A TikTok content creator recently found herself under heavy criticism after sharing a video of her family’s life in a cramped one-bedroom apartment. The video, which quickly went viral, showcases the woman rearranging furniture in an attempt to create space for her growing family, as she and her husband anticipate the arrival of their seventh child. The family currently resides with six children, and the mother expressed her gratitude for their three-year stay in the apartment, despite its limited space.
In the video, she explained that she and her children are working together to reorganize their belongings to provide more privacy for the older kids. Two large mattresses lie on the floor as sleeping arrangements, with a small cot nearby for the baby, while the family cat lounges in the background. “When you have 1 bedroom with 6 people, a ‘bedroom’ becomes more essential than a dining room,” she explained in the caption. She also shared her gratitude for teaching her kids resilience, saying, “We teach our kids to take care of what they have and keep praying and pushing for the growth that we want.”
Backlash from Social Media Over Priorities and Child Neglect Allegations
Despite the mother’s explanations, social media users quickly expressed their disapproval. Critics accused the family of poor financial priorities, pointing out that while they purchased multiple TVs and a PlayStation 5, their children sleep on foam mattresses. Screenshots from the mother’s other TikTok videos further fueled outrage, revealing her plea for followers to help her go viral, promising her husband would agree to more children if their financial situation improved.
WATCH THE VIRAL VIDEO:
People on tik tok judging this mom who is pregnant with her 7th child and lives in a one bedroom apartment. pic.twitter.com/nXjY1xXGD7
— Jelly Santos (@MrsJellySantos) October 27, 2024
One commenter remarked, “This is a horrific existence for her children. The selfishness of adults genuinely makes me sick.” Another user wrote, “It should be a criminal offense to have more than one child if you can’t afford to provide them a good quality life.” Calls for intervention even surfaced, with some users urging Child Protective Services (CPS) to investigate the family’s living conditions and ensure the children’s well-being.
As the debate rages on, the TikTok creator continues to share glimpses into her family’s life, seemingly unfazed by the criticism, and defending her choices to provide for her children in the best way she can.