TheCatSite.com › Forums › General Forums › IMO: In My Opinion › Number 18 on the way.
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

Number 18 on the way.

post #1 of 61
5/9/08 at 4:37pm
Thread Starter 
Michelle Duggars is having her 18th child.

I can't say that I'm shocked. So, TCS, what do you think?
Reply
post #2 of 61
5/9/08 at 4:40pm
i think,, dont care
its there business not mine.
Reply
post #3 of 61
5/9/08 at 4:56pm
I doubt people's opinions will have changed much since number 17 was discussed here.

I think as long as they can bring their kids up without being a burden on society, how many they have is their business and nobody else's.
Reply
post #4 of 61
5/9/08 at 5:04pm
If they can afford to have 18 children and adequately take care of each and every one, then it's their right to do so.

That being said, my god, that's nuts! Why would anyone willingly put their body through that 16 times?! (She's had 2 sets of twins.) Why would she willingly be pregnant for nearly a third of her life? This isn't the 19th century where the child mortality rate was sky-high and you needed workers for your farm!

Tricia
Reply
post #5 of 61
5/9/08 at 5:14pm
I agree, if they can really afford having 18 kids, then I guess it's okay.. but I think it's kind of crazy. I'd never want to have that many kids.
Reply
post #6 of 61
5/9/08 at 5:23pm
Their kids seem fine. Normal, fairly well-adjusted, happy kids. And its not like the parents are having kids to claim benefits, so if it makes them happy why not?
I sure couldn't do it though. If I ever have children I'm having just the one, which will probably be one too many for me.
Reply
post #7 of 61
5/9/08 at 6:30pm
My opinion hasn't changed since the last time, I don't like the way a new baby comes along and the former youngest is passed off to a buddy.
Reply
post #8 of 61
5/9/08 at 6:59pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by cata_mint View Post
Their kids seem fine. Normal, fairly well-adjusted, happy kids. And its not like the parents are having kids to claim benefits, so if it makes them happy why not?
I sure couldn't do it though. If I ever have children I'm having just the one, which will probably be one too many for me.
Don't ever just have one....it is a very lonely number.
Reply
post #9 of 61
5/9/08 at 7:02pm
holy moly!! didn't she JUST pop out the last one????
Reply
post #10 of 61
5/9/08 at 7:54pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by missymotus View Post
My opinion hasn't changed since the last time, I don't like the way a new baby comes along and the former youngest is passed off to a buddy.
The older kids never get to be kids, they have to raise their siblings.
Reply
post #11 of 61
5/9/08 at 8:41pm
I said it before and I'll say it again. This couple is being very irresponsible. Having children at her age is down right dangerous! Plus didn't she just have a kid like 3 months ago?? It is just not healthy to have kids that close together! It is not fair to the other kids. No child should have to schedule time to be with mom and dad. No child should be second parents for the younger siblings. Every time I see her on tv she has the "ha ha ha look what I did and you can't stop me" look on her face. It is the same one I get from my students. I don't think she realizes the danger she is putting herself in, let alone the baby. Plus, how the heck do they find time to even make a baby!!
Reply
post #12 of 61
5/9/08 at 11:25pm
The only thing I can say, is that now that I am pregnant myself, and it takes so darn LONG and there is so much of it that is uncomfortable and painful and awkward, I don't know whether to take my hat off to anyone who'd want to do it 18 times or petition to have them committed!
Reply
post #13 of 61
5/10/08 at 5:11am
Thread Starter 
I guess I kind of feel for her. She's living the extreme opposite life than I am. Let me put it this way. I think that she understands that her body is being negatively impacted by her decision to have this many children. She sees top notch OBGYNs that have told her about the impact of having this many children, and that it will shorten her life span. Yet, she's doing it anyway.

As a childfree woman that has zero desire to have a baby I've been treated in a similar way. I'm irresponsible, selfish, and fill in any other bingo you may think of. She gets the same judgments. So I'm inclined to say this. If she feels that this is her purpose, and she's not being forced into it by her husband more power to her. I can't sit here and say that every child is a choice and not sight this as a prime example.
Reply
post #14 of 61
5/10/08 at 6:25am
As I have always said I have no problem with this family. They are self supporting and always has been. They are never gotten any help from the state. Yes they have done shows and were paid for those shows but that came long after they started having kids. Sure they live a life that most of us wouldn't but thats us not them. I tell you I loved being pregnant up until the labor part. 3 kids are more than enough for me. But I can not in good mind judge these people because they chose to have more kids than me.
Reply
post #15 of 61
5/10/08 at 6:43am
Quote:
Originally Posted by missymotus View Post
My opinion hasn't changed since the last time, I don't like the way a new baby comes along and the former youngest is passed off to a buddy.
Yep, my opinion hasn't changed neither, I feel the same way

Quote:
Originally Posted by katiemae1277 View Post
holy moly!! didn't she JUST pop out the last one????
It has not been long ago that she had the last one

Quote:
Originally Posted by white cat lover View Post
The older kids never get to be kids, they have to raise their siblings.
Yep, I feel the same way
Reply
post #16 of 61
5/10/08 at 8:24am
I don't really know what to say. I don't like it but not my decission. I do know I am glad they are not my neighbors My current neighbor is having her fourth child and her other 3 come over to play with my only child I would have to schedule play dates with my neighbor if she had 18 kids.
Reply
post #17 of 61
5/10/08 at 10:10am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Duchess15 View Post
Don't ever just have one....it is a very lonely number.
I love being an only child. I don't really like/understand children and never have done so I'd have hated having siblings.

