Get the first two chapters of Michelle’s new book, A Fine Mess: Living Simply With Children, for free! Michelle is the homeschooling mother of (almost ) 7 children and has lots of humor, tips and hints for living with so many for much less. Want to try it out for nothing? Just email Michelle and put “free chapters” in the subject line.
Josh Duggar got married! Truthfully, I’m a huge fan of the Duggars and wish Josh and Anna all the best – I have no doubt they will be successful and happy!
Discuss Josh and Anna Duggar here.
Yes! Anna Duggar is Pregnant! Read the story…
Is Anna Duggar Pregnant? – the speculation is running wild!
More about the Duggars and Large families here:
NEW! The Duggars: 20 and Counting, a book review
NEW! In Defense of Large Families (again) and the Octuplet Mom…
Large Families, the Duggars, Us and Environmental Responsibility
The Duggars are very controversial. They seem to equally enrage and delight people of all ages. I’ll just say to you what I said to my husband last night as I watched the show, “I like them. I wouldn’t raise my kids the same way, but they seem to be genuinely kind and lovely people. They are gentle and good-natured and are accepting of all sorts of people. So, just because I wouldn’t want to wear a skirt all the time or because I think it’s OK to date more than one person (heck, I obviously think it’s OK to marry more than one person!), doesn’t mean I think they are hideous because they don’t agree. And I have a feeling they would extend me the same courtesy.”
From Josh and Anna Duggar’s website:
“Meet Josh - Josh was raised in Arkansas, the first child born to Jim Bob & Michelle Duggar. He accepted Christ at the age of seven, was homeschooled and graduated from High School at the age of sixteen. His father entered politics in Arkansas in 1998, serving two terms as a State Legislator in the Arkansas House of Representatives.
Josh became interested in politics and now does part-time consulting for elected officials and political candidates with a small company he founded in Arkansas in 2006, Strategic Political Services. In 2003 the Duggar family filmed their first show with the Discovery Health Channel called, “14 Children and Pregnant Again!” after its premiere it became the top rated show for the network. Having now done over 5 documentaries with DHC and TLC (The Learning Channel), the Duggar family is now working on a reality series set to premiere in October dubbed, “17 Kids & Counting!” In 2007, Josh started a pre-owned wholesale car dealership in Northwest Arkansas, Champion Motorcars. He now manages the dealership full time with his brother John. He also pursues other various entrepreneurial adventures as time allows. His parents are releasing the first book about their family in early December entitled, “The Duggar Family: 20 and Counting.” His father is a commercial real estate investor and full-time father of soon to be 18 children. Josh and Anna have a house in Fayetteville where they will reside, once married.
“Meet Anna – Anna was born in South Florida, her parents relocated to the Gainesville area when she was just 3 years old. Her father took a good job working with a manufacturing company in the area. Anna’s parents began homeschooling her and her siblings and became actively involved in their local church. In 1994, Mr. Keller got called for jury duty. While in the juvenile court, he immediately saw the great need for Christ in the lives of those in trouble with the law. He started volunteering at a local JDC (Juvenile Detention Center) and his heart was instantly burdened for the juveniles. In 1996, Mr. Keller made the decision to leave his good job to work as a full time missionary to the incarcerated. They spent months on deputation and God blessed them with many faithful supporters. Working in juvenile detention centers, county jails, and state correctional facilities he began to see God working in the hearts of those who are locked up. Anna continued her studies at home and she frequently helped teach Sunday school & AWANA in her church. Anna graduated from High School at the age of sixteen, and often goes with her father to minister to the young girls in the Juvenile Detention Center. Anna continued with higher education and in 2008 received a B.A. Degree in Christian Education and currently works with the youth ministry in her church. Anna currently lives in Florida with her parents, and once married will move to Arkansas to join Josh at their Fayetteville home.”
ruthie howse says:
fair play to the kids ,,josh and anna,, i hope they keep the values they have both learned in there family units before marriage ,and will instill all there views and upbringing tools on there own offspring xxxxx
13th September 2008 at 2:22 pm
Ellen Mooring says:
I know Josh and Anna will be very happy. What an example they set for us all–a godly counrtship with wonderful values! If people want to know the key to beautiful marriages and happy, self-confident children, watch the Duggars.
13th September 2008 at 4:35 am
David Tremaine says:
Congrats Josh and Anna
13th September 2008 at 10:46 pm
Erin Lance says:
Congrats!! Can’t say I could live with the whole courting idea, but found it wonderfully appealing as I have 5 daughters of my own! I wish you a lifetime of happiness and beautiful babies!
13th September 2008 at 8:58 am
Mindy Rice says:
A beautiful couple. God bless them both!
13th September 2008 at 6:49 pm
Mary says:
The whole Duggar clan and philosophy seems a bit primative. Getting married at 20 years old seems a bit premature. Values that do not permit even a kiss in dating seems……well…extreme. What do 2 twenty year olds know about responsibility and life. Poor Josh, it appears marriage is the substitution for dating. It’s a shame. I see yet another Duggar “baby machine” about to unfold. I find the whole thing entertaining and somehow very strange. I have a strong faith in GOD but the restrictions these people put on themselves is very odd. What can josh do at age 20 to support himself and a wife…maybe his own TV special and series….Duggar baby machine No. 2. Best of luck, you are both going to need it…
13th September 2008 at 2:55 am
Becky says:
I wish these two young people the best of luck. May they have a wonderful life together. And to all of the people who find the lifestyle and choices of the Duggar family extreme and primitive, ask yourselves these questions: 1, Are you supporting the family monetarily? 2. Is their lifestyle negatively affecting you and your family? 3. If they are living the way they were raised and believe in the bibliical ways they have been taught, who are any of us to judge their choice? 4. Just because their way is different than mine or yours does not mean it is wrong. My personal belief is there is no ONE right way that works for all. Their style works for them, it would not work for me and my family. But if it works for them and does not harm anyone or violate the rights of safety for the children it is no ones business but theirs.
