Michelle Duggar Pregnant with 18th Child

[Scott & Lai 12]

My mother was the 15th of 20 children my grandparents had. It makes for some very large family reunions.

My mom had 20 siblings

[one...two...tree 2,762]

My mother was the 15th of 20 children my grandparents had. It makes for some very large family reunions.

My mom had 20 siblings

Wow! That is amazing! Did all of them survive? May I ask what part of the country did mother's family live?

[Scott & Lai 12]

My mother was the 15th of 20 children my grandparents had. It makes for some very large family reunions.

My mom had 20 siblings

Wow! That is amazing! Did all of them survive? May I ask what part of the country did mother's family live?

Two died as children. They were actually from three different mothers, two of whom had children from prior marriages. There's almost 40 years between the oldest and youngest. At family reunions, people ask, "Which batch are you?" The last reunion had a story in the O.C. Register detailing the history and the complex tree of Mom's family. Grandpa was originally from England, and settled in Minnesota. After my grandparents died, one of the eldest siblings brought most of the family to California.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

My mother was the 15th of 20 children my grandparents had. It makes for some very large family reunions.

My mom had 20 siblings

Wow! That is amazing! Did all of them survive? May I ask what part of the country did mother's family live?

Two died as children. They were actually from three different mothers, two of whom had children from prior marriages. There's almost 40 years between the oldest and youngest. At family reunions, people ask, "Which batch are you?" The last reunion had a story in the O.C. Register detailing the history and the complex tree of Mom's family. Grandpa was originally from England, and settled in Minnesota. After my grandparents died, one of the eldest siblings brought most of the family to California.

Oh phew...I was really feeling sorry for your poor grandmother.

I know I caught some flak for saying this in another thread, but people had bigger families in this country when there was no social security or real retirement. You're family (grown children) were your social security and before many vaccines, the infant mortality rate was much higher...it wasn't uncommon to have a children who died.

[Niels Bohr 72]

As far as sex is concerned, the husband is very lucky!

[Sister Fracas 5]

My only concern would be for the kids themselves. With 18, how do they get the individual parental attention that they need to develop? With 18, they are assigned chores by "jurisdiction," some of the chores likely being helping out in raising the younger ones. With all these chores, they are forced to grow up fast and "parent" themselves -- that isn't supposed to be in a normal child's job description.

This is exactly my thought.

They are assigned chores, interests and hobbies. I just don't see them having a lot of individuality or freedom. They do everything together and the older children are parenting the younger ones at such young ages like 14 and 15. I hope the girls don't grow up to think all they are is baby machines with no identity or purpose but to get pregnant and raise children, and those children think the same....and the ever growing circle continues.

I'd want my child to be whatever they wanted to be, to choose their own interests, discover their own dreams. To fail, succeed, mess up and learn on their own....not be part of some robot machine that has a daily schedule written out on a big board telling them what move they are making next.

I think it's insane, but that's JMO.

I agree with both of you. When do they get to be themselves? They all learn piano and violin...well whoop de doo. If one wants to learn the French horn, take up wrestling, or become a jazz dancer...that's just too bad for them, because it's piano and violin lessons. And kids in their early teens DO have enough issues of their own to deal with wthout having to be a serrogate parent.

[chri'stina 190]

oh wow. I wonder too how much money does he make. Doesn't it require for a family to make at least 50K a year to send 1 kid to college? Sending 18 of them, besides food, clothing, entertainment, oh wow

You think these kids are actually going to college??? Only one wants to do anything that requires a college degree. The oldest wants to be a lawyer and God help us all if he does that!

Why "God help us all" if he becomes a lawyer?

The dad was an elected state representative. They are debt-free, they know how to budget and they home school their children. They teach their children about kindess and caring for others.

So what if they are fundamental Christian? I don't necessarily agree with their ways, but they aren't a "burden" to anyone. And I'd rather have fundamental Christians breeding than people who leave their babies in dumpsters or better yet, have 10 kids, live on Welfare, and let their kids run wild.

I want more kids, maybe 2 more (I have 2 already) if it's financially feasible, but some people think that's crazy. My grandpa was one of 10. My dad was one of 8. I'm one of 7.....

I just don't understand why people are so judgmental about this family. At least they actually do live what they preach and aren't hypocrits.

I have watched their shows many times. They look like they all have fun together. The dad chases and plays with the little boys. They have a structured home but allow fun as well...a little boy was trying to lasso a staircase one day, the mom didn't care because nothing breakable was nearby. They seem like a very happy family to me. They went on a family vacation on the show, and if anyone wants to see how they treated people who are very different than them (for instance a very tattooed punk style guy at a stop on their vacation) you should watch the show and see how nice they are to everyone.

[john_and_marlene 162]

My mother was the 15th of 20 children my grandparents had. It makes for some very large family reunions.

My mom had 20 siblings

Wow! That is amazing! Did all of them survive? May I ask what part of the country did mother's family live?

Two died as children. They were actually from three different mothers, two of whom had children from prior marriages. There's almost 40 years between the oldest and youngest. At family reunions, people ask, "Which batch are you?" The last reunion had a story in the O.C. Register detailing the history and the complex tree of Mom's family. Grandpa was originally from England, and settled in Minnesota. After my grandparents died, one of the eldest siblings brought most of the family to California.