Admittedly I learned to read at an unusually young age. My parents say that as soon as I learnt to read I never really spoke to them again, and I've been the same ever since The time I would have spent interacting with a sibling I spent reading, which meant I was never lonely. I'd rather have my love of books than have a sibling.

If you don't know what its like to have siblings how can you feel their absence? Doesn't that just mean you need more friends? Or in my case more books?
Reply
post #18 of 61
5/10/08 at 4:59pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by cata_mint View Post
I love being an only child. I don't really like/understand children and never have done so I'd have hated having siblings.

Admittedly I learned to read at an unusually young age. My parents say that as soon as I learnt to read I never really spoke to them again, and I've been the same ever since The time I would have spent interacting with a sibling I spent reading, which meant I was never lonely. I'd rather have my love of books than have a sibling.

If you don't know what its like to have siblings how can you feel their absence? Doesn't that just mean you need more friends? Or in my case more books?
I disagree. I am in the less-common situation of having a sibling but having been the only child in the house growing up, as she's a full decade older. That time I spent reading as a child (and I, too, had moved quite past the children's section of the library long before I could actually reach the shelves in the YA section) I enjoyed, as did I enjoy playing pretend safari alone in the yard. I made friends and such with the other kids in the plat, but I missed having a co-conspirator. My sister was never too young to babysit me and in many ways I had a third parent until I was 16, and no sister.

Now my sister and I are very close and I can't imagine how lost I'd be without her. I wish we'd been closer as kids, but I'll take what I can get.

Anyway, 18 is still pretty excessive. But, hey, they're cared for and not on the government's dime, so. I just wish they'd send their kids to real school.
Reply
post #19 of 61
5/10/08 at 5:21pm
I also agree with a few posters here and think the older kids have no life they literally raise the younger children and readily admit it on t.v. The momma does no chores all she does is be pregnant. While her kids raise the younger kids. She doesn't let them dress normally. They all wear the same thing and they all sleep in the same bedroom boys in one bedroom and girls in another. The 20 year old boy has to share a bedroom with his 3 year old brother. I do not agree with that at all.
Reply
post #20 of 61
5/10/08 at 5:36pm
I couldn't have one never mind 18! Each one to their own i suppose, but all i can say is that woman must be shattered!
Reply
post #21 of 61
5/10/08 at 6:08pm
You know, I suspect that there would be a lot of families like this if every woman were as fertile as her. A lot of people don't believe in birth control, they just don't get pregnant once or twice a year!
Reply
post #22 of 61
5/10/08 at 6:42pm
I cant imagine having 18 kids but since they can self support more power to them... Hopefully she is in good enough help to see the grandkids be born of the young ones ...

I too was a ONLY at home and in my case MY moms only ... my half sister s were 13 and 15 yrs older and never lived with me ... Papa ( the man who raised me ) got married and had two more kids , 12 and 15 yrs younger ... i wish I had a sibling but with Mom gone now I am glad I did not as life would have been far more complex
Reply
post #23 of 61
5/10/08 at 8:41pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lindsey88 View Post
I also agree with a few posters here and think the older kids have no life they literally raise the younger children and readily admit it on t.v. The momma does no chores all she does is be pregnant. While her kids raise the younger kids. She doesn't let them dress normally. They all wear the same thing and they all sleep in the same bedroom boys in one bedroom and girls in another. The 20 year old boy has to share a bedroom with his 3 year old brother. I do not agree with that at all.

Yep, I agree, the mother does nothing at all around the house, the girls do all the cooking and all the kids have chores as well. The mother does take care of the new baby, and that is it.

I think the oldest boy should have his own room or at least share it with the older boys. The three year old should be somewheres else.
Reply
post #24 of 61
5/11/08 at 12:56am
Maybe it depends on your personality then?
I practically made my parents promise not to have another child, I really hated the idea of having a sibling. I disliked change, and preferred to be left alone to do my own thing.
I'm sure that if I had a sibling I'd have liked it or at least gotten used to it, but I can't begin to imagine what that's like. If there is a hole in my life I'm completely unaware of it.
One of my close friends has a sister who makes her life hell, so its not always fun having siblings.
Reply
post #25 of 61
5/11/08 at 4:38am
I actually think this is irresponsible. To each their own and everything but there is no way to parent that many children effectively.
I grew up Catholic and knew of families with 15 and 16 kids and many of them were miserable. Every one of them thought it was neglectful. Not to mention the horror stories which I won't go into. One lady I met said her mother only liked babies and not older children. So she kept having them.
Why would anyone do this? What could be a motive?
Reply
post #26 of 61
5/11/08 at 9:07am
I wish I had not had siblings. I was the youngest, with 7 years between myself and my sister, and they made my life a living hell. The minute I could find a way out of the house, I left.
I cannot imagine how the youngest ones will be. They might look like a nice family, but who knows how the older ones treat the younger ones they are responsible for. I think most of those kids will have relationship and mental problems later on if they are not having them already. I know if I had to live with all those people, once I got out, I would never want to have another person in my house. What can these people be thinking?
Reply
post #27 of 61
5/11/08 at 5:32pm
It is so amusing to see threads like this about the Dugger's on messageboards and it is always the same.

