'm pretty sure there aren't any laws against it. It's called everyone working together in a family and it's how it's supposed to be in a loving, functional family.
I'm w/ Gary. My 1st thought was, "We just hit 7billion and they're still adding. Get a grip on reality. Even if you can raise more than a couple of kids well is it responsible or reasonable to continue adding to the population of an already stressed planet. And no one is going to tell me that every single child in that family is getting all the love and attention they need from mom & dad. Today Show/Hollywood needs to stop giving them money. Someone needs to tie her tubes and his.
Did any of you posting in favor of 20 kids ALSO happen to notice that our world population has just passed 7 BILLION!?!
Ed Orr #1.27
You must be kidding me. Non-believers who don't know how to raise their children? I am a non-believer and I can tell you that I have seen many believers that don't have the morals or values that I am raising my children with. Believing in something that can't be physically proven doesn't make you a better parent. I don't need a god(s) to have morals or values so please refrain from casting your stones. If more of you believers actually followed your saviors teachings, the world might be a little better place to be. Even though I believe your religion(s) are all nonsense, I know a lot of good people who are believers. But I also know a lot of believers who are train wrecks so please leave your ignorant claims off the board.
The Duggars have declared themselves a church and therefore pay NO TAXES! Republican hypocrites!
They also don't pay for health insurance, as Jim Bob was once a congressman and gets 100% coverage from the state of Arkansas. The taxpayers of Arkansas picked up the tab for little Josie's preemie care which was probably close to a million dollars. Looks like the idiots of Arkansas will pick up the tab for this one, too.
Gluttonous greedy pigs hiding behind god. I'm gonna puke!
Their part of a religious cult called "Quiver Full". Read up on it, pretty scarey/freaky. I do love a comment made a few kids ago: "Somebody needs to tell this lady her uterus isn't a clown car".
I don't know, Shark - I think I've got to agree with you on this one.
They remind me of a puppy mill for humans.
Gotta wonder if they're fame wh0res......15 minutes x 20 kids = alotta fame.
Bernado, I really liked your post...My husband is one of 16 children and a wonderful person as is the rest of his family. He has been a incredible Doctor and Surgeon for the past 34 years. His father was a farmer too. His Mother was one of the sweetest most grounded women I have ever had the honor of knowing and loving.
It always amazes me that so many posters are so quick to judge something, negatively, something they could not ever understand unless they are a part of a large family...It's a bit crazy at times, but there is always a lot of love and support.
These people are an infestation on this Planet. Reproduction should be limited not encouraged. The Today Show producers should be ashamed of promoting this abomination of a family.
KJ01: Her last child would not have survived if it wasn't for the help of modern medicine. Thankfully that baby is healthy! NOW THAT POS of her husband should be ashamed of himself to put his wife though another experience like the last one. If he truley loved his wife, he would not take another chance of losing her or take a chance on her kids being raised without their mother! WRONG WRONG WRONG!!!
Okay, sort of conflicted here: yes there are children starving in the world, especially in the US (not that I dont care about other children in other countries but I tend to worry and focus on our children here in the US first) and it is sort of unreal that she is pregnant again. They are not doing well in convincing others that may not be convinced about religion that their religion is not filled with "whackjobs" or "cultist actions". Granted, each and every religion can be compared to, or blamed as a cult. Sure but they keep stating that it is God's gift and God gave them to us......I sort of have to interject on that one....Mr Douggar kinda had to slip and fall into her at least 20 times in order for that "gift" or those "gifts" to go through the heavenly "layaway process" (9 months of being pregnant) before the gift was delivered.
She is not magically pregnant and good on the Mr for still having the drive and sexual attraction to the Mrs, that is commendable. But, have some restraint. I blame the media for emmulating this family and here is why: when there are so many on welfare (not all should be receiving welfare but that is another argument) and so many that are struggling, the media portays these people as having enough money to raise that many children and have a home as nice as it is, traveling around the globe, etc. I think that a little sensibility and compassion for the world in its current state should be enough for the media to lay off a bit and just let them live their lives.
I am sort of troubled at the amount of kids they have and continue to have and can only think that most of her "womanly parts" should be losing its fight with gravity by now and its usage rate MUST have been exceeded. Its one thing to have children because you love children and grew up in a big family but it is another to spit kid after kid out and then encompass media outlets to profess their love for God and God's gifts that they were "given".
A completely abhorrent, abominable situation. None of these children should have been born to this couple.
First, I marvel that she can bear that many children. Second, they financially, even before the show, took financial care of their family. I wish all people would take such good care of their family. The kids seems very well adjusted. The mother is a super kind person it seems, and the father is a good example for the boys that clearly want to be just like dad. Again, too bad more kids don't have such good role models.
I occasionally watch the segment. Not long ago, a MSM guy spent a few days with the family. I think he changed his mind a lot during that visit because he got to see what a team is like.
The scorn they are receiving on this liberal site is not at all surprising. It is conservatives that are still having children while liberals have reduced or eliminated having children. Don't believe me. Look at Europe. Their population continues to age because young socialists are not having children due to high costs and because everybody works. Staying at home is shunned by the west these days. So naturally this mom staying at home with a brood is found to be loathsome to the left. Our society wants women to work and frankly it is darn hard to have both children and work full time.
