A Seattle family has captured the internet’s attention with a humorous take on family communication, highlighting how a simple household rule can resonate widely. In a TikTok post that has garnered over 730,000 views, 22-year-old Sanjita Rishikesan shared a message from her mother that epitomizes the modern familial dynamic influenced by social media.
The TikTok trend titled “Sometimes you just have to read your…texts and move on with your day” was given a unique twist when Sanjita revealed that the message in question came from her mother, Karpagam Lakshminarasimhan. The on-screen text humorously stated: “Sometimes you gotta read your mom’s texts and just move on with your day.” The subsequent slide displayed a lengthy, polite message from her mother outlining the family’s singular rule: Sanjita and her younger brother, Srikar Rishikesan, aged 17, must watch the videos their parents send and respond—at least with an emoji.
According to the message, it is important for the children to watch these videos at their “earliest available free time.” Their parents, aged 50 and 54, only share content they deem funny or meaningful, which Sanjita described as a rare occurrence. “They share things very rarely,” she noted. The videos typically consist of amusing dog reels and family moments, often highlighting how easily she becomes annoyed.
Growing up, both Sanjita and Srikar had the freedom to explore their individuality. Sanjita reflected, “I was encouraged to fully express myself and do and wear whatever I wanted to. I feel like that built a good sense of confidence for us.” Her mother, a self-proclaimed easygoing parent, sent the text to the family group chat, reinforcing their close-knit relationship.
Upon receiving the message, Sanjita’s immediate reaction was disbelief, followed by laughter. Recognizing its universal appeal, she quickly shared the content with friends, who found it relatable. The TikTok community responded enthusiastically, with many users encouraging the siblings to comply with their parents’ wishes. One commenter, identifying as a psychologist, remarked, “It’s called a bid for connection—they want to share what they find interesting and hope you do too! It’s a way to build relationships and connect with others.”
Another user chimed in, “As a mom, I approve this message.” The lighthearted conversation continued, with one commenter expressing frustration over their parents’ lengthy video posts, saying, “My parents are posting 15 minute…random videos from India—4 of those a day, I can’t do it.”
In response to the flood of advice to engage more with their parents’ content, Sanjita confirmed, “To everyone telling me to respond to the reels, I have been responding, at least with an emoji!” This interaction emphasizes the evolving ways families connect in an increasingly digital world, where even a simple request can become a source of humor and connection among generations.
