17 kids! and they want more!

[Brent]

This is just ridiculous.

http://www.cnn.com/2007/LIVING/personal ... index.html

All of Jennifer's siblings also have names that start with J. They are: Joshua, 19; John David, 17; Janna, 17; Jill, 16; Jessa, 14; Jinger, 13; Joseph, 12; Josiah, 11; Joy-Anna, 9; Jedidiah, 8; Jeremiah, 8; Jason 7; James 6; Justin, 4; Jackson, 3; Johannah, almost 2.

[HURAKAN]

The new Noah:

"We are just so grateful to God for another gift from him," said Jim Bob Duggar, 42, a former state representative who sells real estate. "We are just so thankful to him that everything went just very well."

There was a documentary-like program that I saw in the Discovery Channel about this family.

[dizzyfish]

and Michelle Duggar has been pregnant for 126 months -- or 10.5 years -- of her life.

[TreasureIslandFLGal]

Whoa, I can't even imagine!!! To each his own, I guess.

[southerngale]

How do you give each child the love and attention they need when there's so many of them? And she homeschools!!?? Homeschooling 2 or 3 is a real challenge when you have so many other things to tend to as well... I simply cannot imagine that many.

I'm a compulsive bathroom cleaner... I clean both of mine daily. Oh, how I would hate to clean NINE bathrooms every day. lol

But they seem happy...

[TexasStooge]

Just 3 children (at least) will be enough for me, but 17?!?! NOT A CHANCE!!!

[Miss Mary]

I can't even imagine having 17 children! I have to wonder how long her labor & delivery was also - mere minutes? Here is how mine went - first, 9 hours, second, 6. I used to joke if we decided to have a third child, I'd be in L & D for 3 hours. But a fourth - that baby would have just popped out with a sneeze.

Sorry, now all the men have left the room haven't they? he he

You have to wonder what her OB has to say - you're going for another?

I was surprised to see her in a hospital bed. Expecting this family to opt for home delivery, using a nurse.

Sigh - it's a rather strange story in this day and age. Nice to see these children have loving parents.

But how do you attend to ALL 17? (I'm talking about day in, day out, the colds, sniffles, homework, listening to each child, etc.)

[southerngale]

Miss Mary... After I made my post above, I talked to my sister, who has seen them on TV. Apparently, each one of the older kids is "assigned" a younger kid, like to make sure that one is dressed, has shoes on, brushes teeth, etc. before leaving, and maybe at bath and bedtime... not sure. I guess they help when they're sick as well, and with diapers, stuff like that. Some of the older ones drive, so I guess they load up their vans and go where they need to go. She said they are VERY organized and structured, and the Mom always seems happy. You'd expect her to be pulling her hair out, but at 39 (I think), she looks calm, and young.

I would imagine the older kids stay with the younger ones when Mom has to take one to a doctor or something like that. Can you imagine all of them going? They'd completely fill up some waiting rooms! lol

Just wow!

[Miss Mary]

Kelly - see that's what I come back to - the day in, day out, work and care involved in keeping all of these children loved, fed, clothed and well, listened to also! I have the best (and sometimes worst) conversations/talks with my girls while in the car. Of all the times we spend together - meals, watching TV or movies, car trips seem to be the one time it all comes tumbling out. Off goes the stereo and they let loose. But I have 2, not 17! I guess I just to have question, out of 17, one or more have to feel as though they don't have their parents' full attention!

This specific family blows all the old birth order theories out of the water too - sounds to me as if they don't have the classic spoiled one, or middle child syndrome, or bossy eldest child.

A study in progress!

I'm happy to hear this mom is happy though - that is a relief!

[coriolis]

A man I work with has a similar family, I think 11 kids, and they homeschool too. I have to give them a lot of credit, they are raising an outstanding group of kids. I'm sure that the older ones pitch in and help out with the younger ones. They are thrifty, have a tremendous work ethic, and have their heads screwed on straight. The oldest are on their way to college to boot.

I am happy to see families like this.

Both in ancient Athens and in Rome, having children went out of favor among the educated, productive families. The lower classes continued to breed like rabbits while immigration continued unchecked. Is it a coincidence that both of those great civilizations declined? It gives you something to think about, with the rate of single parenthood skyrocketing, generation after generation of welfare queens popping out fatherless children with slim chances and little desire to become good productive citizens. Sorry folks, our country is in for some rough times ahead.

[Ptarmigan]

As long as they are happy, I can care less. Personally, 17 children is too much for me to handle.

[TreasureIslandFLGal]

I'm truly impressed, I couldn't even remember 17 names!!!!

I'd be like "Hey, #12, get over here!!!!"

[Cyclenall]

Yep, usually large families such as these are wonderful and happy. I really do support very large families and if your wondering how they can have 17 children and still be sane in the mind, I think the older kids take care of the younger bunch and the mother takes care of the babies and such. It's quite something. Many of these families are home-schooled.

I wonder if they're Quiverfull.

[Jinkers]

17 kids would make me insane...

[HollynLA]

I only have 2 and do not plan to have anymore. Between keeping them fed, cleaning, laundry, errands, schoolwork, etc. I don't know how it's possible to raise to 17, but appearantly it is. As far as a $ issue, I have no idea how they do it. I couldn't imagine keeping 17 kids with shoes on their feet.