That being said, I support those that don't want children. I support those that want a brood. I support families that financially take care of the children they have and not expect others to give them free services.
In these tough economic times, I don't care where you shop, 20 kids is just crazy. They must be making a fortune off their show, which I DO NOT watch because it just encourages them to keep having more. See, this just goes to show that if you have a bunch of kids you get money. People have all these kids and get tax breaks, welfare and money from stupid networks. Where is the tax break for people like me that can't have babies? Shouldn't I get a credit for not contributing to the over population. First of all, I can't have kids, but I made a choice long ago that I couldn't afford to raise kids. Shouldn't people get credit for making good decisions?
Bernardo - Your parents didn't want more children when you, who was number 12, came along.... they wanted to add more free labor for their farm. Do you not see that? "Honey, we're about to save another $5,000 a year on labor. I'm cooking up another free worker as I speak. I hope it's a boy, again. Less back breaking work for us." :)
mozzie-600,
I've always been a vocal supporter of the Duggars...not due to the number of children they choose to have (which I find odd to say the least), but due to how those children are raised.
I'm glad no one breathes down my neck and forces their judgement on me as to how many children I can have, and I have to assume you'd feel the same way.
The United States--indeed all of North America--is still far less responsible for the world population explosion than other continents. So the argument that the Duggars may or may not be "wasting our valuable resources" is a weak one, in my opinion.
The Duggars are--or seem to be--great, supportive and loving parents. They don't hold their hands out for someone else to support their growing family.
No, having beaucoup kids is not how my wife and I choose to live our lives. But I support the Duggars in their right as Americans to have as many kids as they can love and provide for.
As odd as I might find it...
Marinmom, you are soooooo right. People can't you see they are NOT paying for this out of their own pockets..... the Arkansas taxpayers paid for the last premature baby.....at only a little over a pound....yes it would cost hundreds of thousands of dollars to bring that baby up to weight. Just think what this woman and this next pregnancy will cost the taxpayers. Everytime your health insurance premiums go up.....remember it's people like this using up your share because of their selfishness. Also, god didn't bring her the last baby....the trained medical staff saved the baby her so called "god" was ready to take back. What a waste of resources.....selfish....selfish..selfish.
My take on this news: Oh for frakk's sake! Stop already!
All I can say is that if this is God's doing I am not impressed with his judgement.
I am disgusted with people like the Duggars. They enjoy creating innocent victims, and have no way possible to spend equal time with them. They have the older kids raising the younger ones, if they want to make so many kids, then they-the parents, should be the only ones responsible for taking care of the younger ones!!
They have their kids doing all the work for them!?
I am angry, and disgusted with this.
Also, NBC has nothing to do with the duggars having a million babies?! Why are people so ignorant and blame the news source!?
What in the hell is wrong with the Duggar Family? 20 kinds? Not blessed...obscene!
What the heck is wrong with you, Margaret Sanger / Hitler? I'd rather have 20 of them than ONE of you!
@mayhemisfunny:
Can't you express your opinion without calling names and being such an a**?? Yeah all these people are saying they don't agree with how the Duggars are raising their families, but YOU are the only one being so disrespectful. I also don't agree with the whole 20 kids thing, but I'm sure not one of those kids acts and immature and rude as you.
I hope the whole family dies and goes to hell. No one in a planet with has 7 billion people has the right to have this many kids. If I was king it would be a death sentence. Because of dumb @&&es like this my kids might not be able to eat when they grow up. Religious whack jobs ruin the planet because the easter bunny said so.
Children, basically, are property. As such, they have always meant social security, protection, and care for people in their old age. Assuming that the government of the United States fails and that everyone has to scramble for food as individuals, the Duggars will have an enormous advantage, having 20 children. After all, they are edible. :-)
yeah tj....that's all they are saying all right
You sound like the most ignorant/evil person Ive read comments by. Maybe, you should take your own advise and eliminate yourself. Your comments are of NO value.
I don't watch the show. However, I was one of 11. My parents were educated, and had an excellent income. We did not want for physical things. However, as a few posters have pointed out, there was no bonding between parents and children. You cannot be 'close' to 11 kids, and give them the attention they need. I was a twin, and my mother admitted years later I was never held at feeding time because my brother was 'fussier' My bottle was propped, and I was on my own. I was one of the older girls, so I raised my youngest siblings. Mom went for a Masters, so I was relegated to chief child care provider at the age of 12. We were told our needs did not matter, it's all for the good of the group. Fine in theory, but I never developed self esteem or a strong sense of self. It took a nervous breakdown at 30 to realize all the damge that was caused by my upbringing in an 'army'. We were all well behaved, good students, but the close bond with our parents was absent. A healthy sense of self was sorely lacking. God help the Duggar children.
Several of their kids are grown adults, so it is not like they have 20 two year olds running around. Some of their children are already self sufficient. And as to the comment of having more children to stay on the air...they had many children before the public even knew about them, much less before they had a tv show.
What is interesting is that so many are fighting for "pro-choice" when it comes to abortion (which is actually killing another human), but in this case, when lives are being created, pro-choice goes out the window. Be consistent in what you say you believe - this is their choice!