People don't know anything concrete to say bad about the Duggar's children so they make stuff up.. Saying how they will have mental problems and the oldest ones probably treat the youngest ones bad, they will have relationship problems. You have no way of knowing ANY of that, but still people say it.

Oh, the horror of it that the Duggar's are raising their children to know what responsibility is and to think of someone besides themselves.

To many young people in this country are self-absorbed, spoiled little brats.
To many parents in this world hit McDonald's in the morning and get their kids some French toast sticks on the way to dropping them off at day care. Then at 6:00 PM
(the latest they can pick them up without having to pay extra) pick them up and make another stop at McDonalds for a Happy Meal, get home, park kid in front of the TV for an hour or two and throw them in bed. Nice life. Quality time, my foot.

I don't believe for one minute the "mother does nothing at all, all day"
good grief, what, is she sitting on the couch eating bon bons all day.
Who home schools the kids.

I would be willing to bet money these kids will turn out to be much more productive adults than millions of the youth today.

It will be interesting to see if they will, in turn have large families.
Reply
post #28 of 61
5/11/08 at 8:11pm
No, of course no one can say any of that for sure, but sadly, it happens often in large families. I certainly wish the best for them, and hope it is not the case. I hope they are as wonderfully well adjusted and as happy as they look. It is just so hard for many people, myself included, to wrap their minds around such a large family that looks so happy, when so many people seem to come from such dysfunctional ones. You are right, nobody should make remarks without spending some time with them.
You have made some excellent points about the way so many people "raise" their kids. McDonald's, tv, quality time, etc. It was a much better world when quality time was all sitting down to dinner together, limited tv because there were only 3 channels, and reading your kids a bedtime story. Before video games and kids actually got up and went outside to play.
I will now open my mouth and insert my foot.
Reply
post #29 of 61
5/12/08 at 6:07am
Quote:
Originally Posted by ckblv View Post
It will be interesting to see if they will, in turn have large families.
They probably will if they follow their parents religion. And that is where I have concerns. On a planet that is already showing the strains on our natural resources that having eighteen children seem to me to be selfish and self-indulgent. Their actions won't effect me in the least but it will the generations to come if their children continue the baby making tradition. You can practice all the conservational methods you choose but if you have too many people you are going to use all your resources at some point. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow but at some point.

Reminds me of the movie the Matrix where Mr. Smith is likening humans to a virus. That keeps procreating and procreating until it overwhelms and kills its host. It will probably happen with or without the Druggars but they don't help.
Reply
post #30 of 61
5/12/08 at 6:23am
Quote:
Originally Posted by ckblv View Post
It is so amusing to see threads like this about the Dugger's on messageboards and it is always the same.

People don't know anything concrete to say bad about the Duggar's children so they make stuff up.. Saying how they will have mental problems and the oldest ones probably treat the youngest ones bad, they will have relationship problems. You have no way of knowing ANY of that, but still people say it.

Oh, the horror of it that the Duggar's are raising their children to know what responsibility is and to think of someone besides themselves.

To many young people in this country are self-absorbed, spoiled little brats.
To many parents in this world hit McDonald's in the morning and get their kids some French toast sticks on the way to dropping them off at day care. Then at 6:00 PM
(the latest they can pick them up without having to pay extra) pick them up and make another stop at McDonalds for a Happy Meal, get home, park kid in front of the TV for an hour or two and throw them in bed. Nice life. Quality time, my foot.

I don't believe for one minute the "mother does nothing at all, all day"
good grief, what, is she sitting on the couch eating bon bons all day.
Who home schools the kids.

I would be willing to bet money these kids will turn out to be much more productive adults than millions of the youth today.

It will be interesting to see if they will, in turn have large families.
I couldn't agree with your more. My dad has 14 brothers and sisters and my mom had 9 - they were responsible, productive citizens, didn't get into trouble with the law and were loving, caring people. None of them had any mental issues other than the normal day-to-day stuff that we ALL deal with.

To "assume" they will have mental problems, etc., etc., is just sooooo wrong.

If these folks can afford to support those children and are giving them a loving home, who are we to judge? I have to say the nicest folks I have ever met are from larger families. The have a better sense of fair play and sharing, generally have better work ethics, and tend to not be so selfish. My husband comes from a family of 6 and I have to tell you that in over 30 years I have never seen or heard one of them say an unkind word about any of the others. If anything, they go out of their way to be kind to one another.
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: IMO: In My Opinion
TheCatSite.com › Forums › General Forums › IMO: In My Opinion › Number 18 on the way.