17 Kids will fuel culture wars
17 Kids will fuel culture wars
Another flabbergasted reporter cannot understand why anyone could actually love their children enough to want to be with them and have more. The topic is the Duggar family and the soon to be 18 children they have.Whatever its other intentions 17 Kids and Counting has the potential to keep the culture wars raging along. This series, being shown Mondays at 10 p.m. on TLC, follows a round of specials documenting the daily logistics of the Duggars of Tontitown, Ark., the evangelical Christian family of a couple named Jim Bob and Michelle, who during the course of their 24-year marriage have produced 10 sons and seven daughters, spread out in a 7,000-square-foot house with nine bathrooms.
The Duggars have been the subject of fierce debate online, where liberal women often condemn their choices as reckless and conservative women defend their patience and commitment as inspirational. Read more...
Labels: Duggars, large families
Children, a gift from God
Children, a gift from God
I continue to marvel at the polarizing effect of the Duggar family and their 17 children. Here's a commentary that touches on that effect.
BONHAM, Texas (BP)--Recently on NBC's "The Today Show," host Matt Lauer interviewed the Duggar family. Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar are the Arkansas couple who just welcomed into the world their 17th child.
Among some Americans, typical reactions have included, "Are those people crazy?" and "Don't they know what causes that?" But among homeschooling families like the Duggars, a greater openness to having more than two children has prompted such responses as, "Isn't that wonderful! Read more...
Labels: Duggars
Duggars welcome 17th child
We've been following the Duggar family since 2004 and number 15. Now they are up to 17 with Jennifer. The discovery Channel has a great site devoted to the Duggar family. HT: The Homeschooling Revolution
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - It's a girl — again — for the Duggars. Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar welcomed their 17th child, and seventh daughter, into the world Thursday.
Jennifer Danielle was born at 10:01 a.m. at Saint Mary's Hospital in Rogers, Ark., the Duggars said in an interview. Jennifer weighed 8 pounds, 8 ounces and arrived five days after Michelle's due date.
Less than 30 minutes after giving birth, the Duggars already were talking of having more. Read more...
Labels: Duggars
The 17th child for Duggars
God bless them
LITTLE ROCK The Duggars are once again pulling out the pink ruffles and lace as they prepare for the birth of baby number 17.
Michelle Duggar said today that the whole family is excited about the arrival of the baby girl they will name Jennifer Danielle, keeping with the family tradition of giving the child a name that begins with J. Read more...
Labels: Duggars
Duggar Family, Stars of TV, to Address Film Festival
I don't have cable TV and I didn't know this was such a big hit. In case you never heard, the Duggars are a family of 16 kids (at last count) who homeschool.
“One of the most remarkable events on cable television took place recently when hundreds of thousands of viewers watched as the Duggars -- a Christian home school family with sixteen biological children -- worked together and managed a happy, orderly household to the glory of God,” observed Doug Phillips, founder of the San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival. Read more...
Labels: Duggars
Duggars in the news (again)
This is the third time I can remember this notable homeschooling family making the news.
SPRINGDALE, Ark. � Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar are baby boomers.
They may not fit the age profile of the post-World War II generation, but the numbers don't lie: They have 16 children.
Ten boys, six girls. Together, as a couple. All theirs, biologically.
And they may have more, Lord willing.'We never dreamed we would have 16 children,' said Mr. Duggar, a soft-spoken, 40-year-old former state lawmaker, as he surveys what Michelle lovingly refers to as their home's 'serene chaos.' Read more...
Labels: Duggars
Mom delivers 16th child, thinking of more
I hear it gets easier after the 12th child... We reported on Duggar number 15 a while ago too.
LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas (AP) -- Michelle Duggar just delivered her 16th child, and she's already thinking about doing it again.
Johannah Faith Duggar was born at 6:30 a.m. Tuesday and weighed 7 pounds, 6.5 ounces. Read more...