This number of children was not out of the ordinary for a family 100 years ago. Our society has change, and I for one, am not willing to change my personal convictions, belief in Jesus Christ, or personal desires just because society tells me to. The "appropriate" number of children per family will always be changing, and in 50 years, some may look on the families that have 2-3 children and say that they were hoarding children. China has crazy laws about how many children one family must have. Deciding how many children a family should have is not up to society, the law, or anyone else but the couple that is choosing to have the child.
For people like Eileen, aren't you thankful your mom had at least enough children to have you? I'm sure she couldn't control the fact that she had twins, and thankfully you both were born, because if she had lost one in pregancy, that one could very well have been you. I could never tell someone that his/her parents should have stopped having children and basically wish the others had never been born.
And - God DOES make the babies...humans could never be intelligent enough to create the amazing human body and all that it does. We are still trying to figure out how the body fully functions - creating a human body is way out of our realm!
I pray she has a healthy pregnancy. Some women have troubled pregnancies with their first - it can happen during any pregancy, so this is not reason enough to say she should be done.
Disgusted, You need to think befoe you say such things. You are wrong. They were raising 15 kids debt free before the media pounced on them. Yes, they get paid but so do alot of other reality tv that is just adults who act like brats and get lots of money for bad behavior. These folks are an example to everyone on how to behave, Respect others and yourselves,Put others before your self. Have we sunk that low that we'd rather watch the Kardasians and their fake drama? The Duggars own several commercial properties, they are careful with thier spending and they pay cash for everything. We all could take a lesson. Congrats to them and I will be praying for this new precious life.
YOUR POST WAS AWESOME!!!! Thank You for this! I am with the duggers. I mean I too believe that if God allows it then it is for his Glory! God is good ALL the Time.
Giving birth to 20 children and using the religious umbrella to justify it (what has any god done to deserve this) is just obscene. As opposed to people in countries with a high percentage of illiteracy and poverty who do likewise because they don't know any better this family does - but apparently they couldn't care less about the overpopulation problem which should concern all of us. When the resources finally give out and famine and resultant disease spreads worldwide, it will be too late to grin goofily into the cameras and praise god. Besides, what normal woman could like being a brood mare and nothing but for all her fertile years? If she has that craving for motherhood (and that seem a bit over the top too) why don't they adopt from places where the children face disease or death if nobody steps in? Perhaps the news coverage should stop so they wouldn't be so interesting any more, for at the end of the day - what IS so interesting about people who breed like rabbits?
God gave us a brain to invent (and use) birth control.
It's child neglect, plain and simple, to have so many children. Once they start to outnumber the parents, you are entering a gray area in which the children may not get enough attention to be properly supervised and nurtured into well-adjusted adults. When there are 10 times as many kids as parents, forget it! Each kid is on their own to raise themselves. In the Duggar family, they have assigned each younger child a "buddy" from amongst the older kids who has the responsibility of getting the younger one dressed in the morning. It's kind of like a new employee at a company having an assigned mentor - someone with more experience looks out for them a little bit, but it's not the same as an actual parent. A young child should not have to grow up with a 13-year-old as his or her surrogate parent, and it's also not fair to the teenagers to have that responsibility. A friend of mine who was one of 10 kids has very low self-esteem, because money was always tight and they all had to share and be grateful for hand-me-down clothes, and each kid was basically lost in the crowd. The parents were way too busy to give anyone individual attention when it came to applying to college, career advice, or anything else. In a sad paradox, children in large families are essentially orphans.
i am happy for them. if they can afford the child financially and they have loving well behaved kids (unlike alot of people in america) and they arent some welfare parents having more kids to higher their welfare check every month, then good for them. i am happy for them, and i wish them a healthy happy pregnancy. those children (if any bashers cared to even do the research) are college-educated well behaved church going people who do good with their lives, not be little pains in the butt, playing video games all day, not doing wel in school or back talking their parents. these are some of the nicest kids i have ever seen and wish all kids could be this way, its how i hope my kids will grow up as well, not some little lazy punk who backtalks, like many kids i see nowadays.
they arent on welfare because they get paid good money to air their show. Thats why they keep having kids.....to help pay for the ones they already have. Without the show, I don't think they would be able to make it. I think this is obscene! 20 kids! Really? When is enough, enough?!!!!
@ Valgraves- Well put- I couldn't agree more.
@Disgusted- They had 14 kids before the show ever aired and were doing fine financially- do your research- they dont overspend, they save and they educate their children.
@JRogers.. what about the risks of her not surviving this pregnancy and leaving all those children motherless??? The risk of eclampsia at her age after a previous case is 75%.. survival rate of full eclampsia again at her age and medical history is around 60% leaving a 40% she will leave these children motherless.. On top of that.. she talks about what "they" went through with Josie.. what about what Josie went through? I am the mother of a micro preemie.. I would never say "what I" went through!!!! That is such a selfish comment to make!
I completely agree... this family can afford to have their children, and they are all very well behaved. They are not like the Octomom....
Yes, they can afford it. But is it wise? Is it moral? HECK NO. Their last child ALMOST DIED and went through an awful lot of trauma for a little baby to go through. The likelihood of the next child going through something similar is high. Why would you want to risk giving another child such a rocky start? Either get your tubes tied, go on the pill or give up the sex. 19 kids are enough, and maybe it's time to concentrate their resources and attention on the children they have.