And about them dressing the way they do, what is wrong with dressing in a wholesome way? So they cover up, its rather refreshing since so many people walk around now days with their parts hanging out for all to see. Their way of dress has been mentioned and explained in at least one episode. One of the reasons is it makes wash day easier to manage if they all dress in similar colors, on certain days of the week. White socks for girls, grey for boys, makes sorting and matching easier. Denim dresses and skirts for the girls and khaki pants for the boys, etc. So what if they buy the items from a thrift store…they all look clean, presentable and most of all the kids seem well adjusted and happy! If you do not like the show or seeing how they choose to live you have a remote control.
13th September 2008 at 11:47 am
Bonnie Gilmore says:
I love to watch this show – so uplifting!!! What a wonderful way to be raised. I think each Duggar child is very fortunate to be a part of this family.
I’ve read negative things about them on the Internet & it sickens me so much. When I think about the myriad of “things” most children go through just to grow up (“good or bad homes”) the Duggar’s ways are again, so uplifting!!!
I pray God’s richest blessing on each of you. I thank God for using your lives to speak to a world that needs to hear this message.
Thanks, Bonnie
13th September 2008 at 10:55 pm
Elaine says:
Congrats to Josh and Anna!!!! Kudos to you Becky!!!! I love the way everyone in the family dresses. I am bringing up two young children and often wish people would dress more shall we say “family apporiate”. I hate that youg girls and women run around practically naked. I am only 28 years old but I have never cared for most of the styles in my day or now. I have always worn jeans, ankle lenght skirts, and upper body parts covered clothes. I only hope that I can be able to set as good an example for my children as the Duggars have done. Good Job JimBob and Michelle!!!!!
13th September 2008 at 10:59 pm
becky says:
congrats Josh and Anna! May your love for each other fill your home with love and happiness!
13th September 2008 at 11:05 pm
Rose says:
Congrats to Anna and Josh! May God bless you both as you start this new phase of your lives together.
13th September 2008 at 1:57 am
Anna says:
haha, omg all you people are so funny to me. They are a joke and TLC makes sure we are informed just how much of a joke they are. Their way of life is RIDICULOUS and its a selfish and HORRIBLE thing to have that many kids.. incredibly SELFISH! They have no idea that there is a world outside of a military home lifestyle that is completed by getting married.. bunch of crap if you ask me.. marriage is not the highlight of life.. and not kissing before the wedding day.. absolute rubbish.
13th September 2008 at 3:03 am
Michelle says:
So how long do u think until they get pregnant?
13th September 2008 at 9:08 pm
Aymie says:
If I had the hots for someone and I wanted in their pants b/c I’m 20 year old virgin, I would tell my parents it was “GOD”, too! That’s crazy! You can’t speak to someone twice and know that you are going to love them forever! You don’t even know that person! That’s insane! I mean, how naïve can you be?!
And as for having that many kids, that’s unnatural! I can’t believe he’s still letting her have children! That could seriously harm her and her unborn child! That’s also taking away the other kids’ childhood! “Sorry, daughter, you can’t go to the mall tonight, you have to raise your little brother because we are too busy making more!” How terrible! They will never have a real childhood! Poor kids…
13th September 2008 at 2:18 pm
Devon says:
I love the Duggar Family! I think more families should be more like them by putting God first! Congrats to Josh and Anna! May God Bless you!
13th September 2008 at 8:30 am
Peggy O'Rourke says:
I’m glad to know that my husband and I aren’t the only ones who enjoy a morally fulfilling Christian lifestyle and a large family. We’re expecting our tenth child, and hope to have many, many more. We live in much the same way as the Duggars do and wouldn’t change anything. Congrats to Josh and Anna.
13th September 2008 at 2:38 pm
Michelle says:
Peggy, Do you like “a morally fulfilling Christian lifestyle and a large family” or just taking a little pole sausage. Give me a BREAK! The more I hear about the “Christian Lifestyle” the more I fear for our country.
Regarding the Duggers, AYMIE is correct. The kid had a hard on and needed to stick it in the first woman that said yes. It will only be a matter of time before one of these kids turns out GAY and is shunned and told that god will punish them.
The older kids are raising the younger ones. Michelle Dugger – KEEP YOUR LEGS CLOSED!
13th September 2008 at 3:49 pm
Tammy says:
Having no outside family left, I would love to be surrounded by such a selfless and dedicated family. What a huge blessing to be a part of a God honoring, moral and wholesome family! Congrats to Josh and Anna! With all do respect, Michelle…what horrible things to say about a family that stands on their own beliefs and values to protect and honor their family. It is foul to state some of the things you have said here. Perhaps people can view your post against what the Duggars represent and see the difference in attitude, language, privacy and humbleness.
13th September 2008 at 3:54 pm
Bambi says:
I wish the two of them best of luck.
13th September 2008 at 9:03 pm
Lisa says:
Mary, I absolutely agree with you that the Duggars are “baby-making machines”! That’s how the Quiverfull Movement works. I, myself, could NEVER grow up in a family like that – especially since there’s no privacy and the right to make your own decisions about your own life!
13th September 2008 at 9:44 am
Heather says:
It is so odd the angry comments toward this Chrisitian family and the fear they incite in the hearts of those who do not understand their choices. Isn’t it also interesting that they obviously are intrigued by the family as they visit their website, know about the family, and obviously have given this some thought? We can only pray that the love of Christ and this love exemplified by the Duggar family will permeate their hearts and they can experience the richness of true love instead of the pursuit of satisfaction through counterfeit means. Congratulations to the Duggars and thanks for exemplifying Christ through sharing your lives.
