Britney and JD Lott, the parents behind the social media account "American Family Road Trip," followed by over 800,000 people, are facing renewed criticism after a video involving one of their sons sparked widespread concern online.
Background on the family
The Lotts document their family life while travelling across the country in an RV with their eight children, who are homeschooled on the road. The family has previously faced scrutiny over their parenting approach, including a 2024 visit from Child Protective Services regarding their youngest child's wellbeing. The couple recently announced they are expecting a ninth child.
What the video shows
In an Instagram Story shared by Britney, JD is seen holding a snail and warning his children not to touch its eyes. Moments later, footage shows him pushing one of his sons away using his own head, causing the child to stumble backward while holding his head.
How viewers reacted
The clip prompted significant backlash. One commenter wrote: "The kid knew not to show that he was hurt and just to leave the situation. That's so sad." Another said: "The mask is slipping — The anger all over his face and the clearly clenched jaw… those poor kids." A self-described former CPS worker commented: "As a former CPS worker, the fact that none of the other children reacted to it at all is a huge red flag."
YouTuber Hannah Alonzo, who has previously criticised the family for monetising their children, said of the clip: "The kid is just standing there, and the dad, unprovoked, smashes his head into his. You can tell that the two boys in the frame — they are gauging their father's temperament at this moment. They're wondering if there's more to come." Alonzo also noted that JD had one hand free at the time and could have used it to move the child away instead, and that some viewers pointed out the child he pushed wasn't the one who had touched the snail.
The family's response
According to screenshots shared by Alonzo, Britney responded to concerned followers, writing: "He didn't headbutt him. He moved him away, yes, with his head, but our son was told not to touch the animal's eyes, and he did it again, and my husband's hands were full." She further stated the boy "never cried" and wasn't "bruised, bleeding, or hurt," adding that she felt viewers threatening to report the family "over a few-second video is an enormous leap."
