The Duggars: 20 and Counting!: Raising One of America's Largest Families--How they Do It (Paperback)

~ (Author), (Author)
Key Phrases: chore packs, organization tips, blanket time, Jim Bob, Johnson Road, House Built (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

The Duggars: 20 and Counting! is a behind-the-scenes look at the supersize family that fascinates millions of television viewers around the world. From Idaho to Istanbul, people want to know how Arkansas parents Michelle and Jim Bob Duggar efficiently and lovingly manage seventeen (soon to be eighteen) happy, homeschooled children without going into debt -- or losing their minds!

This, the Duggars' first book, is an entertaining and enlightening collection of stories, photos, recipes, tips, traditions, and practical ideas designed to answer the questions of the curious, such as:

- Why do you have so many children?

- How do you provide for your family financially?

- How do you handle mealtimes? Transportation? Laundry? Birthdays?

- How are your children so well behaved?

- Why do all your children have names that begin with J?

Since their first documentary broke viewership records on the Discovery Health Channel, the Duggars have appeared in American and international news media, sharing their rock-solid faith and their overriding belief that "children are a blessing from God." In these pages, Jim Bob and Michelle share their story, beginning with their own childhoods. They reveal how their growing-up years shaped their philosophy of parenting. It continues with tales of their big, busy family, whose televised documentaries and frequent appearances in news shows and newspapers have created an international following.

The Duggars share, with humility and humor, the family routines and guidelines they've learned through biblical study and trial and error -- ideas that can help make your home a place of peace, love, and support:

- Financial lessons for debt-free living

- Organizing systems for a clutter-free home

- Homeschooling methods and schedules

- Training tips for little ones

- Relationship builders for older children

- Favorite Duggar family resources

Reading The Duggars: 20 and Counting! is like visiting this big, busy family right in their home: fascinating, inspiring -- and fun.

About the Author

Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar married in 1984. Some time after the birth of their first child, they prayed that God would give them a love for children like his love for children and that he would bless them with as many children as he saw fit in his timing.  Soon after, Michelle became pregnant with twins! With child number eighteen due January 1, 2009, the Duggars currently have ten boys and seven girls, and all their names begin with ?J?—Joshua, Jana and John-David (twins), Jill, Jessa, Jinger, Joseph, Josiah, Joy-Anna, Jedidiah and Jeremiah (twins), Jason, James, Justin, Jackson, Johannah, and Jennifer.

The Duggars have been featured on six Discovery Health / TLC documentaries and are contracted to film several more. They have appeared multiple times on national TV shows, such as The Today Show, Good Morning America, The View, Inside Edition, Jimmy Kimmel Live, Fox News Network, CNN, MSNBC, and others. Foreign television appearances include Italian Public Television, KBS (Korean Broadcasting System), and Discovery Home & Health (UK & Australia). They have been featured in magazine and newspaper articles in China, India, New Zealand, Australia, France, and Germany. As a family project, the Duggars built a seven-thousand-square-foot home. Both Jim Bob and Michelle are licensed real estate agents and conduct the Jim Sammon's Financial Freedom Seminar in their community. They purpose to live completely debt-free—postponing  purchases until they have the cash. Jim Bob served in the Arkansas House of Representatives from 1999 to 2003 and was a candidate for the U.S. Senate in 2002.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Howard Books (December 2, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 141658563X
• ISBN-13: 978-1416585633
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 7.3 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (115 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,214 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #3 in	Books > Parenting & Families > Education
  #3 in	Books > Nonfiction > Education > Homeschooling
  #11 in	Books > Parenting & Families > Parenting > Babies & Toddlers > Child Development

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

102 of 102 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Lots of background info not in the shows!, November 28, 2008

By	F. Tregay (Illinois) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I had my library order this book for me for their collection, and it arrived early (hence the review before publication date). I read the book in a few hours today. It is quite an interesting read with lots of information that has never been included in their television specials. The Duggars write about their political run, child rearing philosphies, daily schedule, organizing and chore methods, their businesses (past and present), and many more topics.