Give it another decade: Odds are that there are going to be some spectacular blow-ups in that family.
Sorry, It's not about how many children the Duggars can afford. It's about how earth's resources and space are reaching its limits. 7 billion "miracles" is enough, already.
You obviously know nothing about this family. They aren't educated in even a limited way. Wisdom books and the bible do not alone educate. And as for their "college" educated, its merely CLEP tests because they aren't allowed to go to college for fear "Normal" will rub off on them.
So sad to see the J slaves stuck with another baby to raise when they should be off having their own lives. Nothing like raising mom's kids for your entire life.
JRogers
First of all, they only educate the boys. Girls are not educated beyond a high-school education because it is assumed that girls will stay home and have babies. It always amazes me that TODAY and the TLC show never bring up the beliefs of the religious group the Duggars belong to (it's called Quiver Full. Look it up).
Second, baby 19 almost died. I'm pretty sure they were told not to have more kids. What's going to happen if this pregnancy doesn't have a good ending? How are Matt and friends going to handle that?
the earth's resources? tell some of these welfare moms to stophaving 10 kids with 10 different fathers and sucking up all the government resources! at least these people are well off financially. more than i can say for alot of families in america, who cant afford their kids but keep overpopulating the earth with future prison-dwellers.
another person seems to say it best on here....
Sue-3329001
I can respect them....everyone works, everyone share the responsibilities within the family. If you follow the show, they more than make do with second hand clothing and making things for themselves. I would suppose that the show has allowed them to travel more as a family than would have been possible, but the day to day life would be pretty similar, I imagine. For those who say, "what would happen to all those children if Mom didn't survive her pregnancy?" I think that they would fare alot better than most in our world. Their father is as devoted to being a parent as is their mother. They are accustomed to the elder children helping with and looking after the younger. They have a network of aunts, uncles, grandparents, cousins who are remarkably close to one another, and that is aside from their church family and the network of support they have through their faith life....God has entrusted 20 children to these people, and they appear to be doing a wonderful job so far. How many children have been entrusted to parents who obviously don't care?
Valgraves, I think you inadvertently hit the nail on the head when you mentioned "pains in the butt." That could have saved them a dozen or more kids. Of course condoms or birth control pills would have been more logical and less painful.
.
Oh, get over yourself, Valgreaves. I'm not excusing welfare mothers at all. Overpopulation, no matter who is doing the breeding, has become the root of most of the world's evils.
If the Duggars can afford an army of children, they should put their money where there fundamentalist Christian mouths are, and adopt children whose birth mothers chose not to abort.
(it's called Quiver Full. Look it up).
They're having little (and big, now) 'soldiers for Christ'. Sadly, I live in a part of the country where there are numerous families doing this. The kids have never had an original thought and if they do go to college they go to 'christian' colleges where the brainwashing continues.
Valgraves - God has also entrusted millions of babys to crack moms, welfare moms, abusers the list goes on.. not a good comparison but nice try.. they think only of themselves.. The risks that their actions and choices will cause to so many was disregarded in their decision making here.. sad sad sad
The Bible says "Be fruitful and multiply." I say Christians can go ahead and mark that one off the list. It's time for the federal government to limit child deductions, child care credits, etc. to three children or less.
Christine I agree 100%. Overpopulation is the biggest problem our world has.
If we are so overpopulated, then let's start with YOU. Quit being a hypocrite. Did you kiss your Dog-Kid this morning? Many of you strike me as the perfect Leninist 'Useful Idiot'
Hey disgusted...
Before you bash them about being on the show, you should know they were debt free and owned several businesses before starting the show. What have you done productive today?
Well they didn't have several business's.. we was a state legislator for a few years other than that he is basically a slum lord LOL.. I wouldn't call that productive or hard working.. as far as them being debt free.. I would be too if I lived in a shoe box and ate scraps every day.. clothes made from recycled goods etc.. that is how they lived PRIOR to their fame of multiplying
Don't get me wrong.... i think the MORALS they try to instill in their brood are admirable.... to a point... but telling your children that it's okay to breed unchecked (especially when you have 19 of them and counting) is just plain irresponsibility and bad parenting. i'm not even going to go down the road of religion with these people, i don't feel like having the unruly fundamentalist mob jump all over me...
I wonder how people (and the media) would respond to the Duggars if they were Latino or Black. Would the 19 (and counting) children that they have be as celebrated as the Duggars have been? I submit that the prevailing attitude towards a family of 21 people of color would be extremely negative. Let's be honest here: the Duggars support themselves now off of the money they make from the show. They might have additional income from rental properties, but enought to provide for that many kids? Even in rural America 17 or 18 kids (i'm assuming the oldest supports himself at this point) that has to be one helluva food/gas/electric/water/clothing bill every month. And as for being responsible parents, I don't see how anyone can pass off a 2 year old to a 12 year old and expect that the younger child will be raised responsibly. How do the parents spread their parental wisdom and love across NINETEEN kids? Most parents will tell you that thats a hard job with three! These people are at the height of irresponsibility. Meanwhile, Rock Center reports a story last night about Black women being systematically sterilzed in North Carolina...
