This is a repost from another user who shared their story across multiple subreddits
Credits to the original poster for sharing this experience!
Please don’t interact with the original content as it’s quite old now
Content Warning: >!family neglect!<
Update Status: >!positive ending!<
First Post: Early September 2024
When I turned seven, my folks made the choice to sell everything and buy a motorhome for full time travel across America. Dad handles remote work while mom creates social media content. She has a decent following that gets us noticed in public, and I’ve been filmed constantly since childhood. I’m keeping details vague and using an anonymous account since I want privacy.
My sleeping area is a cramped bunk that became too small ages ago, with the upper bunk serving as my only storage space. No actual bedroom, just a fabric divider for privacy. Being an only kid is lucky since sharing would be impossible. Most schooling happened at home until I convinced them to let me do online classes for my final years. At eighteen, I’ve never made real friendships since we never stay anywhere longer than four weeks. No employment history and no income means I can’t afford to leave.
I’ve tried talking to them many times but they truly think “living nomadically is the ultimate lifestyle” and can’t understand why I’d want different. They treat me like cargo instead of their daughter. I despise constantly moving, can’t stand hot weather, bugs everywhere, and endless trail walking. I dream about escaping their morning workouts and constant filming. Sure, I’ve seen America but what about having normal experiences, attending university, or building friendships? Apparently that’s too much to ask.
Key Comments from Original Poster:
User asks about other relatives:
OP: None that I’m aware of sadly. My current strategy involves finding remote work to save money for my own place, and I’m discussing splitting costs with a longtime online friend
Someone suggests university:
OP: Definitely considering it but worried since my home education left me behind academically and high school was really tough. Just glad I got into a real online program instead of staying homeschooled
User jokes about making counter-content:
OP: I’ve thought about it for awareness but it seems risky. First, limited content potential since once I tell my story there’s not much else. It would get repetitive quickly. Plus I’d need stability first in case things backfire. Most importantly, after having my whole life broadcast since childhood, I want to keep some parts private.
Most Helpful Response:
supportiveuser: 1800runaway has resources for housing assistance and support services. We assist people in situations like yours daily.
Follow-up Post: Late September 2024 (8 days later)
Hi everyone, just over a week ago I shared my negative experience living in a recreational vehicle with my parents for the past decade. Even though it’s been such a short period, my circumstances have changed dramatically. I’m not sure how many would want an update but several people seemed worried so here’s what happened. Warning that this got pretty long since I tend to over-explain, there’s a summary at the bottom.
Many people offered genuinely helpful suggestions, resources, and personal assistance (some questionable but mostly from people who truly cared). It was honestly overwhelming and I couldn’t reply to everyone, sorry about that. Even without responding I’ve been researching the information people provided. What stuck with me was people asking about relatives when I had to say “not that I’m aware of” since I don’t know dad’s family and mom cut all contact with hers. I never knew if they were alive, who initiated the split, or any details since mom refused to discuss it.
What I did have was mom’s uncommon maiden name and birthplace, which surprisingly goes far when searching for family. I’ve always resented the internet since I never chose to have my life public and know nothing disappears online, but for once I’m grateful for it. I managed to find information about mom’s relatives and specifically located my grandmother’s social media profile after considerable effort. After much anxiety about whether and how to contact her, I sent a message explaining mom’s lifestyle, who I was, and my situation.
I won’t share details about why grandma and mom don’t speak since that’s not my story, but grandma was horrified to learn she has a granddaughter she didn’t know existed and even more upset about how her daughter raised me. I discovered I have an aunt and uncle who grandma told about me and my circumstances. We’ve been in almost constant contact since meeting, all wanting to help me escape this living situation with my parents, and being eighteen makes it actually possible.
Again I’m not comfortable with specifics but I have plans to stay with my aunt who lives in a major west coast city with lots of opportunities for me to start university or whatever path I choose (which I do plan on figuring out for college, exciting news!!). My uncle has children but my aunt lives alone and has an extra room she’s happy to let me use as long as needed. I have a train ticket that my aunt scheduled and paid for plus enough cash to reach the station.
I’m currently talking with my family (still weird to say) and working out details like whether to inform my parents. Mom doesn’t know where any of her relatives live so even if I told my parents who I’m going to, they wouldn’t know my specific location. Someone mentioned that leaving without telling them means I should leave evidence that I went willingly, so if I skip the conversation I’m planning either a note or recording a video explaining my plans and reasons, which would be pretty ironic right?
Regarding mom’s filming, I’ve been staying quiet around my parents and refusing to speak when the camera runs but thankfully neither has commented on it yet. Also about mom’s content, I want to stress something quickly. Almost everyone genuinely tried helping but a few people replied trying to identify me (thankfully the ones I saw got heavily criticized and deleted their comments). I also got private messages from people guessing my identity which at least isn’t public I suppose. While I understand curiosity, I posted anonymously with minimal personal details intentionally. As mentioned in my previous post, I’ve received enough attention and I’m really tired of it. I would really appreciate everyone respecting that. Even if you think you recognize me, please don’t make public guesses and understand I don’t want this becoming more public information connected to my identity.
Very long story short, I have concrete plans to leave plus a safe destination with my aunt and really appreciate so many people being willing to help. If someone told me less than two weeks ago that I’d not only have a plan to move away from my parents but also contact with family members I didn’t know existed, I wouldn’t have believed it. I’m currently not planning another update post but wanted to let anyone concerned know not to worry, truly thank you.
Selected Comments from Original Poster:
User warns about trusting unknown family:
OP: I’ll definitely be careful, why mom isn’t in contact with them makes complete sense and wasn’t their fault plus they provided evidence of that. Despite that I don’t know them personally yet, my train isn’t scheduled immediately and I’ll keep talking with them until then but they seem genuinely concerned and trustworthy. Plus my aunt who I’ll stay with seems really nice and we’ve already discovered we share certain interests.
Same conversation continues:
OP: Oh I forgot to mention, as stated in the post I’m planning on university (because that’s more achievable for me now!! amazing!!!) and hoping to figure out dormitory living so realistically I won’t stay with my aunt very long once I work that out.
User suggests getting mom’s perspective:
OP: Mom absolutely refuses discussing her family, that’s why I had no contact with them initially and didn’t even know about my aunt and uncle. But I’m confident they’re being truthful because I was actually shown evidence and some was literally court mandated.
User advises against video:
OP: I realistically don’t plan on recording anything, I think I was just feeling spiteful and emotional thinking about everything which led to considering dramatic approaches for telling my parents. Video definitely isn’t smart if I don’t just tell them directly
To a critical commenter:
OP: Question, have you seen that Harry Potter scene where his “bedroom” is under the staircase and thought “wow he actually has space to sit up in bed and a door”? I have many times actually. I’m very willing to “abandon” them to not feel like that anymore.
User suggests police contact:
OP: That’s actually a really smart idea, thank you!!
Note: The original poster indicated no more updates planned, but leaving this open hoping she confirms her safety.
Note 2: Original poster provided a final update in November 2024!