13th September 2008 at 8:21 am
judy says:
I don’t think Josh would have gone through all the troubles of introducing himself to the parents of the girl like that. It takes a real man to do what he did, so rest assured it not a hard on. however i do think that he later did get a hard on. but he sure can restrain himself. You are all jelous because them men in your lives can’t be like that. They just want sex with multiple partners. I get a feeling that the second son however watched porn. infact i think one of the older boys have seen porn but josh is not one of them. The christian values have kept those kids in order and displined. If they were all just watching tv and playing vid games then nothing would get done and chaos would be everywhere. those kids would be like those teenagers who go around doing crazy things sought of like me when i was a teenager watching porn and having sex. the shocking thing is that am a girl and i was rude. the dressing is horrible. I would die if that was me. I really do think and as many people do agree with me that those kids will never have their rightful childhood as the mother keeps popping more kids and dumping them on the older ones. jim and michele are selfish. six kids are enough. geez. all in all that josh and the girl will continue to make babies. man, thats one family that can have sex.
13th September 2008 at 8:29 am
Blessed says:
Well…all I can say is i love the Duggars! They are a wonderful family that loves the Lord and I can NOT understand ANYONE who does not like them. True 18 kids is a lot of kids, but don’t you think that if the Lord hadn’t wanted them to have them all, HE wouldn’t have let them?? So what right does anyone have, saying stuff like that’s horrible them having that many children. Let me tell you I am 17 years old and I can say my only desire in life is to get married and have children. If God wants me to have a ton of kids like them I will gladly agree! Like Michelle said in one episode “saying there’s too many children is like saying there is too many flowers.” I agree! I am patiently waiting for the Lord to bring me “Mr. Right” and I trust that when I do meet him that the Lord will show me that he is the one I am to be with my whole life. I believe that with my whole entire heart! Oh and about their dress standards, I also agree with that. I only wear skirts,also culottes(very loose culottes), if I’m going to be doing something that can’t be done modestly in a skirt. You know why we dress like we do?? It says in the Bible that we are to be different from the world and it also protects us. Protects us from wicked men who would lust after our bodies. I’m not saying that it totally blocks that out, but it does help. I have been raised this way and I used to do it just because I wanted to obey my parents, but now it’s my beliefs too. I have excepted them because i believe them to be true. The Lord has told us how he wants us to live in his word and all you have to do is obey. so my point is the Duggars are a wonderful family and they aren’t doing anything to you. The only reason you get upset is you are convicted by their standards. So please don’t trash them.
13th September 2008 at 1:02 pm
kristi says:
I’m very proud of you, Anna, for getting that BA degree! If you ever need to, you can teach school to pay the bills. Life is hard enough without wondering why you didn’t stick with getting an education. I have never met anyone who looks back on life to say, “Man, why did I waist my time getting that accounting degree…stupid, stupid me.”
13th September 2008 at 4:17 pm
Amy says:
Wow, the downright nastiness is appalling. While many may fear for the future of this country due to the Christian lifestyle, I fear for this country due to the lack. More families should live with a commitment to the way God wants us to. And it is not selfish for this family or others have to have a lot of children. It’s selfish to not have children or limit yourself, because you only want to focus on yourself. I also don’t see Mrs. Duggar “dumping” her children on the older ones. She is an active parent, and there is nothing wrong with having family help each other, it instills a great family bond, and that IS what family is all about. 20 isn’t too young to get married, it’s actually older than what history has shown. Thank God for the Duggar family and others that see that is more important to live the way God wants, then the way the world expects. It’s really refreshing to have such a positive show on the air, then the normal trash that is there…
Congratulations to the new Mr. and Mrs. Duggar – Josh and Anna.
13th September 2008 at 11:38 pm
Melissa says:
I hate the way those 18 children are being blinded about the real world, the way the mother raises her daughters to be stay home wives and all her kids to reproduce like rodents. Becky, they are doing me harm, they are doing you harm, the are doing the world harm! all the people that irresponsibly have kids just to have kids are just helping to increase pollution and depleting resources. have you ever thought of the amount of garbage these people produce? the amount of electricity and water? carbon dioxide their I don’t know how many cars give of? There are extremely selfish! I bet they don’t think about protecting God’s creation.
If you don’t want to have sex until you marry that’s fine; if you don’t want to even kiss… a like strange and radical but it’s your life… Now not wanting to have responsible sex and just have kids to get free labor and contribute to world disaster while some people are trying to prevent it’s absolutely unacceptable.
13th September 2008 at 2:11 am
Stephanie says:
I think that everyone has a choice,and if they want to have 18 kids then thats there choice. I have been raised in a very concervitive home and I love it. I dress alot like them and yo me its more comfortable to wear a skrit than pant[and yes I have wore pants before]. As for 20 being to young to get marryed,if you feal that the Lord has told you this is the person for you than go for it. I’m sixteen and I feel that people that play the dating game normally get hurt so much that they have a hard time trusting the person that they are to marry. Thats why I am proud to say that I would rather wait till the guy I’m to marry comes along than to date all kinds of guys and get my heart broke time after time.
13th September 2008 at 11:51 am
Elizabeth says:
Congrats Josh & Anna,
I think it is amazing that they are young, happy and in love. I do not have the same religious value that they do but I met my husband and before even speaking to him I knew he would be my husband and that I was totally in love with him. We have been happily married for 5 wonderful years. As for the no kissing b/c marriage… I could not have done it but I wish more young people were like that. Why do kids have to drop their pants to every guy/girl they meet. MARRIAGE SHOULD BE THE HIGHLIGHT OF YOUR LIFE. I was only 20 when I got married. No I did not know how to take care of myself, let alone a husband, but we loved each other to figure it out and we are happy for the ups and downs we have had along the way. CONGRATS AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!. May your years be filled with bliss and may the Lord bless you with the children you can care for. I think it is selfish for people to have children they cannot take care of but this family cares for all of their children. They do not do without anything they need. Some people have one child that they cannot take care of.