Just a crazy thought, what about bath time in that house? Even with 9 bathrooms, how many hot water heaters would you need to supply enough?

[gtalum]

Having 17 kids in an already overcrowded world is incredibly irresponsible.

As for showers, I think a previous story said they take turns and they each only shower every third day or something like that.

[HurricaneBill]

I don't know why, but this family creeps me out.

Besides, wouldn't numerous pregnancies, one after another, take a huge toll on a woman's body?

[HarlequinBoy]

I wouldn't want 17 brothers and sisters. Yuck.


But to each their own. The parents can provide for their kids so whateves.

[alicia-w]

I don't know why, but this family creeps me out.

Besides, wouldn't numerous pregnancies, one after another, take a huge toll on a woman's body?

that's exactly what i was thinking....

Here are some of the temporary and possibly permanent side affects of pregnancy, then consider that times 17!!!

Normal, frequent or expectable temporary side effects of pregnancy:

exhaustion (weariness common from first weeks)
altered appetite and senses of taste and smell
nausea and vomiting (50% of women, first trimester)
heartburn and indigestion
constipation
weight gain
dizziness and light-headedness
bloating, swelling, fluid retention
hemmorhoids
abdominal cramps
yeast infections
congested, bloody nose
acne and mild skin disorders
skin discoloration (chloasma, face and abdomen)
mild to severe backache and strain
increased headaches
difficulty sleeping, and discomfort while sleeping
increased urination and incontinence
bleeding gums
pica
breast pain and discharge
swelling of joints, leg cramps, joint pain
difficulty sitting, standing in later pregnancy
inability to take regular medications
shortness of breath
higher blood pressure
hair loss
tendency to anemia
curtailment of ability to participate in some sports and activities
infection including from serious and potentially fatal disease
(pregnant women are immune suppressed compared with non-pregnant women, and
are more susceptible to fungal and certain other diseases)
extreme pain on delivery
hormonal mood changes, including normal post-partum depression
continued post-partum exhaustion and recovery period (exacerbated if a c-section -- major surgery -- is required, sometimes taking up to a full year to fully recover)

Normal, expectable, or frequent PERMANENT side effects of pregnancy:
stretch marks (worse in younger women)
loose skin
permanent weight gain or redistribution
abdominal and vaginal muscle weakness
pelvic floor disorder (occurring in as many as 35% of middle-aged former child-bearers and 50% of elderly former child-bearers, associated with urinary and rectal incontinence, discomfort and reduced quality of life)
changes to breasts
varicose veins
scarring from episiotomy or c-section
other permanent aesthetic changes to the body (all of these are downplayed by women, because the culture values youth and beauty)
increased proclivity for hemmorhoids
loss of dental and bone calcium (cavities and osteoporosis)

Occasional complications and side effects:
hyperemesis gravidarum
temporary and permanent injury to back
severe scarring requiring later surgery (especially after additional pregnancies)
dropped (prolapsed) uterus (especially after additional pregnancies, and other pelvic floor weaknesses -- 11% of women, including cystocele, rectocele, and enterocele)
pre-eclampsia (edema and hypertension, the most common complication of pregnancy, associated with eclampsia, and affecting 7 - 10% of pregnancies)
eclampsia (convulsions, coma during pregnancy or labor, high risk of death)
gestational diabetes
placenta previa
anemia (which can be life-threatening)
thrombocytopenic purpura
severe cramping
embolism (blood clots)
medical disability requiring full bed rest (frequently ordered during part of many pregnancies varying from days to months for health of either mother or baby)
diastasis recti, also torn abdominal muscles
mitral valve stenosis (most common cardiac complication)
serious infection and disease (e.g. increased risk of tuberculosis)
hormonal imbalance
ectopic pregnancy (risk of death)
broken bones (ribcage, "tail bone")
hemorrhage and
numerous other complications of delivery
refractory gastroesophageal reflux disease
aggravation of pre-pregnancy diseases and conditions (e.g. epilepsy is present in .5% of pregnant women, and the pregnancy alters drug metabolism and treatment prospects all the while it increases the number and frequency of seizures)
severe post-partum depression and psychosis
research now indicates a possible link between ovarian cancer and female fertility treatments, including "egg harvesting" from infertile women and donors
research also now indicates correlations between lower breast cancer survival rates and proximity in time to onset of cancer of last pregnancy
research also indicates a correlation between having six or more pregnancies and a risk of coronary and cardiovascular disease

Less common (but serious) complications:
peripartum cardiomyopathy
cardiopulmonary arrest
magnesium toxicity
severe hypoxemia/acidosis
massive embolism
increased intracranial pressure, brainstem infarction
molar pregnancy, gestational trophoblastic disease (like a pregnancy-induced cancer)
malignant arrhythmia
circulatory collapse
placental abruption
obstetric fistula

More permanent side effects:
future infertility
permanent disability
death

[Shelby6977]

You know, I only have one and had a GREAT pregnancy. We decided not to have anymore because we have a total of 3! As of right now, we are paycheck to paycheck. The ages are 20, 15 and 7, ALL girls~
My husband is from a family of 6 and I dont know how THEY did it, much less to have 17. As much as I liked being pregnant I dont think that 17 is feasible. Just my opinion, but like everyone else has said, if they are happy thats what counts for them.