The ‘2009 Parents of the Year’ award goes to…The Duggars

September 16, 8:16 AMAtlanta Northside Family & Parenting ExaminerJackie Kass

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Photo credit: duggarfamily.com

Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar were awarded the title of "2009 National Parents of the Year" by the National Parent’s Day Council. The council insists that the Duggar’s were not selected just because they have a large family of their own children, but because they have exhibited such high standards of parenting. The website states, “Their highly organized household centers around spiritual principles and is obviously filled with huge amounts of love, grace, joy and mutual respect.”

However, there is no getting around the fact that the Duggar family is indeed super-sized. Michelle and Jim Bob were high school sweethearts, have been married 24 years and produced 18 biological children (with one on the way!). There are 10 boys and 8 girls ranging in age from 7 months to 20 years. The oldest son and his wife are expecting their first child, making Michelle and Jim Bob grandparents for the first time. Their grandchild is due before their own 19th child. Jim Bob states on his website, “We believe that each child is a special gift from God and we are thankful to Him for each one.”

The Duggar’s have been featured on five Discovery Health/TLC documentaries entitled, 14 Children and Pregnant Again!, 16 Children and Moving In, Raising 16 Children!, On the Road with 16 Children! and Duggar Big Family Album. Their weekly series called 18 Kids and Counting is currently a hit on Discovery Health. They have appeared on national and international TV shows including The Early Show, The Today Show, The View, Inside Edition, Italian Public Television, the Korean Broadcasting System, Jimmy Kimmel Live, the Fox News Network, CNN, MSNBC, and others.

The fascinating thing about the Duggar's is that the family receives no public financial assistance. They have built their own 7,000 sq. ft. home debt-free, taken some of the kids on overseas missions, homeschool all of their children and lead a very spiritual life.

So, what do you think parents? Are Michelle and Jim Bob Duggar worthy of the “Parents of the Year” title? Be sure to be honest, but kind, and leave your response below.

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