I hope the Lord blesses you with nothing but happiness!!!!!!!!
13th September 2008 at 8:33 pm
Daphne from England says:
The Duggars are very different, but not all wrong differance is healthy but I do worry that the girls are not being given a complete education life can still be built on christian ideals without just producing babies to prove your love of god
13th September 2008 at 12:02 pm
It's all good says:
I have watched the TLC show on this family. I think they are inspiring and have the best intentions for their children. There are only a few things that trouble me. When I visited their personal website, they go into great detail about the physical ramifications of birth control. While I have never used any form of birth control, after 3 children, my husband and I made the choice (which God gives us all) to have no more. My husband underwent a vasectomy. I have known numerous people who are awesome believers, serve the Lord in very fruitful and blessed ministries who have also made the same choice. What Jim Bob and Michelle are doing is sending a message that if you don’t keep having babies, that you are not totally trusting God. This is so wrong and hurtful to SO MANY families who do a wonderful job with the children they choose to have. Homeschooling- awesome idea. Is it for everybody- certainly not. Skirts to the ground on all the girls (even when building the family house) that’s fine, but it does not determine your salvation, nor does it make you more holy. Honestly, how many great men and women of God came out of terrible, immoral, and unholy lifestyles? Do I trust God, YES! Do I have a weak family of 5? NO WAY! Are the Duggar’s more blessed because they have more children? Maybe they think so. If that’s what they think they need to secure their salvation, then that’s for them. It is wrong to send a message that the only proof of trusting God is to reproduce until your uterus falls out.
13th September 2008 at 4:42 pm
Hanna says:
Since when is it selfish to have more than 5 or 6 kids (or whatever you people think the magic number is)? Jim Bob and Michelle are raising smart, mature and wholesome children who will have much to offer to the world in just a short few years. The older ones are wise beyond their years. Who are these people to criticize waiting until marriage to have sex and to disapprove for wearing “too much” clothing? I was 19 when I married, and yes, I waited until my wedding night to give my virginity as a gift to my husband. I’ve been married for 2 fabulous years and I’d have it no other way. I commend Josh and Anna for their respectable decision. Best wishes to them. I mean, think about the kind of amazing relationship that develops because you waited for each other! It was SO worth the wait. I have no regrets.
Each one of the Duggar children are polite, well-mannered, have great communication skills. Jim Bob and Michelle are doing something right, and I’d advise any sensible person to take a few notes on how to raise children. Anyway. I absolutely love the Duggar family and best wishes to them all. They’re doing it right.
13th September 2008 at 7:57 pm
Sondra says:
well,if no one likes some of the comments about the Duggars,then they certainly don’t have to read them.
13th September 2008 at 7:04 pm
AJ says:
I have no problem with criticism, but I do get annoyed when people just spew hateful garbage just to fell good about themselves. I’ve seen this show since it first started airing, and while I don’t personally follow the same lifestyle, I can admire the way this family lives. They are NOT brainwashed. The parents have mentioned more than once that they encourage, not demand, their children to lead chaste lives. The kids themselves, interviewed away from the parents, stated their personal convictions and values and were able to rationally explain and defend those decisions. If they were brainwashing their kids they wouldn’t let the Dad’s niece(who does not lead a lifestyle even similar to the family) come around and influence their “cult.” And if you bother to really watch this family, you would know that they are anything BUT wasteful. They make their own soap and other household goods, used an eco-friendly and efficient design when they built their home, and buy things second hand rather than new to cut down on new and wasteful production. And for those who say Josh has no way to support a family, I guess you just breezed over the multiple businesses the guy runs. These people probably have less of a carbon footprint than the SUV-wielding soccer moms who buy buy buy and waste waste waste.
13th September 2008 at 6:59 pm
siasgal says:
I think the show is horrible. I believe in instilling Christian values, however, my problem is with the mother continuing to have children that she does not take care of. She puts the responsibility of raising these children in her children’s hands. Each child has a child that they are responsible for taking care of….hogwash, if she can mass produce these babies than she and her husband should bare the responsibility of taking care of them. In the episodes where they showed the elder son preparing for his wedding and so forth, the parents stated that they could not wait for the older girls to return so that they can help them take care of the younger children….what’s fair about that? IT’S THEIR CHILDREN ADN THEIR RESPONSIBILITY.
13th September 2008 at 8:15 am
Katie says:
I realize you see them as great people because they are Christians, conversative, and respectful beings on the surface, but if you listen closer to what they are ‘preaching’ to their audience… you would then realize that they are not accepting of all people. The men rule the households. The women are subordinate. Mr. Keller emphasized in an interview during the show that he is handing Anna off to Joshua to hold authority over her. Authority OVER her! This is not the 17th century and our society is no longer accepting of dominate gender roles. To consider the way in which they view marriage and a husband’s role and wife’s role astounds me. And to consider them accepting of others… would be false. Don’t be fooled by their Bible verses and strict rules. And I suppose I’m not being ‘accepting’ of them because of their beliefs in gender roles. But at least I’m not pretending that I lifestyles which suppress women and girls.
13th September 2008 at 8:23 pm
Katie says:
Oh, did anyone else notice the Plan B commercial during the broadcast?? Hilarious plotting by TLC :]
13th September 2008 at 8:24 pm
rebecca says:
I love this show, even though the duggars lifestyle and mine are different. My husband and i have one child and we are Christians and instill values in our child. We can only pray that he waits until marriage to have sex. He is 14, and i know he is been kissing the girls, but that is OK . I dont think God minds. The Duggars are very loving and kind people, unlike the Gosselins who are rude and mean to each other. The duggar children are very pretty, especially Jessa………she could be a model. What is with cousin Amy? She doesnt dress like them and she dates lots of guys. Amy is working had to get her 15 minutes in, she was cute to begin with, but her camera time is up.
