Michelle Duggar. Let's Discuss.

[Jennifer]

I've read quite a lot about Michelle Duggar, the Arkansas mother of 17 children. She absolutely fascinates me.

What do you all think about her?

[M3]

Don't you wish you knew of someone who actually knew them? The real scoop would be awesome (since we all seem to be skeptics).

[Jennifer]

I doubt they really know too many people outside of their faith community...and I suspect they aren't going to dish any dirt!

[M3]

That's my take on it, as well. I'm not after dirt, I just would love an honest assessment rather than an edited version. One hour of video to cover weeks can definitely be just the highlights.

[Jenni]

I don't watch TV, so I've never actually heard her, but I've read several articles written by her family in regard to rearing large families.

I think they seem like a sincere and wonderful family. Who are we to say what is best for anyone else? There are many people who think we are insane for having 5 kids in 61/2 years, but it is the right choice for our family. And as for the medical community not recommending more than 5 kids? This is the same medical community which can't seem to control the outrageous c-section rate, has the highest maternal mortality rate in any 1st world country and thinks birth is a medical procedure instead of a natural process. I'm more apt to follow God's advice and be thankful for as many blessing as He gives us.

More power to the Duggers.

[M3]

I agree - all things are relative. My family couldn't figure out why we decided to have such a big family (we have three kids!) or why we spaced them the way we did, etc. I wish, however, that they would give more depth on their child-rearing and family dynamics, not as a voyeur, but to learn from them. As someone who comes from a not-so-good example, I would truly love to learn how to have a more harmonious family (even with teen-agers). I like their debt-free, not-focused-on-the-material life and spiritually-driven life and wonder if separatism is really the only way to accomplish that.

[Antonette]

I was driving home on my two hour commute tonight when the thought hit me...
When the Duggars get their stimulus check, are they REALLY going to get $300 per child? Gah!

[Jennifer]

That's a good thought! I guess they'll be getting A HUGE stimulus check!

[Ivy]

I am completely fascinated with the Duggars, especially Michelle. She has 17 (soon to be 18) children, home schools all of them, works as a real estate agent and is the calmest person I've ever met! I find it hard with one child to find time with my husband and with soon to be 18 children that's obviously not a problem for them. They have no debt, which is amazing, and the strongest faith I've ever seen.

This is the World Wide Web, does anyone on here know her personally? I would love to get some advice. I want a big family (I don't know if I can do the teens kind of big, but I would like to have more). My husband, however, is not sure if he wants more (our only son just turned 1).

[Kim - Up North Mommy]

I think it's fascinating too. Regarding her health, well, it's got to be a God thing that she can have so many healthy children and still be healthy herself. I'm just surprised that she still has her sanity! ;) I was 40 when I had my third and had my tubes tied during the c-section. I'm completely aware of my limits! However, if Michelle and her husband feel that God wants to bless them with that many children and they can handle it, it's none of my business. Their kids are well behaved, well-adjusted, and seem to be happy. I hope I can achieve that with just three kids!

[Lindsay]

I say good for her and her family. Her children have learned to love one another, help out, be patient with the small children, etc, etc. I wish I did better at instilling these same traits in my TWO kids!!

[Jennifer A.]

More power to them, I couldn't do it. As for the stimulus check, I think there is a few that are over 17 years of age, so she would not get it for those kids. Good luck to her.

[Alison]

I find the Duggars fascinating as well. Its very interesting to watch the family dynamics. I have a friend that talks in that "little girl voice" too--don't know how she manages that.

I would worry about her Gyn health for sure--my mom was speaking of how she looks so healthy, etc. Well yeah--but you only see her wearing dresses and jumpers. After a certain point your stomach muscles do NOT go back--a good friend accidentally discovered that--and you have an accordian stomach if not worse. But I guess Jim Bob's not complaining is he? If she ever wanted to she could have that laser vaginal resurfacing I read about in a high profile magazine.