Twenty Kids & Counting

What an example when the world is overpopulated! Yes, I know they all seemed very loving etc., but the older children got little attention and were expected to child rear. We couldn't bear to watch it till the end!

Hi mimiro, I don't know who the duggars are - is that a US programme? I think we all know that UK TV programmes don't pay anywhere near as much.

i mean the whole being famous for being famous thing
as said here many familys have had huge familys.

For not doing anything? They’ve a long-established family business.

I agree with you, GrandmaKT. The way they interact in interviews shows how much love there is in the family. I’ve personally known parents with one or two children who neglect them or treat them badly. I’ll save my criticism for them.

in the begining the duggars made 25000-40000usd per episode/add to that being paid for interviews/public appearences of all sorts.
books, etc .
they do quite well.for not doing anything
www.businessinsider.com/reality-tv-stars-salaries-2016-6#a-players-on-a-cable-reality-show-30000-to-10-million-per-season-6

I think they are a lovely family! As mentioned further up the thread, both parents were adopted. They were lucky to find each other so young and are obviously still in love after all these years. I would imagine the programme paid for the holiday to Florida, and possibly some other extras, but they are hard-working and the children seem to be well brought up and loving. No way could I have done it, but each to their own!

It sounds horrific to me ! I had 4 and giving individual attention was difficult but each child had what we called a `special day` when one child could choose an outing for just the two of us . I can`t imagine how you could give 20 any attention at all . It sounds perverse and indulgent to keep producing children at the cost of the ones you have .

I haven't seen the programme so can only comment on the issue rather than the people involved.

I'm sure there are children in small families who don't get any attention. At least these people have intentionally had these children and so presumably want them.

It wouldn't appeal to me but I'm certainly not repulsed by it.

My grandad was one of 13 children. Born and brought up in a very rough area of Tyneside . His father was killed in the war (aged only 22) and his mother was quick to remarry . Sadly her new man had no desire to bring up someone else’s children so my grandad and his brother were thrown out aged only 7 and 8. Thankfully they were taken pity on by an elderly childless couple who took them both in and unofficially adopted them both . My grandads mother went on to have a further 11 children she could neither afford to feed or clothe. All left to god and good neighbours I would imagine she had little choice . My grandad looked after his mother all her life slipping her anything he could afford behind the evil stepfathers back . My grandad was the kindest most gentle husband, father and grandad anyone could wish for .

Loved mine arriving, loved mine leaving, love life with them living their own lives now, got other things to do rather than be a baby machine

I'd never remember all those birthdays!

in the family I knew they all had wee jobs around the house and the older ones took the tinies out during the day .It seemed a lovely family they were all close growing up and as adults.They didn't miss out on education either as I later heard that there were two accountant,s a lawyer,a church minister , a doctor and two nurses among them.There were a lot of bigger families in our street ,8 or 9 children and no one batted an eyelid ,it was just the norm

I don’t think the parents do that much of the upbringing. It seemed to be the older siblings bringing the younger ones up.

Good luck to the mum. There is no way I could cope with that many children, the noise level alone would be too much for me. Imagine trying to buy and sort all the school uniforms, help with homework whilst cooking tea? Laundry would be a nightmare. Definitely not for me ?

Huge families are a bit of a fascination aren't they? I think Amanda Owen, the Yorkshire shepherdess has nine children now? She just straps the latest baby into a papoose and goes off to feed the sheep!

Not for me, I stopped at three

I feel sorry for the older ones too gillybob. Teenage is difficult anyway but when there are 19 others, all ying for attention, it must especially hard. I seem to remember that when I last watched it, they had 16 children and the older ones were saying that they hoped there wouldn't be any more because they were worried about their mum.

Or maybe it makes him feel like a “real man”

I suspect the program helps fund their holidays to USA, minibuses etc.

I think they are obsessed with the attention they get from having a new baby. As though they have a new toy to play with. It seems very cruel to the older ones who are forced to bring their younger siblings up.

Personally I’d never remember all their names!

Way to go.

The greatest officially recorded number of children born to one mother is 69, to the wife of Feodor Vassilyev (b. 1707–c.1782), a peasant from Shuya, Russia. In 27 confinements she gave birth to 16 pairs of twins, seven sets of triplets and four sets of quadruplets.

bluebelle Are the on yet again? I've seen the family on previous programmes. I've also wondered how he made money enough for their life style.

Just the thought of all that never ending washing, ironing, shopping, cooking meals, washing after meals, bed making, on and on and on......
And how does each child get any individual attention? Or a quiet space to study or read?

Yes, both the parents were given up for adoption at birth.

I also think that all the media coverage is egging them on.