[kimmy0902]

http://www.wmcstations.com/Global/story.asp?S=6877154

[1angelinheaven]

OMG...I love the Duggars!!!! They are an amazing family!!!

[mcmama]

Kimmy, thanks for posting this - it certainly is interesting.

My great grandma had 12 babies - 9 of them lived - and I really think it wore her out! I cannot imagine 17 babies, in what, 14 pregnancies?

Why do you think these folks would want to have such a large family? And at 40, what is the likelihood they will be able to continue at such a pace?

[MommyDee]

That's so cool! I've seen the Duggars profiled on a couple of tv shows, they seem like such nice people.

[twinzplus3]

Originally Posted by mcmama

Why do you think these folks would want to have such a large family? And at 40, what is the likelihood they will be able to continue at such a pace?

I think they are of the 'quiver full' mind set. (i.e. don't believe in birth control or fertility treatments. . .but rather feel it is God's place to plan the family).

Usually fertility drops off at age 35. I didn't realize she was 40! Wow! Good for her. I would imagine they would just keep going until they don't get pg any more!

[allybama]

I personally think 17 is a *tad* too many...especially given the climate crisis and the very real possibility that we are going to run out of food in our lifetimes and face mass starvation, it seems a bit socially irresponsible to me.

But then, I've never been one to tell others how to live. I just wouldn't have that many myself. Plus, I want to drink in the mornings with my lot sometimes, I'd be a raging alcoholic if I had that many youngsters.

[VinniesMommy]

My goodness! 17!!! I always wanted a big family, but big in my mind was like, 6!! And soon after her birth they were talking about more!! I think it's great that they want this many kids and they have so much love to give, but isn't it a bit selfish?? But I mean, how often do you think that Mom gets to spend one on one time with them and stuff like that?

[allybama]

I completely agree...the show I saw on them had the older kids basically raising a younger kid each. I don't know...I grew up in a family of 6 and even in that size I resented my brother and sisters the time they had with our mom and dad.

[pattiewrites]

Originally Posted by allybama

I completely agree...the show I saw on them had the older kids basically raising a younger kid each. I don't know...I grew up in a family of 6 and even in that size I resented my brother and sisters the time they had with our mom and dad.

I agree with this completely. Between building a house, homeschooling their younger siblings and doing their "jurisdictions" these kids have precious little time to just be. It seems like an unfair burden to place on the older kids. The day I can't take care of my kids on my own and would have to have them help raise each other is the day for dh to get the big V! Taking care of the little ones is our job, not theirs.

[allybama]

TOTALLY!!!!!!!

I saw little tiny kids on there with nail guns...I mean besides being ridiculously unsafe, what kind of job are they really going to do with a power tool? I couldn't even do a good job with one, never mind a 5 year old.

And I felt SOOOO bad for the poor girl in charge of laundry. How unfair on her. She didn't ask to be one of 17 kids. She didn't use even 1/10 of those clothes. Basically, her life revolves around laundry. Sad.