Arkansas mom Michelle Duggar gives birth to 18th child

[seeker_of_God]

They seem OK. The only thing that bothers me is in one of the interviews I saw with them, the mom said the children have to sign up for one-on-one time. That just seems a little odd.

 

[weareallgood]

I love this show and am continually astonished at the love and respect this family shows to each other and to everyone around them. I’m appalled at the people who are posting negative comments about this sweet family! Shame on you]! How could you possibly know what is going on in their private lives with regard to weaning and having children? Unlike most Catholics who claim to be pro-life but take birth control and support the death penalty, this family really does leave having children in the God’s hands, and that’s where the judgment should come from as well!

 

[petitfleur]

I watched maybe 2 or 3 episodes…I didn’t think I would like them but you know what…I think they are nice and loving and respectful. I cant believe how calm she is. I’m a lunatic sometimes, and I only have four kids:blush:

 

[Annn]

On an episode I watched recently Michelle referred to raising her kids as “training” them. As one of six I’m all for big families but when you start talking about children like a breeder talks about his dogs, maybe you’ve gone a little overboard.

 

[CatholicSam]

On an episode I watched recently Michelle referred to raising her kids as “training” them. As one of six I’m all for big families but when you start talking about children like a breeder talks about his dogs, maybe you’ve gone a little overboard.

I can’t believe people are so nit-picky with this family. For all you know, Annn, maybe “training” is just the vernacular used in their neck of the woods to refer to teaching children how to behave. Sorry if they didn’t use your preferred politically correct terminology

 

[noclevername]

I love the Duggars. They are a very loving family, they practice what they preach, etc. Actually they don’t have to preach anything because their Christianity shows through their actions and to me that is the testament of a true Christian.

And the part about training and other negative stuff about the Duggars folks have posted…dont’ read too much into stuff like that. Yes they train their children but so do everyone of you on the board who have kids. The Duggars are just using the word “train” like a lot of folks use “teach”. They just teach their kids how to do things. When you have 18 kids, the household has to run a little differently that most.

And I just saw the wedding episode that had the first kiss at the wedding. Any set of parents who can instill that kind of morality in their kids is doing something right. These days most people have sex by the third date but Josh and Anna never even kissed until their wedding. They are going ot have a happy and loving marriage for a very very long time.

 

[PatienceAndLove]

On an episode I watched recently Michelle referred to raising her kids as “training” them. As one of six I’m all for big families but when you start talking about children like a breeder talks about his dogs, maybe you’ve gone a little overboard.

The train up a child thing comes from Proverbs 22:6
Proverbs 22:6 (NIV translation)
Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.

Proverbs 22:6 (KJV translation)
Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

Proverbs 22:6 (NASB translation)
Train up a child in the way he should go, Even when he is old he will not depart from it.

But the Douay-Rheims version has a much different translation!
Proverbs 22:6
It is a proverb: A young man according to his way, even when he is old he will not depart from it.

Interesting…

 

[maryjk]

I can’t believe people are so nit-picky with this family. For all you know, Annn, maybe “training” is just the vernacular used in their neck of the woods to refer to teaching children how to behave. Sorry if they didn’t use your preferred politically correct terminology

No, training is the method they use for teaching their children. I don’t have time now, but wanted to mark this thread, I will try to go back and do a search. There is a method they use to teach their children to behave. We talked about this before when the Duggar’s had 15 or 16 children.

 

[twk001]

I have read their book (DH got it for me for Christmas!!!) and michelle talks about “training” the younger children in how to sit still and such using a wonderful technique called blanket time, during which the teaches the young ones how to entertain themselves while sitting on blankets for 5, then 6, then 7, etc minutes per day. a toy, book or the like is given to them, but if it leaves the blanket, they lose it for the duration of blanket time. This goes on daily until they can sit still for prolonged periods of time and have self-control. She tells of praising them repeatedly to give positive feedback.I’ve been told that several large families use this, and I see nothing wrong with it, My DD can’t even sit still for the duration of mass and she’s now almost 6! I love the duggars, love their lifestyle, and how they are a walking testament of their faith. I think that they are more “catholic” than many people in my own parish! twk

 

[PatienceAndLove]

No, training is the method they use for teaching their children. I don’t have time now, but wanted to mark this thread, I will try to go back and do a search. There is a method they use to teach their children to behave. We talked about this before when the Duggar’s had 15 or 16 children.

you mean blanket training? yes, they teach the small child to stay on a blanket when the baby is little. however, if you watch outtakes of the show, you will see that they use a gentle approach to this training, as they do with all their discipline.

