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?

[Darla]

That whole family fascinates me. We watch every program they are on. We watched them build their house, etc. I don't know how she does it. I wish I were as patient.

[Jennifer]

I know! I read somewhere that she's NEVER yelled at her kids. I'm in awe.

[Michele]

Honestly... I'm concerned about her health. The medical community actually doesn't advocate for pregnancies past 5 or so - due to the wear and tear on the uterus and the cervix. That's my real concern. They've got the financials down pat. They've got a system. The children are well behaved, educated, and seem happy and adjusted. They've extended family. They've spirituality. I honestly (while I couldn't EVER do it myself) think it's a fascinating life. But I do have concerns about her gynecological health (which I admit - it's absolutely none of my business.)

[Jennifer]

Oh I have the same thoughts! I've wondered how it's even possible for a uterus to stand up to that many pregnancies. I can't imagine having been pregnant for the majority of my adult life.

This is probably why I'm so fascinated.

[Darla]

My adopted grandma had 17 kids and was a tiny little thing. They were messed up tho (no spirituality or schooling).

[JackieWks]

I know a family locally who has 11. The last 2 were twins. They make up their own orchestra.

[Carrie]

I think I am sad that I didn't go to medical school - what with all the surgeries she will be needing. There are only so many kegels a gal can do . . . just sayin'.

It is a fascinating family though - their dymanics, how they make it all work . . .

[DevilishSouthernBelle]

I'm probably in the minority here, but I think it's incredibly unfair to her older kids to have the kind of responsibility they have of taking care of their younger siblings. I know it is all they've ever known; on the other hand, they never asked for that kind of life.

Having said that, they fascinate me, too. And make my uterus hurt just by reading about them. They do seem like nice people, though.

[Marie]

I agree with you. I am #7 of 9 kids. I can tell you that my older siblings had some resentment at being saddled with the responsiblity of helping out my parents when it came to babysitting, etc. With 9 kids, both my parents worked. Before the last 3 were in school, someone had to be home with us. That meant my older sisters gave up a lot during their high school years. They are happy, well-adjusted women today....they just had a lot of responsibility back then.

I'm happy to report, however my mother did NOT make us wear matching clothes. Not even the twins. Whew. I think that's the weirdest part about the Duggars.

[Jennifer]

Marie, in response to the dress alike thing I found this funny I used at our Mother Daughter luncheon.

"The mother of a large family was explaining why she dresses her children alike, right down to the youngest baby. "When we had just four children, I dressed them alike so we wouldn't lose any of them. Now," she added, looking around at her brood of nine, "I dress them alike so we won't pick up any that don't belong to us."

[Marie]

ha ha! Now there's a reason I'd dress all my kids alike! lol

[Jennifer]

I'm with you. I'm sure not every large family is the same but I wouldn't want to do that to my older kids. Another family I've heard of that only has 7 kids, the mom really didn't do anything but have the babies and the older kids did everything from chores to cooking to taking care of the younger ones. Not their responisibility. But that's just MHO. If it's working for them great!