US Political Crisis Forces Woman And Her Family To Pack Up And Move Out Of Her Home State

Parents always want the best for their children. And sometimes, that means taking drastic measures like uprooting their lives and moving far away to start anew.

This mom of three had to make a tough decision when she decided to move her family from Florida to Connecticut. She had valid reasons to do so, which she discussed in a recent TikTok video. Some of them had to do with the currently tumultuous political climate in the United States. 

You will find the transcript of her post below and some commenter reactions. We also had a brief conversation with Ellie Doyle, who provided more insights into her post.

This mom of three is uprooting her children’s lives and moving to a new state

Mom explains move to blue state, sharing thoughts on Florida to Connecticut relocation.

Image credits: reheatedcoffeeclub

In a TikTok post from late December, user Ellie Doyle gave five reasons for her decision

Mom discusses moving to Connecticut for better schools, mentions having three young children.

Text discussing reasons for moving to a blue state, citing educational and financial benefits in Connecticut.

Reasons for moving to a blue state: education issues in Florida, such as cutting gifted programs and lack of English courses.

Woman in denim jacket writing notes, highlighting reasons to move to a blue state in a vibrant workspace.

Image credits: Image by Freepik (not the actual photo)

One of her most prominent reasons was the state-imposed book ban

Text discusses limited AP courses and resources in a conservative area, hinting at reasons for moving to a blue state.

Text discussing reasons for moving to a Blue State due to differing educational values and alignment with family beliefs.

Text excerpt about a mom's reasons for moving to a blue state for better public schools in Connecticut.

Police car with lights on in a suburban neighborhood, trees and houses visible in the background.

Image credits: ungvar / Freepik (not the actual photo)

Florida’s gun laws were also a factor 

Text excerpt discussing moving to a blue state for safety reasons, mentioning Florida gun laws.

Text excerpt about gun regulation concerns influencing a mom's decision to move states.

A thoughtful couple reviewing documents at a kitchen table, discussing moving to a blue state.

Image credits: wayhomestudio / Freepik (not the actual photo)

As well as the cost of living disparity between the two states

Text discussing affordability and concerns about high taxes in Connecticut.

Text describes reasons for moving to a blue state, highlighting housing affordability issues.

Mom explains moving to a blue state for affordable housing compared to St. Augustine prices.

Text discussing a mom's reasons for moving to a blue state for cost savings, highlighting housing and education expenses.

Child sledding in the snow, enjoying winter fun, highlighting reasons to move to a blue state.

Image credits: ADDICTIVE_STOCK / Envato (not the actual photo)

Connecticut’s weather and proximity to other major cities were also a huge deal for her and her husband

Text explaining the appeal of moving to a blue state, emphasizing the enjoyment of experiencing all four seasons.

A man with a tablet is smiling at two people in a bright office, highlighting a discussion about moving to a blue state.

Image credits: syda_productions / Freepik (not the actual photo)

Text explaining a mom’s reasons for moving to a blue state, highlighting real estate licensing in Connecticut and Florida.

Crowd enjoying a vibrant concert with colorful lights on stage, capturing the energy and excitement of the event.

Image credits: bedneyimages / Freepik (not the actual photo)

Text excerpt about moving to a blue state highlighting attractions in West Hartford and New Haven.

Text excerpt from a mom explaining benefits of moving to a blue state, highlighting travel convenience compared to Florida.

Text discussing moving to a blue state for family closeness in Connecticut and Buffalo.

Text from a mom explaining her family's move from Florida to a blue state, New England.

Image credits: reheatedcoffeeclub

There have been growing concerns among parents in Florida for the last couple of years

Image credits: Image by Freepik (not the actual photo)

A 2023 Kids Count Data Book report revealed that Florida ranked 31st out of the 50 US states regarding child well-being.

Numbers show that 753,000 kids live in poverty, more than 1.2 million with parents lacking secure employment, and 1.5 million live in households with a high housing cost burden. It also revealed that 72,000 teenagers are out of school and are not working.

