Arkansas Couple Welcomes 17th Child

[James_Newman]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070803/ap_on_fe_st/17_kids

Psalms 127:3-5
3 Lo, children are a heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.
4 As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth.
5 Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.

Now there's a happy man

 

[pinoybaptist]

I tell you James, that the Lord has His eyes on His people at all times, and watches out for them.

If He hadn't been watching out for these folks, they would have had more boys than girs.

Now, imagine raising a brood of hyper-active, hollering, fighting, rasslin', healthy boys, say, 12 boys to 5 girsl ? :laugh:

 

[Bro. Williams]

I know how expensive two are, what does that guy do for a living?

 

[NaasPreacher (C4K)]

Amen - praise God for this family and for their spirit. Did I read when the last one was born that they are believers? Does anyone know?

 

[TomVols]

Yes, they are.
They have been featured on (I want to say) TLC or some such channel several times in hour-long features. I'm sure a new one is on the way.

 

[Joe]

These people are mentally unstable. :BangHead: Even if they have plenty of money for nannies and housekeepers to assist, there is still only 24 hours in a day and just two parents for 17 kids. I noticed he has a good job, but really, paying for 17 kids!

If you are dealing with adopting or fostering kids who would otherwise be in a group home, that could be a different story.To procreate like bunnies is just being irresponsible and flippin. Birth control is readily available so there is no excuse.

We used to spend at least a half hour each night talking to our son about how his school day went. Without that intimate time to allow a child to open up about his/her day, you are placing them at a greater risk. Especially if something bad happened that day, and you didn't have time to speak to them. The next night, you didn't have time again.

It takes time to establish close relationships with your children, period. I wish them well despite my views

 

[mcdirector]

It exhausts me to just think about 17 personal children.

 

[tinytim]

These people are mentally unstable. :BangHead: Even if they have plenty of money for nannies and housekeepers to assist, there is still only 24 hours in a day and just two parents for 17 kids. I noticed he has a good job, but really, paying for 17 kids!

If you are dealing with adopting or fostering kids who would otherwise be in a group home, that could be a different story.To procreate like bunnies is just being irresponsible and flippin. Birth control is readily available so there is no excuse.

We used to spend at least a half hour each night talking to our son about how his school day went. Without that intimate time to allow a child to open up about his/her day, you are placing them at a greater risk. Especially if something bad happened that day, and you didn't have time to speak to them. The next night, you didn't have time again.

It takes time to establish close relationships with your children, period. I wish them well despite my views

I agree...
God expects us to use our common sense.

But I will say this... He is a better man than I am... 3 drive me crazy sometimes...:laugh:

 

[StefanM]

I noticed he has a good job, but really, paying for 17 kids!

I think he has done quite well in real estate. NW Arkansas is booming, so real estate is a good career up there (Walmart, et. al.).

I was thinking about the tax exemptions they'd have. They'd have to make at least in the 70k range to pay any federal income tax.

 

[Joe]

Good point Stefan. Yet if they place their children in public school, then I feel it's an undue burden other taxpayers must bear.


Tim don't feel bad, you are a better man than I. We have only ONE child and there have been times he drove us crazy


I also cringe when thinking about this poor woman's body, it has taken so much abuse. I understand females loose a great degree of bone mass with each pregnancy, making osteoperosis a higher risk.

 

[StefanM]

They homeschool their children. How they do it, I don't know, but they do.

 

[NaasPreacher (C4K)]

Good point Stefan. Yet if they place their children in public school, then I feel it's an undue burden other taxpayers must bear.

Did you read the articlem, or just decide to be critical? They homeschool their children.

Praise God for a wonderful family like this! What does it bother you if they want to have 20 kids? They take care of them, they feed them, they educate them, and it appears like they are raising their kids to glorify God!

Amen and amen!

 

[Alcott]

They homeschool their children. How they do it, I don't know, but they do.

Maybe their home is painted red, with a pot-bellied stove.

 

[NaasPreacher (C4K)]

I tell you James, that the Lord has His eyes on His people at all times, and watches out for them.

If He hadn't been watching out for these folks, they would have had more boys than girs.

Now, imagine raising a brood of hyper-active, hollering, fighting, rasslin', healthy boys, say, 12 boys to 5 girsl ? :laugh:

I'd rather raise boys any day

We had 5 boys and 1 girl. Lets put it this way - I am very grateful for my ONE girl !

 

[LeBuick]

These people are mentally unstable. :BangHead: Even if they have plenty of money for nannies and housekeepers to assist, there is still only 24 hours in a day and just two parents for 17 kids. I noticed he has a good job, but really, paying for 17 kids!

My best friend is from a family of 14 and will little to no money they made it. There were 5 sets of twins. There are far more important things to raising a family than money.

Having said that, these folks took the bible too literal (be fruitful and multiply). :laugh:

 

[mcdirector]

Still makes me tired. More power to them :thumbs:

 

[Magnetic Poles]

I agree with Joe, this is mental instability at work, much like people who hoard dozens of cats and live in their filth. Certainly, each child will not receive the parental attention they deserve.

 

[I Am Blessed 24]

I know several families with multiple children. The family with the most has 13.

The older children help out with the little ones and each one has jobs to do around the house. I have never seen a house run so efficiently.

They are a very happy family and help each other out. They are a very close family and love God with all their heart. They also homeschool.

None of my children attended a public school, but I still had to pay property taxes that included money for the public school system. I considered that an 'undue burden' on me.

I also have to pay for the school busses to run for the public school, yet my kids are not allowed to ride it. I have to pay for other's to ride the bus while taking my own to school in the car. (another undue burden)

Why shouldn't Christians have many children - the rest of the world is...they are our future.

Lo, children [are] an heritage of the LORD: [and] the fruit of the womb [is his] reward.
As arrows [are] in the hand of a mighty man; so [are] children of the youth.
Happy [is] the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.
Psalm 127:3-5

 

[NaasPreacher (C4K)]

I agree with Joe, this is mental instability at work, much like people who hoard dozens of cats and live in their filth. Certainly, each child will not receive the parental attention they deserve.

How can say they won't receive proper attention???

Mentally unstable?? You have got to be kidding?? What possible harm is there in having 17 children??

We had this same discussion when they had their 16th. I think it is FANTASTIC that a family would make this choice.

 

[Pete]

I won't say those who say they are mentally unstable are mentally unstable....I'll just sit here and think it Although it's common knowledge that I'm mentally unstable anyways so my 2¢ worth never counts


17 kids....that would rock. I might have to get hitched after all (toldyas I'm mentally unstable ).