20 children

... this makes me think of how LUCKY the rest of us are to live in an era where there IS birth control.

Even 100 years ago, a woman had no options. 10 or more pregnancies were normal. How many of them died after childbirth...how many babies died their first year.

I respect this family's right to choose...and I appreciate all those women before us who gave US the same rights.

Actually, women have been using birth control long before that, medieval and even ancient times. Though it wasn't a pill or anything medical (or usually healthy or effective) women have been at least attempting to control their fertility and family size all through history. Many herbs were were used as well as some interesting ideas such as diaphram-like devices made from animal poop or fruit rinds and reusable condoms as early as the 16th century.

Not that it has much to do with this thread, it is just a really interesting topic

As far the kids being well adjusted and happy-- a friend of mine grew up in what I thought was an extremely strict church of Christ household (no hair cutting, no dancing, no make-up, no music in church, arranged marriages etc.) and I thought for sure at least one of those kids would rebel, but wouldn't you know they all turned out as devout believers. So to each their own, I guess. It definitely wouldn't be for me.

Haha yesterday at work i had 23 kids to watch for 3 hours...i barely made it out alive. Ages 2-7.....but 20 kids all day every day...dayum!

Haha yesterday at work i had 23 kids to watch for 3 hours...i barely made it out alive. Ages 2-7.....but 20 kids all day every day...dayum!

She doesn't have 20 kids all day, every day. The older ones are adults, a couple are married with kids of their own already (well, at least one is. I assume at least the second one has gotten married by now).

I couldn't do it and I don't want to do it, but I would bet the things I want to do and can do are not things everyone else wants to do or can do. I'd hate for someone to criticize me for my personal life choices just because my choices aren't theirs.

But then, the Duggars did put themselves in the spotlight, so I guess they kind of asked for judgment.

But wouldn't you agree that if getting pregnant is life threatening, she should be more responsible since she has other children to care for? I mean, come on. We all know how NOT to get pregnant (and I'm not talking about birth control).

I not only agree with this, but would extend it to also say that her last baby barely made it to viability (25 weeks - weighed only 22oz at birth), which is almost certainly due to her advanced maternal age and high number of previous pregnancies. Preemies have significantly more medical problems, not only in the months after birth but later on in life. And yet she decided to have another baby, which will more likely than not have the exact same issues IF it even makes it to viability?

But wouldn't you agree that if getting pregnant is life threatening, she should be more responsible since she has other children to care for? I mean, come on. We all know how NOT to get pregnant (and I'm not talking about birth control).

I not only agree with this, but would extend it to also say that her last baby barely made it to viability (25 weeks - weighed only 22oz at birth), which is almost certainly due to her advanced maternal age and high number of previous pregnancies. Preemies have significantly more medical problems, not only in the months after birth but later on in life. And yet she decided to have another baby, which will more likely than not have the exact same issues IF it even makes it to viability?

Interesting, since I happen to know more than one person who was young, strong and pregnant with her first and had the same thing happen.

I guess those people are irresponsible and at fault, as well.

It's been established that her age and the number of pregnancies had nothing to do with that baby being a preemie.

But wouldn't you agree that if getting pregnant is life threatening, she should be more responsible since she has other children to care for? I mean, come on. We all know how NOT to get pregnant (and I'm not talking about birth control).

I not only agree with this, but would extend it to also say that her last baby barely made it to viability (25 weeks - weighed only 22oz at birth), which is almost certainly due to her advanced maternal age and high number of previous pregnancies. Preemies have significantly more medical problems, not only in the months after birth but later on in life. And yet she decided to have another baby, which will more likely than not have the exact same issues IF it even makes it to viability?

Interesting, since I happen to know more than one person who was young, strong and pregnant with her first and had the same thing happen.

I guess those people are irresponsible and at fault, as well.

It's been established that her age and the number of pregnancies had nothing to do with that baby being a preemie.

You may not have read all of my prior comments. When a mother KNOWINGLY does something that will threaten her life, that is an irresponsible act. She has other children to care for, and should not knowingly enter into any act that could harm her. The people who you know didn't KNOWINGLY take a risk.

Very simple - vagina...not a clown car!

I don't like to judge people for the decisions (not often anyway - I am human) BUT!!! 20 children now-a-days is just disgusting if you ask me. I know they can support them, but my gosh, why oh why would you do that to yourself? Having 20 children 200 years ago made sense because not many of them would make it into adulthood, but in 2011 .. well... 2012 I guess?! Ugh

I had a look at their website and they are deeply religious so I guess that is a factor. I have a friend who is not allowed to use protection and she is about to have a second child and her first is not even 2. She didn't really want kids but she had pre marital sex, got married to they guy, so in order to have sex, she will most likely just keep getting pregnant.

They believe that God will let them know when enough is enough. God let me know right away, he gave me twins!

And as for the money, not only do they invest in rental properties, they are paid over $100,000/EPISODE by TLC, and more for special appearences.

They are healthy, loved and have clothes on their back. I wish we could say the same for all children.

