Sometimes we see things on social media that make us scratch our heads. There are videos of people's dogs that appear to be talking or a toddler who can dance like Michael Jackson, and we wonder How is that even possible? Recently, a young woman went viral on TikTok for being just 21 years old and mom to a 15-year-old, and it left a lot of people totally confused.
Hunter Nelson, aka @hunterenelson, posted a TikTok chronicling her thoughts on the emotional stress of parenting someone who is just six years younger than she is. Wait, what? That's not possible, right? How is this the first that we've heard bout someone who became a mother at 6 years old?
Something seemed off about the whole thing. The video caught millions of people's attention, and it's been viewed more than 8 million times. A deeper creep into Hunter's TikTok sheds some light on the situation.
The video had a lot of people pretty confused.
The TikTok shows Hunter driving with text on the video that reads, "me driving down the road and realizing I'm 21 with a 15-year-old."
The video continues, with her questioning things like if other parents will take her seriously or how she will teach her to drive. Of course, the comment section was on fire.
"U WERE SIX WHEN YOU HAD A BABY," someone commented.
"I've never raced to the comments so fast," another person joked.
"I hope this is satire cause it's not clicking for me," another comment reads.
Hunter followed her original TikTok with some clarification.
Although she addressed many comments on the first video, explaining that she is not a biological parent but that she has guardianship of her sister, Gracie, people still didn't understand.
In a subsequent video, she says she and Gracie share a dad, who died in 2015. When Gracie's mother died not too long ago, Hunter thought that it was best to move Gracie in with her. Despite being a full-time college student and working, she puts Gracie first and wants the best for her.
"Right now, I'm sitting in my car while all my friends are hanging out because she has cheer practice, and I don't want to leave her," she says.
Hunter wants people to know she is not airing her family's dirty laundry.
According to Hunter, several commenters on the original video believed that she was talking about her "trauma" on a public forum and that it would make Gracie uncomfortable.
She assures her followers, however, that Gracie thinks the TikTok is funny and that she didn't make the video to make anyone feel bad. "I am happy that she lives with me, and I am happy that she's safe," Hunter says in the clip.
Hunter's TikTok page is an open book.
Hunter uses social media to educate others on what it's like for her and Gracie on a day-to-day basis. Their situation is unique and definitely interesting. On TikTok, Hunter covers all kinds of topics from the legal guardianship process to how she disciplines Gracie.
She also fields questions from other TikTokers about why she was the one who took guardianship of Gracie and not another adult and how their relationship is with their extended family. Hunter keeps things light-hearted and is happy to laugh at the crazy comments from time to time.
There are a lot of people with lives similar to Hunter and Gracie.
Plenty of people commented that they are also raising siblings or other family members close to their own age.
"I will probably just keep posting about it, because I think it's very interesting to see other people going through similar situations," Hunter says.
Comments reiterated this is true.
A lot of people told their own stories in the comments. Someone wrote, "My sister took me in when I was 13, and she was 21 ❤️what you're doing is amazing!"
"i took custody of all three of my brothers when i was 21, they were 19, 16, 14!" another person commented. "the schools and parents looked at me so funny, they also are disabled."
"I took custody of my 16 yr old brother when I was 20. it's hard, but your bond will only be stronger! ❤❤❤" another comment reads.
Some wanted Hunter's advice on how to take care of their siblings.
'Hey so i've been on my own since 14 and my mom and dad are no longer able to care for my brother. How can I get legal guardianship?" someone asked.
Congratulations to you, Hunter, for taking care of your sister. She is lucky to have you, and we wish you luck and continued success.
