16 children and counting!

Wholesome Wear? Oh my you have to be kidding me! How in the world do you swim in a spandex dress? 

You know, I used to feel the same way. I have a cousin who lives like that. She home schools her kids, they are very, very religious, the kids have no contact with anyone not like them. Then, a couple of months ago, I went for a visit.

This is a family that is loving, compassionate, not nearly as judgemental about others as I thought they'd be, and extremely happy. They read about others who are not like them and stay informed about current affairs. They are aware of the "world out there", just choose not to join in many of the activities of that world.

After seeing some of the things my daughter was exposed to in her teens and some of the pressures so many kids are experiencing today, maybe families like them aren't so wrong. It's not for me but if it works for them...

Yeah it's coming back to me now, but in this link Paula gave me they didn't sound so freaky lol

Shame on you Paula you are giving me half truths   

Hey, I completely missed the other thread and show it was based on. The one I saw tonight didn't sound so bad! Now, I must go check out the swimsuits!

Hey, I was homeschooled, and I loved it. But my family was pretty normal and I had lots of non-homeschooled friends. I've seen alot of different family's (one of my little sister's friends is can only wear a wet suit when she goes swimming) Alot of times, these kids just dont know how to deal with the real world. If/when they go to college/leave their parents house, it's a shock.

Well I agree with the to each their own theory, but someday these kids need to join the "outside world" don't they? Well I suppose they don't but if they decide to it willl be a shocker for them. I worry when children have such an isolated upbringing, sure they may really be loving and totally caring parents, but if they aren't how would these kids know any different if they have no outside connections?

Now, I must go check out the swimsuits!

Those suits would keep us all safe from hormonal dolphins anyways 

LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!   

run away!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I was always worried about that, too. But, my cousin's oldest (who is also my godson) went off to college, has graduated and is now a teacher. Granted, he went to a religious-based college and teaches in a private, religious academy but that is his choice. His sister is now a freshman at the local community college and seems to not be having any adjustment problems.

I finally realized that they are happy and well-adjusted. They are aware of the world around them but choose to stay within the confines of the familiar. Come to think of it, most of us do. I am aware that there is a bar-hopping culture around me but I choose not to participate in it. I also know that there is a vast drug sub-culture out there. Again, I choose not to participate. It's sort of the same thing.

Funny, silly! And sharks, if paranoid men are right.

I'm from a big family--six kids--and that was great. But 16 in an isolated world just seems wrong, especially if they're being gender-groomed to do what the respective sexes have traditionally done. Plus, no matter how loving the family, there's no way two parents could give 16 kids all the time and attention each child deserves. Just an opinion...

Those suits would keep us all safe from hormonal dolphins anyways 

Oh, now that's just too awful of you! It has taken me weeks to get that damned image out of my head and you just put it back in there! 

If I remember right, the older kids are paired up with the younger ones as "buddies"

I had a good friend that grew up with 12 or 13 kids in the family and they were all very loved. Sure the parents didn't have the one to one time with them, but they got plenty of attention and never went without the important things. I don't think it's the amount of children that is a concern, not for me anyways. Like I said, they seem to be loving enough and support the kids it's just when the religion and expectations begin to sound more like brain washing that I raise an eyebrow. But who am I to say how they should raise their family. If I ran the world you'd all be in trouble lol  

Oh, now that's just too awful of you! It has taken me weeks to get that damned image out of my head and you just put it back in there! 

LOL aww just trying to send you a smile or two 

Yes, the older buddy with the younger. Mom is everyone's #1 buddy and Dad is Mom's buddy. We buddied up in my family, too. It just made sense, with the age spread and numbers (I'm one of seven with 13 years between the oldest and youngest).