Sew What’s Up Presents
The Sew What’s New Archive
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From: Sewhappie
Date: 08-01-2007, 02:30 AM (1 of 24)
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Has anyone been watching Discovery Health Channel lately? I was watching a rerun of the young couple that have the twin girls and then the sextuplets when a little box popped up on the screen about a new season for another show. I didn't get all of it the first time I saw it and had to do a double take when it popped back up again!!! Do any of you remember the show about the Duggers? They are the couple who made national news when they reported that baby #16 was on it's way. NOW #17 is on it way for the new season!!!!!! Wouldn't her insides be worn out by now? I don't think that she has NEVER not been pregnant!!!!! I think he sneezes and POW here comes another one!!!!!!! |
User: Sewhappie
Member since: 10-27-2001 Total posts: 1427 |
From: Bama
Date: 08-01-2007, 01:48 PM (2 of 24)
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I watched those shows last year. I was amazed at how well organized those parents were and how well behaved the kids were. How old is she (was it Michelle) now anyway? My MIL talks about an aunt of hers that had 16 children. I can only imagine.  I'll keep an eye out for that show. |
User: Bama
Member since: 03-21-2000 Total posts: 2116 
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From: MotherInLaw
Date: 08-03-2007, 01:23 AM (3 of 24)
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I watched that show too. I think she had 18 last I thought. They build a house the last season and it was amazing how the kids helped them and the parent taught the kids as they were building. My husband would have run the kids out from under his feet especially that many. I guess you can saw they devoted their lives to raising kids because there is not much more to do after feeding them and doing the household chores. I think they must be a certain religion or something because the girls all wear dresses and they home school the kids. Makes you wonder what that Daddy does for a living to be able to support all these kids. They are all well taken care of and the furniture and things they put in that house were nice. I bet it cost a forture, they had about 8 washers and they were the big washers and dryers that cost a lot.
I'm regressing back into my youth, I just have to figure out how I'm going to convience my body to come along with me.
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User: MotherInLaw
Member since: 06-25-2005 Total posts: 1118 
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From: Mom of Six
Date: 08-03-2007, 07:33 AM (4 of 24)
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Here is today's article on MSN.com http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20097968/?gt1=10251 He used to be a State Representitive in Arkanas but I can't find anything that says what he does now. Whatever is is they are doing something right because they are debt free. I say to each their own but 6 was plenty for me!! My MIL was pregnant 18 times in 20 years & had 13 children (5 miscarriages). The Dr. took out her uterus after the last one. Barb
Happiness is having time to sew!! |
User: Mom of Six
Member since: 11-03-2001 Total posts: 1115 
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From: pretnichols
Date: 08-03-2007, 09:32 AM (5 of 24)
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I believe he is a minister and they have their own church & followers in their hometown, plus they televise their sermons worldwide. There is another family out there with 16 as well, and I blieve that family's father is a court stenographer, which has been taught to all of the older children. God bless them, but it is certainly not for everyone! Peggy
So little time, sew much to do........... |
User: pretnichols
Member since: 10-16-2005 Total posts: 342 |
From: MartySews2
Date: 08-03-2007, 10:09 AM (6 of 24)
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I think ABC's Extreme Home Makeover built the house for the Duggar family and furnished it. If they can support the children without any public funding, then go for it if that is what one wants. One child was enough for us. It makes one wonder how much attention do each of the children get from their parents. Marty 
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User: MartySews2
Member since: 05-03-2007 Total posts: 293 
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From: Sewhappie
Date: 08-03-2007, 10:29 AM (7 of 24)
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Jennifer joins siblings: 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. A baby has been born in every month except June; the Duggars have gone through an estimated 90,000 diapers, and Michelle has been pregnant for 126 months — or 10.5 years — of her life. They built their own home. What you are thinking of is that one of the Designers that USED to be on EHM helped with the decorating as a gift from The Discovery Channel Biggies as a Thank You for allowing us to film your family. Jim Bob and Michelle are in real estate and own commercial property that they rent out. You know that they must be getting a pretty penny from The Discovery Channel to allow them to film their family. That money alone will proably put all the kids and any future ones thru College. I would love to know what their secret is to staying "Debt Free" and still be able to manage a house that size AND go on Family Vacations!!!!! It makes you wonder if their children will marry and have big families of their own or just stay single and childless!! |
User: Sewhappie
Member since: 10-27-2001 Total posts: 1427 |
From: Kaitlinnegan
Date: 08-03-2007, 10:49 AM (8 of 24)
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It makes you wonder if their children will marry and have big families of their own or just stay single and childless!! Hah! If I spent the first 20 or so years of my life living with that many people, I think I'd probably want some peace and quiet for at least the next 20. But to each his own! 
