[oweirdo]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24537885/

How do you feel about this? Is it too many? Is it fair to the older kids, the buddy/chore system?

[Alejandros Mommy]

I grew up in a house of 6...and as the oldest I HAD to help out with the younger kids. I grew up way too fast. While my younger siblings got to stay kids I got to be "a little grown up".

Personaly I hated it. It made me responsible BUT I feel too much responsiblity was put on me from a young age. I feel that children should be children and us as adults are the one's that have to asume responsibilitites for our children. Our children should not have to have responsiblity for their siblings. It's true that when kids do get older they like to help but to assume that they must help is wrong IMO.

[KR258]

If they don't mind helping I think its great...I don't think they should be forced to watch or help with the younger ones though. I realize that having that many children you need someone to help and it makes sense to have the older kids help...but they're still kids themselves...and the one who's 20 should be moving on and having their own life.

[mrmnmom82]

To expect one woman to do it all is unreasonable, I think all us moms realize that. It takes a family working together to get things done. I've seen the documentaries, the older children are still encouraged to be indeviduals and have hobbies of their own that don't include the younger siblings. I think they have a good balance of family unity and indeviduality.

[VinniesMommy]

Wow. 18 kids... thats nuts! I mean, they seem happy, so that's awesome, but there must be down sides as well. Hopefully they are not just in it for the media attention?

[JeanLynn81]

How much money does the dad make? Does he fully support his growing family?

Its just amazing how much a woman's body can be put through. I wish them the best.

[purelegance]

i gotta say, i think that's too many kids. i don't think a brother should have to raise his sister, etc. IMO, if you (and your partner) can't handle more than 5 kids, then 5 should be your cut off. if you 2 can handle 10 or 20, then go for it. when it comes down to the older kids helping to raise younger ones, then (go with me here) they should also have a say if you have more children. when you first decide to have kids, (typically) you and your partner decide if you 2 are ready & can handle it. same should go when your older children are expected to parent (they are playing parents not just "mommy's helper"), they should have a say.

[jadis]

They creep me the F out.

My mother is one of 11. I have no problem with large families...the size of this family only slightly contributes to their creepiness. I am just sad that these kids A) aren't allowed to interact with people who have different views than they do, B) Have significant chores and MUST spend large portions of their day caring for their younger siblings, C) Eat massive amounts of processed food, D) Aren't allowed to express their individuality with how they look/choose to present themselves, etc. I'm just waiting, because eventually one of them is going to rebel and it's going to be big.


My mother, being part of a large family, often had to care for her younger siblings. However, she was still allowed to be a kid herself and do things as an individual. I also think that you can learn from people with different religious and philosophical views...and find it sad that they are being sheltered from this. C'mon, only heading off "the compound" to interact with other families who are exactly like they are? Sad. Finally, their "debt free" status is dubious considering their house is technically classified as a church, so they get a massive tax exemption. That, and judging by their home renovation special a great deal of stuff in their new house wasn't purchased but donated to look good on television (product placement anyone?).


The large "creepiness factor" to me comes from their television specials, where everything is white-washed to so-called perfection. The children are presented as two-dimensional ("oh, EVERYTHING is wonderful" *insert blank stare*), and are made to dress and look alike (even down to the haircuts).


Once again- no problem with large families. Just find this one creepy.

...I'm also waiting for the day where her uterus goes "okay, that's it, I've had it" and ejects itself.

[mrmnmom82]

I think the reason they bring the cameras in their home is partialy money but also partially to try and help people better understand large families. They all work together. It is not just mom and dad who are supposed to do any work. I think it's completely reasonable for the whole family to pitch in and work together. It seems to be done in a loving way. A family should work together. Isn't that what most of us want, family unity? They actually WANT to spend time together, you can't say that about many teenagers!!

[kalhayd2]

Originally Posted by jadis

...I'm also waiting for the day where her uterus goes "okay, that's it, I've had it" and ejects itself.

Your uterus is made to procreate. That is why it is there. Granted, her choices area tad unconventional, but nonetheless, her uterus is made to sustain healthy pregnacies.

With that said- I have 0 issues with them. I actually find thier family humble and in todays age it is pretty impressive to have 17 well mannered kids- none of which are falling into the chaos of a typical teenage life. Not for me- but good for them.