It’s official; Michelle and Jim Bob Duggar are expecting their 2oth child. How exciting for them!
Unfortunately, the majority of the comments I’ve seen on Facebook have been negative, bashing, hurtful comments. And I just don’t get it. If you don’t agree with something, that’s fine. But if you don’t care, why go through the trouble of doing your best to hurt that person?
One of the biggest beefs people seem to have with the Duggars is that the kids do so much housework, and that the older kids help with the younger kids too much (their buddy system.)
Basically, that Michelle is popping out babies then letting the older girls raise them.
Again, I don’t get it.
No, the kids are not raising the younger siblings. Instead, the parents are doing a great job training them and preparing them to be able to maintain a house and family in the future. Personally, I think it’s wrong to not give children chores and responsibilities.
What many people seem to forget is that, it’s only in the last few generations that kids have had it so easy.
Throughout all of history, children learned responsibility early on because life was hard work! As soon as kids were able to help, they did. They had their time to play, too. But work needed to be done, and every able member of the family did their part. It’s only recently that society has decided that kids need to be kids as long as possible!
And guess what?
It’s the last few generations that have brought up children who, generally speaking, are lazier, more ungrateful, have poorer work ethic, are materialistic, and are not self-sufficient when they could be, compared to past generations.
Gee, coincidence?
What are your thoughts?
(be nice, no bashing!)
I completely agree…kids are allowed to be kids even into adulthood now it seems in some cases. Sure kids need to be kids but they also need life skills which come from chores and learning them as a kid.
Amen! It always gets on my nerves when I see “Duggar hatred” – mainly because it is irrational. They are productive and responsible citizens. So what if they have 20 kids? There are families with two kids doing way more damage to society and the environment than the Duggars ever will. Thanks for this post- I am happy for them! I will say I was hoping the announcement was going to be another wedding, but oh well! 🙂
Following you!
First I’ll say I think the Duggers are great. I wish I could feel more confident in giving my children more chores or responsibility. I am a mom who feels guilty about having my children do any work. I don’t know where this comes from because I grew up having to do chores, not many, but a few. I think I spoil my children too much not wanting them to miss out on any opportunity for fun and happiness. I am recognizing that this will have no benefit to them when they leave home and find out that it’s not “mom = reward” but rather “hard work = reward”.
Thanks for being so honest! Sometimes I struggle with this too; I don’t want my kids to have to work when they’re young. At the same time, I don’t want them to feel as unprepared for “real life” as I felt! Even now it’s still a struggle for me to keep up with chores because it was never a habit growing up.
Following you! And… I don’t follow the Duggar’s too closely, but long ago I decided that however people interpret that verse about being fruitful & multiplying is ok & I’m not going to criticize the “have all you can have” people, or the birth control people! It does certainly seem like God provides for them & they continue to respond to all of the criticism with such grace. They seem to be in control & kids aren’t running wild! I think non-Christians in wealthier countries can’t even comprehend why someone would ever have this many kids & I guess maybe we would think it’s nuts too if not for that Biblical passage. I’m sure many express their appreciation to them as well. I know it’s encouraging to me as an older Mom of two young toddlers.
Kids naturally want to work. At 20 months my little girl wants to help and do things just like mommy. I know as she gets older she will decide that its not so fun to have a few chores around the house, but she will also thank me for teaching her how do do a few things rather than growing up and all of a sudden not knowing how to take care of her own house when she goes out on her own and gets married.
God has greatly blessed the Duggars and He has provided for all their needs and continues to do so.
Well put Savannah. We have been noticing these sad trends in a lot of people my generation and younger. We have been working hard to instill a good work ethic in our kids (well especially the older one, the 4 month old tends to be a bit lazy…)and hopefully when they grow up they will appreciate the value of working hard.