Josie, the 19th child was born at 25 weeks gestation, just like my daughter, who was my 2nd (and final) child. My daughter suffered a brain hemorrhage which resulted in cerebral palsy. She has many emotional, cognitive, and physical disabilities. I was warned by my doctors that I have a 60% chance of having another preemie should I ever become pregnant again. That alone was enough to shut down any thoughts of ever having a 3rd child. I had an IUD implanted and my husband had a vasectomy.

I only hope for their next child that the pregnancy is without complications.....and that woman's uterus falls out when it's over.

I mostly feel very sorry for their children, because every single one of them has been very sheltered and really not given any real choice in how they want to live because they have not been exposed to normal society. All they know is a very backwards view of relationships and anyone not like them. They have absolutely no knowledge of modern science, logic, the arts, nor history. They simply regurgitate what their parents tell them without question. The older children raise the younger ones because mom and dad are too busy being pregnant and running the house and business to maintain the household to parent.

However, while I might not agree with their choices, it's not up to me to choose what they do with their lives.

I grew up with 7 siblings - could have been 8 (or more!), but Mom had a miscarriage between my older brother and I, and Dad was killed in a car accident when she was pregnant with #8.

We grew up in a devout Catholic home................Mom later talked about being pregnant every year, and how hard that was. Maybe it was a blessing that my father died when he did - who knows? I could have many more siblings!

Whatever the Duggars do is their business - what I don't care for is the exploitation of this family for a "reality" TV series. Ugggh.....I'm sure it helps with their finances, but really????? Is this what Jesus would do? lol.

And seriously - JIMBOB from Arkansas? How much more clichéd can you get than that?

My mum had 11 children, and my nana told me once that she was scared every time that she was going to get pregnant again. After her 11th, the doctor insisted she get sterilised as another baby could kill her. The catholic church then kicked her out for going through with it. I think religion just brainwashes some people

Where did your mom live? What year was that? I find it hard to believe that she was excommunicated because she followed doctor's orders.

Sadly, communities that are very strict about birth control and such still exist. Many of these communities do not believe in modern medicine either.

I grew up with 7 siblings - could have been 8 (or more!), but Mom had a miscarriage between my older brother and I, and Dad was killed in a car accident when she was pregnant with #8.

We grew up in a devout Catholic home................Mom later talked about being pregnant every year, and how hard that was. Maybe it was a blessing that my father died when he did - who knows? I could have many more siblings!

Whatever the Duggars do is their business - what I don't care for is the exploitation of this family for a "reality" TV series. Ugggh.....I'm sure it helps with their finances, but really????? Is this what Jesus would do? lol.

And seriously - JIMBOB from Arkansas? How much more clichéd can you get than that?

My mum had 11 children, and my nana told me once that she was scared every time that she was going to get pregnant again. After her 11th, the doctor insisted she get sterilised as another baby could kill her. The catholic church then kicked her out for going through with it. I think religion just brainwashes some people

Where did your mom live? What year was that? I find it hard to believe that she was excommunicated because she followed doctor's orders.

Sadly, communities that are very strict about birth control and such still exist. Many of these communities do not believe in modern medicine either.

I'm quite curious what Catholic community would excommunicate for following doctor's orders.

Patti-- aren't there denominations of sorts within Catholicism, as well? Kind of like the difference in Independent Baptist, Freewill Baptist, Primitive Baptist, Southern Baptist, etc.?

I grew up with 7 siblings - could have been 8 (or more!), but Mom had a miscarriage between my older brother and I, and Dad was killed in a car accident when she was pregnant with #8.

We grew up in a devout Catholic home................Mom later talked about being pregnant every year, and how hard that was. Maybe it was a blessing that my father died when he did - who knows? I could have many more siblings!

Whatever the Duggars do is their business - what I don't care for is the exploitation of this family for a "reality" TV series. Ugggh.....I'm sure it helps with their finances, but really????? Is this what Jesus would do? lol.

And seriously - JIMBOB from Arkansas? How much more clichéd can you get than that?

My mum had 11 children, and my nana told me once that she was scared every time that she was going to get pregnant again. After her 11th, the doctor insisted she get sterilised as another baby could kill her. The catholic church then kicked her out for going through with it. I think religion just brainwashes some people

Where did your mom live? What year was that? I find it hard to believe that she was excommunicated because she followed doctor's orders.

Sadly, communities that are very strict about birth control and such still exist. Many of these communities do not believe in modern medicine either.

I'm quite curious what Catholic community would excommunicate for following doctor's orders.

Patti-- aren't there denominations of sorts within Catholicism, as well? Kind of like the difference in Independent Baptist, Freewill Baptist, Primitive Baptist, Southern Baptist, etc.?

Jenna~ Catholicism by its nature is heirarchical. Faithful Catholics conform to the teachings of the church, which is unified and has an overarching sense of direction. You can have those who identify themselves as "liberal" Catholics or "conservative" Catholics, but not different denominations. It is hard to believe that there would be a formal excommunication done by any Catholic church on someone who followed doctor's orders and was sterilized. This is why I'm curious about this claim. We will probably be scolded and told to "take this to our group".......