There are many recipes and pictures with captions (some from before they had any kids) scattered throughout the book. Most of the recipes are available on their family website, though. The Duggars even included a floor plan of their home which cleared up some confusion for me as to where things were located after watching their tv shows.

I was surprised to read that even though their home was professionally decorated by Discovery Health/TLC, there were a couple of things not included/completed in their home their first year that many of us would not want to live without in our own homes. They had to save up to afford them. I think some of us probably get the wrong impression from their shows that they have a lot of money in the bank. After reading the book I believe that they really are frugal and need to be to provide for their family.

I wish the book had included more information on how they really live frugally today. Possibly some information on the menus they follow to budget food expenses or more overall budget/expense information on how they truly afford 17+ kids, would have made an interesting addition. Also, there is only a little tidbit about the girls' "dress code". I wish they had included more information about how they came to decide on it and when they started the modest dress code.

It was overall an interesting read and gave me a more complete understanding of this large God fearing family.

53 of 56 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Most honest book I've ever read, December 3, 2008

By	Lolagranola "lolagranola91" (Rural Wisconsin) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

I'm only half way through and I do love the Duggar's - but I have to say I cannot believe how frank and honest they are in this book - all the critiscims people have made of their family like "why doesn't Michelle breastfeed for birthcontrol?" - these are all addressed in the book. Also I'm ashamed to admit I assumed they had inherited money and that they got health insurance from Jim Bob's brief stint in the house of Reps - wrong wrong wrong - they are incredibly frugal and always have been - they started out with nothing married as teenagers and have saved and scrimped until they came to the relative financial security they have today (not wealth, security) - also they have a health insurance plan with high deductibles to make it more affordable - once again - I'm astounded they shared all these very personal details. I am absolutely loving this book and can't wait to finish.

38 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I am impressed and grateful for this book!, December 26, 2008

By	Leocea M. Mclanahan "Lea" (USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I bought this book recently, and it is just wonderful.
Anyone who thought that they are weird, closeted religious fanatics will change their minds if they read this. Michelle and JimBob *are* strong Christians, with a conviction to allow God to control their family size. This does not mean that they breed like animals or take fertility drugs to have as many children as they can. Instead, they enjoy each other, and enjoy their life together. What this means is that if God has chosen for this one to be the last, they will accept it, and not go to extraordinary lengths to achieve a pregnancy. They will also welcome with open arms any children God blesses them with. This is really not an unusual viewpoint to have today, believe it or not. It IS hard to do. I know, because I and many of my friends follow a life that does not include artificial birth control. Michelle is one of the lucky ones. Out of 19 pregnancies, she has 18 children. Most of us have much smaller families. I have four, and I know several with less than five. The average seems to be 6 or 7. Please don't assume that those of us with many less children don't believe in the same thing! We just weren't blessed with that number of full-term births.
Reading this book, I am struck by the real-life education that these children are receiving. The children have been involved in their family businesses since birth! They have real skills, including building a house (!), that most video-playing, couch potato children of today are lacking. They will be ready for their adult lives when the time comes. I am sure that employers will line up to hire these honest, hard-working young men and women. They can only be a benefit to society.
I am a fan, obviously, but even I was amazed at how much more *normal* they seem compared to the tv show. I didn't know that the reason they are debt-free was simple hard work and planning. I didn't know that the tv show did NOT finish their house completely. That they went a whole year after moving in without air conditioning, until they saved up for it!!! Ditto for a yard. The show is NOT how they paid for their house, or why they can afford their children. Remember, the show was 15 and pregnant again. They had 15 children when they first had a show! They were supporting them themselves.
Instead of criticizing these people, read the book and find out the truth. They are a hard-working, good-natured couple who have been blessed abundantly, and are generous enough to share it with others. I recommend this book for everyone. It will open your eyes to a lifestyle that is a true blessing to everyone.