All 20 in my mother's family were from the same 2 parents.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

My mother was the 15th of 20 children my grandparents had. It makes for some very large family reunions.

My mom had 20 siblings

Wow! That is amazing! Did all of them survive? May I ask what part of the country did mother's family live?

Two died as children. They were actually from three different mothers, two of whom had children from prior marriages. There's almost 40 years between the oldest and youngest. At family reunions, people ask, "Which batch are you?" The last reunion had a story in the O.C. Register detailing the history and the complex tree of Mom's family. Grandpa was originally from England, and settled in Minnesota. After my grandparents died, one of the eldest siblings brought most of the family to California.

All 20 in my mother's family were from the same 2 parents.

Then, wow! Your poor grandmother! Were they farmers?

[john_and_marlene 162]

My mother was the 15th of 20 children my grandparents had. It makes for some very large family reunions.

My mom had 20 siblings

Wow! That is amazing! Did all of them survive? May I ask what part of the country did mother's family live?

Two died as children. They were actually from three different mothers, two of whom had children from prior marriages. There's almost 40 years between the oldest and youngest. At family reunions, people ask, "Which batch are you?" The last reunion had a story in the O.C. Register detailing the history and the complex tree of Mom's family. Grandpa was originally from England, and settled in Minnesota. After my grandparents died, one of the eldest siblings brought most of the family to California.

All 20 in my mother's family were from the same 2 parents.

Then, wow! Your poor grandmother! Were they farmers?

Yes they were farmers.

[tom&tata 2]

They must be well off because I could not imagine health insurance/care for 17 kids....must be costing them a fortune.

[Cassie 8]

My only concern would be for the kids themselves. With 18, how do they get the individual parental attention that they need to develop? With 18, they are assigned chores by "jurisdiction," some of the chores likely being helping out in raising the younger ones. With all these chores, they are forced to grow up fast and "parent" themselves -- that isn't supposed to be in a normal child's job description.

This is exactly my thought.

They are assigned chores, interests and hobbies. I just don't see them having a lot of individuality or freedom. They do everything together and the older children are parenting the younger ones at such young ages like 14 and 15. I hope the girls don't grow up to think all they are is baby machines with no identity or purpose but to get pregnant and raise children, and those children think the same....and the ever growing circle continues.

I'd want my child to be whatever they wanted to be, to choose their own interests, discover their own dreams. To fail, succeed, mess up and learn on their own....not be part of some robot machine that has a daily schedule written out on a big board telling them what move they are making next.

I think it's insane, but that's JMO.

I agree with both of you. When do they get to be themselves? They all learn piano and violin...well whoop de doo. If one wants to learn the French horn, take up wrestling, or become a jazz dancer...that's just too bad for them, because it's piano and violin lessons. And kids in their early teens DO have enough issues of their own to deal with wthout having to be a serrogate parent.

When asked the classic question "what do you want to be when you grow up?", the children all had very different answers. The oldest son is into film and video production, etc. Others were into teaching, being a midwife, etc. From what I have observed, they are allowed to pursue different topics of interest and dreams.

Would I have a big family like them? Nope with a capital N. But they are doing better with their kids than some one or two children families I have come across in my lifetime.

They must be well off because I could not imagine health insurance/care for 17 kids....must be costing them a fortune.

They live within their means and have no debt. Sounds good to me!

[Scott & Lai 12]

My mother was the 15th of 20 children my grandparents had. It makes for some very large family reunions.

My mom had 20 siblings

Wow! That is amazing! Did all of them survive? May I ask what part of the country did mother's family live?

Two died as children. They were actually from three different mothers, two of whom had children from prior marriages. There's almost 40 years between the oldest and youngest. At family reunions, people ask, "Which batch are you?" The last reunion had a story in the O.C. Register detailing the history and the complex tree of Mom's family. Grandpa was originally from England, and settled in Minnesota. After my grandparents died, one of the eldest siblings brought most of the family to California.

All 20 in my mother's family were from the same 2 parents.

Ok, you win

[Sister Fracas 5]

When asked the classic question "what do you want to be when you grow up?", the children all had very different answers. The oldest son is into film and video production, etc. Others were into teaching, being a midwife, etc. From what I have observed, they are allowed to pursue different topics of interest and dreams.

Would I have a big family like them? Nope with a capital N. But they are doing better with their kids than some one or two children families I have come across in my lifetime.

That still doesn't address that sometimes kids really just need parents, not siblings to help them. It's not possible for the parents to devote much attention to individual needs. They gotta hope that all the kids don't have a problem at the same time. Heaven forbid they had a child with autism or aspergers or a serious medical condition. How would they cope with that?

I'm sure they are polite, well-mannered, well-adjusted looking etc for the camera, but there is still a part of me that is cynical about the "show" of it all. Of course if they are showing what a wonderful family they are, we aren't going to see the negatives.

[Dr. Obvious 49]

As far as sex is concerned, the husband is very lucky!

Maybe like throwing a sasuage down a hallway lucky.

I guess the shock of them is over for me because I don't care. If they want to breed like rats, whatever. At least she know who all her kidz baby daddiez is!