Labels: Duggars
Having 15 children, little less ridiculous
Some surprisingly level headed re-thinking of the author's own opinions about the Duggar family. (Homeschoolers, mentioned in previous stories).
It's 10 p.m. Do you know where your 16-year-old is? How about your 12-year-old or your 11-year-old? How about your 7-year-old twins? And what about your 3-year-old, not to mention your newborn?
Keeping track of these seven children would be a daunting task for any parent. Double the amount to 15 children, however, and throw in a bun in the oven for good measure, and you have the makings of absolute pandemonium. However, this is just how Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar live each day. Read more...
Labels: Duggars
Homeschooling Mother of the Year's Life Chronicled on Discovery Health Channel Series
SILVER SPRING, Md., July 22 /PRNewswire/ -- Michelle and Jim Bob Duggar have it all over actors Steve Martin and Bonnie Hunt. In the movie, 'Cheaper By The Dozen,' Martin and Hunt play the parents of only 12 children. In real life, Michelle and Jim Bob are happily raising 15 children and who knows if that is the final count.
Whether it's the intense high-drama of keeping track of and raising a lot of children of varying ages or the graphic reality of many people living under one roof, viewers are fascinated with the loving and chaotic inner workings of a large family. When 14 CHILDREN AND PREGNANT AGAIN! premieres on Monday, September 6 at 9 PM (ET/PT), Discovery Health Channel presents an intimate behind-the-scenes portrait of the Duggar family as they celebrate the arrival of their newest sibling, a boy named Jackson Levi, the fifteenth Duggar. Read more...
Labels: Duggars
Duggar family's newest addition brings number of children to 15
There is nothing unusual about the cardboard sign outside Michelle and Jim Bob Duggar's house announcing 'It's a boy!' in big blue letters. But inside the modest brick home, life is anything but typical. The newest arrival is the Duggars'15th child.
Most days, the Duggar household - consisting of 10 boys and five girls-is run with the precision of an Army boot camp. Everyone is up by 7 a.m., chores are done and checked off a master schedule posted in the kitchen by noon and lights are out by 10 p.m. But last week, the family was celebrating the homecoming of its latest addition, born on May 23 - a boy, who like all of his siblings, was given a name beginning with the letter J. Read more...
Labels: Duggars
The Crucible
Below is an essay my son wrote on the Crucible. This is one of those books you’ll find on many “must read” high-school literature lists, and is a classic that has earned it’s place there. Who can forget John Proctor’s sacrifice for truth. Read more...
The Pilgrim Adventure: Our America series Volume 1
Homeschooling mom and author Susan Kilbride has a new history series that is sure to spark your child's interest in learning about our Country's roots. Here's what she shared with me about this new title, and she generously includes a free unit study on pilgrims. Finn & Ginny’s parents are lost back in time, and the two young twins have decided to go back to early America to find them. Read more...
Zero the Hero
A child's first exposure to math should be fun. Forget repetitive drills and boring worksheets. One of my favorite books I first used to teach my young boys the concept of counting was the M & M's Counting Book. It's a fun and yummy introduction to basic math. I'd get other colorful books from the library, anything creative and eye-catching would work for such an important concept. Read more...
Fablehaven
Siblings Kendra and Seth are sent to stay with their grandparents while their mother and father cruise the Caribbean. Disappointed not to be vacationing with them, the kids anticipate the 2 weeks will be drudgery. Contrary to their beliefs, when they arrive at their grandparents estate, they are surprised to find a tree house, swimming pool, and a gigantic playroom full of books and toys. What they don’t know is how many secrets await them. Read more...
Mathematical Reasoning: Middle School Supplement
There are some kids who have an insatiable appetite and intense passion for mathematics. You may recognize the signs: cruising through math homework, A+ average, may watch extra math lectures, answers your questions with statistical probabilities, and looks for logic and reasoning themes in both games and reading material. If you see this love for math in your middle schooler, you’re likely on the look-out for puzzle books or supplements to keep your budding Archimedes challenged and happy. Read more...
