Baby #18 on the way

Ya know what??? They're supporting themselves, raising the kids in what appears to be a happy environment. The kids are learing responsibility, cultural arts and getting educated to the states standards. I say go for it! My nephew and his wife would love to have 10 children - they just had #2. I hope they will be able to get the finances in order quickly though or they wont make it.

At my high school there was a family with 15 children when I graduated and moved away. So, I don't know how many children that family ended up with. But I'll tell you a not often thought of consequence for the children, especially the girls. What if the desire to have large families is genetic? Wouldn't that thought occur to potential suitors? Maybe scare a few off?

WOW!! I cant believe she is having another one. I seriously think they need to think about quitting. 18 kids is nuts. Yea I love being pregnant but 18 kids is a little too many kids. her health is probably not very good anymore geesh. being pregnant does take a toll on your body. I think they are happy because this is the only way they know. It's like having a routine. if it is what your used to your more than likely happy in the routine.

All I can seem to think of to say is, "WOW!". I first heard of this family when they were on, I think it was #15 and I think that was when they were building their own new house by themselves. They were featured on 60 Minutes or Dateline if I remember correctly. They're self-sufficient and support themselves so I guess it's really none of anyone's business how many kids they have but sometimes I think there may be more than meets the eye here. It's good that the older kids are being taught responsibility but then again it seems like they're not given much of a chance to be just kids, which I think all kids need to some extent some of the time. Since the mom is 41 she can't do this TOO many more years! Annie

This family just amazes me. Everything just seems so perfect. I'm sure there is a lot they do not let the media know, but still they seem to keep things amazingly well together. I don't know why I say this, but I don't think this will be the last one for them. I fully expect to hear about another on the way sometime in late 2009 or early 2010.

It is said that God doesn't put on us no more than we can deal with and evidentally this woman feels that she can deal with having all of those kids. I know that I couldn't handle that. I mean, why have so many kids? I am pretty sure that things are not as honkey dory in the household. All mothers at times want to pull their hair out because of the stress being a mom so I know she does, but hey, I could be wrong right?.............................doubt it though

I can't imagine having that many kids, having that many siblings, living with that many people, taking care of that many people, feeding that many people, supporting that many people, the list goes on. They must have a good system to be able to handle all that. I think I would go insane. I sit here and just shake my head, thats alot of kids.

She is already over the age where her pregnancies are considered "at risk" for hormonal and chromosomal abnormalities. She may be putting herself at risk by continuing to have children. I doubt that will stop her. I don't comprehend why anyone would want that many children. It seems excessive and almost to me like there is somethng she is trying to compensate for. I just hope those home schooled children have gotten enough proper schooling and attention to be successful in their own lives.

They do appear happy. Having them help with the younger ones teaches responsibility. However, I believe they received a lot of things they have for free because the community and others are so impressed that they were able to have that many children and survive...if you know what I mean. There are people who have 1 child and they have a hard time keeping up financially.

I think it's an illusion. I do not think they are as happy as they let on. Come on now 18 kids, haven't they heard of the term birth control. They must not have a tv to be having all them kids, lol. It is also unfair that the older ones are not being able to live their own life and have fun, mom has given the the burden of the younger kids because it is clearly to much for her. She is in my opinion being selfish by having another one because clearly she can not take care of all the ones she already has if the older ones have to help out so much.

I'm a little bit put off by this whole thing, mostly because of their lifestyle. I don't think it's exceptionally strange to have lots of kids, the homeschooling part would drive me bananas though. I also do not think that the older kids should be responsible for a younger one. From time to time of course yes but not on a daily basis and not for everything. I would agree with each child being responsible for ALL of their own things and ALL of their own messes - this would mean each of them does their own laundry, takes care of their own towels, their own dishes, etc etc, and of course they'd clean their own bathroom, and maybe they'd help with some meals but not everything. I could not imagine doing that to my body,18 kids? Even 6 is pushing it. These days you'd have to have a HECK of a savings put away and a really really excellent salary with all the benefits, a close commute to work (to save gas) and obviously no mortgage to pay on since all the other reoccuring bills including groceries would be sky high. I don't know if it's fair to the kids, the kids don't really know any different than their lives, know what I mean? It bothers me some that they do not get the social atmosphere of school, because they also do not get that social education - seeing how other families live and seeing that they are more the exception than the rule. It would be hard for ME to exist in a family like that because I have always wanted my privacy. I had to share a room when I was growing up and I hated it! Just because you come from a large family does not mean you're necessarily the best of friends with all of your siblings, nor do you always want them in your business and around you all the time. I am much more a fan of the couple with the twins and sextuplets - Jon and Kate. They seem completely normal, they take care of their little family themselves but they all live a normal life. The kids are all allowed to be kids and they don't have extra people in their business nor do they hide the kids from the world. When they are happy, they are happy, but when things are not good, they aren't afraid to show that either. I like it real.

I would never be able to have that many kids . Yes, I do want to have a big family of about 4-6 but that is all . They seem like they are a happy family and support one another . I am sure there is stress in the house , but stress is everywhere . I went to school with a girl whos family ended up having 21 kids , and only 2 were girls . The only thing the girl didnt like is she felt like she was raising some of the kids . The older ones always looked after the younger ones, and sometimes they felt they did not have a live of their own .

I don't think they will stop, I think they are aiming for 20. I just wonder how they afford it. It is so expensive these days with everything that is needed. She is a stay at home so her husband is the bread bringer in the family. What the heck does he make to support so many people and be debt free?!

I saw them on some morning show when she told everyone that she was pregnant again. WoW!! I could not handle having that many children. I too have to wonder if it is that good to have so many kids. Can you really give them all the one on one that they deserve to have? I just have two kids and sometimes they both want me to do something with them so I have to choose which kid to do what with. How do you do that with 18. I am happy for them but am sooooo glad that it is not me!!!! I wish them the best.

That is too many kids. I don't think it's good for the kids cause they all can't be getting all the attention they need as individuals. I think it is pretty selfish to have that many kids. No wonder we are so over populated. I mean I think she only has good intentions but that is out of line.

No way in the world would this be for me. I only had one child, which is what I wanted and not what I was limited to. I would have been ready for the feather factory a long time ago, 18 kids good grief I would have had to threaten to choke one to scare the rest by now.

I find this family fascinating. They are totally self sufficient and have built a magnificent home where they can home school their children. Their children seem very well cared for and loved and seem very intelligent. Having said that, I suppose it is totally their decision as to whether or not they wish to have more children. They are a very religious family and I'm assuming that as long as the wife can still bear children, then she will. My only concern about these children is that they don't seem to socialize much with other kids. I'm not sure how this will effect them with other relationships outside of the family, but other than that I do believe they are very happy which is rare in such a large family.

I think they are probably happy. It may be challenging for the parents to get individual time with each child per day, but there would probably be lots of love amongst the siblings as well. I certainly CANNOT imagine it! I can barely handle my 2 kids! But God gives different gifts to different people. If it works for them, more power to them!

Oh my gawd. Eighteen kids is just crazy. I can't even stand being around three of my cousins and having to live with them? Wow! I always see them on TV, but they look like the most loving family on the face of the earth. I can't see how they don't fight or anything. I understand that families must love each other, but seriously? I'd be driven to the brink of insanity if I had to live with seventeen other siblings when they're of varying ages too.