http://www.sew-whats-up.com - the new home for Sew What's New
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User: Kaitlinnegan
Member since: 03-20-2006 Total posts: 222 
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From: DorothyL
Date: 08-03-2007, 12:37 PM (9 of 24)
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Being an advocate of controlled breeding, I can't help but wonder how many children in other cultures will actually die so these people can breed indiscriminately. I wonder how many will live in unimaginable poverty for every child these people make. When I think of how much more natural resources the average American consumes compared to other cultures and how much more waste we generate compared to other cultures, I find it hard to respect these people. People say, as Marty did, that if they can live without public funding it is their business. But someone is paying to support their standard of living, even if it isn't the American taxpayer. Think of the people who work for a few dollars a week so these American children can have inexpensive toys, clothes and food. If they really wanted to raise that many kids maybe they could have saved some that were already in this world. I consider it just plain arrogant and selfish. I realize I am in the minority but I'm not the one who brought the issue up. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: lendube
Date: 08-03-2007, 03:06 PM (10 of 24)
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I was holding back (if you can't say anything nice, etc. etc.) but since Dorothy spoke up I'll support her. I too believe it to be so very selfish. They could have adopted 10 kids and still had 7 of their own. It's cultish and creepy in my opinion. There's no earthly reason for any couple to have that many kids in this world today. My dh comes from a family of 12 kids. Though there are pluses in that they as a whole are independent, self sufficient, unselfish people, they were all lacking the individual attention that develops self-worth as well. As my dh says, "It was like growing up in a summer camp all year 'round. Each one of us had our own little secret spot, be it in a tree, closet, or whatever, to which we could retreat just to get away from all the madness that was so constant. Not one of the 12 of us would recommend growing up this way." JMHO, Lennie |
User: lendube
Member since: 08-06-2006 Total posts: 1548 |
From: missmarple
Date: 08-03-2007, 04:37 PM (11 of 24)
| I believe they belong to a cult called A Full Quiver. The girls only marry within the group. The boys wear regular clothes, but the girls are not allowed to. When the series about them first came on the Discovery Channel there were quite a few blogs devoted to them and how they pass off the youngest children down the line to the girls, so mom has very little contact with them and devotes herself to getting pregnant again. Their creed is to have as many children that God will allow them to have. |
User: missmarple
Member since: 04-13-2007 Total posts: 18 |
From: Mom of Six
Date: 08-03-2007, 04:44 PM (12 of 24)
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I'll give my disenting opinion. I grew up in a family of 9. I loved it & I think that is why I had 6. If it hadn't been for 4 c sections I probably would have had more. My siblings & I all get along most of the time & if anyone needs us we are all there in person or spirit. My DH & his sibling all get along great & I have never heard any of them complain about living in a big family. The only thing is their Dad had to work 2 jobs to support them but he spent as much off time as possible with them & took them on vacation every summer. My MIL is a different story & I don't know a lot about her parenting style but she kept them all fed,clothed & safe. I think everyone should have only as many children as they feel comfortable with and can support on their own without government assistance. If that means you have no children or 20 I feel that is everyones own business. Barb
Happiness is having time to sew!! |
User: Mom of Six
Member since: 11-03-2001 Total posts: 1115
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From: vickki
Date: 08-03-2007, 08:54 PM (13 of 24)
| Barb my hats off to you,we had a neighbour with 21 and they were the most lovable family I ever met.... |
User: vickki
Member since: 08-21-2005 Total posts: 374 |
From: plrlegal
Date: 08-03-2007, 09:13 PM (14 of 24)
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Barb I also grew up in a large family (14 -- 9 girls & 5 boys) and my mom and dad never asked anyone to help them feed, clothe, or anything else for us. We have our differences of opinion but we are always there for each other. I am #3 in line and I don't have any children but I've also never felt the need to go out and rescue other children that have been brought into this world by people who don't want them or who can't afford to or plain old just don't want to take care of them. I know that probably sounds very selfish and self-centered but that's the way I feel but that's not to say if a child in my family needed a home and parents that I wouldn' take it and take good care of it because I probably would but I've never really missed having children of my own because there have always been lots of little ones in my family and still are as the great grand children (29 so far) are coming along. So, I say if the Duggers want to have 17 more and can take care of them, then that's their personal choice. I've always thought that's what being free is all about!!! Patsy Patsy
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User: plrlegal
Member since: 05-19-2001 Total posts: 318 |
From: Bama
Date: 08-03-2007, 11:41 PM (15 of 24)
There's a family that live near us who have 12 children, last I counted. I've seen the mom and several of the kids at the grocery store pushing 4 carts each trip.  The mom was pregnant almost every time I've seen them out. While I do not understand why they keep having children, I believe it's their right to do so as long as they can support and care for all of them. I have an aunt who is in a religion that's strange to me. They didn't believe in birth control but had only 5 children. She and her girls only wear dresses and don't cut their hair. I don't agree with the way they live, but who am I to say they are wrong? |