The Code Book
The Code Book is a nonfiction book on the history of code-makers and code-breakers. It starts out with the trial of Mary queen of Scotts--whether she lives or dies is determined entirely by queen Elizabeth’s code-masters. If they crack Mary’s code and see the messages she had been smuggling out of jail are plans for a rebellion, she’s as good as dead. The book recounts the captivating, historically accurate tale of the evolution of code. Read more...
Homeschooling Your Struggling Learner
I have a struggling learner, and we had a tough 4th grade school year. Math was a chore. Writing was like medieval torture, and the basic rules of grammar might have well been a foreign language. It seemed as though everything I tried to teach my son ran out of him like water through a sieve. We needed help. When I heard Kathy Kuhl was speaking at our local homeschooling convention this past June, I knew I had to go and hear her talk. Read more...
Chord Buddy
I fell in love with the guitar when I was 12 years old and my romance flourished for over three decades. I still have the Martin Sigma Anniversary acoustic my parents bought me when I turned 16. I admit the first year of learning to play was touch and go - sore fingers, muffled sounds, buzzing strings. It seemed I would never produce anything that resembled music. Never one to give up easily, I persisted and eventually things clicked. Read more...
The Ultimate Top Secret Guide to Taking Over the World
As soon as I read the title of this book I knew it would be just right for my 10-year-old reluctant reader. I toss him at least 3 different books a week – he'll read a chapter (if even that) and quickly loses interest. A typical boy, he likes video games, playing outdoors, staring out the window, eating candy, and scheming secret plots to take over the household. Household today. Country tomorrow, and I'm sure world domination is in his long-term plans. Read more...
SAT ACT TOEFL: College Prep English Practice
Now that two of my boys are in high school, my ears are frequently tuned towards SAT information. When to take it? How many times? How critical is scoring well to future college placement? And finally, how should my sons best prepare? If you want to know the basics of the test, visit here. Should a high SAT score be your goal? Of course you want your student to do well, but the SAT is only one piece of the puzzle. Read more...
Zondervan Bibles
Zondervan recently sent me three of their new bibles - The Liberty, The Clutch, and The Bloom. Looking at them brought back memories of when I bought my first bible 30 years ago. I went to the only Christian bookstore in town in search of the perfect one. Even back then I was overwhelmed by the choices. Read more...
Crypto Mind Benders: Famous Quotations
The Critical Thinking Company has a vast selection of materials to both teach and allow application of reasoning and thinking skills. As I've mentioned before, I've used an array of their products over my past 10 years of homeschooling. I recently sampled their Crypto Mind Benders: Famous Quotations, a tool that specifically requires the use of deductive and mathematical reasoning skills. Read more...
Bindi Wildlife Adventures Book 1: Trouble at the Zoo
Bindi Irwin, daughter of the late Steve Irwin (AKA The Crocodile Hunter), has followed in her father's footsteps with her desire to help endangered wildlife. She's been a busy young lady – staring in a TV show, designing her own fashion wear, traveling the world, and now she's the heroine of her own adventure book series. Read more...
James Madison Critical Thinking Course
I am a huge fan of The Critical Thinking Company's products. Over the past 11 years of homeschooling I have used their Science Books 1 and 2, Editor in Chief, Building Thinking Skills, Mathematical Reasoning, and Mindbenders. When I heard about this new critical thinking course, I was anxious to review it. If you need convincing about why you should teach (or you yourself learn) critical thinking skills, click here. Read more...
Science Unit Studies for Homeschoolers and Teachers
This collection of fun science lessons and activities are designed to offer hands on experiments that will satisfy the curious nature of children, while making it easier for parents to teach science. Kids love to pour, measure, taste, alter, and explore their environment. If you can direct their experimentation to teach a concept, then you are more likely to help them remember the material. Read more...