Mom raises awareness on 'child elopement', urges people to support parents navigating this condition

The biggest priority for any parent is their children's safety. Therefore, lately, there have been many discussions regarding a condition called "child elopement." This health condition occurs when a child wanders away from their parents or safe space to seek something. It can lead to dangerous consequences for children, who can get into the wrong hands or get hurt in the process. Therefore, Kaeli Compton - who goes on TikTok by @kaelicompton - has decided to raise awareness about it on the platform by informing parents about the various facets of the phenomenon and how parents deal with it. The video also explains why parents of kids with this condition prefer to stay indoors.

The video begins with Compton explaining to the viewers about her passion for educating about child elopement. It is primarily because of her personal experience with the issue. Being a parent of a special needs child, she has often had to deal with her child eloping. For people not aware of this phenomenon, she defines it by saying, "If you don't know what eloping is, it is when a child takes off with zero hesitation and no warning and they will take off into the street anywhere." The video features her son during one of these eloping episodes and running away on the ground.

The mother then explains how she and her husband try to manage themselves and their routine in light of this condition. They try to avoid open places, which gives more space for their son, Beck, to run. Another reason why the couple avoids going into such open spaces as a family is because they also have a daughter and it becomes difficult to keep an eye on both of them. The siblings are small in age and tend to be a handful therefore, the parents prefer closed spaces so that there is less danger associated with wandering off. While describing the ways that are applied by her and her husband, the mother makes it clear that the situation is not her son's fault. She clarifies that as parents it is their responsibility to "show up" for him. Hence, they are just doing the job they willingly took and do not want to have any criticism against their son.

The mother ends the video by asking for some understanding if you are friends with a family whose kids have special needs. She attempts to explain their circumstances by saying, "Our heads are on a swivel. We can never ever let our guard down, and this is just so important to know." Therefore, she expresses that friends of such families should not take it to heart when they refuse to partake in events taking place in open spaces.

The comment section appreciated Compton's efforts at educating people about this phenomenon. @sarahsunshineq explained why she prefers to be in her house, "Going to functions is so exhausting because I have to be his shadow. I don't get to relax or have fun, his safety is #1. It's easier to just be home." @SayshaR519 agreed with all the points in the video, "Yes!! I can not go to an open park with both of my kids alone!! Or even someone's BBQ and it's not fenced in!!"