Mayhemisfunny, you have a comment history that is loaded with personal attacks on other users.
Not good.
You are suspended for a week for violating rule # 1 of the Code of Honor.
This story is dedicated to the millions of women who struggle every day with infertility..... *sarcasm*
I know right! When she gave her whole infertility scam story I about died! I suffered infertility and let me tell you there is no way in a million years this woman suffered ANY form of infertility.. maybe in the beginning she just didn't know how babys were made.. and obviously figured it out... now she is addicted!
Addicted it right! I have met women like this who are completely hooked on the pregnancy hormones and the unconditional love they feel from their babies. Unfortunately that loving feeling wears off somewhere between 12 and 24 months and then the addict goes for another fix. This woman also seems to be addicted to or brainwashed by her belief system. The end result for most of these baby addicts is cushing depression when the next fix becomes impossible and adopting more babies is no susbstitute.
Michelle Duggar never suffered from infertility. She had a miscarriage while taking birth control and took it as a sign that she should not take birth control and have as many kids as "God" wanted her to have.
What a moron.
I guess if you're paying for them, it's oK. I have inlaws with 5, and they are on every government freebie program they can get on. That's the ones I have a problem with. I stopped at two because we couldn't afford more, why should I have to pay for someone who wants them for the welfare they can get, or "bragging rights."?
I'm all for parents who bring up good kids but, with all the children out there that need great parents, wouldn't adoption be a good idea? Wouldn't that be even more of a blessing? 20 kids....wowzas. Can't imagine what that does to a woman's body.
Plus, she is now 45 and has already had a 'problem' pregnancy.
Pjw, I was 45 when I had my second child, a very welcomed surprise, but a surprise nonetheless (failed vasectomy, and yes, my husband and I are living proof it can happen). I had high blood pressure with my first so you can have a "problem" pregnancy in your 20's, 30's, 40's, as I did and have a positive outcome. Just because she had a problem with her last baby, doesn't mean it will happen again. Ok, now is 20 a little excessive? I'd have to side with yes on that, but do I think this woman should be allowed to have as many children as she wants? Absolutely, as long as the taxpayers aren't footing the bill, but even then, this isn't Nazi Germany or some communist country who will have you abort your female baby, thank GOD.
There are some really angry people in here, spewing hatred over something that doesn't even concern them. MSNBC is covering a story that is making headlines, as any news agency would. Whether or not they cover it, doesn't mean anything. The Duggers, if they choose, will have them regardless. People should really check their anger on this!
True, Anne. Michelle will be wearing diapers long after the kids will.
They are not a state funded family, the kids seem happy, they are recieving a good education and they are loved. Yes, it's a much bigger family than I would personally like to have....but it's a choice. They can afford it & deal with it mentally...great for them. I'm happy for them.
They are being home schooled by right-wing Christian nuts - that is NOT a good education.
I can respect them....everyone works, everyone share the responsibilities within the family. If you follow the show, they more than make do with second hand clothing and making things for themselves. I would suppose that the show has allowed them to travel more as a family than would have been possible, but the day to day life would be pretty similar, I imagine. For those who say, "what would happen to all those children if Mom didn't survive her pregnancy?" I think that they would fare alot better than most in our world. Their father is as devoted to being a parent as is their mother. They are accustomed to the elder children helping with and looking after the younger. They have a network of aunts, uncles, grandparents, cousins who are remarkably close to one another, and that is aside from their church family and the network of support they have through their faith life....God has entrusted 20 children to these people, and they appear to be doing a wonderful job so far. How many children have been entrusted to parents who obviously don't care?
However is that Fair to the children for her to take such a reckless chance?? Would you be ok if she was driving down the freeway with no seat belt at 150 mph swerving just for fun?? Because the chance of her dying in that accident is LESS than the chance of her dying during this pregnancy or birth..... So how is it any different??
So because this couple is addicted to hoarding kids, the ones they've already had should have to take care of the younger ones because mom's too busy being the baby machine to actual give them the care and attention the mom should be giving them. Not only that but they're being under-educated and brought up to believe this is what America should be like: A live-in cult.
Harold, the Duggars pay NO taxes because they have declared themselves a church and they get free healthcare from the state of Arkansas. The state picked up the tab for Josie's million dollar preemie care. Looks like they will have to pay for another one now.
As to the Duggar's last child being a premie and being paid for by the state, thats because all premie's care is picked up by the Childrens state health insurance program no matter who they are. Needless to say I think that them having another child when the chances of extreme problems and possibly Down syndrome, is really irresponsible. They are having all these children because of their religious believes. But if they think God has had anything to do with it they are deluded, the only reason they have these children is because of SEX!
These people disgust me. Especially the husband.
Flit, the idea is to breed people that actually know God into the world to offset Antichrists like yourself. Left-wing anti-God Homo-worshipping people are the problem, like yourself.
Mayhemisfunny: First, there is or will be only ONE antichrist, get it right. Second, the majority of the left-wing are not anti-God, though I don't like them any more then you do. Third, the left-wing merely thinks that non-hetero people are still people.
