Laurie:  Michelle Duggar was on the Today Show Tuesday showing off her 19^th child.  She and her husband Jim Bob (yes, elizabeth, they are  from Down South, Arkansas to be specific) were proudly holding up an 11-pound Josie who has spent most of her 8 months of life in a hospital, and I swear the child had a “WTH am I doing here?” look on her face.  Or perhaps I was reading my own thoughts into Josie’s confused expression.  And an even bigger question:  why do we continue to celebrate multiple births and litters of children?  Has the earth become under populated unbeknownst to me?  College tuitions dropped?  The cost of food and diapers plummeted?  What the heck is there to celebrate in having 19 children?

elizabeth: I love these blogs when I end up sounding like Glinda, the Good Witch.  I don’t have a problem with Arkansas – the state gave us Bill and Hillary Clinton. And how about Chelsea giving the press a hard time about getting the inside scoop on her wedding. Yo, you guys tormented her when she was growing up- you made fun of her and now you want to make nice. Go away.

Okay, now onto the Duggars. I have seen them on the Today Show also and having that many children does concern me. For Michelle’s body – her uterus must be down to her sneakers at this point.  I am afraid of her tripping over it and hurting herself.

Laurie:  Michelle and Jim Bob have a reality show (of course) called “19 Kids and Counting,” and for those of you who question the educational standards in Arkansas, they obviously can count over 19 because Michelle says she would be willing to accept another “gift from God (read “baby #20 for the show”).”  Multi Moms, you have to stop blaming God.  In the year 2010, these are decisions that you are making.  Let’s see if the older children think it was a gift when they spent their childhoods changing diapers, feeding and babysitting their siblings.  Let’s see if the younger ones enjoyed sharing beds, clothing, toys, and -I’ll give you the benefit of doubt here – Mom and Dad’s attention with 18 other kids.  And even crazier, since all the names of your kids begin with the letter “J,” will they appreciate that their parents got stuck on a J jag and can’t get off?  I’d like to refer you to the title of this blog and suggest that Michelle consider changing her name.

elizabeth: As one of seven siblings, I grew up hearing that my parents muse be Catholic or careless. So tell me which sister or brother I could have done without? No one ever could.  I never felt like I was part of a litter. Okay seven is not 19 and my parents knew when to stop. Nature stopped them.  I think my mother would have gone for a few more. I have to say that it never felt like a crowd. To the outside world, it did. To us, it is family. Too bad reality TV was not around then. I could have made it work for me.

I do hope the Duggars stop now – birth control is a wonderful thing when used properly. And there are a bunch of kids who could use a little more mom and dad time. Before Number 20 comes along.

2010, Coaches on the Edge ™

If you would like to learn more about Laurie, please go to her site: Empowered Life Journeys.

Stop by at elizabeth’s site at: Coaching for the Creative Soul