20 kids and counting...

The story

The Duggars have their 20th child on the way!

"19 Kids and Counting" stars Michelle and Jim Bob will welcome their next child in the spring, People reported.

"We are so excited," the Duggar mother, 45, who is three-and-a-half months along, told the mag. "I feel good. I am past the sickness stage now."

The couple's most recent child, Josie, born on Dec. 10, 2009, is doing well after being born premature at just 25 weeks.

"It is a miracle. Josie is the most energetic, busy little almost-2-year-old," Michelle told the mag. "She is short, and yet she can keep up with the big girls and she thinks she is just as big as they are. We are amazed at what she can do."

According to dad Jim Bob, his wife is doing better than ever.

"Michelle is probably in better health now than she was 10 years ago," the 46-year-old said. "She has been getting on an elliptical for about an hour a day and is very careful of what she eats."

During her last pregnancy, the Duggar mother was diagnosed with preeclampsia and is now under the care of a high-risk pregnancy doctor. She is eating very healthy with plenty of protein, vegetables and skipping the caffeine - along with getting plenty of rest.

"We are just going to do the best we can," she explained. "I am taking a nap every day, and we are just taking good care."

Jim Bob added, "If we had lived by fear after Michelle had preeclampsia after her second delivery, we would have missed out on all our wonderful blessings. So many of her pregnancies have gone extremely well."

One aspect of their latest pregnancy that will be different is Michelle's first scheduled C-section.

"I've never had a planned C-section," Michelle told the mag. "So this one will be different."

In addition to their youngest daughter Josie, the couple is also parents to Joshua, 23 (who has two children, Mackynzie, 2 and Michael, 4 months, with wife Anna, 23), twins Jana and John-David, 21; Jill, 20; Jessa, 19; Jinger, 17; Joseph, 16; Josiah, 15; Joy-Anna, 14; twins Jedidiah and Jeremiah, 12; Jason, 11; James, 10; Justin, 8; Jackson, 7; Johanna, 6; Jennifer, 4; and Jordyn, 3.

The season finale of "19 Kids and Counting" airs tonight at 9 PM on TLC.


Most people have a problem with a few kids. This family makes it all seem like a piece of cake. I wonder if their next season will be 20 kids and counting?

I know their little show portrays them as being one of the most well adjusted families out there, but what is not seen, or shall I say emphasized, is the harm that is done to the children because they are all forced to become "parents" at an early age and not receive the full attention they require in order to be well adjusted children. And that is just the psychological aspect.

I'm not going to beat around the bush here; the quiverfull movement is child abuse.

Ginger_Snaps wrote:

I'm not going to beat around the bush here; the quiverfull movement is child abuse.

I'll just go ahead and disagree with this. I don't see how raising a family in a christian home and not using birth control is at all child abuse. Sure, 8, 14, 20 kids all having to take care of eachother and losing their childhoods because of that is a different issue.

That's gotta be one stretched out vagina!

Ginger_Snaps wrote:

I know their little show portrays them as being one of the most well adjusted families out there, but what is not seen, or shall I say emphasized, is the harm that is done to the children because they are all forced to become "parents" at an early age and not receive the full attention they require in order to be well adjusted children. And that is just the psychological aspect.

I'm not going to beat around the bush here; the quiverfull movement is child abuse.

I'm not sure if I agree completely. They did a question and answer show tonight. It seems like they have everything pretty much set up so they can spend not only group family time, but individual time with each of their kids. The older kids seem to really like staying around and helping to raise the younger ones. They have three older children that can leave, but haven't. At the same time, I'm not sure if their quality time and standards are the same as mine. The parents don't think their children should be kissing anyone until after they are married. I'm on the fence, but I don't see them as abusive per se.

endless dark wrote:

Ginger_Snaps wrote:

I'm not going to beat around the bush here; the quiverfull movement is child abuse.

I'll just go ahead and disagree with this. I don't see how raising a family in a christian home and not using birth control is at all child abuse. Sure, 8, 14, 20 kids all having to take care of eachother and losing their childhoods because of that is a different issue.

Allow me to clarify myself: it is absolutely essential for a child to form a parent-child bond with their parents in order for them to become well adjusted individuals; the Duggars have it set up that the older children become the parents of the younger children while Michelle takes care of the youngest until she pops out a new one, thus passing the child down the line. You cannot treat one-on-one interaction with children as an appointment because they have to be able to come up to you on their own terms.

Let me refer you guys to a blog written by ex-quiverful members to gain a perspective on what is actually going on here. Yes, it is blatantly biased but you can read about what is really going on in the movement.

La Diva Carlotta wrote:

That's gotta be one stretched out vagina!

I was thinking the same thing.

I think the mom is 45 and thats scary b/c it puts her risk of having kids with downs syndrome and birth defects way up there. I'm not saying that having DS is bad, some individuals live full happy lives....but if you can prevent it wouldn't you? Most women take folic acid to prevent birth defects. On the other hand, there are some mothers who have had "normal" pregnancies over 45.

La Diva Carlotta wrote:

That's gotta be one stretched out vagina!

Ha, I'm glad you said it first. I feel like those kids just stroll out with no problem now, after 8-9 months they just birth in 12 minutes fully dressed wearing little suits and ties.