TikTok family of six sparks backlash for living in one-bedroom apartment with kids in living room
Photo: TikTok/@jenkinsresiliencecrew
A family of six, known as the Resilient Jenkins family on TikTok, has sparked a heated debate after sharing their living arrangement in a one-bedroom apartment, where their children sleep in a converted living room space.
In a recent video posted by mother Stephanie Jenkins, the family’s routine of transforming their living area into a bedroom each night was highlighted, sparking concerns among viewers. The video, shared on October 25, has since gone viral with over eight million views, drawing widespread criticism and support alike.
In the video, Jenkins described the nightly process of moving their dining table and cleaning toys to create a sleep space where four children sleep on air mattresses and foam toppers. Meanwhile, Jenkins and her partner, Drew, occupy the sole bedroom. Stephanie addressed the criticism, explaining that while the setup may appear “cluttered” to outsiders, she remains “grateful” for having a place to live. However, some users criticized the arrangement, with one user commenting, “Bedroom, game system, TV, big bed, neon lights… kids sleeping in the kitchen and living room,” pointing out the contrast in amenities in the parents’ room versus the children’s space.
@jenkinsresiliencecrew Night vlog. Tonight we took some time to work on manifestation. We started our wish box and all discussed something within ourselves we want to grow and work on. We worked on reading and writing skills as well as character building. And we had a blst doing so. #nightvlog #smallspaceliving #blendedfamily #familyof6 #grateful #resilient #keepgoing
♬ original sound - Resilient Jenkins 🔹🔷🔹
Others raised concerns over the choice to continue expanding the family despite their current housing limitations. On social media platform X, one commenter asked, “Why keep having kids… you could’ve had multiple bunk beds along the walls at least for spacing.” Jenkins, who has more than 62,000 followers on TikTok, responded to the backlash, stating, “Sadly hate spreads a lot faster than love in this world… but if it’s going to spread our content then go ahead and keep hating.”
Despite the criticism, Jenkins continues to share glimpses into her family’s lifestyle, emphasizing the importance of resilience and gratitude in the face of challenges