-
-
-
On Newsstands Now!
Check out the May 2012 issue: raw stories, shocking confessions, candid advice about motherhood—and more!
-
20 Kids and Counting: The Duggars Are Pregnant Again
November 14th, 2011
Photography by SummerBl4ck, via Flickr (CC)
When I first read on People.com that Michelle and Jim Bob Duggar were expecting their 20th J-named baby this spring, I was completely unsurprised. I have watched their TLC show 19 Kids and Counting many times and I have seen enough interviews to know that the Duggars believe in having as many babies as God will give them. Michelle even told TODAY Moms, “We are so excited. I was not thinking that God would give us another one, and we are just so grateful.” Excited and grateful.
These two feelings are interesting to me for two reasons. First, Michelle’s Duggar’s 2-year-old daughter Josie was born more than three months prematurely and weighed only 1lb., 6 oz., and was delivered via emergency c-section because Michelle was suffering from preeclampsia. And second, Michelle Duggar has 19 children.
I do give the Duggar family a lot of credit. Their children seem happy and the family lives debt-free, and I really, truly don’t believe they are procreating for the publicity. But I can’t help but wonder if this new baby is the wisest of choices.
Josie’s birth seems like it should be a bit of a warning sign to the Duggar family and to Michelle Duggar’s uterus. Three-and-a-half months premature and being born weighing less than two pounds is hardly a minor complication—it’s a really big deal. Maybe Michelle’s body is trying to tell her something. Maybe her age (45) and the fact that she has been pregnant so many times has affected her ability to carry and deliver children. Maybe 19 was enough.
I have read that the children of the family operate on the buddy system, whereby an older sibling is matched up with a younger child to mentor him or her and to assist in primary care. This, to me, doesn’t seem like a family—it seems like a well-oiled machine. I have three kids and I have enough trouble trying to give each of my children the time and devotion each one of them deserves and needs. I just can’t imagine that Michelle Duggar can do that for all of her 19 children, let alone a twentieth.
And counting.
How do you feel about the Duggar family’s upcoming spring arrival?
—Ali, senior associate editor of CF.ca
Copyright © 2012 St. Joseph Media. All Rights Reserved.
I feel sorry for the children in this family that have to look after each other because mom is too busy having a new child for the year…”sorry you can’t go out with your friends and play this year because I need you to look after your 4 younger sisters “….the more children = the better the rating the show gets = the more money the family gets”…..unreal !!!!!
i think its wonderful!! all the power to her , and like family ,they should all look out for one another , and the children do ,i think everyone could learn a little something from the duggars !!
what Michelle does with her uterus is none of my concern. Nor anyone elses. Don’t agree with 20 kids? Dont watch the show or read about it. I do believe her last pregnancy was Mother Nature’s/God’s way of telling them that enough is enough but c’est la vie. All the power to them!