Tuesday, October 8, 2013

Michelle: "We're Trying" For More

In a recent interview with Jenny Schafer from Celebrity Baby Scoop, Michelle Duggar talks about marriage, babies, and what she considers to be the greatest misconception about the Duggar family. Here are the highlights: 

CBS: Tell us about the upcoming episode of 19 Kids and Counting: Anniversaries to Remember. What can fans expect to see?
Michelle: “My favorite part about filming the episode was how much Jim Bob surprised me and how he was able to keep the anniversary surprises secret. He did such a neat job in bringing together the past, the present, and then the future of our relationship."

CBS: Congratulations on our upcoming 29th wedding anniversary. If you could share your top three tips for a successful marriage, what would they be?
 
Michelle: “Pray together, be very quick to admit when you’ve made a mistake, and ask for forgiveness, because when you live with someone day in and day out, there’s always going to be those misunderstandings that come up. Communication is vital, and it’s important to take time every day to talk."

CBS: Are you hoping to become pregnant with a 20th child? Or maybe you have a special announcement to share with us?
Michelle: “I would hope, but we are not expecting right now. We’re trying at this point and we shall see if that is a possibility. If not, we are so thankful and grateful for the ones that God has given us so far. We are also definitely enjoying our grandbabies! They are so precious!”

CBS: Do you ever feel like your multiple pregnancies have worn-down your body? Additionally, do you ever feel like they have taken a toll on your mind and spirit?
Michelle: “I feel great. I think that exercising and eating right definitely makes a difference. In all my pregnancies, I rejoiced even when the morning sickness came, because I knew it was a good sign and a good reason to be sick. I think my mind, my spirit, and all of that has been just great. I am so grateful and I don’t even know how else to explain it. I am so thankful for the children that we have. They are all such a joy!”

CBS: Do you ever make “me” time a priority? Do you see value in taking some alone time? Or do you believe all your time and attention should go toward your husband and children?
Michelle: “I enjoy reading books and my Bible and having my quiet time before going to sleep at night. The scripture says that the evening and the morning were the first day, so I tell my children that their day begins the night before. I always encourage them to make lists and plan their next day before they go to bed at night, so that they can go to sleep in peace and know that their day is scheduled and they are ahead. Even in the mornings when I get up, I’ll oftentimes jump on my elliptical machine and exercise while listening to great preaching messages on OnePlace.com, which is a free app that I love using every day. I am not the kind of person that needs to have alone time…too much of that will really drive me nuts."

CBS: What do you think is the biggest misconception about you? What is the biggest misconception about your family?
Michelle: “...People were saying, ‘Oh, that’s way too many kids and I can’t imagine that many children in one family!’ Love really, truly multiplies…it doesn’t divide. It’s a joy, because there are that many more people and that much more love in the house!”

CBS: What do you say to the critics who think you should stop getting pregnant? What are your thoughts on the planet’s overpopulation crisis? Do you feel you are contributing to that? Why or why not?
Michelle: “We have studied it, and I believe that there is a misconception about overpopulation. I think that the whole mindset of overpopulation is really overrated. It’s a different perspective and that’s where people have their different ideas, and that’s okay. That’s what makes the world go around; there are many different ideas and different perspectives about certain topics.”

Read the full interview at CelebrityBabyScoop.com

22 comments:

  1. i personally like she is riskying her health by trying to have another baby. if you want more kids adpot so many kids that need a good home.

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    1. Her health is her own to risk. Some people smoke, some eat poorly, so we all are free to make our own choices and she chooses having children. Also, they have stated they are open to adoption, which would be neat to see.

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  2. Great interview! I can't agree more with what she said about overpopulation being really overrated!! All the people in the world could fit in Rhode Island according to national Geographic!

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  3. I really think they need to quit saying they "are trying" to have more babies. I thought it was inappropriate when she was of average child bearing age to keep announcing it, but it really is getting old and icky for them to keep publicly announcing it.

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  4. I only worry for Michelle's health if she should have more children. I would hate all those existing wonderful children and grandchildren to lose their mom/grandmother. However, she is healthy and it's a personal decision. They take care of their own family.

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    1. Im not worried. The kids and jimbob are well prepared to keep things running should she pass. its not ideal but at least thats something. There are many young kids around the world who care for ailing parents. sometimes with little or no help. And they are some of the most mature,happy young people you will meet. You wouldnt say that about a woman with less children who has been diagnosed with a terminal illness. Studies have proven that pregnancy, particularly multiple pregnancies DEcrease your risk of ovarian,cervical and breast cancers and have several other health benefits too. So as far as im concerned your 'worrying' is in vain.

