Michelle will be the first to tell you that she is by no means a professional parent. She is constantly reminding her children that life is a classroom, and there is something to learn from every situation.
As a mother of 19 children (and two in heaven), she has a lot of wisdom under her belt. Let's take a look at a few of her favorite sayings. Michelle shares these quotes with her children on a regular basis, so if you watch the show, you will see the kids putting them to practice (or at least making an honest effort).
1. Look for benefits in the trials you are facing.
2. To be a friend, you must show yourself friendly.
3. Sincerity is being as genuine on the inside as we appear to be on the outside.
4. Guard your heart by what you hear, see, and think.
5. Be an energy giver, not an energy taker.
6. Think before you speak. Words have the power to hurt or heal.
7. If you can't say something nice, then don't say nothin' at all. (coined by Thumper in Bambi)
8. Whisper when in a public place.
9. Do all things without grumbling or complaining.
10. Think of one good quality you see in a person, and share it with them.
As a mother of 19 children (and two in heaven), she has a lot of wisdom under her belt. Let's take a look at a few of her favorite sayings. Michelle shares these quotes with her children on a regular basis, so if you watch the show, you will see the kids putting them to practice (or at least making an honest effort).
1. Look for benefits in the trials you are facing.
2. To be a friend, you must show yourself friendly.
3. Sincerity is being as genuine on the inside as we appear to be on the outside.
4. Guard your heart by what you hear, see, and think.
5. Be an energy giver, not an energy taker.
6. Think before you speak. Words have the power to hurt or heal.
7. If you can't say something nice, then don't say nothin' at all. (coined by Thumper in Bambi)
8. Whisper when in a public place.
9. Do all things without grumbling or complaining.
10. Think of one good quality you see in a person, and share it with them.
That's the best way to live your life!
ReplyDeletethis was really good
ReplyDeleteI am sure the Duggar children will be OK but large families have several challenges: (1) each child receives less attention and supervision by one of the parents - a buddy sibling is not the same. (2) the younger children are at much higher risk for Down syndrome which also increases the risk of miscarriage. The odds of having a Down's child is 33 times higher at age 45 than at 29. I have 3 children and love them more than anything. But I'm stretched to the max. because I am fully involved with each one of them rather than having surrogate parents raise them.
ReplyDeletePosting these tidbits is a good way to extend the Duggars philosophies (which are all Biblical philosophies, really).
ReplyDeleteI appreciate "whisper when in a public place". Children aren't being taught that these days.
Since I'm always on the lookout for people who are energizing (encouraging) because I often suffer from depression, it is a good reminder for me to always try to be the person I'm looking for to others. I like how Michelle puts it "energy givers" instead of "energy takers". Complaining, even good naturedly with friends, can sap the energy from others who might be wrestling with more than the rest of us know. The key is in the "sincerity" tip: don't be fake about being positive. Let the Lord renovate your thinking first! THen "positive" attitude will be sincere and spread from Him through you and then to others.
I think this is why we all download or "tune in" to the Duggars shows, becuase they energize, encourage, and motivate us to continue in good things even through life's hassles. Life's trials don't have to be life-breakers, but soured attitudes can be.
Thanks again for posting these.
cool
ReplyDeleteAnonymous at 6:47 on January 4,
ReplyDeleteI agree with you 100%. Nicely put!
Anna-Sophie
My favorite quote that she said on a show, she was acutally quoting grandma Duggar was "Show me your friends and I will show you your future. "
ReplyDeleteAnd ain't this interesting: Santorum is facing character issues after he opposed Medicare expansions, saying that he doesn’t want to make “black people’s lives better by giving them other people’s money.” (Interestingly, 84 percent of Iowa residents on public assistance are Caucasian and 9 percent are African-American.)
ReplyDeleteI like the phrase "Be an energy giver..." I've been around many people who are so draining. There are times for that, but it's enjoyable to spend time with people who encourage and don't sap the energy.
ReplyDeleteAny idea when new shows will be back on?
Hi Lucy!
ReplyDeleteTLC hasn't yet announced a start date for the new season, but we will post it to the blog when we hear.
Have a fabulous day!
