It's no secret – having children is expensive.
From the high cost of baby formula, food and diapers to the challenge of balancing daily expenses, parents find it difficult to purchase basic necessities for their children, let alone themselves.
Now a new TikTok This trend inspires others to appreciate the sacrifices parents make for their little ones in everyday life.
It all started with a viral video of a silver clutch bag left unpurchased on a supermarket shelf surrounded by baby items. The image resonated with millions of people, with many agreeing that the mother who left him “deserved a purse.”
It struck a chord with moms everywhere and then inspired a movement of people to “pay it forward,” stuffing money and vouchers into baby products in the hopes that they would reach a new parent in need.
But how did this trend start and how can you get involved?
“She deserved a bag,” he explained
Tennessee mother Denaesha Gonzalez started the trend when she came across an unpurchased purse at Target and shared her discovery on TikTok.
She titled the 17-second clip “She Deserved This Purse” as a nod to the sacrifices mothers make for their children.
In the caption, Denaesha wrote, “To the mother who chose herself last, you deserve the world tonight and always.”
One user, @ak47thomas, shared her opinion, commenting: “I haven't had my hair done in years. My nails done for years. My clothes come from Walmart. We can't afford childcare. But my children have what they need. One day I will have a purse, but not today.
Meanwhile, @giannabrielle03 wrote: “I'm crying because it's so much more (than) a purse, it's an expression of all our sacrifices.”
Others reflected on what their mothers sacrificed for them, including @saltysnakk, who said: “It makes me sad to think how much my mother probably sacrificed for me.”
Shortly after Denaesha posted the video, content creator Cecily Bauchmann responded with a powerful gesture of her own. The mother of four bought a $100 Target gift card and tucked it between two diaper boxes on a shelf full of baby supplies.
She left a note with the gift card that read: “Hi! You deserve that special “you”. You are amazing! Xoxo!
Sharing the moment with her two million followers, she also encouraged others who have the means to do the same and “pay it forward.”
Denaesha and Cecily inspired people to “give back” to mothers, and since then, many additional content creators have filmed themselves hiding various gifts and items among their baby items.
One such mother, 27-year-old Sydnee Saucedo, left $50 gift certificates under diaper boxes after seeing the movement grow.
I'm talking to SubwaySydnee from Phoenix, Arizona said, “I'm grateful to be in a place where I can do this. I know I have more than a few, and I wanted to help another mom as best I can.
I hope the gifts reached the mothers who need them and reminded them how important they are and that they matter too. I hope that seeing this trend inspires other moms to also give back to their children if they are able to do so.”
Although many of the creators taking part in the program are American, the trend has reached the UK: Rachael Lyons, a mother of four from South Yorkshire, safely hid four £25 vouchers in baby items at Asda with a note that read: 'To mommy/daddy enjoy x.”
I'm talking to SubwayRachael calls her move a “random act of kindness” and adds that while she will never know who received the gift, she hopes it goes to a parent to “please themselves.”
Rachael says she has never had difficulty feeding her four children, but feels sorry for mothers who do.
He also knows what it feels like to put your children's needs ahead of your own, commenting, “I'd rather spend money on my children than on myself.”
How to get involved
While the statement that she “deserved that bag” started as an innocent gesture to help mothers, some have reportedly taken advantage of it.
One mother found several boxes of baby wipes, medications and diapers torn in what appeared to be an attempt to discover hidden cash and gift cards.
Sharing her find on TikTok, Taylor Hall wrote: “I know everyone has seen the 'she deserves a purse' trend, but let's not spoil it for mothers who really need help.”
The video has gained almost 850,000 likes, with comments saying the sight is “very sad” and “disappointing.”
In light of this, it may be best to avoid leaving cash or gift cards loose at your local supermarket. But generosity doesn't have to go away with it.
Sylvia Smith, a relationship and parenting expert at Małżeństwo.com, says there are many other ways you can help.
She talks Subway: “Leaving large sums of money out in the open just to support parents is not safe and possibly ineffective. Instead, I would recommend more structured means of providing support mechanisms that effectively ensure safety.
If you know a parent who is struggling, Sylvia recommends directly giving them gift cards to stores that sell baby supplies and encouraging friends and family members to provide practical support.
British charities helping parents and families in difficulty
There are several programs and charities in the UK that help parents and families who are struggling.
Those who want to help can support these charities and donate in several ways, ranging from direct donations, fundraising and volunteering.
She says you can also make sure things get to those in need by participating in “community events collecting diapers, formula and other essential items.”
For parents who need an extra helping hand, there are many UK charities that offer this support. Family Action, for example, aims to help “families of all ages and stages of life” by providing information on local services, wellbeing and mental health programs and guidance on applying for financial help.
There is also Battle of Britain, a charity that helps children and young people in the UK who have experienced financial difficulties. They offer financial grants to those in need, and application rules are available on their website.
If you want to help, you can support these charities and donate in several ways, from direct donations, fundraising and volunteering.
Do you have a story you can share?
Contact MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk by email.
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