14 Children and now what??

They actually have 16 now. The last show about them, she was pregnant again and after 3 years they finally got their new house built. They are now in over 7,000 sq foot of house. They have commercial kitchens, 8 wash machines and dryers (if I remember right).
 
They actually seemed like a really nice family and they take very good care of their kids. They support each and every one of them on their own. The mom even home-schools all of them. Their belief is to to let God decide how many children they will end up with.
 
I was surprised to see how close they all are. Even when building the new house, the kids made the choice that they wanted to share one big room instead of being separated. Boys in one room, girls in another. Each and every one of those kids pitched in on the building of that house, even the youngest was given a tool and a job to do, and they did it without complaining.
 
Definitely a unique family, that's for sure.

Hmmm...don't see the problem with it, so long as the children are loved and well cared-for and parents are happy.  Same goes for having lots of dogs....so long as everyone is happy and healthy, I don't see why the humane society (or the children's aide society!) would intervene.
 
People throughout history have had 10+ children.  Certainly not what I want for myself, but I don't think it's abusive to have lots of kids.  As for 2 bathrooms...well, again, not what I'd want, but not abusive, either.

My mom comes from a family of 17.  Of course that was a long time ago.  Before the invention of birthcontrol.  At least to the native community.  14 Children survived to adulthood.  There probably would have been more but my grandmother died in childbirth with my Auntie Emily.  By the time she was born she already had a niece and a nephew.  Her older sisters(my mom and my aunt) raised her.  I have 52 first cousins on my moms side, and most of us have children of our own now.  Some of our children have children.  And not a single cousin on my dads side.  LOL

I only saw a part of an episode of the show.  It was close to the end when the house was done and they were moving into it.
 
I see nothing wrong with it.  There are religions that don't believe in contraceptives.  They believe that God will give them what's best for them.  They looked like a really happy family.  The children looked happy, the parents looked happy.  Shoot.  I've seen parents who only have 1 or 2 kids and are far worse parents than they are.  I think they're a very loving family.  Good for them for raising good kids (god knows we need more of those nowadays). 
 
As far as the washrooms go, I don't remember but I would assume their new house has more.  Even if it didn't, if they're happy with it, good for them. 
 
I thought they were a great family.

As long as the family is supporting themselves and not making the government do it, I say go for it if you want to.

Those guys are doing it all on their own so I could care less how many kids they have! They can have 50 kids if they want to! 

I'm actually very impressed with them.  In the day and age where credit card debt seems to be a way of life, the Dugger Family some how don't have any credit cards or any loans.  They pay for everything in cash.  If they want to raise 16 healthy, happy kids and do it on their dime - then all the power to them!

Wow I can't imagine having that many children and being able to give them each the individual attention that they truly need.

So this woman has been pregnant for some 12 years??  It wouldn't be my cup of tea, but to each his own. I don't think this is a decision I'd leave totally up to God - I don't think He pays enough attention to what's really going on.

ORIGINAL: garrettandpaul

Wow I can't imagine having that many children and being able to give them each the individual attention that they truly need.

 
That's what I was thinking too... In the show, the Mom even admits this herself. Therefore each child is paired with another child (1 older child to 1 younger child) and they have to take care of them.  They call it the "buddy" system. 

I have seen family's with one child that can't make it work.  If I was that Mom I would be worried about my health.  Would want to stay healthy for the children I already had.  They must spend half their life in the Pediatricians office. lol 

My mother has some friends that have left it up to God as to how many kids they have.  However, mom dyes her hair.  (Anyone else see the irony?  Seems like God is capable of deciding the number of kids, but needs a little help with getting the hair color right.  Go figure.) 

My dad is the youngest of 18 (same mom, three different dads). I couldn't do it! Their family seems very, very nice, but I wonder if it's kind of like the Stepford family.  Everyone seems TOO nice!

Also, I don't know about the rest of you, but I would need a break from my kids once in awhile.  I only have TWO and I need breaks! LOLI would think that Mom never gets breaks since she homeschools.

They have NO debt to my knowledge.  Anyone who can raise a family that size debt-free deserves some applause!

ORIGINAL: agilebasenji

My mother has some friends that have left it up to God as to how many kids they have.  However, mom dyes her hair.  (Anyone else see the irony?  Seems like God is capable of deciding the number of kids, but needs a little help with getting the hair color right.  Go figure.) 

 
Hahahaha!  Our world is full of those kind of ironies, and they provide excellent comic relief.
 
I can't imagine the purpose behind having that many children.  I assume they drive cars and use modern medicine, so why not use birth control, as well?  However, they do sound like an interesting family, and it takes all kinds to make the world go 'round.  []