Last the real problem is people like you who supposedly practice a religion whose founder preached tolerance and inclusiveness and after 2000+ years whose followers have completely missed the point. Continue to spout your poison, very few people are listening.
No, people with only ONE view of the world and who judge everyone who isn't just like them are the problem. You couldn't possibly "know" God, acting the way you do. I hope you aren't one of those people breeding little ones into this world...MUCH scarier than the Duggars having their 20th kid...
Sorry, but these people are absolutely rediculous... and to Mayhemisfunny: go sell your fanatical superstitious claptrap somewhere else. Go ahead and fill the world up with people who "know God", then let them scream to HIM when they start starving to death. Their prayers, and $1.00, will get them a cup of coffee at McDonalds.
Mayhem.... you attack people on here who have a differing opinion than yourself. I happen to be on the side of enough is enough with these people. Am I the antichrist because I happen to think that they need to rethink what they're doing? I believe in God. I believe in Jesus Christ. I don't believe, however, that this woman needs to be on her back with her legs open 24/7, all in the name of "God wants me to have more children". Seriously? smh. You'd think after having the last child, she'd say, "maybe that was enough. Don't want to risk having more children at this stage". But no. Here they are AGAIN, on tv, touting their "GOD has blessed us with another child" freak show. It's to the point of disgusting and sad. I also feel sad for their other children who have to do the mothering. Where are THEIR childhoods???
It makes me want to puke the way Michelle stares adoringly at JimBob. Ewwww!
This is the worst news ever! These parents are selfish.! I feel so sorry for the other kids in their family that are going to have to raise another baby for their parents. The older girls are so screwed, they will never get away from their family when their mother will not stop having babies. How about michelle stops having babies and starts taking care of the children they have now.
The girls will never gat away anyway. They are expected to get married and start popping out a large brood of their own. The girls are not educated beyond high school so they are kept obedient. This is part of their religion, they are supposed to have as many kids as they can.
They're no different than any cult. Indeed, they've established ther own cult based on procreating in the name of Christ -- as well as making a buck for themselves!
So what? Are they hurting you in some way? They take care of their kids without government help.
Is it for me? Ummm, not in a million years, but it's called freedom. As long as they are taking care of their own kids, why does anyone care? Do you want to be told how many children you can have?
There are 7 billion people on the planet so yes it effects me.
for the record, the whole "without government help" is false... Jim Bob gets 100% free health coverage for his entire family... for the rest of his life... guess who picked up the cost of their latest spawn's expensive troubled birth? the residents of Arkansas...
The problem is she has a very high chance of not surviving this pregnancy.. and the child not surviving.. so it isn't about money it is about putting another baby through the horror that Josie suffered! I am the mother of a micro preemie.. and that is rough for the baby! All she talked about was what "they went through" Not what Josie went through! And how about chancing leaving 19 other children motherless if something does happen?? She is full of baloney when she says docs gave her the green light.. come on now really? What are docs going to say force an abortion? It is already there, it's not like they told her to go ahead and get pregnant again.. if so they need to lose their license! I was told at my age after having a preemie and then two following c/s that it was not a good idea for any more as it would carry too many risks.. she is nuts and cares about no one but herself! Sad There should be child negelct and endangerment laws for this!
She has a high chance of not surviving this pregnancy? Where did you get your information?
No doctor is going to tell someone to go ahead and have another baby. I'm sure they have been warned of the potential risks, just like I was when I had my son at 45. It's called FREEDOM. Do you want anyone telling you how many kids you can have? If you should abort, or forcing you to? If so, you should go live in China.
What an AMAZING and beautiful family!!! So excited for them! Our family is so thankful for their example of faith and trusting the Lord in all things. We will be praying for a safe and healthy pregnancy for Michelle.
Amen! I can't believe all the haters out there!
Psalm127
3 Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD,
The fruit of the womb is a reward.
4 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior,
So are the children of one’s youth.
5 Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them;
"KLT", who says they hate these people?
I deffinatley don't have hate.. I have love for the children that are already here.. and it is obvious that mom isn't thinking about! Just because we care about the other children doesn't mean we have hate for the mom... we are trying to speak out for those that this will effect and no one else is
"KLT", who says they hate these people?
Agreed. I have seen no hatred in these comments. Just common sense. 20 children is 17 or 18 too many.
KLT: I do not hate these people, I pity them for having been completely fooled by what others would term a cult. It is typical of your ilk to take one passage from the book and misunderstand it, since that is easier than using the free will that was given to you by the Divine. Please use that roughly three pounds of brain tissue for something other then keeping your ears apart?
@ pjw - You think people should be limited to 2 or 3 kids ONLY? That's insane. I come from a family of 4 and I consider that small. I'm glad I have so many brothers & sister and wish I had more. If two committed people are financially capable of supporting 3+ kids then what's the problem? Oh, YOU don't want a bunch of kids so YOU think it's wrong? Luckily everyone is the world isn't the same. Luckily people are allowed to be different and want different things. I'm glad that just because YOU don't want more than 3 kids, that I'm still allowed to.
Rick..."Who says they hate these people?"
I'm willing to bet the commenter that wished them all to die and go to Hell isn't exactly radiating love and kindness in their direction
To crunchymom: Finally a comment worth replying to!! Thank you for putting it into perspective!
