Seriously have they written any sort of book about how they save and keep their budget? I know I saw a little something on one of the specials, but dang they could really show people how to get it done. (I know they get clothes from their church and obviously buy in bulk :lol.
I don't know about a book, and I have never watched the series - only a special or two a few years ago. But yes, clothing from church & she makes clothes too I think, 2000 a month for food was their budget then - and you can do that - my food budget with my family size is similar to that and I don't even eat tater tot casserole... but it sounds good.
I wasn't going to reply but, this thread got the best of me--LOL. Alright, I used to think there is no way you can have a big family & give each child the attention that they need. That was until we started bringing more kids home. I now see how it works & have a whole new perspective. People used to have big families all the time. People look at us now & say we're a big family though I don't see that. I see just a family. Doesn't matter the size. The love for the kids will not change just b/c the # increases. Trust me, that used to be my own fear as well. We currently have 7. I say currently b/c we too are thinking of increasing family size one last time. Adding 1 or 2 more kids & our family will be complete. can't explain it, just feels like someone is missing. Anyhow, everyone is always worried about one on one time or quality time. Trust me, my teens don't want anymore quality time w/ mom & dad--LOL. Kids get to a certain age & they are more social w/ friends versus parents. Natural progression to adulthood. We all know this. So they will not require as much time. One on one time also does NOT have to be a special event so to speak. Leave that to the reality shows. My husband takes each of the kids here & there to the coffee shop. They think it's the coolest thing ever. Dad gets coffee, kids get a treat. Just one at a time. I may just run to the dollar store or Lowes or somewhere & ask if anyone wants to go. NOt all jump at the opportunity. Sometimes I take just the girls to yardsales & we laugh & have some girl time. A walk around your neighborhood provides plenty of good conversation & one on one attention. You talk in the car or wherever w/ just that one kid. Sometimes the kids will help me cook. Again, conversation just one on one. No "outing" but definitely quality time asking them how things are going. Every night we eat dinner, go around the table & talk about our day. Yes, even my deaf son has to say what he did. No exceptions to this. Last night, I had a "difficult" teen w/ this. I asked everyone to share their most favorite part of the day. Of course, she had none. Fine, share your least favorite. No. Fine, tell eveything that you did or you don't leave the table. Yep, that did it. We play ball w/ the kids outside some nights. Last night, DH was cooking on the grill & my high schooler was talking to him. No one else, just her. I was playing w/ the kids out front. So, yes, you can indeed have quality time together if you have more than 2 or 3 kids. And yes, one on one attnetion. Reality shows make you think one on one time needs to be some event out. Not true. We do family vacations together for sure. I can assure you none of my kids feels slighted. Okay, right now my high schooler does b/c she is the ONLY one on planet earth at her HS w/out a cell phone. Each family has to know their limits. We kind of arbitrarily set ours at 10 kids. Don't know why but know we could never go past that many. If you can provide fo rthe kids, it shouldn't matter how many you have. Do we struggle financially? In this economy, I think everyone on here does. You just find more ways to save w/out comprising the quality of life you have. We don't receive SSI, government assistance or anything of the like. Neither do the Duggars to my knowledge. We pay for our kids own healthcare & medical needs which I know for a fact is probably far greater cost than the Duggars 19 kids combined--LOL. Many think we receive assistance & a stipend every month b/c our kids are adopted. We receive not a dime. It is very much a misconception. And that tax return you guys were mentioning, yes you do indeed get a return. Trust me, not as much as you think. I have gotten to know many "big" families over the years & wonder how on earth they do it. Though we are nowhere near that many & probably would never be, I see the love these families have. They hurt no one, kids are well adjusted & it works for them. I agree w/ previous posters if it is no hurting anyone, live & let live. That is just my two cents. Probably worth less than that. take it for what it's worth. Now, have to go spend some time w/ a certain little boy before he goes to kindergarten tomorrow. Families just need to know their limits. Maybe the Duggars have reached theirs, maybe they haven't. I wish them the best of luck. stephanie--mom to 7
:hurray: I think they're fascinating! Their website is a bookmark of mine because I like their recipes. They support themselves; I say Kudos to them!
I'm wondering after 18 kids is IT all that appealing :shock:.... I mean it must be love. Yes, I said what everyone was thinking........ :lol::lol::lol::lol:
I was just reading an article on this family and the mom says "she hopes this isn't the last one" :shock: she is only 42 too.....which for some reason I never caught that....