 

[noclevername]

I have read their book (DH got it for me for Christmas!!!) and michelle talks about “training” the younger children in how to sit still and such using a wonderful technique called blanket time, during which the teaches the young ones how to entertain themselves while sitting on blankets for 5, then 6, then 7, etc minutes per day. a toy, book or the like is given to them, but if it leaves the blanket, they lose it for the duration of blanket time. This goes on daily until they can sit still for prolonged periods of time and have self-control. She tells of praising them repeatedly to give positive feedback.I’ve been told that several large families use this, and I see nothing wrong with it, My DD can’t even sit still for the duration of mass and she’s now almost 6! I love the duggars, love their lifestyle, and how they are a walking testament of their faith. I think that they are more “catholic” than many people in my own parish! twk

Wow! I didn’t know that. What a great method. That is going to carry over into their adulthood. I really wish someone had done that with me as a child. I am in my 30’s and I still can’t sit still for long periods of time. I am the world’s worst figiter. I really love the Duggars.

 

[Annn]

I can’t believe people are so nit-picky with this family. For all you know, Annn, maybe “training” is just the vernacular used in their neck of the woods to refer to teaching children how to behave. Sorry if they didn’t use your preferred politically correct terminology

It’s not about terminology, it’s about the fact that they have a system they call “training” which they use basically in place of having meaningful daily interactions with their children. I’m very glad I was not raised with a “buddy” system, and I’m glad I didn’t have to play a huge part in raising my younger siblings. My parents did a better job than I ever would have at such a young age.

 

[maryjk]

you mean blanket training? yes, they teach the small child to stay on a blanket when the baby is little. however, if you watch outtakes of the show, you will see that they use a gentle approach to this training, as they do with all their discipline.

Nope. Not blanket training, Which can also be a problem. I am sure that not all parents use a gentle approach and I am also not sure that the Duggars use a gentle approach when the cameras are off. And I won’t see how they use it, because I will not watch the show.

But no, I am talking about The Institute of Basic Life Principles. I am talking about Bill Gothard. And I am talking about the Quiverfull movement,

 

[CatholicSam]

It’s not about terminology,** it’s about the fact that they have a system they call “training”** which they use basically in place of having meaningful daily interactions with their children. I’m very glad I was not raised with a “buddy” system, and I’m glad I didn’t have to play a huge part in raising my younger siblings. My parents did a better job than I ever would have at such a young age.

I don’t see how running a strict orderly home takes the place of “meaningful daily interactions” as you put it. By what means do you feel yourself qualified to make that judgement, Annn? They have 18 kids. “Meaningful daily interactions” probably happen much more than in 2 and 3 kid families.

Once again (Annn and Maryjk), don’t you both think each kid is different and each parent knows what their kids are ready for? I find it interesting how so many people think that *their *way is the only way, and that all kids are just like them or like their own kids. Thank goodness God made us all different!

If you don’t like how the Duggars do things, then don’t do things that way! But to look, from an outsider’s point of view, without really knowing the family or seeing how they act/live in real life, and to condemn what is obviously working for their family, seems to be going a bit overboard to me. Leave them alone!

This is just like the CIO and anti-CIO arguments. Sheesh. If you don’t want to let your kid CIO, then don’t. If you feel it’s best for your family, then do what’s best. Why do some people have to be so hard-headed about thinks like this?

And Maryjk, you are criticising *blanket *training too? Give me a break. You’re “not sure the Duggars use a gentle approach when the cameras are off”? Aren’t we Christians called to give people a charitable benefit of the doubt? Why are you assuming the worst about these people? Siiiiiiigh. I better just leave it at that before I too catch this uncharitable bug that must be going around.

