Tuesday, November 11, 2008

One big happy family

I totally admire the Duggars. Is that odd?

First things first, if you don't know the Duggars by name, you've probably heard of them. They have 17 children and the 18th is due in January. They've had a few television specials and now have a reality show on TLC called "17 Kids and Counting!"

So why do I admire this super-sized family? Because they seem to handle it all so darn well. They manage a family of 19 better than I can juggle life with just the 3 of us. I'm sure they have their moments but a cousin even mentioned that she has never seen Michelle (the mom) raise her voice. And this week's episode shows Jim Bob (the dad) teaching one of his 7 daughters how to drive a stick. WITHOUT SWEARING! There was even giggling involved. C'mon, that's just not normal.

I guess there are some people who have the temperament and personality to parent a large family. I am not one of those people. So I watch those who can do it successfully with a kind of fascination usually reserved for zoo animals and train wrecks.

While I enjoy watching "Jon & Kate Plus 8" on occasion, it's for much different reasons. Jon & Kate are normal. They get mad. They act stupid. They breakdown. And God bless em for it...and for letting me watch! Because through all the crazy nutiness, they obviously love their kids and are doing the best they can.

The Duggars are just in a whole other league. Life appears easygoing and joy-filled in the Duggar home. And as if that wasn't amazing enough with 19 people under one roof, prepare to have your mind blown...

  • They don't believe in debt.
  • They built their 7000 sq ft home as a family.
  • They don't watch tv and limit internet use.
  • They homeschool all the kids.

Sure their carbon footprint is probably a burden on the planet. And I probably wouldn't have my four year old operating a floor sander. And there is no question that Michelle needs a new hairstyle. But through it all, they seem to be successfully raising a family that is in this world but not of this world. And that's worth admiring.

5 comments:

celestemc November 11, 2008 at 11:48 PM  

I haven't seen them yet, but I have been hearing so much about this family. I need to tune in and catch it sometime! Another friend was telling me that the Duggars have a cousin that visit's sometimes - and it quite the crack up since she is more "normal".

I couldn't imagine 18 kids. Wow.

Miss you friend and hope you're doing well. Love all the pics of Ian... it's hard to believe he's walking already.

sunmagic November 12, 2008 at 8:34 AM  

Thanks for the encouragement for big families. There's more about the Duggars on this website: http://www.squidoo.com/duggarfamily. Thanks!

Emily November 12, 2008 at 5:02 PM  

Wow that is a lot of kids!!
Thanks for telling about that show. I should watch it - today at work someone was telling me I need to move on and watch some newer shows, since I tend to watch the "oldies" like Andy Griffith Show and those kinds. I know, I get teased! :-)
Thanks for your help last night.
Hope you're having a good week!

The Tucson Gang November 14, 2008 at 6:20 AM  

I watch the show too in amazement. It's an easy show to watch...I can't seem to critize anything, except well...so darn many kids who all seem so sweet and family oriented. They genuinely seem to like each other. :-) I did see in an episode last year that one of the older children said, when asked by producers, that they would not have such a large family when they get married. Thought that was interesting. They do seem to have good old fashioned fun. Did you see last week when they got together with another large family? Very interesting..paint ball games, sky diving, tug-o-war, field trip to Branson. One of the tween girls said they weren't allowed to kiss until they got married. So, I'm not sure about the dating rituals - but hey...they seem to be responsible, loving nice people...that is for sure.

The Tucson Gang November 14, 2008 at 6:22 AM  

Oh yeah - last week they said that if every Duggar child repeated the pattern that Michelle and Joe Bob (?) would have 356 grand children!!!! Now that is a BIG legacy!

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