The couple even want more after their 17th child born on last Thursday!!!!!!!!

I have followed up on this story since there was only 14 children, so I know exactly what you are talking about. Honestly I think its just plan out crazy. I dont see how they can afford it with the mother not working. I dont remember what he does for a living but she stays at home and home schools plus watches her other kids. I know they said they would accept as many children as GOD Wanted to give them. But wow I think there should be some sort of a limit.They will run out of J names here before to long. Also, I have battled infertility for the last 19 months with one miscarriage at 11weeks and for someone to just be popping out kids with having so many others to take care of just sounds silly to me.But that is just my opinion Dana

Wow! It's hard enough to raise one child, and here comes a couple who have 17 children. I am just wondering how the parents managed all of them. And what about raising them properly? Like providing them the basic things like food, shelter, clothing, health and education. The couple must be doing really well to afford to have children that many. It would be a hell of a riot when they have their family reunions!

Well my first thought is they must be completely crazy!!! And my second - is that unless he is a millionaire or they have loads of inherited money, how on earth do they afford to feed, clothe and educate 17 children in this day and age? Here in the UK the answer would be simple - all families with "abnormal" numbers of children here are on benefits, which effectively means I am paying taxes to keep their cildren and it makes me mad, though I realise the tax systems are different in the States and this may well not be the case there. As for the "J" thing.......... words fail me - that's just daft!! How are the kids going to feel when they grow up and letters arrive addressed to Mr. or Miss J. Duggars, and they won't know who they are for?! Sounds like this coouple are a ittle - erm - "soft" as we say here in England - a few sandwiches short of a picnic!!!

What I am thinking right now isn't allowed to be printed here on mylot! lol I am exhausted just thinking of it! To be honest though if the children are well cared for and the couple can afford to feed, clothe and house them then good for them! xxx

I'm thinking that that probably the older kids in this family are feeling pretty embarassed that their parents are still producing more babies! Maybe they can afford them financially, but I think it really isn't fair to the children themselves, and have to wonder exactly how much time the parents have to give to each child. I think enough is enough!

Right now I am thinking we should all throw in and buy them a TV. I thought, at least they have lots of baby sitters among the older children, but then I saw the oldest is only 19. Do you realise that is almost 13 years of Michelle Duggar's life spent being pregnant? Do you think they want more so they can use up all the names starting with J?

Its not surprising to hear something like that. here in my country I have seen in the news of even a bigger family. There is this mother of 30 children... They were raise just as good as the other children in the family. older sisters pitch in to take care of younger sisters and brothers. older brothers help with the house chores and sometimes help with the financial needs. Despite of the number of her children, she raised them well, remember all their names and even there birthdays. Also, during my high school days I have this too classmates with the same surname, I thought they are cousins until later in graduating class I knew that they were uncle and nephew. I mean they are in the same age and some of the nephews uncle is even younger thn him. What makes this couple any different...

What toll this has had on the mother's health! How mcuh love can be divided among such a herd of children from their parents!

I'm thinking that they need to read about the problem of overpopulation and resources. I also have watched the TV show on a few occassions that highlights their life. I don't agree with how the kids seemingly have no life except to help the family function. You don't see the kids playing very much or anything. Before I am flamed for my opinion, I realize that they are living very similarly to our forefathers, when children's function was to help the family, but I belive they go overboard. I also don't approve of the 'oppression' the children live under. They are only allowed to associate/date etc those of the same beliefs as their parents. These children will never learn to think for themselves! Sorry, I know that my opinion will not be shared by many, but please don't chastize me for my opinion.

I've seen a couple of shows on this couple and their children. Their 16 (now 17) children are better educated and behave better than some who only have 1 or 2 kids. All of the kids have chores and help out, which helps the mom out quite a bit. She homeschools, as well. Their religion is that they will keep having children until God stops giving them children. Could I do it? No way. I don't have the patience for it. They had just finished building and moving into their new home when #16 came along and they were talking about #17. They pay cash for everything, as well, so they don't have any debt to speak of. They built their own home from a kit, with the help of some friends that are professionals in the trade. I don't know how they do it, to be honest. Mom makes some of their clothes, they shop at Aldi's (very inexpensive grocery store for those that don't know) and second hand clothing stores, as well, but still! How they make ends meet I have no idea. We only have two sons and the money struggle is horrible! We've talking about having just one more child and can't see how we can afford another. :(

I crazy, I can't even imagine how they would be able to keep everyone under control since most are still young. But I guess they must be doing something right to be able to have made it that far. How they come up with names and remember them all is enough for me to give my hats off to them. They must be congratulated.

Firstly, this is great... I wish I could have had such a nice big family... I could not even give birth to one and this is just great... However, are they Mormons by any chance because they believe in having large families... LOL But I hope that financially they are ok to provide for so many kids because it is not cheap at all...

wow! how do they manage those kids.thinking that they have different age brackets.but i salute them for having that courage...

They must be making a buck or two on benefits!

Hi cmsk2005, im thinking wow!!! Im saying if they can afford it then thats good for them.I wish them well.I am single mother and theres no way i could afford that many children.I have my three and im finished. take care, disvachic

WOW!!!!!!!! If the couples are happy, i donot have any problem. LOL....

ouch. i wonder how they support their family. my husband and i just had our 3rd a week ago and after he was born i said "i'm done" lol. i couldn't imagine having that many kids. before i had this one, i said if we could afford it i would consider one more. but after a scary round with epidurals yet again, there is no way. anyways, hey, if they can afford it and are taking care of their kids, more power to them!

Wow! How great! Congratulation to Jim n Michelle! That's is God special gift!Say know to "make n throw"person!

I'm thinking that they are very lucky to have that number of children that are in good health while there are many couples in the world, who are suffering and trying all sorts of methods to have a child. So may god bless them and their present and future children and I hope that these children get all the happiness and care they deserve.

Yeah I have followed this family on TLC for a few years. If they can afford to have so many kids more power to them. Maybe before long if you watch TLC there will be a new update show. She has had so many kids though I wonder if there comes a point where she is going to start putting her health at risk.