This article was written by The Zillennial Zine’s senior fall editorial intern Lauren Sanchez. Find her on Instagram at @lauren.sanchezz. If you would like to share an article with The Zillennial, send us an email at thezillennialzine@gmail.com.
In a world where new mothers often find themselves juggling the challenges of parenthood alone, the need for support and kindness has never been more vital.
These incredible women, who devote themselves to being champions and pour their hearts into being the greatest mom, deserve every ounce of appreciation and care – hence the creation of the viral “she deserved the purse” trend on TikTok!
How Was It Created?
The first video that launched the trend came from the shopper and 28-year-old mom, DeNaesha Gonzalez when she noticed a purse with its tags still on shoved between baby items. Across the video read, boldly, “SHE DESERVED THE PURSE.” Since the video’s upload on Sept. 4, it has received more than 25.2 million views, with thousands upon thousands of users commenting on the video and sharing their own experiences of the sacrifices they’ve had to make for themselves to always put their kids first.
With all kinds of baby products causing a fortune and sometimes leaving parents with the decision between taking care of their baby and affording basic necessities, this video has not only sparked a conversation into the unseen struggles of parenthood but sparked a trend inspired to pay kindness forward.
Users all across TikTok have been posting videos of them hiding cash or gift cards in boxes of diapers, cans of baby formula and other kinds of family products in hopes that whoever found the gift would be able to indulge in a well-deserved treat for themselves. And this simple act of kindness has countless appreciative mothers and parents posting on TikTok thanking those who were generous enough to help!
With hundreds of people making videos participating in the trend under the hashtag #shedeservedthepurse, all kinds of people are working together to spread a little more kindness into the world – which we definitely need a little more of!
Other content creators and TikTokers have opted to give money and gift cards directly to moms shopping in stores, rather than hiding cash in products.
For instance, Danielle (@deeeemarie) purchased a $100 Walmart gift card and went on a mission to find a specific mom she had spotted shopping in the store. When she found the mother, she handed her the gift card, and the woman’s reaction was one of genuine surprise, as she kept asking, “Seriously?” Danielle mentioned that the grateful mom then requested a hug, adding, “Hopefully, you get something for yourself too. Thank you for being an amazing mom.”
The Backlash
Yet, despite the wave of positivity and the pay-it-forward spirit this trend has inspired, it has also been met with its fair share of backlash and chaos. While none of the backlash has centered around negativity or shaming people for giving money away, a lot of it has come from videos appearing online that show the aftermath of people rummaging and searching through baby items on store shelves for these rewards—many of whom aren’t parents themselves!
Videos show boxes of brand-new diapers found torn open, cans of baby formula with their lids not on properly and even baby medical aids shown ripped apart. It’s so disheartening to see the chaos caused by people searching for hidden gifts and it totally takes away from the original purpose of helping struggling parents.
What started as a heartfelt way to lend a hand to those in need quickly spiraled into a chaotic scramble for cash. With baby aisles becoming scenes of mayhem, with people tearing open diaper boxes and leaving shelves in complete disarray—all for a few extra bucks. Valeria Diaz, another TikToker, shared a TikTok showcasing the mess in her local Target’s baby aisle, revealing products scattered everywhere.
A lot of users have jumped into the comments to share their opinions on the vandalism and the way the trend has been mishandled. Their reactions are filled with disappointment and frustration, with some saying things like:
“When I first saw this trend I thought it was cute, but I knew people would be looking for.”
And another comment reading: “I work at a grocery store & our baby formula is locked up for this very reason 🙃”
Because of the chaos caused by people tearing apart baby items like diapers and formula, many stores are now forced to take extreme steps to protect their stock. With shoppers vandalizing products in search of hidden cash, retailers have to lock up these essentials or even remove them from the shelves altogether. This not only makes it harder for parents who genuinely need these items but also means perfectly good products are going to waste.
Is There A Solution?
After watching countless videos of people rummaging through aisles for cash or showcasing the wreckage left behind, I couldn’t help but wonder: why? The obvious reason being the free cash and gift cards, but I just couldn’t understand why people are so resistant to embracing a simple act of kindness aimed at helping mothers and all kinds of parents thrive?
So, is there a solution to this chaos? Absolutely! Perhaps instead of hiding cash in baby items, people should take a page from Danielle’s book and directly offer help to mothers they see in stores, especially those with small children. Handing over money or gift cards to these parents ensures that the generosity reaches those truly in need, while also minimizing the risk of further mess.
For those looking to spread kindness beyond the store, consider donating baby products to local charities, food banks or homeless shelters. These kinds of organizations often support families in crisis and can use any extra items to alleviate some of the stress that comes with parenting.
By choosing these direct acts of kindness, we can work to create a more supportive community for mothers everywhere, ensuring that help goes where it’s most needed.
What do you think about the “She Deserves The Purse” trend? How has it inspired you to help parents in need? Let us know in the comments below!
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