13th September 2008 at 12:24 am
kitty771 says:
I like the show, but damn stop having kids already!
I think that their kids are really going to be blinded when they finally get out of the house.
They will be like damn there’s a whole world out there and I can dress however I want.
You can be a good Christian and still have your own mind.
It’s going to take one kid to be gay or like porn or date behind their parents backs to let them see that they cannot rule them all.. Just to let them know that there is a world out there besides the Duggar domaine.
What are they thinking with Anna and Josh anyway, those kids where so damn horny all the time, I cannot believe that they didn’t kiss or anything before they got married.
You know they are screwing all the time now.
Sigh, just another baby factory.
13th September 2008 at 1:19 pm
valerie says:
I think it is cruel to women to wait until the day of intercourse to kiss. Everyone knows, even Josh stated, that it takes longer for women to “warm up” to the act of intercourse. It would have been nice for them to have made out at LEAST one week before the wedding!!! Poor Anna!!!
13th September 2008 at 4:39 pm
donnie petrilli says:
I wondering how much this family is paid per episode on TLC. It appears that they are exploiting their kids for profit. Are they investing monies received toward the kids’ college educations? Mom & Dad should at least be emphazing the value of a college education to their kids (especially with the economy as it is today. Did Josh even bother to take the SATS and apply to any college. I know he’s runnng a used car dealership but how profitable can that be today.
13th September 2008 at 4:44 pm
Susan Murphy says:
I am very proud of these two I pray to God my four kids will follow in their footstep . God does honor purity and commitment and this young couple is a Godly example!
13th September 2008 at 10:52 pm
valerie says:
I think it’s terrible they didn’t get to practice their first kiss, but I respect their right to choose their way!
13th September 2008 at 4:16 pm
Jackie says:
Does everyone honestly believe these kids waited to KISS til’ they were married? That’s a joke. Maybe they saved sex for marriage, MAYBE, but not a kiss. Let’s not be naive. I can’t say that I’m against the way they do things, because that’d be unfair. Everyone’s different right? But I can say that I don’t necessarily agree with them. Well anyway, let’s just hope they don’t have a billion kids – all names starting with, perhaps, a K.
13th September 2008 at 9:01 pm
Jackie says:
By the way, I really like what kitty771 had to say.
13th September 2008 at 9:03 pm
Del says:
I tend to agree with some of the “real” comments above. I can’t in honesty believe that those two kids didn’t kiss before their wedding ceremony. Give me a break!! What would happen if Anna DIDN’T like the way Josh kisses, and what if he isn’t a cassanova in bed??? HOw the heck does he know what women want???? He’s never dated! College? What college….how would any of those kids survive in the “real” world? They’ve never seen the real world beyond the compound!!!! Traveling and site seeing is not living in the real world. The parents have cheated them out of social life, the right of passage being SENIORS in high school and going to the prom, dating, learning to live with other kids except those of the family. What do these kids know???? Second hand shoes???? Now that’s just GROSS!!!!
More power to them if they think they can make marriage work, but it takes more than an act of God to stay married. They have no idea what they’ve entered into….how can they….
they’ve never really DATED!!!
As for the other Duggar’s……please let your kids be kids….don’t make them live YOUR LIFE!!!
13th September 2008 at 3:58 am
Jane says:
How much more beautiful the Duggars look compared to the harsh vulgarity displayed by some of the ugly people here.
Nature knows best. If Michelle is able too have these children than it is perfectly natural. Do you know how impossible it would be for most women to have that many children? It truly is a miracle or at least a feat of nature, if you prefer.
Secondly, Melissa – the world IS overpopulated, but not in the first world. Console yourself with the fact that most people in the first world reproduce at a negative, or balanced rate (that is 1 or 2 children per couple). I’d rather see Michelle Duggar have more children then some of the dead beats I see “raising” kids.
Del, you sound bitter, materialistic and shallow. I bet you have failed alot in life, (especially relationships) and eventually end up very lonely. Since when did Sex or Lust make a good foundation for a life long relationship. A coulples sexual relationship is something that grows with them and reflects the love (not lust) they feel for each other Sleeping around and contracting a few S.T.D’s doesnt make you a better lover. At least Anna wont suffer an early Hysterectomy from Human Pap Virus or Infertility due to PID. Both very common consequences of the ‘real world ‘. You condone that? The real world is a a place where children are raped by debased adults, and people are murdered for fun. A place where people starve to death every day while people like you who think recycling is “GROSS” dont care so long as they can wear new shoes. The real world s a sick and dying place…I have lived there all my life and I think …..good on them for having the courage to ensure the reality their children have is better than that. You are clearly small minded and petty. I would hate to be born into your household. Probably why you dont have 18 children. There is no help for people like you. Your mind is too small and your heart is blind.
13th September 2008 at 6:22 am
Carmen says:
Both of my parents died by the time I was nine years old. If I didn’t have my siblings, it would have been a lot harder to make it through those times. So, to all of you who are saying it’s horrible and selfish to have so many children, I think you need to think outside of your little box and realize that just because people decide to have so many children doesn’t mean they are being selfish or irresponsible. As long as the children are taken care of and they are all happy and healthy, what’s the big deal? And, it doesn’t hurt the other kids to help with the younger children. It will just make them more experienced parents when they grow up and have their own children. And we ALL know the world could use a batch of good, experienced parents! Now, if Michelle and Jim Bob weren’t taking care of the children and they were going hungry and were miserable, THAT would be selfish. Maybe those of you who are saying those things DID come from a big family where you weren’t exactly taken care of–if so, I understand where you might be coming from. However, if you didn’t, I think you need to stop and rethink before saying those things because having come from a family with many siblings myself, I appreciate and love each and every one of them and wouldn’t have it any other way. I wouldn’t be who I am today without God and my parents blessing me with them.
