Very Cool Family
 

This is a very cool story. I greatly admire big families and wish I could have done it!


http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/279289...uggars_320Flip

updated 9:03 a.m. CT, Tues., Dec. 2, 2008
Raising 17 children — with one on the way — is no easy feat. But for the ever-expanding Duggar family, who deal with chaos on a daily basis, the work is worth it. In their book “20 and Counting!” parents Michelle and Jim Bob share the lessons they've learned about life and love, as well as how they have reacted to the inquiring minds of the public. An excerpt.

Re: Very Cool Family
 

Personally I think they are insane. How can you give true love and attention that is needed to that many kids? Sorry but you can not do it. I have four and think that one more would really be the limit to my ability. Not that I plan to have one more. My parents had 8 and I think that was to many. My father was from a family of 12 and my mom 8. They both got short changed on true love and attention in my opinion. I was the youngest of 8 and I know how it was for me. Though I turned out fairly decent I still think that it is to many kids so I am sure that 15 or 20 plus is WAY to many.

personal opinion

Re: Very Cool Family
 

I had started another thread on this clan.... There is just something that creeps me out about them.

Re: Very Cool Family
 

I have seen a couple of programs about this family. On the surface, they seem very organized and together. I kinda agree with Randy- it is almost too organized and together. I wonder how the mother can physically give birth, take care and meet the needs of all those children. The father does seem to be very hands on- and I do appreciate the moral standards they portray on TV.

Re: Very Cool Family
 

I don't know. My mom came from a family of fourteen and my dad from a family of five. My mom only has good things to say about being raised in her family, although she did say her mother would cry in the outhouse and beg her father to stop having so many. They were Catholic. I do think though, that even though you may be right about much of what you say that we've lost something in having smaller families. Maybe I'm just romanticizing it all. :)

Re: Very Cool Family
 

I would like to think that I could handle 17 children (gulp!), but I don't think I could, really. However, most of the kids I've known from REALLY large families (I'm from a family of 5) are very happy and loving, and don't resent it at all--quite the opposite in fact. My aunt had 13 children, and they are all very close even now that they're all in their 50's.

Large families aren't popular in the secular world for various reasons, and because we have the idea that children must be raised with a silver spoon in their mouths in order to be healthy and happy, but that really isn't true--or even a biblical point of view. :coffee2

That said. I have a love-hate relationship with the Duggar family-show. I prefer Jon & Kate plus 8, because it seems a little more on the realistic side. I stated this on Randy's thread already, but I think one thing that bothers me is the "too-perfect" presentation. There HAS to be some chaos somewhere over the Duggar rainbow, and they really ought to allow it to be captured. I think it would make them more endearing--not less.

JEFF--HE thinks they're wonderful. LOL!!!! I've informed him that I canNOT live up to the standard Mrs. Duggar has set. And I really can't wrap my brain around how she keeps up with their homeschooling. I can barely keep up with my three!

Re: Very Cool Family
 

I haven't seen the show. But I love the fact that kids are loved and appreciated rather than being treated like a headache. I'll have to check out Randy's thread.

Re: Very Cool Family
 

I like that, too. They definitely don't begrudge having a lot of mouths to feed!

Also, the Duggars use tips/programs from www.titus2.com to keep organized. I've been pondering whether to order the "Managers of their Schools" organizing packet, but it seems to be specific to Abeka curriculum. Jeff ordered a video from titus2 about husbands...well, I don't really know what it's about, because he's kept it carefully under wraps. :D But he's been making some positive changes around the house lately, trying to help me with the kids' schedules and make sure everyone does chores so I don't end up having to keep everything clean at the end of the day, after teaching all day.

Re: Very Cool Family
 

Sounds like whatever Jeff is reading is good stuff! :)

Re: Very Cool Family
 

He's hilarious...if he finds a really good book or video (of the motivational/self-help sort) he won't let me read/watch it, because he knows I'll start asking him to do the things in the book, and apparently that [nagging] is de-motivating, but if I leave him alone and resist the urge to sneak a peak and start asking to do things he already has planned to do--wow, what a run-on sentence!--*big breath*, anyway, he does better if I let him read the books and keep my nose out of it.


I really forgot my point.

:coffee2

Pretty much, I can be a nag (I know, surprise, surprise, who wouldathunkit?), and Jeff does better if he keeps my nose out of his business. :D

Re: Very Cool Family
 

Hey, if he's self-motivated, good enough!! :)

Re: Very Cool Family
 

My post didn't make a lick of sense, did it? LOL!!!!

The Duggar house has a prayer closet with a nice little desk and lamp. It seems at least several of the older kids (and their parents) use it on a regular basis. That's admirable, to say the least.

Re: Very Cool Family
 

I heard somewhere that the reason it works is that everything is structured, and everyone pitches in.
I understand he makes a good living, so finances aren't an issue, but it is the rigorous structure that gets them through it----that and maybe they have the patience of Job!

