I was reading the news and came across the announcement that the Duggar family is expecting another child. This is their 18th child! There is part of me that says she should have as many kids as she wants. They support their family and do not receive any government assistance. Then there is the part of me that thinks those kids must crave attention and privacy. Not to mention that I cross my legs and cringe thinking about 18 kids popping out of me! My grandmother was one of eight kids and my great-grandmother was one of 18 kids but that was because my great-great grandfather had two wives. His first wife had 10 children and then passed away. He married again and his second wife (my great-great grandmother) gave birth to 8 children. They lived in rural North Carolina on a farm. Apparently it was common to have large families in those days and they were blessed that their children survived a wide range of childhood illnesses that typically took the lives of many children. I just don’t think I could handle 18 children. Could you handle 18 kids?
16 responses so far ↓
1 azmiel muhammady // May 10, 2008 at 9:59 am
At my country more child more wealth
Best regards
Azmiel
2 pilotg2 // May 10, 2008 at 10:43 am
Just what you would expect from Jim Bob (yes the husband’s name is Jim Bob).
“Back in the day” it was common to have large families because they probided cheap, ok free, labor. Of course you have to wonder if the investment costs (risk of delivery, cost of raising the kids until they can work the farm, and so on) was actually worth. And of course didn’t have the plentifull access to birth control.
Further back in the day, Rhamses II had over 100 childern.
3 fragileheart // May 10, 2008 at 1:31 pm
Holy cow. 18 kids. And I cringe at the thought of having more than 1. My parents both came from big families too… I often wonder what it would have been like to live with many siblings… I’m sure I would’ve been even more of a control freak than I am now… lol
4 LizzyT // May 10, 2008 at 3:35 pm
Wow!
5 BillyWarhol // May 10, 2008 at 6:56 pm
Yeah it’s Nice but I wonder if any Mother wants to Spend her Entire Life Slaving + Raising RugRats*
It sure ain’t No Picnic*
I bet a Dime to a Dollar Religion is to Blame here*
I bet Contraception or Birth Control has never been used* Kinda like back in the day when Irish Catholic Families would have 10 or 12 Kids that Magically appeared Every 2 Years or so like a Gift from God*
U still see it in 3rd World Countries or in Polygamy Utah USA Texas AMERICA where Man + almighty Religion Rule da Roost*
Time to Impeach Bush + the Pope + all the False Prophets*
Pure BS*
;))
6 pretty little pumpkins // May 10, 2008 at 7:49 pm
congratulations to the family!!! they seem to be a nice family and she seems to really love being a mom. God has blessed them.
7 Lee // May 10, 2008 at 7:57 pm
My ex-wife and I had five children, and our ability to stay involved in their activities and taking care of their needs was stretched to the limit.
I can tell you how the Duggars do it: the older children are free nannies/babysitters for mom and dad. I would be very surprised if those kids have a chance to do very many of the things that kids their age should be doing. And the parents should be ashamed of themselves for putting their older kids in that position.
8 Ellen // May 10, 2008 at 8:42 pm
Hopefully this isn’t a duplicate comment as I typed this once before but I don’t think it went through. Anyway…I’m glad you posted this about the Duggars. At first I had mixed feelings about “another child” but then I realized, like you, that if they can take care of it and not depend on government assistance …then more power to them. I’ve had friends and acquaintances in the past that were from very large families and they were well adjusted, great attitude, very proud of their family, had utmost respect for everyone and were big time givers. So I know it can work.
Great post!!
9 DineometerDeb // May 11, 2008 at 1:29 am
My first reaction is horror and to think that woman is nuts. But, I am trying to make my credo “Whatever people want to do, it’s their life.”
I haven’t yet fully embraced that credo because I still think she’s crazy.
10 Susanne F // May 11, 2008 at 2:47 am
The mother said, that they will continue to have children as long as God permits. Well how about thinking of the children - there is no way the parents can take care of 18 children emotionally.
They live in a nice large house, so they must be wealthy but that is not all there is to life.
To answer your question: no I couldn’t handle 18 and maybe even more important I wouldn’t do the test
11 Kathy // May 11, 2008 at 7:59 am
Well…I have 8 so most people think we are over the top. Truthfully? I cringe when I think about any more. We have our hands full and know it.
I’ll just say this. They *have to* have themselves very VERY organized and everyone must be very “in line” to it work for them. That is the ONLY way to be successful when you’re doing what they are doing.
I wish them all the best.
12 Monique // May 11, 2008 at 3:22 pm
SHE JUST HAD A DAMN BABY!!!!
What is wrong with this woman?
I can get 8, maybe 10… but 18 is too much. And no one can ever convince me those kids are getting the love and attention they each need from their parents, no matter how much they smile on TV.
13 Adam // May 12, 2008 at 12:44 am
Hi! Thanks for sharing this. Really interesting. I cannot handle my only kid. How much more 18! That will be a riot!
14 Chuck (a/k/a Rhonda) // May 12, 2008 at 12:42 pm
That’s simply amazing. I don’t even have one, so I can’t even fathom. Happy mother’s day to her big time! Hey, sorry I haven’t visited in so long. I’m back now for awhile so tho’t I’d better pop in and say hello. Hope all is wall. *huggies*
15 Jillian // May 13, 2008 at 6:52 am
I’ll be honest… I can’t imagine birthing ONE kid. I have this fear of tearing. It happened to my bro’s girlfriend… she tore and they had to stitch her up. Can you imagine stitches… down there??? *shudder*
I think at some point we will want kids, but certainly not 18. Also, it would be nice if someone else could carry the baby.
16 Arika // Jun 18, 2008 at 8:47 pm
I wonder if they have a permanent room for her at the local birthing center at the hospital?
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