The common complaint that I see among the people on this post is that you are angry at these people for having Christian values and raising a large family and making money to support themselves in our free-enterprise system!! If they were poor people not "controlling" their pregnancies, on government assistance or choosing a lifestyle not like yours, then you would be raising hell at anyone who criticized them and telling all the conservatives on the post how "evil" they are for bashing this poor family. The hyposcrisy that run amok on the left is hilarious and the more you spout the more I am convinced that you are mostly a bunch of idiots who don't even know what you're talking about.
As for mayhemisfunny--this person is NOT a Christian and does not represent Christianity in any way. But you don't care, as long as you can point to him and say, "See how THEY are!!??" Like I said...Idiots.
Seriously...they just need to stop.
This is so ridiculous!! Be happy with the kids you have and stop populating the earth. You are frigging idiots!!!
Just because you can, doesnt mean you should
"Just because you can, doesnt mean you should" yes MAPH, this could certainly be said to all the people who got themselves into financial messes buying houses they couldn't afford, taking out extra student loans rather than working full time to get through school like a lot of us did, ETC. ETC. ETC...and now those same people are all whining and crying that the government should bail them out. Sure, to me having 20 kids seems crazy...to me. BUT this family is handling it beautifully and they aren't asking anyone to "make right" their choices. All of you dissing these people should really shut your mouths and focus your energy on yourselves and real problems in this country.
I agree that we need to stop giving tax breaks to anyone with more than three kids. Any more and the parents should have to pay full price for healthcare, schooling, etc.
Exactly right, TLJohns!!! And you certainly don't hear them saying to those on govt assistance that they should be prohibited from reproducing b/c they can't afford to have the children!! that would violate their rights!!! I don't understand why the left supports those who won't support themselves and are sucking this country dry of resources and increasing our debt, and then criticizes those who do, and really criticize when they do it well!! There are a lot of mixed up people around here!!
REALLY?? You would think after their last child almost died because she was a high risk pregnancy, they wouldn't put themselves or a baby through that again. I honestly think it's all for publicity....for such a grounded in their faith family, they sure do soak up the media.
AMEN to that!!!!!! Their faith and religion is all a scam as well.. if they were then they would be thinking of the children they already have wellbeing.. and they obviously arent!
So, judging from your comments.....if you have faith in the Lord, you are not supposed to let everyone know how happy it makes you, how wonderful your life has become. Those who have a faith are "frigging idiots" according to one post, and "disgusting" according to another.....It is OK for the media to focus on people like Lindsay Lohan-continually in and out of jail and rehab. Britteny Spears and her ongoing saga of mental and emotional issues, and the outrageous things she did that endangered her small children. We could watch Michael Jackson dangle his kid from a hotel balcony, but God forbid that we have a program about family values, family togetherness, faith in God....Wow, that is just being opportunistic and materiallistic-right up there with Kim Kardashians 72 marriage that netted her millions of dollars.
You just don't get it.. they use religion in a negative way! They speak of God and religion but act the opposite when they disregard the fact that their choices and actions will dramatically effect another.. like what poor Josie went through and they keep commenting about what "they" went through with Josie... please they speak to the media as if they are wonderful God loving people but they disregard their other children's well being with their choices.. God does not want 19 children to live without a mother! And her choices of free will, will most likely cost them that!
I totally agree with Beehappy. They sure love soaking up all the media attention and all the financial rewards it brings. Enough already, take care of the children you have (19) and how about enjoying your 2 grandchildren!!! Jim Bob and Michelle need a reality check, even more, they need PSYCHIATRIC HELP! What a joke, they are giving the OctoMom advice, why don't they take some advice and STOP already. Shame on the Media for indulging them and keeping this baby making machine going!!!
The Duggars disgust me. The last baby almost died. What will it take for them to stop. Mr. Duggar, you need professional help. The lives of Mrs. Duggar and the baby are at risk. Have you thought about that? Mrs. Duggar, what is life REALLY like in your home when the cameras aren't rolling?
This family worries me. To each their own and all, and I'm not slamming them for their faith, but this woman is going to die an early death. The female body can only take so much. I would have thought they'd have learned the last time with the last baby when they almost lost that one. They're putting both mommy and baby at risk. I get that they don't believe in birth control, that's fine. Then at least attempt to use some kind of natural birth control. I'm not a big proponent of the Natural Family Planning method myself, but at least something needs to be done!
Psolaris...Many families these days worry me! The crack heads worry me way more than this family ever could...
Enough already. Don't you guys know what causes pregnancy by now?
@lawyergirl - Yea, say that to all of the women who have abortions over and over again. Don't THEY know what causes pregnancy by now?
If this is what the family wants and what they believe in, then I totally support it. I support the freedom to choose their own religious beliefs. They are not living on the system or expecting handouts. To take away one person's freedom to choose, it won't be long before mine might be taken away also.
Having 20 children, 6 or 8 children at one time, and having an abortion every year is all legal. God Bless America and all our freedom's.
There are so many women in America living on welfare, having babies left and right and don't even know who their 'baby daddy' is. At least Michelle can afford these children and she knows who fathered them. Every single one of her children are healthy, happy and most importantly they are very loved and well taken care of.
until Mom tries for one child too many and dies or becomes crippled -- OR --
the show stops paying them -- OR --
Dad loses his job in this economy
Ridiculous!
