Arkansas Parents to Have 17th Child
The girl, named Jennifer Danielle, is due July 27th and will constitute the 17th child for the couple.
Joshua, their oldest child, is 19, and their youngest, Johanna Faith, is 19 months old.
Jim Bob Duggar is a former member of the Arkansas House of Representatives (from 1999-2002) and ran for U.S. Senate in 2002, losing to Tim Hutchison. He is a real estate agent and owns several properties in his area. Michelle and Jim Bob have a total of ten boys and six girls, including two sets of fraternal twins, all of whom have names beginning with the letter J.
The 40 year old Michelle says that she's looking forward to the family's newest addition.
"Really, our heart is we would love to receive whatever gifts or blessings the Lord wants to give us," she said. "But I love the baby stage and I can't imagine life without having a toddler in the house."
All of the children are home schooled at the family's 7,000 square foot home in Tontitown, Arkansas.
"Here I am a mama with her 17th child on the way, and so many people think 'Oh you've got it all figured out,"' Jim Bob said. "I am still learning. Just when I think I've got something figured out I try it on the next one and it doesn't work."
By some estimates, raising a child in America costs around $170,460; however, the family reportedly lives debt free.
The Duggars' family website outlines their Christian outlook on raising such a large family.
"Our #1 goal is to lead our children to seek a close relationship with God & give Him every area of their lives," Michelle writes. "We [propose] to start each day with a family Bible study, reading a chapter of Proverbs that corresponds with the day of the month. We have heart to heart talks with each of the older children regularly. We try to keep up with their attitudes & actions.
We desire for each child to develop a learning spirit & a servant's heart that looks for opportunities to serve others. It is a joy to see our children becoming best friends. If they can learn to treat their brothers and sisters like they want to be treated, then they can learn to get along with just about anyone along life's way."
Sources:
Duggar Family Website
Jim Bob Duggar on Wikipedia
Fox News -Arkansas Mom Prepares for 17th Child
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13 Comments
Post a CommentThey'll REALLY be paying when these kids start going to college... oh wait... they live in arkansas. They're all going to child carers.
TLC had a show about this family. The older kids are incredibly responsible, and each family member has assigned duties. I think that's what really keeps them going. This isn't my cup of tea, but whatever works for them. Two is plenty for me!
BTW, they built that house themselves with just a bit of outside help.
Wow, and I thought my family was big - there's eight of us kids, and yes, we drive our parents nuts. They seem to enjoy it though, the nuts that they are ;)
I would never want this many kids, but some people do. And these people are doing a good job with what God has given them, so more power to them. As for us, hubby did the snippety-snip before the second child was even born. Two is more than enough for our house!
Hello global overpopulation?
A big WOW! Great article. This was very interesting.
I'm with Sharon on this. My son kept me hopping when he was a toddler. I can't imagine having so many kids, although large families do run in my family. My grandmother was one of fifteen kids. Several other ancestors had 10 to 15 children as well. Great article! Good luck to them!
WOW- great article. I can't imagine. I have two children, and that is enough for me. It is an amazing testament to their patience!!
I have to admit that I'm very fascinated by this family. I have only one and she keeps me incredibly busy and tired :) I can't imagine having 3 or 4 kids, let alone 17.
Thats fabulous..!! I love it..I am on my 7th..I think thats it for this Arkansas woman though...lol Great article!!