This thread is interesting...I've really enjoyed reading it so far! I was married not quite two months ago, and my husband and I have known (for years!) that we want as many children as God will bless us with. I didn't know there was actually a "quiver-full" movement, I like that.
I was #2 out of 5 children. My mother was #3 out of 6 (actually, she was my grandmother's first child, but my grandfather had 2 before he was widowed) and my dad was #6 out of 7. I LOVE my big family!! I have dozens of cousins on either side, and am fairly close to my extended family. In fact, I met my husband through a cousin of mine (she's my best friend, next to DH).
I think children NEED responsibilities. Idleness is never good. That's not to say that there's never time for play. My sisters and I played all the time. We started multiple businesses, LOVED writing and performing our own 'plays', sewed our own homemade barbie clothes, etc. But that sort of playing was productive. I'm glad my family never had a video game console. We had a t.v., but only basic - no satellite or cable.
My parents started homeschooling 7 years ago. At the time, I hated it. What? All work, no note-passing? Looking back, I'm very grateful. High school probably would of killed me. =) My husband and I plan on either homeschooling our children, or if financially possible, sending them to a classical christian school (because I couldn't teach Latin if I tried!)
Originally Posted by jolinekacie  If they want so many children why not adopt some of the so many children who don't have parents to love them??? |
I think you missed the point. Did you read the part on the website about how they came about to have such a large family? I'll copy & paste it here:
"Jim Bob & Michelle Duggar married July 21st, 1984. At that time, they chose to use the birth control pill. They thought, “We don’t want children right now. We can’t afford them. We want children in our timing, when we’re ready.” Four years later they decided to have their first child. Then, Michelle went back on the pill, but she conceived and had a miscarriage. At that point they talked with a Christian medical doctor and read the fine print in the contraceptives package. They found that while taking the pill you can get pregnant and then miscarry. They were grieved! They were Christians! They were pro-life! They realized that their selfish actions had taken the life of their child. They prayed and asked God to forgive them, and to teach them to love children like He loves children. They asked God to bless them with as many children as He saw fit in His timing. Right after that Michelle got pregnant with twins! To date they have been blessed with 16 children, (10 boys and 6 girls) Joshua, Jana & John-David (twins), Jill, Jessa, Jinger, Joseph, Josiah, Joy-Anna, Jedidiah & Jeremiah (twins), Jason, James, Justin, Jackson, Johannah (& Jennifer due July 28, 2007)"
"What does Mr. Duggar do for a living? He needs to have a big fat income to provide for that many kids." (sorry, I don't know how to 'quote' that?!)
He and his wife are real estate agents.
*crossing my fingers & hoping I'm fertile*... =)
Jill
lilymaid