Unless someone is being harmed, what people do in the privacy of their own home is their business. Or unless people have opened up their lives to the world by having their family featured on a reality television show. Then all bets are off; it’s everybody’s business.
Such is the case for the Duggars, an Arkansas family starring in the TLC cable network show, “Seventeen and Counting,” which refers to the Duggar’s children … and future children. Now, with the birth of the couple’s 18th child on Dec. 18, the show’s title will change to reflect the brood’s nearly annual growth.
After the birth of Jordyn-Grace Makiya Duggar, papa Jim Bob Duggar said, “She’s just absolutely beautiful, like her mom and sisters.”
Then the patriarch felt compelled to add: “We both would love to have more.”
Way to live in the moment, Jim Bob.
Since this family, and TV show, is all about birthin’ babies, it’s understood Jim Bob is referring to children.
We both would love to have more.
Apparently Michelle Duggar was unavailable for comment minutes after the birth of her 18th child as to whether she would love to have more children. But it’s the party line and both parents have stated they want as many children as God will “give” them.
So let us just say: Eighteen is enough. It’s 10 more than the fictional show “Eight is Enough.” Ten more than another TLC reality family show, “Jon &Kate Plus 8.”
Eighteen is two baseball teams. Or a full soccer team with plenty of subs. What more could anyone ask for. So stop, please.
The Duggars describe themselves as conservative Christians who don’t allow their children to watch much TV. Which makes it odd that they are living their lives on TV. The couple chose to tell their 17 children that the 18th child was on the way during an appearance on the “Today” show. It was supposed to be a big surprise. And it was. The kids appear stunned; the oldest, Joshua, seems embarrassed. Finally, some of the girls rally, saying how excited they are. Just maybe, the fertile couple should have kept this announcement a private family moment. It was a strange way to show how they disapprove of TV.
The show is mostly spectacle, such as, see the big family go to New York and squeeze into a tiny pizzeria; see them divide up so they can take taxis. Watch them pretend that there isn’t a TV crew filming the whole thing.
Children are a gift, most people agree. Conservatively speaking, 18 gifts is a lot. The Duggars could say they are content. The show will go on. Well, until some other enormous American family bursts onto the scene, vying to be the biggest.
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