The Duggar family of TLC's "19 Kids and Counting" expecting baby No. 20

By: Camille Mann
Topics: Television

Michelle and Jim Bob Duggar of TLC's "19 Kids and Counting" at the Values Voter Summit on Sept. 17, 2010, in Washington.

(Credit: Getty)

(CBS) It looks like TLC is going to have to change the name of its show "19 Kids and Counting."

The show's stars, Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar are expecting their 20th child in April 2012, reports Entertainment Weekly.

The 45-year-old mom told the "Today" show she was surprised to discover she was expecting at her age. "I was not thinking that God would give us another one, and we are just so grateful."

The couple's children have typically been 16 to 18 months apart, but with their last child born in December 2009 this is the longest the family has gone without a new addition, according to MSNBC.

The Duggars have said before that they leave their family planning to God, reports MSNBC.

Their 19 children range in age from 23 years to 23 months. The announcement of their 20th child coincides with the show's finale tonight, Nov. 8.

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by mommyof13 November 14, 2011 10:38 AM EST: YEAH Duggars..... " every good and perfect gift comes from HIM " --- I really hate it that most people do NOT see their children as a gift. They have a baby , can't wait til they can send him/her to day care. Then they can't wait til the child goes to school . Then they can't wait for that child to finish school and move out. MAN , if you do not enjoy children , why did you have them anyway ?; Reply to this comment


by RhondaAutismAdvocate November 10, 2011 9:43 AM EST: More power to them! They are amazing parents and have amazing children. Obviously they are doing something right. The rest of us should look in the mirror and realize that we could be better parents if we focused more on our children and less on everything else! May God bless each of them.; Reply to this comment

by swreed27 November 10, 2011 12:40 AM EST

I think this is some type of child abuse, or should be at least. There is no way that the parents can give the attention and love that a growing, developing child needs. That is just my opinion, I could be wrong.

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by JK25538 November 10, 2011 4:08 PM EST: Yeah. Their kids should be raised in a day care or by a nanny like other kids.


by 51saint November 10, 2011 12:04 AM EST: Isn't that what they're getting paid to do? My gosh, didn't they just go on an around the world trip? Consider the cost of that little jaunt! If they weren't getting paid to have a reality freak show, then mommy would be out there as a surrogate making babies for a lot $$$!!; Reply to this comment


by dee0711 November 9, 2011 11:32 AM EST: To those of you posting that this family needs our help to provide for their family : check your facts. This family owns several properties. One of which an AT&T phone tower is on. Most of their income comes from use of that tower. So if you want these people to live off us as taxpayers stop using your AT&T phone and internet services.
Just because this family is different than than the norm, people say he should be neutered or castrated. Sickening.... thats what wrong with society , anyone who doesnt fit in your perfect bubble is to be shunned. Small minded people speak that way.
This mother and father teach their own children in home, teach them respect and faith to raise them up as responsible kind human beings. Whats wrong with that?
This family has no criminal history , they dont beat their children or drug use or even tv and internet,unless educational. Whats wrong with that?
I would rather she raise 100 kids like these kids than the slugs I seen walking down the streets packing guns in their pants that they cant even keep up around the waist. How about the generations of families living on welfare and food stamps? This family is self sufficient. They pay taxes on their properties and home schoolo their own kids... whose business is it if she wants 100 kids. Not mine... Bible says do not JUDGE lest you be judged....
As for the comments on the older kids helping out the younger or doing chores.... thank you Michelle and Jim Bob for teaching your children to be good and responsible adults. The oldest owns his own business and works for himself. Wow that is horrible too. NOT!!!! This family has helped provide for many others and even built their own house as well as others,. The show shows the kids going all over the world helping those less fortunate . I bet the people who have recieved their help arent on the bandwagon of complaining about them... this family is doing what some of us were raised to do... Gods work. If you dont believe it dont watch and please dont use your AT&T phone and internet cause you are just making them more money.; Reply to this comment

by pd417 November 9, 2011 9:02 AM EST

A couple years ago, they interviewed the Duggar kids and asked them what they wanted to do when they grew up. Every single girl, without exception, said she wanted to be a mom and have at least ten children. Not one wanted to go to college or find a meaningful career They may be loving and caring, but is this responsible parenting?

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by txdirtdigger November 9, 2011 9:26 AM EST: it's pretty well a given fact that these people love the attention, not to mention the dollars they rack in on there "family"!
the children are paraded in front of a tv audiation every week, the parents are "IRRISPONSIBLE" self sevring & not to smart. if adding to the population of Arkansas is there only goal, they need to get his "yahoo's" cut or her tubes tied.
Arkansas should be greatful" they are "self sufficant" so they don't have to pay this litter welfare.
instead of having more kids, they should be teaching there kids responsabiliy, because they are NOT


by Rohanite November 9, 2011 3:13 PM EST: Believe it or not, a large percentage of women in the world end up having kids at some point. Why not teach them to make children a priority rather than an afterthought?

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by ellmay13 November 9, 2011 6:35 AM EST

think its clear to say they've had tooo many kids now.

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by seasandy44 November 9, 2011 11:43 AM EST: Did anyone bring up the fact that the 19th baby has many health issues. The mother should stop having children. It is not fair to bring another child into this family. Her body cannot carry or handle another pregnacy. I think this is unfair to the 20th child. It is like gambling, with that baby's life...will it be normal and OK.


by junglemama November 9, 2011 4:43 PM EST: @seasandy44, Josie's(#19) health had NOTHING to do with her age or how many children she's had. You all should do research before leaving ignorant comments about someone you know nothing about. People in their 20's and pregnant with their first child have had similar problems!


by nancy_naive November 9, 2011 6:11 AM EST: If it weren't for donations, and the money they make by having the litter, they would be living in a trailer.; Reply to this comment


by NoWayJose9999 November 9, 2011 6:08 AM EST: .........Somebody stick this guy's nuts in a golf ball washer.......; Reply to this comment


by nancy_naive November 9, 2011 6:07 AM EST: They make their money by being freaks on TLC and other cabel channels.

They're freaks.; Reply to this comment