I adopted a 15-year-old aged 21 – the other parents didn’t take me seriously & mistook me for a school kid
AFTER adopting a teen at the age of 21, one young woman shared an insight into her life.
She revealed the common misconceptions people have about her due to her young age.
In her viral video, TikTok user Hunter (@hunterenelson) explained that she took in her 15-year-old sister Gracie three years after she graduated school.
Hunter revealed that her dad had been married to Gracie’s mum, and that they were raised five hours apart.
However, after their dad passed away in 2015 and Gracie’s mum died in 2021, the TikToker applied for custody of her sister.
While the then 21-year-old had no intentions of settling down and having kids any time soon, she said she wanted to keep Gracie close.
Working full-time and balancing her college studies, Hunter said she has her hands full.
But the pair revealed they are getting on well, despite the TikToker joking that she wanted to apologise to her own mum for her teenage years.
She explained that some people judge their set-up, assuming she is not capable of raising her sister.
“No other parents or staff members at her school are going to take me serious,” Hunter worried when she first adopted Gracie.
“I can already feel people asking me what grade I’m in when I go to her events.”
However, Hunter has set rules in place for her sister, laying down the law when it comes to lying, drinking, smoking, and vaping.
She did acknowledge that rules naturally change as your child grows, explaining that she trusts her sister to make her own decisions.
The pair said they get by on money Hunter has saved as well as what was left for them in their father’s will.
TikTok users shared their thoughts on the unique set-up in the comments section.
“You’ve already gotten through so much for someone so young, you can get through this. Prove them wrong,” wrote one viewer.
“This is how I feel with my siblings. I’m literally a sisparent,” said another follower.
How does adoption work?
In the UK, there is lengthy process involved with adopting a child and it can take up to six months for the paperwork to be finalised.
To even be considered, you have to meet the following criteria:
- You must be over 21
- You must be a legal resident of the UK for at least 12 months.
- No criminal convictions – especially any related to the endangerment of children. This applies to everyone your household.
You will also have to go through an inital background check and assesment, which will consider whether you are the right fit for adoption.
Potenital parents will also have undergo training and a process to match them with the right child.
“It’s definitely a hard job to parent a teen when you’re still young. I did it too, I was 18 raising my 12-year-old brother,” commented a third person.
“My parents passed away and this is me with my 14-year-old sister!” shared another TikTok user.
“Currently I’m 23. Just remember that at least you have each other.”
“Good for you for stepping up,” said one supportive commenter.
“I can relate to this so much! I took in my 15-year-old brother when I was only 17 and got custody of him the second I turned 18!”wrote another person.