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  5. She has a great perspective on her family, love, children, and God..It works for her family. Shes amazing..Im such a fan.

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  6. I love this post. Michelle speaks words of wisdom. I pray that they may be blessed with another child, for they are a great family, and will love and care for the child like any child should be. They are great parents. What a great role model. And overpopulating the world?!!!! That isn't really possible with when the average of children per family is 2.7. I pray that by their example other peoples eyes may be opened and see that children are a blessing and not a burden. They have opened my eyes and I pray that one day I may have as many children as they do.

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  7. For the sake of her own health and children I really hope, and this may sound mean, she doesn't get pregnant again. She should just enjoy her children and not risk dying again. The human body can only handle so much.

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  8. If Michelle's doctor thinks she is in good enough physical health to have another baby she should!!
    She is kind responsible and loving.

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  9. I love the Duggars but really when Michelle says they are trying I think she is fooling herself she is 47 and the odds of her getting pregnant are very slime at this point. Adopt or be content with the 19 you have.

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  10. Adopting or fostering kids would be a great thing. There are so many kids in this country that need a stable, loving home. The values, education, and experiences this family could provide would be a life changer. Awesome job, Duggars! Keep up the great work you are doing in your children's lifes.

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  11. I appreciate that they put their trust in the Lord and are holding to their convictions even though it is not exactly instep with current social norms. Michelle may not conceive another child, but true to their word they honor God by being open to another if this is His will, and they trust Him whether that means another child or whether that means it is time for them to enter a new stage of life. The "world" would probably not label them as free thinkers, but I would argue that in a sense they are free thinkers who seem to be far more tolerant of their critics than their critics are of them. Their outlook on life is very positive and their feelings toward each other and family in general is a breath of fresh air on the airwaves.

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  12. I love the Duggars, what a cute family, and you can really tell Jim Bob and Michelle love each other and there is so much love in their family. God is really using them to shame the "wise" in our culture who advocate contraception and abortion. Way to go Duggar family!

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  13. Thank you Lord for your care to this family. Michelle is a Blessed woman. My third pregnancy was life threatening to me and 2 hospitals turned me away because I would not abort. I dare not risk my children living motherless. I have three beautiful children. I am now a Grandmother. Even if I could have more babies, I find this grandparent time in life a different kind of Blessing and could never usurp a grand baby's arrival with a younger aunt/uncle. Enjoy what you have. The Lord has Blessed you and now it is time to bestow your Blessings onto the next generation. You are in my prayers, Joy

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  14. I think your family should have a million babies.. But I would love to see the rest of them be through adoption. There are SO many children who need and deserve the home and love you can offer!

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  15. If Jim Bob and Michelle are leaving it "up to the Lord" if they have more children, then why say they are trying. Trying implies that they are timing things in order to conceive. She is not too old to conceive and if she does, I will pray for a perfect full tem baby. At the same time, as hard as it may be for Michelle to come to grips with, I pray that she be at peace with enjoying life with the children she has and move on to the next phase of life. With no more babies, she can focus more on her children and not be thinking about being pregnant.

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  16. Good job and way to go!

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  17. I LOVE how honest she is. And I agree with comment 12. As for her preserving her health by not having kids, she's trusting God for her health and the future of her family, not herself, and to me, that's a wonderful example of exercising faith in the Lord. If He chooses to give them more children, they'll be happy. If he chooses not to, they'll be thankful. And I agree that she's much more tolerant than those who criticize her family. I'm thankful for that, because if she wasn't, they may have stopped doing this show a long time ago.

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  18. I'm not downplaying the fact of having another one but the reality that there talking about there highly personal love life like that shocks me! I would never tell my friends that my husband and I are up in the night "trying for more". I just simply say that we are praying for God to bless us with another precious little bundle of joy, Not that we are sending the kid's to friend's house and having some fun while they're gone, even though we do ; )

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  19. I have a hard time supporting a husband and wife wanting to have another child after already having 19. Come on ,when is it ever going to be enough. The probability of having a child at 47 and that child not having birth defect(s) are slim. It is time to stop having babies

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  20. @Anonymous 20 -- I agree. Saying "trying for more" is a little too much information for me. That's a mental picture I don't want, thank you.

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