13th September 2008 at 11:41 pm
Linda says:
I have read alot of different comments made by others. I agree with some of you about the Duggar’s being “selfish?” The older children do tend to the younger ones. The y must be getting compensated by TLC somehow. Same as the Gosselin’s. I don’t think Jon & Kate are getting along too well these days..anyways, everyone has a right to their own opinion. If you don’t like their values, then change the channel!! Maybe Josh is disillusioned about life. I would not want to marry someone I only ever held hands with…and hardly even knew. It’s in GOD’S hands, remember????
13th September 2008 at 10:53 pm
Eileen says:
WOW…I can’t believe all the haters out there. Just because you can’t keep from having sex with multiple partners prior to marriage doesn’t mean what they chose to do was wrong. In today’s society peopel think that 2 kids is a fufilling family. Well my parents came from families of 8 and 6 children in the 50’s. They were not rich people but man they loved eached other and stuck together (FAMILY FIRST). As far as the older children taking care of the little ones. How many times in public schools currently do they institute mentoring programs for older students and elementary students to read together or tutor the younger ones? They have a built in mentoring system, which is common in large families. Maybe if more people would raise their children to love each other families wouldn’t be breaking up all over the place because they learned good communication skills at home. Not in a public school where the states values may not be your families values.
As far as their finances. You would want to be compensated if you were on TV too. However if you seen the very first show they have been “self sufficient” for a long time. I realize it is hard to believe but some people do not use credit cards and loans to get through life. Seems to me you might be jealous of the Duggers and the way the Lord has provided for them. If you read their bio, the oldest son Josh has been an entrepenuer for a while. That is common with homeschool children. They become very business savy early.
I was married at 20 years old, (22 years ago).It was the highlight of my life! I never slept with anyone other than my husband and have never regretted it, Learning about each other is suppose to be a blessing of marriage. The second highlight would be my childrens births (3 of them) and the adoption of my other 2 children. I am a college educated teacher. I homeschool one of my children currenlty and wish I had done all 5 of them. (they have had private christian and public education). A parents job is to train a child up in the way they should go and when they are old they will not depart from it.
If you don’t understand the Duggers than don’t be hater and stop trying to convince others that the immoral premarital sex is the best way to find a mate. Which by the way is the only reason you are suppose to be dating, If you are looking for a date not a roll in the sack.
13th September 2008 at 9:56 pm
Josh and Anna Duggar « Large Families Today says:
[...] These two kids have gotten a lot of attention lately – particularly on my other blog, Organically Inclined. I personally think they are a great young couple and wish them lots of happiness – but what do you [...]
13th September 2008 at 11:29 am
Amber says:
The Duggars are truly one of a kind. But i do not agree with the way they raise their children based on gender sterotypes. Why should it be the girls’ jobs to run the household and only dream of marriage in their futures? Why must the boys do the dirty work outside? In my opinion, they are holding thier children back from reaching thier full potential by instilling these backwards values. Being a good Christian is much different than what they are teaching their children. It is a statisical certainty that one or more of their children are gay or lesbian. How will they ever truly discover themselves if they are not allowed to discover the world around them? How can they’re parents actually believe that their children can survive in the world without a proper college education? I believe that the love and support they have for each other is wonderful, but i sincerly do not think that it is enough.
13th September 2008 at 11:53 pm
chelsea says:
how long did yall date befor marriage?
13th September 2008 at 8:25 pm
Thomas says:
I wish that the people that made those nasty comments would let a camera crew come and film your lives!! By the way some of your comments read it would probably be like watching Jerry Springer!!! I’ll even bet that some of the comments were made by people with children on welfare that wont go and get a job to pay for their 1 or 2 children, but complain about a couple who now support 17 kids on their own!! If you think that the Duggar family has to let their kids go and be misfits just so you can feel better about being a sorry role model for your own kids than I’m sorry!!
13th September 2008 at 9:08 am
Is Anna Duggar Pregnant? « Large Families Today says:
[...] Josh and Anna Duggar [...]
13th September 2008 at 10:26 am
tina vigrass says:
i wish more familys could be like this the world would be a better place..god bless you all.
13th September 2008 at 8:25 pm
Marcie Michell Renyo says:
I think the values this family have are amazing, i was raised in a family with 4 children and we still looked after each other Buddies, but that in no way means that myself being the oldest raised the child, my parents raised their children, This family owes properties that is how they earn their money, Josh has his own business as well, they are not people who are living on welfare as a matter of fact they are doing well, I only wish all of american could live like they do debt free owing nothing to anyone, shopping at thrift stores, I try but, nothing is big enough for me, but, we could all learn a lot from looking at the bible and having great family time,
13th September 2008 at 2:02 am
AJM says:
I think it’s hilarious that some people don’t believe that Josh and Anna didn’t kiss before marriage. My husband and I didn’t kiss and we dated for a year before we got married and we were both over 25. It’s not really that hard if you love someone and want to do what you believe is best for them. Read Josh Harris’ book–”I Kissed Dating Goodbye” if you don’t understand this.
13th September 2008 at 12:27 pm
Mish says:
Thanks for your perspective! Although my husband and I did not follow this path, I definitely believe that some people do! You should write a guest post about this topic on Large Families Today! Email me if you’re interested…michelle@organicallyinclined.org
13th September 2008 at 1:00 pm
carrieann says:
I think it’s so hilarious the amount of people who bring up the children raising their younger siblings. They aren’t raising anyone, they are probably helping put the toothpaste on thier brush, maybe getting dressed and cuttung up their food and how long do most kids need that help, seriously, think about it, there are maybe 4 kids at the most who need any help.