Then, there are laws like the Parental Rights in Education Act (a.k.a. “Don’t Say Gay”) and Stop WOKE that limit educators from discussing matters like gender, sexual orientation, race, and identity.

As Ellie tells Bored Panda, Florida has historically underpaid its teachers, resulting in a high turnover rate. The misappropriation of the school budget added insult to injury, along with the prevalence of mass shootings.

Ellie also mentioned the “Don’t Say Period” bill, which Governor Ron DeSantis signed in 2023. Like the previous bills, this one prevented discussions about human sexuality and reproductive health. 

“Most women, including myself, got their period before fifth grade. Imagine not having a household that teaches you what that means. It’s honestly crazy that this is no longer taught in elementary schools here.”

These alarming cases and new regulations drew concerns among parents like Ellie. But unlike her, some of them don’t have the same options of leaving for another state. 

“If I leave Florida, then who am I leaving behind? If we go, who is left to fight?” Sarasota-based mother and Support Our Schools co-founder Angela Wynn told The Washington Post in a March 2023 interview. 

Like Ellie, Seth Stottlemyer grew worried when the Florida government imposed a ban on books, coupled with its discrimination against LGBTQ kids. As a father of a five-year-old daughter, he is anxious about the uncertainty of her future. 

“It’s scary to think that there are people who are wanting to try to marginalize her,” he told the Post.

The current political situation in the United States adds to the worries of parents

Image credits: Image by Freepik (not the actual photo)

The Thomas B. Fordham Institute points out the importance of feeling safe and valued for a child’s development. Without the fear of bullying and gun violence, along with ample support from educators and the state, children become more engaged and willing to take intellectual risks. 

Ellie says their plan to move out of Florida began brewing during the COVID-19 pandemic. Now that the state has started leaning more toward the right, her worries have become more pronounced. 

She adds that the current political climate has made her “extremely concerned” about raising her children in such an environment. 

“I don’t want to raise my kids in a place where it’s dangerous to be queer or where they’re taught that immigrants should be dehumanized and treated as less than human. I don’t want to raise them to believe that Christianity is the only ‘right’ religion, among so many other reasons,” she explained, adding that moving out of the country may even be an option.

It’s why parents like Ellie are willing to uproot their children’s lives. While it is a huge move, it gives her kids a better chance at a bright, thriving future without worrying about their environment. 

“It’s definitely a crazy time to be a parent,” Ellie says. “But we’re doing the best we can with the hand we’ve been dealt. I think moving to an area with more like-minded parents will be a really nice change of pace.”

Most commenters agreed with Ellie’s decision

Comment expressing agreement on moving to a blue state, with 88 likes.

Comment advising on Florida prepaid tuition as a reason for moving to a blue state.

Others shared similar stories

Comment praising West Hartford, highlighting it as a great town for kids, supporting mom's move to a blue state.

Comment about moving to a blue state for better autism support, with 239 likes.

Comment discussing moving to a blue state and benefits, supported by 929 likes.

Comment on moving to a blue state, mentioning politics and life decisions, with a positive response count.

Comment about superior education from Connecticut in college experience discussion.

A mom talks about moving to a blue state, noting her daughter thrives in school compared to their previous state.

Comment discussing moving to a blue state, highlighting great schools, local amenities like Whole Foods and Target, 65 likes.

Comment about moving to a blue state, praising Connecticut's schools and living quality.

Comment from a mom discussing benefits of moving to a blue state, mentioning library perks in Connecticut.

Comment about moving to a blue state, discussing retirement in Florida and weather preferences, with heart emojis.

Comment about moving to a blue state highlights gratitude for rural CT upbringing.

Poll Question

Total votes ·

Thanks! Check out the results:

Total votes ·

Newsletter

Subscribe to Access
Exclusive Polls

Subscribe

By entering your email and clicking Subscribe, you're agreeing to let us send you customized marketing messages about us and our advertising partners. You are also agreeing to our Privacy Policy.

Thank you! You've successfully subscribed to newsletters!

Anyone can write on Bored Panda. Start writing!

Follow Bored Panda on Google News!

Follow us on Flipboard.com/@boredpanda!