 

[C99]

**Three cheers for the Duggars! :extrahappy::extrahappy::extrahappy:

I commend them for their tremendous witness to life. :clapping: Their story states that they started out married life on the BC pill and realized, after miscarrying their second child, what an intrinsic evil ABC is. They realized that this was God’s calling to them to let go and let HIM. So what if their parenting is less than perfect? There’s no such thing as a perfect parent. And there’s certainly nothing intrinsically wrong or immoral about it. Try raising 18 children for God. Not an easy task. But how many of us would be willing to accept such a call from God? It IS a call. And a blessed one at that. :yup: They are open to life, and this has given them 18 children. Should we not be supporting and encouraging those who witness by being open to life, and especially those having large families for Christ? Is not that the ultimate witness to the Gospel of Life? Why give them grief then? This is what all Catholic families did before the discovery of NFP. There is nothing wrong with it. It is a VERY good thing.

I agree with CatholicSam, let’s give them the charitable benefit of the doubt. They are doing far more for God than most of us could ever imagine. God bless you Duggar family. If you are reading this I bless and praise God for your efforts!
**

 

[petitfleur]

I guess anyone could find problems with any method of child rearing. Based solely on what I saw I liked her and her calmness. I know I have inly see 2 or three shows and I wont seek out more episodes, but I liked her better than the other show I wont name but it involves a mom with many kids.

 

[maryjk]

And Maryjk, you are criticising *blanket *training too? Give me a break. You’re “not sure the Duggars use a gentle approach when the cameras are off”? Aren’t we Christians called to give people a charitable benefit of the doubt? Why are you assuming the worst about these people? Siiiiiiigh. I better just leave it at that before I too catch this uncharitable bug that must be going around.

Not assuming anything. I have no idea how they are with the cameras off. Do you? Are you sure that they are as sweet to each of their children when the world isn’t watching, as they are when the world is? All I am saying, is that some families are not so sweet and gentle with blanket training. I am saying that I know of a least one family that isn’t so sweet.

I was saying that the “training” that Mrs Duggar is referring to, is not blanket training. It has to do with their religious beliefs. They follow the teachings of Bill Gothard and his Institute in Basic Life Principles. That is why, when the eldest Duggar got married, it was the first time they had kissed. It is part of their religious training. They do not date, they court. They also are part of the Quiverfull movement.

 

[CatholicSam]

Not assuming anything. I have no idea how they are with the cameras off. Do you? Are you sure that they are as sweet to each of their children when the world isn’t watching, as they are when the world is? All I am saying, is that some families are not so sweet and gentle with blanket training. I am saying that I know of a least one family that isn’t so sweet.

I was saying that the “training” that Mrs Duggar is referring to, is not blanket training. It has to do with their religious beliefs. They follow the teachings of Bill Gothard and his Institute in Basic Life Principles. That is why, when the eldest Duggar got married, it was the first time they had kissed. It is part of their religious training. They do not date, they court. They also are part of the Quiverfull movement.

No, I have no clue how they are in real life. So I don’t post slanderous comments questioning their integrity. You said, “I am sure that not all parents use a gentle approach and I am also not sure that the Duggars use a gentle approach when the cameras are off.” Why cast doubt on their character like that, Maryjk? I don’t know how they are (I don’t watch any TV at all) and so I assume the best.

And neither do I have a problem with courting vs. dating. I believe our culture would be improved by such convictions, and I personally would be absolutely thrilled if my children have their first kisses on their wedding days. Are you criticising this now too? Wow. Feel free to promote dating with your own kids if you feel it’s superior.

 

[petitfleur]

You cant be sure how anyone acts behind closed doors. Sounds like some people are hard hearted, and nothing any one sais is going to change that!!!

 

[maryjk]

No, I have no clue how they are in real life. So I don’t post slanderous comments questioning their integrity. You said, “I am sure that not all parents use a gentle approach and I am also not sure that the Duggars use a gentle approach when the cameras are off.” Why cast doubt on their character like that, Maryjk? I don’t know how they are (I don’t watch any TV at all) and so I assume the best.

And neither do I have a problem with courting vs. dating. I believe our culture would be improved by such convictions, and I personally would be absolutely thrilled if my children have their first kisses on their wedding days. Are you criticising this now too? Wow. Feel free to promote dating with your own kids if you feel it’s superior.

Saying that I don’t know what they are like in real life, that is slanderous?
Tells me everything I need to know.