Introduction

Shari Franke, the eldest daughter of the infamous mommy blogger and convicted child abuser Ruby Franke, has bravely opened up about the devastating abuse she endured in her poignant memoir, *The House of My Mother: A Daughter’s Quest for Freedom*, released by Simon & Schuster. The book, which hit shelves on Tuesday, sheds light on the horrifying experiences that Shari and her siblings faced under their mother’s reign, which she describes as the actions of a 'malignant narcissist.'

Forgiveness and Ruby Franke's Conviction

During her promotional tour, Shari candidly discussed the concept of forgiveness concerning her mother. In an interview with *Good Morning America*, she stated, 'Forgiveness is something I’ve had to study a lot and kind of think about what it means. But for me, forgiveness would look like not letting that consume every moment of my life.' This reflection comes on the heels of Ruby Franke pleading guilty earlier this year to four counts of child abuse, resulting in four separate prison sentences ranging from one to 15 years each. Her accomplice, Jodi Hildebrandt, also received the same harsh sentence.

The Collapse of a Social Media Empire

Ruby Franke had amassed a significant online following through her YouTube channel, *8 Passengers*, where she presented a curated version of her family life. However, this empire crashed in August 2023, when her 12-year-old son escaped from Hildebrandt’s home, seeking help from a neighbor. Emergency responders discovered him severely injured, malnourished, and bound with duct tape. Tragically, his 10-year-old sister was found in similarly dire circumstances during the police investigation.

Early Signs of Abuse

Shari relayed that the abuse began around the age of five or six, when her mother would display violent tendencies, such as slapping or slamming her hand down. Things took a turn for the worse when Ruby began a friendship with Jodi Hildebrandt, which Shari initially thought might signal an end to the physical abuse. However, she soon realized that the abuse transformed into a more psychological form, which, she reflected, left deeper scars.

Pivotal Moments and Invasion of Privacy

Describing a pivotal moment in 2022 when her parents separated and Hildebrandt moved into their home, Shari recounted her discomfort: 'I was moving out to college, I hadn’t even left the house yet, and she is in my room and in my bed.' This feeling of invasion was compounded by her mother’s secretive relationship with Hildebrandt, which fueled Shari’s unease. Although she didn’t witness explicit romantic gestures, she claims to have seen interactions that suggested a more intimate connection between them.

Advocacy Against Child Exploitation

For years, Shari attempted to expose the abusive environment to authorities, advocating for more robust protections for child influencers. In a powerful testimony to Utah lawmakers, she highlighted the exploitation inherent in family vlogging, stating that 'all the children are employees' and the lines between familial love and transactional relationships are blurred.

Dangerous Practices in Family Vlogging

Shari stressed the troubling nature of rewarding children for their performances in family content, sharing that they would often receive bribes like shopping trips or cash for participating in embarrassing moments for the camera. Such arrangements not only hinder a healthy family dynamic but also exploit the innocence of childhood for profit.

Reflection on Her Mother and Healing

Despite the traumas inflicted by Ruby, Shari expressed doubt that her mother can fully grasp the extent of the guilt surrounding her misconduct. Yet she noted, 'I think she is as sorry as she can be.' As she reflects on her unsettling resemblance to her mother, both in appearance and mannerisms, Shari firmly asserts, 'I don’t want to be anything like her.'

Conclusion

As Shari continues her journey of healing and advocacy, her memoir serves as a critical expose of hidden abuses and the urgent need for reforms in how children are treated in the world of social media. The question remains: how many other child influencers are silently suffering in similar situations?

Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops, and let’s continue the conversation about the welfare of child influencers in the digital age.