17 Kids!!!

[Hellow]

I was just watching the Today show and this family has an colossal 17 kids! They ranged from 9 weeks to 19 years old. And you should have seen their pantry! Its an grocery store! When they are at the real grocery store, it takes 7 carts to fill up their pantry. And their mom home - schools all of them! Everyone should have saw it, it was amazing.

[Taz_Zoee]

Is that the one where they built their own home? If it is, that means they had another kid since building the house. There was a special on the TLC Network showing them building the house. All the kids helped actually build the house.
All the children's names start with the letter J as well.

[Edwina's Secretary]

I find nothing admirable in what this couple has done. On the contrary.

[Catty1]

Where the heck does the money come from? I saw the show when they had "only" 16 kids. I just did NOT get it.

[Hellow]

Is that the one where they built their own home? If it is, that means they had another kid since building the house. There was a special on the TLC Network showing them building the house. All the kids helped actually build the house.
All the children's names start with the letter J as well.

Yes, i believe that was it but they had them visit Today in NYC. And the house was completely built.

[dukedogsmom]

I find nothing admirable in what this couple has done. On the contrary.

Amen, Edwina! I don't understand the fascination/worship of people like this. What's so admirable about people who refuse to use birth control? As pointed out in another forum, if they want so many kids, why not adopt some instead of contributing to overpopulation? And don't even get me started on home skooling. That makes them even more unrespectable. Poor older kids proabably babysit in their spare time. As for money, why it comes from TLC, of course.

[Catty1]

I know one family with three kids who are home-schooled; thank goodness both parents are educated and disciplined - the kids are great.

But too often, you can tell the HS kids by their lack of discipline. Sad.

[elizabethann]

And I thought 7 kids was allot! I couldn't imagine having to share the bathroom with 10 more!

[Sevaede]

The Duggar family. They have had several specials on television. Their first one was filmed when they were having their 14th, I believe. They could not support all their children (and everything that entailed!) so either by TLC and/or the community the couple got a new house complete with all the stops.

Here is a link to the online version of the story, with a clip.

Duggar

[pitc9]

Half an hour after their last one was born they were talking about having another one.

I don't get it and never will.
I know that they make all their own clothes too.

[critter crazy]

I cant even begin to understand why people will have so many kids. Heck i stopped after one! I am broke constantly cause of my son, medical, dental, vision, clothes, sprts,food ect.... I cant even imagine how much money it costs to raise 17!!! Phhhhttttt.....no thanks!!!

[Donnaj4962]

I understand what some of you are saying, about their bringing more kids into the world while others are waiting for adoption. However, I have to say, I do admire them in that their kids are all very well behaved. The older ones act as a "buddy" for a younger one. (Each "pair" is an older child with a younger child".) While that may seem like babysitting to some, I see it as a form of teaching each child respect and cooperation and responsibility.

From the specials that I have seen, they do not have a lot of toys/gadgets that most children have. To quote the Dad in one of the specials.... "They buy used and save the difference." And, according to him, they always pay cash for everything. HOWEVER, I have NO idea how he can make enough money to feed and clothe that entire family. So I am certain that TLC has helped them immensely. It took them many years to build their current house since they paid cash AND built it themselves. However, there was a special on TLC of them finishing their house and suddenly there was all new furnishings and I am certain that was all a gift from TLC and their sponsors!

As you can tell, I have mixed emotions about this family. On one hand, I admire them for their organization skills and their parenting. On the other hand, I keep thinking, "enough is enough" already!

[petslover]

I have been keeping up with this family's story for awhile. I find it amazing that their kids are all so well behaved. Heck, I see people with one child that runs and screams everywhere. I just don't know how they do it with 17.

I wouldn't want 17 kids, but more power to them.

They seem like a happy family too.

[moosmom]

Better them than me!!

[Chilli]

As long as they are all happy, its cool by me. Like my mum told me: "If only we were that organized!"
Its their life, and if this is how they want to live it, more power to them!
My grandmum had 11 kids, and I always thought that was a big family..