A TikToker from Texas, who goes by the username @samaiyasmith, has gone viral after posting an emotional video describing tensions with her mother that she says caused her to lose her job and face eviction. In the now widely circulated clip, Samaiya explained that her mother refused to drive her to work unless she paid her, despite knowing that she did not have the money. According to the teen, her mother called her about 30 minutes before her shift and asked, “Are you gonna pay me to take you to work?” When she said she couldn’t, her mother allegedly refused to give her a ride.
Samaiya said the dispute left her unable to make it to her job at Walmart, which ultimately led to her being fired. She added that her mother later texted her, giving her 30 days to move out of the house.
“I told her two days ago that I had to go to work today,” the Texas TikToker wrote. “She claims she’s not obligated to take care of me anymore. You waited until I had to go to work to tell me I had to pay you, knowing I don’t got no money.”
The 19-year-old said she has been trying to become more independent, paying for her own food, phone plan, and necessities while saving to move out. However, she said her mother accused her of “messing with her money” and demanded that she pay $100 every time she got paid in exchange for rides to and from work.
Samaiya said she tried to suggest alternatives, such as taking an Uber, but claimed that her mother became angry at the idea. She also said she avoids public transportation after a past experience where someone allegedly tried to kidnap her while she was riding the bus.
The TikToker described feeling overwhelmed by the situation, saying that her mother’s financial stress and anger were being taken out on her. “It’s so hard to not off myself when my whole existence is a burden to everybody,” she said.
TikTokers who saw the video felt that the Texas mother’s reaction was unjustified and that she should have been more accommodating. “Parenthood doesn’t end at 18,” one user wrote. Many argued that if the mother wanted her daughter to become independent, she should have helped her keep her job so she could afford her own necessities. One parent on TikTok commented, “My daughter is 19. If I need to take her to work, I will. If she needs food, I’ll buy it. It doesn’t stop just because she’s grown. Sorry, not sorry.”
