The official Duggar family discussion thread!

[Mexi]

I've seen them on TV. I have mixed feelings about them. I have a problem with their buddy system. I don't it's right to make the older children care for and raise the younger ones so that momma can pop out another baby every year. I have also heard (not sure if it's true or not) that the girls are not allowed to go to college. Two of the older girls are responsible for meals for the whole family. They seem secluded from the world and other children which can be good or bad, depending on how you see it. They even have church in their home.

On the other hand I think they are a close family and that the children love and care for one another. They seem to be well behaved but I am sure we wouldn't hear about the bad things the kids would do.

Kinda curisous as to what Mom's responsibilities are besides having the babies. I know she homeschools but the older children do a lot of the teaching.

[QueenAngie]

Originally Posted by cutenirish I thought Mr dugger worked for the courts and the older boys started working for his business as well.

That's a different family that I've seen on TV.
All boys, with just one little girl.

I don't care what anybody says, giving birth is painful!

Let's hope and pray that #17 and the Mom are healthy & happy.

[Macaela25]

She is a woman that could benefit from couponing. That would be an awesome math unit for homeschoolers.

[Mexi]

Yes indeed but from what I have seen on TV they shop a lot at Aldi's and NO COUPONS at Aldi's stores.

[TheyCallMeMom]

Originally Posted by Mexi I've seen them on TV. I have mixed feelings about them. I have a problem with their buddy system. I don't it's right to make the older children care for and raise the younger ones so that momma can pop out another baby every year. I have also heard (not sure if it's true or not) that the girls are not allowed to go to college. Two of the older girls are responsible for meals for the whole family. They seem secluded from the world and other children which can be good or bad, depending on how you see it. They even have church in their home. On the other hand I think they are a close family and that the children love and care for one another. They seem to be well behaved but I am sure we wouldn't hear about the bad things the kids would do. Kinda curisous as to what Mom's responsibilities are besides having the babies. I know she homeschools but the older children do a lot of the teaching.

Wow ... this is getting touchy... And I am pretty tough...

Helping with the family is part of being a family.. whether you have 2 or 10 or 20 kids..

The buddy system is an incredible idea.. The older ones learn responsibility and the younger ones have a role model.. I am willing to bet these kids are not resentful about it.. My kids enjoy helping each other out.. Kids also learn better when they are not only teaching some one else but have a peer helping them..

" Kinda curious as to what Mom's responsibilities are besides having the babies." !?!?!?

WOW... For the sake of not creating problems for the MODS,. I suppose I will leave my thoughts on this post right where they originated....

[ladywaterwind]

If you can't say something nice has been a mantra I've been having to repeat to myself in regards to this family.

I will say that I think it extremely reproachful that a child can not have a childhood. In that environment, with older children being responsible for younger, I just don't see how the older ones are able to enjoy their childhood and then have a chance to fully mature and THEN be responsible for raising a child. This world is harsh and cruel, and the only time a person has to be truly free without care for that cruelness is when they are a child, and in this instance this seems to be ripped from them and they're thrust into that world before they even have a chance to savor that free moment.

[wabashriver1]

If this is the family that I have seen specials about, I think they do get tax breaks from the government since the father started his own church in his house.

My husband is #9 of 10 children and NONE of his brothers or sisters ever did anything like a "buddy system" for any of the younger siblings. As my MIL said, she gave birth to them and she and my FIL would raise them. She wanted her kids to be kids as long as they could be.

I saw one of their specials where they were building a huge new house and I thought it cool if they had a huge vegetable garden so the kids could experience how plants grew and have fresh veggies to eat. I bet that would minimize their grocery bills.

I wonder which "J" name they are going to give this baby...

[MrsPinecone]

Jennifer. It's on their site.

[jengonz1982]

holy cow like the world needs another "jennifer".... Atleast it isn't the most common name anymore though :)


PS I am a Jennifer (and for the record I don't like my name bc I feel it doesn't suit me,don't know what does but I don't like Jennifer)

[Kristen.C]

Originally Posted by ladywaterwind If you can't say something nice has been a mantra I've been having to repeat to myself in regards to this family. I will say that I think it extremely reproachful that a child can not have a childhood. In that environment, with older children being responsible for younger, I just don't see how the older ones are able to enjoy their childhood and then have a chance to fully mature and THEN be responsible for raising a child. This world is harsh and cruel, and the only time a person has to be truly free without care for that cruelness is when they are a child, and in this instance this seems to be ripped from them and they're thrust into that world before they even have a chance to savor that free moment.

I agree wholeheartedly with everything you've said.

I feel that having to parent another person is a choice that people should make when they are adults. In my case I'm choosing not to have children because I have no desire to be a parent. I'm glad my parents didn't force me to be one when I was still a child.