They can afford those kids because they exploit those kids. She should not be having more children at her age and with the risks that she faced with the last one. That's just selfish and it's putting your babies at risk. I used to be all for them since they appear to be putting out more well-adjusted, productive members of society than almost anyone, but with her health issues with her last pregnancy, it's just plain selfish to do it again.
@heather- they can afford "those kids" not because of the reality show- they already had 14 children before they even HAD a show. they raise their own food, and own many properties. they do well, unlike a bunch of welfare moms out there who dont even know who their "baby-daddy" is. those welfare moms are the ones overpopulating the earth, not these people. there are gonna be more babies born every day- i'd rather have kids like this in the world then some little welfare punks who talk back to their familiy and overpopulate the jails.
Wow, a lot of people have a lot of very strong opinions about another couples right to reproduce... but I bet a lot of these people also have strong opinions about everyone else staying out of their reproductive rights. While I myself have never wished to have 20 children of my own, I see no reason for so many people to condemn this family which takes care of all of theirs without the help of government. And, yes, I'm sure they make a profit from the show.... but they were making it all on their own (debt free) long before the show became popular.
So anyone who has a high risk pregnancy should not have any more after that? Thank God I didn't listen to that reasoning b/c after I had twins (who came early with some problems), I had the most wonderful child ever who has blessed my life beyond words!!! Your comments are ridiculous and so hypocritical. I agree with Julie Ferenzi also, b/c she is dead-on--so many strong opinions about these people yet the same critical people will be the first to scream foul when anything is said about poor people on govt assistance in a similar situation!! In their world, its fine for a single uneducated girl to have 7 children by 7 different men while the govt pays for all of them, but a responsible, self-supporting couple chooses to have 20 children and its a problem? Why? How do their choices affect you people in any way? Its laughable, b/c its so ridiculous!!
And they force sterilized a thirteen year old rape victim?
I just want to ask this lady if she's stupid or something. This baby could be at very high risk to have Down's Syndrome, among other things because of her age and how many kids she's had. When is a doctor going to tell her, ok you have had enough? 20 effing kids are you kidding me?!
There are probably more women having children between the ages of 35 and 45 today than ever before because many women had college and career goals before starting family. It is not an ipso facto that babies are going to have Downs Syndrome or any other defect or malady just due to a mother's age. And I would venture to say, that even if such an outcome were to be noted, unlike a huge portion of the population, the Duggar family would welcome and care for that special needs child rather than aborting it as if it had no right to exist for being less than perfect.
Since when is the Doctor in charge of what a woman does with her body?
Ipso facto? I'd say for her it's a one in 25. The "fact" is that by the time she is 50, it will be one in ten. Those are very well known statistics.
Congrats to them and I wish them a healthy child. 20? Really? It is great that they aren't on any assistance and weren't on any before the show, but 20 is too much. How can a mother devote herself to any of the children. She relies heavily on the older ones to take care of the younger ones - which is unfair as they weren't the ones who had them, albeit I'm sure they do so with love and no complaints. I'm just saying...........
Yeah, they leave it up to God which is exactly why they have 20 kids. Ahem, the words 'birth control' never had a better poster child. Unfortunately for the global population and family budgets everywhere, humans do not only have sex for procreation. Some of us actually enjoy it and do not want children to be part of that equation every time we are with our spouse or girlfriend/boyfriend...
Who can afford to have 20 kids in this day and age?!!
Obviously the Duggars, and the Bates family, and many other families in this fundamentalist faith perspective. The religious commitment includes commitment to hard work, to family, to responsibility...values that we are rapidly lsing in our society
With every moron child they lower the national average IQ another point. If there really were a god he would not allow morons like this to breed in his name and would burn their hose down with all of them in it.
sorry mate, but, it's one thing to bash them, which I don't agree with as they are better off and BETTER MANNERED than most people in this country, but, bringing up the "if there really is a god factor" and then putting "he would burn their house down with all of them in it" does not sound like you are very educated... In fact not only does it make you sound like the "moron child" you accuse them of having but it also makes you
seemlike a deprived little human being.Shame on you for saying such a thing. Even if you don't believe in GOD you should not say such things like this. How would you like it if someone came to you and said you and your family should burn in your house. You are whats wrong with the world today, you are the moron.
And from the typos in YOUR posting, our collective IQ has dropped at least two points....
I just really hope that she is careful and takes very good care of herself. I also think that there just may be a special place in HELL for a few of the people that have left comments here. God is real!!! ALWAYS has been and ALWAYS will be:)
Is she a freaking gerbil or a human being? 20 kids is DISGUSTING! I don't care if they can afford it or not, this Planet can't handle baby factory families pooping out 20 kids. It's not about money, it's about resources. Imagine if China had more moms that ploped 20 kids on the world.
Consider it an offset for all the aborted pregnancies....and with those statistics in mind, the Duggars don't even make a small dent.
Sue, since when do two wrongs make a right?
This is simply a public mockery of God and of faith. It is no more responsible than octa-mom.
Without the public feeding this circus, there would be a family with twenty starving kids.