I’ve been meaning to write something about my insights in watching 19 Kids and Counting—the reality show on Discovery Home & Health about the lives of Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar and their 19 kids—but I’m always at a loss for words.
For one, I am astounded how Michelle birthed all 19 of these kids. I gave birth six months ago through normal spontaneous delivery without medication, and I tell you it’s not easy. Next to her 19 deliveries, I feel like my childbirth was nothing compared to her. Though my childbirth experience is just as remarkable, still…19? Wow!
Another thing that’s really outstanding is how they are all vocal with their faith in Jesus Christ. Let’s all be honest, there hasn’t been any morally worthy U.S. reality TV show until the Duggars’ show came out. On one of the episodes, Michelle says their first and foremost condition with the Discovery management before signing the contract—they will not edit out anything on their faith in Jesus Christ because basically this is where their lives are about. Talk about a platform to declare your love for the Lord. Wow!
Finally, I admire how Jim Bob and Michelle raised their children. How all 19 kids are behaved and well-mannered is truly noteworthy. I mean any parent can say that raising one child is painstaking. Add 18 more to that and well, you understand why they are admirable parents. Not only that, Michelle single-handedly home-schooled all of these children. And they have lived all their lives without a television (no wonder those kids have values, their minds were not polluted by nonsense TV)! Wow!
I’m really not a fan of reality TV shows because I feel dumb watching the lives of other people I have no business in. But the Duggars’ reality show was an exception. I learn from it! Especially when it comes to parenting. I respect Jim Bob for how he has led his family and how he was able to provide for all 21 of them. Sustaining a family is one of the most difficult tasks a husband and a father has to do and undoubtedly, Jim Bob’s focus on the Lord has helped him to accomplish this. And I am proud to say that I have a husband who is just as devoted to the Lord Jesus Christ as Jim Bob, if not even more.
Personally, I look up to Michelle. As a wife and mother, she’s an amazing example (well, next to my own mother and mother-in-law of course). Her gentle spirit and love for the Lord Jesus Christ are just some of the characteristics I admire in her and would like to emulate. Imagine how she disciplines all 19 of her kids without even raising her voice. How she holds it altogether if ever her kids get on her nerves is beyond me. I have yet to see an episode where Michelle loses it. Besides, this is a reality TV show. I don’t think they would keep those details from the viewers since those are usual scenarios that bring in the ratings, right? If only I can exhibit even a tiny bit of her soft-spoken demeanor and her patient and encouraging attitude, then I think I could raise my little man like one of them Duggar kids.
Long before I saw 19 Kids and Counting and learned that all of them are being home-schooled, my husband and I have agreed to home-school our son. My reason for that merits an entirely different post. But to put it simply, I want to be the first one to teach my son in his formative years. We believe that it is important to watch and monitor what our child learns during these crucial years and so we would want to be more flexible in teaching him what he needs to learn. It’s just quite sad how some educational institutions raise their fees (to sometimes unreasonable rates) but lack the education that the child really needs. But that’s just me. Anyway, I’m quite far from that since my son is still learning to crawl and won’t be schooled in a year or two.
Oh wow, Duggars! God has truly used this family to show the world that raising a big family and giving them the quality of life is possible and teaching them the ways of the Lord can reap great rewards. I would want my family to be like theirs—a strong marriage founded in Christ, children who are firm in their faith and values, and a line of offspring who will love the Lord and give Him glory. In the end, it is still about God.
Teach me how to Duggar? Achievable. 19 kids and counting? Negotiable. :)