User: Bama
Member since: 03-21-2000 Total posts: 2116
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From: Sewhappie
Date: 08-04-2007, 12:30 AM (16 of 24)
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I only started this because I am just as dumb founded by this family as many are. I didn't mean to start any Wars here!!! As many of you have said IT IS a personal choice, BUT I have to agree with Dorothy. There are way to many adoptable/adoptive children now that need LOVING homes. If they feel the need to have so many children why not adopt, help take the strain and burden off the system instead of adding to it. How can they teach self control when it's very clear that the parents don't practice it themselves. It's to easy to blame your religious upbringing, or that your family needed the help to run the farm. Tonight on the news they where talking with Michelle and Jim Bob and they both said that they want even more babies!!! Isn't there a Dr out there who will just lay it all on the line about the risks, not only to Michelle's health as she ages, but the risks for the next baby and any that might follow? While I was looking at the Discovery Health website about them I went on to read some of the forums. The people on there where pretty much saying the same things as we are here. On the Tonight Show tonight Jay Leno was going on about them and how their local Drug Store is donating a years supply of diapers. Jay not wanting to let it pass said that maybe they should donate a years supply of Trojans instead!!!! |
User: Sewhappie
Member since: 10-27-2001 Total posts: 1427 |
From: Patty22
Date: 08-04-2007, 09:11 AM (17 of 24)
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Think of the people who work for a few dollars a week so these American children can have inexpensive toys, clothes and food. If they really wanted to raise that many kids maybe they could have saved some that were already in this world. I don't think the deficiencies in our system are because this particular family has and wants children, it is because of so many others out there have children and don't care for them. Wealth/poverty issues are also not because of this particular family, but rather a larger problem due to a goods based economy as well as a multitude of other factors. My point is......there are those who do have the money to support a large family, and they aren't necessarily good parents or individuals. While I personally would never be able to support nor care for so many children, I can't suggest this family shouldn't. While the logistics of caring for this family is certainly a curiosity, I wouldn't want my life being televised either. I think the term "breeding" applies to animals rather than to individuals, such as this family. Being a mother of four, if someone was so rude as to suggest I was a breeder I would feel no remorse in correcting their terminology. Just my thoughts... Patty
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User: Patty22
Member since: 03-29-2006 Total posts: 1194 |
From: PaulineG
Date: 08-04-2007, 05:27 PM (18 of 24)
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There are cultures in the world where the men are allowed as many wives as they are capable of supporting ... It comes down to so much more than money. As an adult when we think about the times that we treasured with a parent a lot of the time it is the individual time we spent with them that comes to mind. I certainly don't agree with restricting the amount of children people can have legally but I do feel that these kids are missing out on something. Maybe nothing material but certainly attention in some form. They probably gain something from the experience I couldn't possibly understand unless I'd been there myself but the person I am now is not at all sure it would have been right for me. Pauline
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User: PaulineG
Member since: 09-08-2006 Total posts: 901 |
From: lendube
Date: 08-04-2007, 08:24 PM (19 of 24)
I don't get why people keep giving them things. It's not like they're having "tough times" beyond their control. I'm all for helping folks that need it when they're doing the best they can but all these folks are doing is having as many babies as they can. And they keep getting rewarded for it!  Lennie |
User: lendube
Member since: 08-06-2006 Total posts: 1548 |
From: PaulineG
Date: 08-05-2007, 12:37 AM (20 of 24)
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Lennie - you're assuming that the people donating have charitable impulses (and possibly they might). I'd be more inclined to believe though that their motives aren't quite so altruistic and they're just trying for a bit of warm and fuzzy PR. I'm such a cynic though. 
Pauline
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User: PaulineG
Member since: 09-08-2006 Total posts: 901 |
From: lendube
Date: 08-05-2007, 04:36 PM (21 of 24)
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You're probably right, Pauline. All I can say is that if I had billions they wouldn't get one single penny of it! I'd give it all to everyone on this board and everyone would like me best!   (Hey, someone needs to lighten up this post.) Lennie |
User: lendube
Member since: 08-06-2006 Total posts: 1548 |
From: vickki
Date: 08-05-2007, 08:12 PM (22 of 24)
| I agree,we need to drop it....Let people live their life the way they want to.... |
User: vickki
Member since: 08-21-2005 Total posts: 374 |
From: DorothyL
Date: 08-06-2007, 07:41 AM (23 of 24)
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Lennie -- I already like you best. PM me for the address to send the cash. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: lendube
Date: 08-06-2007, 11:31 AM (24 of 24)
Awww, Dorothy!  (Hey, psst, here's a kleenex. You've got a brown spot on your nose....) Lennie
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User: lendube
Member since: 08-06-2006 Total posts: 1548 |
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