I go nuts with 3!!!!!!!!

Re: Very Cool Family
 

I would say that you probably are

:christmoose

Re: Very Cool Family
 

I am the eldest daughter of eleven. Ten of us are still living. We all graduated from the
same high school and most have some further education. We were never allowed to even
think about quitting school. We were expected to bring home good grades and usually did.
Our six adult children also graduated from this same high school. Our eldest daughter was
valedictorian of her class in 1978. Her first cousin, a boy, was salutatorian in the same
class. The next year his sister was salutatorian of her class. I believe their father, my eld-
est brother, was salutetorian of his class in 1956.

We were raised in the fear and admonition of the Lord. We had nightly family alter. The
Word of God was made a big thing in our home. Reading the Word of God and praying
were requirements if you were going to live for GOD. Some of the kids at school would
say my father was too strict on me because I couldn't do everything they wanted me
to do. I thank God for my parents who taught their children and taught us to live
disciplined lives. We were "trained up in the way we SHOULD go. Today, there is not a
smoker, a drinker, a druggie in the bunch. Not perfect, just forgiven.

I never received the Holy Ghost until the year after graduating from high school. I had
tasted just enough of the world to know I would never be happy there. Our father was
our pastor from just after I received the Holy Ghost until he passed on, in 1989. I worked
as his church secretary from the beginning and learned SO much from him. I wouldn't
trade my upbringing and my heritage with anyone.

Today five of our six children, with their families, go to the church their grandparents
founded. One son, attends an apostolic church near their home approx. 15 milies from
us, with his family. All of our adult children and their spouses and the older children have
received the Holy Ghost.

My late father held license with the United Pentecostal Church for many years. But the
Bible was his instruction book. He never focused on the organization, himself, but pointed
us toward Jesus. Look to Jesus, the Author and the Finisher of our faith. We have done
the same with our children. Pointed and focused them to Jesus.

I wouldn't take anything for our large family. In fact I have a very nice gift for each of
our children's families (we give the grands money) and each of my siblings families.
Something the Lord helped me to find that was affordable (regular price 70.00, I pur-
chased for 19.99 each).If anyone's interested I will tell you after the holidays
what it was. Can't do it now as some of them are on this forum or some just lurk. Big
families are fun!! Children are wonderful and grandchildren are ...just grand!

We are SO blessed! I am just bragging on my Lord and God!

Blessings,

Falla39

Re: Very Cool Family
 

There are several things here. Yes, things seem too perfect. Then again I remember a few families growing up where things seemed to perfect and almost "Donna Reed"-like in their households and this family gives me the same feelings. 2nd, while Mrs Dugger is actually a very attractive lady (from the shoulders up) her body gives the appearance of the human equivalent of a queen ant -a breeding machine. Can you imagine if a larger % if the population were like her? The only thing that could keep us alive would be huge amounts of soylant green (because of the resulting population explosion).

Re: Very Cool Family
 

That's a great story, SFalla.

My mom, as I said was from a family of 14. They were very devout Catholics and attended Mass every Sunday. My mom was also sent to convent school as were her siblings, for a while, to learn the ways of God/Catholicism. Today, all 14 are still living (as is the matriarch). There have been no divorces in all 14 and all have had relatively good health. Out of all the grandchildren (I have I think 60 first cousins or somewhere thereabouts) there are only two divorces that I know of...in this generation too. All 14 are Catholic with the exception of two and they are devout in their own faiths.

My mom has nothing but good stories, good memories and she goes "home" every summer for a couple of months and enjoys her family!

Re: Very Cool Family
 

I went out and watched some of their show on YouTube. The impression I came away with is that they love what they do...but I think they are trying to make an impression to people, meaning they want other people to live for God and like they do and they think perfection will accomplish that. I still think they are a cool family, but, yes, they are trying to make an impression, I think.

Re: Very Cool Family
 

ILG,

That is commendable. It just shows it can be done.
My paternal grandparents stayed together as long as they lived. My
late parents also were married 52 yrs. when Dad passed on. Mom lived
an additional ten years. My eldest brother and wife will be married 50 yrs.
in Feb.09, my husband and I will celebrate 50 yrs, July 2009, the Lord willing.
The next brother, just younger than myself, and his wife, will be married
50 yrs. May 2010. Other younger have been married many years. Our six
adult children have been married from 12-20 yrs.,all still married to their
original spouses. Our eldest grandson (only one married) will be married
5 yrs. in Jan 09. In spite of what the averages are,(I believe it is now 1 out
of every 2 marriages end in divorce. Just as many in the church are divorcing
as those that don't go to church). The spirit of divorce is now in the
church, along with other spirits.) there are still going to be some that take
their vows seriously, even though it isn't easy. God will help those who will
ask Him.
This is not to offend or otherwise, those whose marriage has ended in
divorce. Sometimes some had no choice. The other party opted not to stay
in the marriage. Thank God for His Mercy and abundant Grace!

Blessings,

Falla39