I've been watching
17 Kids and Counting on TLC recently. I'm constantly astonished that there isn't chaos in their house. In fact, it seems like everyone is so serene and content with their role in the family. Their house is AMAZING....it's hard to believe they can make such a huge space so homey. I've seen the money-saving practices and it still doesn't seem real to me....they make their own laundry soap, perm each other's hair, shop at thrift stores......then they go to the grocery store and the bill is nearly $2,000! How do they do it?
I know it's probably awful of me to think this.....but I wonder how much of it is a show for the cameras. It isn't that I don't wish them happiness....but come on! It seems systemically impossible that a family can be that large and all of them are normal, right? I feel like a jerk writing that, because I truly hope they are the way they seem on the show. How sad that they are anomaly.....families are supposed to be happy and content.
That said.....I cannot imagine having that many children! One is hard enough for me!
Comments (6)
In a way, it seems like the more you have, the easier it gets. It looks a lot like mom is a delegator, and the older kids take on a lot of the responsibility for the younger ones. Whether that's good or bad is debatable.
Have you seen the one where the oldest son gets engaged? Now that's an interesting one! I want to believe it all, too, but somehow it smacks of brainwashing, don't you think?
Hi, i came over from the photo challenge, couldn't comment on your photo as it just opens in a window without a comment box, anyway, its a nice shot!
I think the reality is - alot of larger families run smoother than smaller families because everyone pitches in to help. I have a few friends with larger families. (2 of them pregnant with #10 - one of them homeschools ALL of them, and one friend is pregnant with #8) and the Mum's are so relaxed, the kids are all happy, well fed, well educated and clean. We all get commented on that none of us look our ages either. I often get accused of 'not being old enough to have 7 kids'.
I promise there is no brain washing going on in any of our households - just lots of happy parents & happy kiddo's.
I haven't seen the show but having had 3 kids, I would not want to have more than two.
i was just talking to my mom about this! it's got to be a show for the cameras! ...it's probably not possible for not one single child to rebel, ya know? but Ive kind of noticed rebellion in Jinger....I watch the show like a hawk so I know most of the names haha...Im such a dork
RYC: Thank you! As for a beautiful child.. you only have to look in your house! Oh my howFaith's grown up! I can't get over what a young woman she's become. Kinda scary watching them grow up isn't it? You are fiercely proud and protective at the same time.
As for the big family. It's real. In the homeschooling world I've met a lot of families like the Duggars. One of my daughter's best friend was the third oldest of 12. A lot has to do with the parent's personalities.. and a lot of prayer. lol
Take care of yourself! I read your blog when ever you update! And take the 100 challenge.. you are much more artistic than I am.. I"m sure you could come up with 100 artistic creations! lol