Twenty Kids & Counting

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 ?

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

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'd never remember all those birthdays!

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

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 .

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.

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 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!

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 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.

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

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

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.

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!