Lily and Ellie
In response to anonymous at Jan 4 2012:
ReplyDeleteThere are many children who come from small families, and are perhaps even only children. Most of these children are raised in day cares and public schools, and spend very little time with their parents. Some of them live in single-parent homes and rarely or never even see one of their parents. Does this bother you as much as the Duggar family's decision to receive all the blessings God wants to give them?
Michelle has never given birth to a Down Syndrome baby. The odds of this happening are higher for any future children she might have, but what does that have to do with the present situation?
Do you know anyone with Down Syndrome? Can you honestly say that their lives are not worth living? That they don't contribute to this world? That they weren't created for God's glory? That they aren't a blessing, rather than a curse?
In response to Anonymous at Jan 5, 1:05:
ReplyDeleteDo you have proof that the Duggars pay no taxes? That they actually make a profit off the IRS?
I personally haven't seen their tax returns, but I am hard-pressed to believe that they never pay sales tax when they make purchases in stores, or that they get their license plates and driver's licenses free of charge.
In fact, the only thing I really know about their tax situation is that Jim Bob and Michelle stated on one of their episodes that they pay taxes which go to the support of their local schools, in addition to buying their own school resources for their children's educations.
Question for Ellie and Lily:
ReplyDeleteI don't understand why some of the comments are approved, in light of your promise not to post anything that is profane, derogatory, or in poor taste. I am not complaining about people who want to criticize the Duggar family, but do so in a courteous manner. I am complaining about people who make vicious comments, like referring to a human baby as a spawn, or those who say things that aren't even true, yet they are stated as though they are facts. (Isn't that slander?)
There are many blogs and forums that are dedicated to hating others, but your blog isn't one of them. That is why I enjoy it, and appreciate your hosting it. It just seems to me as though there has a been a recent surge in purposely offensive comments.
Lily and Ellie, since you asked for feedback on whether you had answered my question, I am going to answer you. Otherwise, I would not have responded, because I do not want to appear argumentative or critical. I hope I don't come across as anything less than appreciative of your blog.
ReplyDeleteThe truth is that I don't feel you answered my concerns. I wasn't saying that I only wanted you to post comments from people who adore the Duggars. I know that many people will disagree with the way they have chosen to live their lives. When they state their objections in a respectful manner, that opens up the channels for discussion and even friendly debate. Unfortunately, there are people who comment on this blog with the express purpose of offending others. They aren't just trying to state a differing opinion - they are specifically choosing words that will shock. These are the comments I was questioning, not the ones that respectfully raise objections to the Duggars' lifestyle.
Thank you for giving attention to my concerns.
I really like these!! I will be trying most of them on my little one when he gets old enough to understand.
ReplyDeleteHi Lisa,
ReplyDeleteThe comments that we post are the mild ones. Since we see so many that are so vulgar, our offensive meter must be calibrated differently than yours.
We are sorry that you are offended. We do our best to delete crude and insensitive comments, and we put a lot of time and thought into deciding which ones to post.
~Lily and Ellie
I just love Michelle and all of the Duggar's. She is so wise and I can only hope and pray that One day I can grow to be half the mother and woman she is. She is truly a mentor and inspiration to me. Thank you for posting.
ReplyDeleteHi, I agree with Lisa on this issue.
ReplyDeleteAlso, you say that you don't want this blog to be a fan site. Would you know of any fan sites? As I do believe that is what we are all reading your blog for. We are not interested in other peoples view of the Duggars. We all come here because we love the Duggars and are huge fans. This SHOULD be a fan site otherwise I really do not understand your purpose.
Hoping you re-consider this as a fan site or can point me to one,
Thanks most kindly,
A Ministers Daughter in Canada
@Anonymous
ReplyDeleteHi A Minister's Daughter in Canada,
The purpose of our blog is to provide factual, encouraging information about Jim Bob and Michelle and their 19 delightful children. :)
~Lily and Ellie
"Amen!" to this Anonymous post on encouragement. I too suffer from depression and have found the rare purity of this show to be very encouraging. Thank you Duggars!
ReplyDeleteThank you for all of your encouraging advice, I love your family and God Bless
ReplyDeleteI remember somewhere Michelle, I believe, mentioning a conference or event on communicating with others. Can someone share this information?
ReplyDelete