13th September 2008 at 12:42 am
Mish says:
I agree! Thank you so much for bringing this up! Just because I ask my 13 year old to play with my 4 year old outside in the backyard for an hour doesn’t mean he’s “raising” him! Ugh…
13th September 2008 at 8:33 am
Granger says:
For the person who said the Gossellins are rude and mean to each other. How far from the truth that is.
Myself and many people I’ve talked to are much more comfortable watching Jon and Kate plus 8 than watching the Duggar family.
The more the Duggars are on t.v., the more of their strange beliefs they share. I have a bad feeling about that family. On top of that, even at their young age, the Gossellin children shows signs of much higher intelligence than the Duggar children. I believe they will lead much more stable and productive lives than the Duggar children.
I feel sorry for the Duggar children. The parents are to blame.
13th September 2008 at 9:43 am
Is Anna Duggar Pregnant? | Large Families Today says:
[...] Josh and Anna Duggar [...]
13th September 2008 at 10:06 pm
Angie says:
Del and Granger… you are idiots. Maybe if your parents had raised you more like Jim Bob and Michelle raise their kids, you wouldnt feel the need to post nasty comments about people you dont even know online. I don’t see how you can say that the Gosselin children show signs of higher intelligence than the Duggar children. Joshua Duggar is only 21 years old and owns his own business. How many 21 year olds can say that? In my opinion, they are not even in the same category as the gosselins. Jon and Kate’s kids are self centered and rude. I think that the Duggar children are very well adjusted and well behaved. As far as the older children helping with the younger ones… Who didn’t help take care of their younger siblings growing up? On last nights episode, Michelle was talking about her lack of sleep from staying at the hospital with the new baby for 5 days. Thats right… SHE stayed at the hospital with her baby…. not one of the older kids. Did any of you see how excited all of the other kids were when the parents announced that they were expecting # 18? Obviously if the kids hated helping with the younger siblings and were forced into it like you are claiming, the would not have been happy to hear that another was on the way. I just think that all of you Duggar haters need to take a long hard look at your own families before you cast stones. Obviously there are a lot more fans than there are of you haters, otherwise they wouldnt be on TV anymore! I think that the Duggars are doing a great job raising their family… however i do think they should stop having kids. They are going to be grandparents now. Would be kind of weird for Josh and Anna’s baby to have an Aunt or Uncle that is younger than he/she is. Also… i would hate to see them have one with downsyndrome or something like that because of their age(not that it would be any less loved). But I guess… that is in god’s hands. God bless you Duggars… there should be more god fearing people like you out there!
13th September 2008 at 5:50 pm
VAL says:
wooooooowwww now i have had enough with this….The Duggars….hmmmm to me they are just baby making…..Yes i watch the show but i had stop i cant take it any more….i feel bad for one of those kids if they came out Gay or they decided not to follow the religion…..i am Catholic i believe in God but to me that whole lets make babies and have our older kids take care of them thing i dont like….hey if they want to have kids well ok have as many as u want but Michelle & Jim Bob you take care of them…those kids wouldn’t know how to take care of them self in the REAL WORLD, they don’t educate there children bout sex and STD’s Josh had the sex talk right before he got married, those kids never went to schools so they only know how to communicate to people like them that follow there beliefs, put them in a big city with a bunch of kids…..they would only play with there little brothers and sisters…..hey im sorry if i offended any body BUT i do have an opinion of my own WE HAVE FREEDOM OF SPEECH and i could say what i want as will as anybody else could say what they want sooooo For those who get offended because people who think they are weird or what ever OH WELLLLLLLLLLLL i dont think there weird but i dont like the way they are……i have nephews and nieces on the way and hell u better believe i will make sure they know the real world along with there parents…..listen people Josh and Anna they aint gonna get divorce its against there religion i been with my Fiance for over 5 years and we still are getting to know each other…Josh and Anna are going to have babies…and that marriage was more lust and a attraction then love…THEY NEVER BEEN IN LOVE TO EVEN KNOW THEY ARE IN LOVE….they don’t even know each other, they meet a few times and wanted to get married they never had alone time because there YOUNGER SIBLINGS HAVE TO BE WATCH OVER THEM….THERE FREAKING 20 YEARS OLD…..for those people wondering if there ganna make it…well they are not for love or cause they want to be together….because if Anna wakes up one morning and doesn’t want to be with him any more she stuck for the rest of her life because they dont believe in divorce……lol wait till they have there first big big big big big big big big big argument…..they probably wouldn’t know what to do….but i kno what they would do meet at a church…and they will always go to a church after that even for the smallest problem….well i guess Only God Knows…..I cant say well i wish you guys luck….because they have the best luck in the world….neither one would ever say…..”I WANT A DIVORCE” LMAO
13th September 2008 at 3:39 pm
VAL says:
Hey Angie its called FREEDOM OF SPEECH IF U DONT LIKE IT BE GONE……..AND HEY I LOVE JON AND KATE PLUS 8 BECAUSE THEY ARE REALLLLLLLLL…..18 KIDS AND COUNTING ARE ANNOYING THEY ARE BABY MAKING PEOPLE IF U LOVE THEM SO MUCH GO AHEAD AND MARRY ONE OF THERE SONS…..I THINK JOHN IS FREE TO DATE AND MARRY BUT WATCH OUT HE MIGHT WANNA MARRY YOU AFTER HE 1ST SEES YOU…GOOD LUCK…AND DONT TEST ME I LOVE AN ARGUMENT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
13th September 2008 at 3:44 pm
mj121 says:
How many people wish they had married their first boyfriend or girlfriend?
Being in relationships before getting married is a valuable learning experience that they are missing out on.
13th September 2008 at 8:27 pm
mon says:
It’s really easy to be so proud of your decision to wait for marriage when you get married so young. Among unmarried people, the average age of first intercourse is around 17, with most people having lost their virginity between 18-21. So on average with the rest of the “non-waiting” population, there wasn’t much waiting involved.
