Strollerderby

I don't follow the Duggars, except when they appear on the Derby - are they some kind of religious fundamentalists? The eighteen children and strict courtship rules seem to point that way.  If that's the case, they won't have taught their child about responsible birth control methods - and it's more likely than not that the newlyweds will end up with a baby or several far before they have started to build a strong relationship with each other.

No one's PUSHING them to have kids, they're asking because they think that this young couple agrees with the Duggar parents that conception is morally wrong.  You may agree with the Duggars' decision to wait 4 years, but THEY THEMSELVES now think that was a bad choice.  If Joshua and his wife have embraced the quiverful philosophy, then they've basically announced that they're trying to have kids.  So, we're just asking "when" because we know that if they're not using contraception, and they're both healthy in that department... well, it's gonna be soon.  

And that's THEIR call.  We're just looky-loos.

Also, the quote "I don't know how to do just one or two loads of laundry a week instead of one or two loads a day and I'm having a hard time figuring out how to cook for only two people" does NOT sound like any couple trying to get started.  Did you read that quote at all?  She's trying to figure out how to do LESS WORK with a smaller family.  Yes, the newlywed stage is tricky.  But adding in baby laundry won't be the biggest crisis this couple faces.

If they're not using contraception and have no infertility issues, they've got like an 85% chance of getting pregnant within 12 months... assuming they're having sexual intercourse regularly. I myself would totally support them holding off on the sexual intercourse while they get to know each other, if they want to do that. I can't imagine how nervewracking it must be to transition into both your first sexual relationship AND your first independent home at the same time, after having virtually no privacy or experimentation time during your adolescence. If that was me at age 20, I'd have taken a good year to work up to intercourse at all -- I needed all that pressure-free time with the "outercourse" before I was ready for anything potentially baby-making.

But they're not me, and my understanding is that they're of a culture that views marriage and sex as primarily procreative in purpose. They'll get no reproductive pressure from me, but I imagine they'll get it from their families and from themselves. I hope they'll follow their own internal guidance if they want to take their time with the marital procreative sex, but I certainly don't know what their priorities are for their marriage.

Oh wait... sounds like "having a large family" is a priority for them. Well, then my bet is on Anna getting knocked up during 2009, and hopefully producing a nice healthy baby.

Actually, the Duggars started out using birth control pills, and then stopped taking them so they could get pregnant.  Sadly, Michelle miscarried her fetus (not uncommon in first pregnancies), and they blamed the Pill.  Of course they're allowed to change their minds, and it sounds like they did but I bet between that and the fact that these CHILDREN are just learning how to deal with themselves and each other in married life, we may not see a grand-Duggar for a little while yet.

I love the Duggars. I'm not a quiver-religious person/follower/individual. However, if I could have 18 kids, you can bet your sweet bippy I would be! :D I love watching how they make their family work. It's not about what we all, as outsiders think or want, it's about what makes their family unique and complete to them. They don't depend on us to support them, so why should anyone say a word about their choices? The Duggars might be strict in their religion, but if you watch their show, you see that they raise their children to be morally righteous, and straight-thinking... I think of Josh Duggar and his new wife want to have a baby, they will make it work, not because they are ready for it, (because at any age at any religion, there is no couple that is completely ready for a child), but also because Josh Duggar's parents and I'm sure his wife's parent's are the same, have taught their children the basic fundamentals of being a person true and honest to themselves and to others. And hey, they've got plenty of experience when it comes to taking care of kids! :)

In relation to the Duggars' expressed beliefs regarding children, I don't think questions regarding children should be viewed as "pushing" the newlyweds to start having kids. Rather, they are asking if the couple will be following the prevailing practice of Joshua's childhood religious sect - to refrain from using birth control, and allow children to come to them at God's will. Even if His will be implemented, say, on their wedding night.

I'm not defending the person that asked this question, and feel it is a rude one to pose to any couple. But, given the media hype about the Duggars and their religious beliefs, it is an expected one.

On a personal note, having married into a family that practices a religion that places an emphasis on having a lot of children, the marital guidelines of "wait until we know each other as husband and wife" or "wait until we are financially ready" to have kids are typically not expressed - and many honeymoon babies are in our family as a result. Different strokes for different folks, you know?

TokyoRose said:

"Actually, the Duggars started out using birth control pills, and then stopped taking them so they could get pregnant.  Sadly, Michelle miscarried her fetus (not uncommon in first pregnancies), and they blamed the Pill."

Thats not true. What happen was they had their first child, and went back on the pill, then Michelle miscarried; When they went to a CHRISTIAN doctor he showed them that the fine print that comes with the pill says that you can still get pregnant and miscarrie.

Michelle and Jim were heart broken because she felt as though they were being selfish because God wanted her to have a child and they went aginst that by using the birth control, she they then asked God to forgive them and told him to give them as many children as he see fit, in his time and plan and thats how we now have:

Joshua, Jana, John-David (twins), Jill, Jessa, Jinger, Joseph, Josiah, Joy-Anna, Jedidiah, Jeremiah (twins), Jason, James, Justin, Jackson, Johannah, Jennifer, Jordyn-Grace.

If you want to know more go to www.duggarfamily.com