Saving...The Duggars Make a Today Show Appearance
On Tuesday morning, America's most prolific public family made an appearance on the Today Show, shining with their usual optimism as they presented their second book, A Love that Multiplies: A Close Up View of How They Make it Work. They also directed some attention to their newest bouncing baby girl, 17 month old Josie, who was born about three months premature.
The family of 21 beamed with their usual cheerful demeanor, happily addressing common questions and recent events that have concerned their way of life. Perhaps one of the most controversial families on television (and that's saying a lot in this day and age), the Duggar clan has sparked a debate about what a "normal" family should look like and whether or not it's prudent, practical or fair to have such a large brood of children. So, just how big is too big?
Whether you agree with their philosophy or not, it's hard to argue this is an unhappy family. Over the years, they have learned to make it work financially, with the help of debt resolution, careful investment, close budgeting and buying used instead of new. They appear to have deep love for one another and have committed to helping their community with charity work and rescue efforts following the recent tornadoes in Joplin, Missouri. Of course, they do hold very strict notions surrounding reproduction and raising a family, and this is at the heart of public disagreement. In the end, are happy families or conventional families more important for a healthy nation?
I saw the appearance this morning, too. I have to say, the Duggars fascinate me. I did a bit of research a while back for a blog post I was writing and I found out that the Duggars used the pill early in their marriage. Mrs. Duggar had a miscarriage and then vowed not to use birth control again and to accept as many children “as God would bless them with.” They are NOT on government assistance and they are an awfully nice family, so i don’t understand the controversy- the fascination, maybe, but not the controversy. Once I emailed JimBob for his “Duggar family rules” hoping they might help me with my own family. He emailed me with the rules that very night! I think we could all benefit from the things that have worked for them. I think they are awesome!