Now when BOTH individuals waited (because too often it seems like it was only the girl..) and they were 25+ by the time they hitched, then that’s something to brag about. And to me, if you’re set on no premarital sex (not what I believe but go ahead to anyone who does), it’s the more responsible way to go. People always change and grow, but it happens more so from adolescence through young adulthood. If your relationship survives those years and you still see you have the same goals and values, it sets a better foundation for a life-long marriage.
Getting married so young under the pretense of maintaining your “purity” seems like a cop-out to simply getting around to sex without the guilt. I’m sure there’s love there, but if your love is real and your values strong, what’s an extra couple years? Just some food for thought next time the 21 year old Josh and Anna celebrate themselves for their decision to wait.
13th September 2008 at 4:55 pm
Barbara says:
You know, my parents were 20 years old when they married and they had me 9 months later. I was the first of 4 and the only girl, so of course, I babysat and helped my brothers when they were little. It has made for great relationships as adults. We have more fun when we get together as a family than with almost any one else. My parents celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary a few years ago and invited all of us, spouses and grandchildren included, on an Alaskan Cruise. We weren’t scheduled to have dinner together every night, but guess what? We did! And no, I was not raised in a fundamentalist Christian family, although I am now a Christian. Just raised to respect my siblings, my parents and most of all to respect family ties.
Regarding the Duggars, I have learned about family organization by watching their show as well as conflict resolution and how loving a real family can be. I think they have their disagreements and spats like any family, but remember, even though it is “reality tv” there are still editors and they cut and paste the filming to create the story. As for the Gosselins, I find it difficult to listen to Kate berate Jon and show him the disrespect she does in front of their children. It does undermine his authority as a parent and will make it very difficult for him to discipline or even be taken seriously by the kids as they get older.
13th September 2008 at 4:39 pm
Mrs MP says:
Though I won’t judge the family on having so many kids, as a Christian, it boggles my mind why God blesses a family with that many kids, and my husband and I with none. We’ve been wanting a child since the day we got married 4 years ago. And here this family and their now adult kids get pregnant, by what it seems, just sneezing. I hurts to watch this program, because they have what we long for so much, a family, children…
13th September 2008 at 1:46 am
Tammera says:
Lisa.. Your comment on Dec. 19th is rubbish.. What do you mean, you could never live that life? If you had been born into that life, you’d be living it, without deciding you couldn’t. Silly girl! You’d have no CHOICE but to grow up in a life like that!
I have loved following the lives of the Duggars and the show of love between the parents and the children is (as most have said here) uplifting. I have no doubt that Josh and Anna will raise their children with the same standards they were taught. Good luck to them both.. and good wishes to ALL the Duggars!
13th September 2008 at 2:34 am
Vicki says:
I used to watch the TLC channel back when it used to teach something important. Now, all these reality/stupid programs about Jon & Kate plus 8, 18 Kids and Counting, what are they teaching us in reality? Time is an asset and should not be wasted in prying about these idiosincratic shows. None of these shows tell us how much they get per episode which it’s keeping them on TV. Where are the good scripts for TV and actors? The Duggars’ kids so called well behaved and happy, they never show them off the screen, misbehaving or questioning their lifestyle which it is a proof to me that these kids are all average intelligence if any because no one challenges anything wrong in that household. The Duggars claim they are debt free, but they don’t disclose how much tax deduction they are really getting by claiming their house it’s a school or a church. Churches don’t pay taxes so hence the advantage for them. Also, in this economic environment, I doubt they are surviving w/real estate sales or rental. Most businesses are going down, consumer confidence is low, but as long as they can secure a season w/TLC they will survive.
I propose that instead of complaining about these shows, we should just stop watching them. TLC will get their Nilsen scores and will change their programs. None of us can walk away from these shows learning something applicable to our lives. All these shows are pure studipidity aiming at numbing us about what truly matters, our environment, our happiness, health, finances and so on and so forth.
13th September 2008 at 10:54 am
Paula says:
Although I do not really agree with such a large family and the continuation of same from the original parents and now the eldest son, they really are a pleasant fasmily to watch. The children are obviously happy and well cared for, often you will see Michele or Jim Bob have quick cuddles with one or other of the kids. I have only recently become a “reality show” watcher and I havbe to say the Duggars, Rollofs, Table for 12 Family and a few other Mum’s who gave birth to 6tuplets, Kate’s not such a clever cloggs after all, they are enjoyable to watch. The adversities the Rollofs face, the Table for 12 family and their disabled daughter and the Duggars all seem to put out love and care within their families, I hope that does not turn out to be wrong, BUT OH DEAR The Gossellins. There is no real love and care there I am not in the least bit surprised that Jon has walked out. How he stood being the “Door mat” for 10 years I don’t know. Must we keep being reminded HOW MUCH SHE LOVES HER KIDS – we all love our kids but we do not have to keep reminding people. Hopefully now we won’t have to have this family on t.v. anymore, the “gravy train” is empty Kate, you wanted them NOW GET ON WITH IT WITHOUT INFLICTING IT ALL ON THE T.V.
13th September 2008 at 8:15 pm
Jennifer Powell says:
Jon Gosselin seems like a womanizer to me. I still hope that he would still reconcile with Kate.od couple. *
13th September 2008 at 9:51 pm
Judy says:
When I first heard about the Duggar’s I thought they are two crazy people. They had no right to have 14 kids and wanting more. Now I record the show so I can watch it after work. That family is truly amazing! We need more families like the Duggar’s. They do everything and the parents spend so much time with each child, they appear to be well adjusted, smart, well educated children. I’d guess if they took test the older kids would test at out on the college level.
Michelle and Jim-Bob you keep on doing what God wants-you appear to be doing it right and if your 18 have at least 10 apiece then there will 180+ good God fearing to populate the earth.
Judy
13th September 2008 at 12:26 am