Janet Zitting: A Polygamous Childhood with 44 Siblings, Now Shared on TikTok
She grew up in polygamy and has – Janet Zitting, now 32, has transformed her unique upbringing into a global conversation. Once a child who questioned the norms of her family, she now captivates millions on TikTok with her candid reflections on life with 44 siblings and the polygamous traditions that shaped her early years. Her journey from a secretive household to a viral online presence offers a fascinating glimpse into a lifestyle often misunderstood in the wider world.
A Childhood Shaped by Polygamy
Zitting’s early awareness of her family’s differences began with a simple question to a neighbor child. “I remember being 8 or 10 and asking one of the neighbor kids, ‘How many moms do you have?’ They replied, ‘Only one,’ which struck me as odd,” she explains. “At the time, I thought polygamy was the standard, but the realization that others had different experiences planted the first seed of curiosity.”
“It was normal for me, but when I talk to others, it’s like a reminder of how it’s not their normal,” Zitting says. “Growing up, the secrecy was intense. As I matured, sharing our story felt like a liberating step.”
Her family practiced polygamy, a practice that, for her, was an everyday reality. Raised by her father and four mothers, including her biological mother, Zitting’s life was a tapestry of shared responsibilities and close-knit bonds. The structure of her household, with multiple women playing active roles in parenting, created a dynamic environment that was both communal and complex.
From Viral Questions to Family Life
Zitting’s journey into the spotlight began when she started answering questions about her extraordinary family on TikTok. What started as a personal curiosity quickly turned into a viral phenomenon, drawing attention from people around the world. Her videos, which delve into the intricacies of growing up with such a large sibling group, have sparked widespread interest and debate about polygamy and its cultural implications.
Among the most frequent inquiries, she highlights the challenge of memorizing all 44 siblings’ names. “It’s not just the names, it’s the birthdays too,” she says with a laugh. “Some people even question if it’s real, thinking it must be AI-generated. But it’s all true—what’s normal to me is a surprise to many.”
Zitting’s family, part of a group called The Work—a splinter faction of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints—practices polygamy under the leadership of Warren Jeffs. While polygamy is illegal in the U.S., it remains decriminalized in Utah, where her family resides. This legal distinction has allowed them to maintain their traditions without facing widespread scrutiny.
Despite the secrecy of her youth, Zitting’s decision to share her story came naturally as she grew older. “I didn’t feel like I was escaping; I simply told my parents I was moving out,” she recalls. “It was tough at first because the passion for their beliefs can be overwhelming. But I knew my path was right, and I wasn’t alone in that feeling.”
Family Dynamics and Daily Life
Living with 44 siblings meant navigating a world where every task was shared. “We had to work like a community, because it was a community,” Zitting reflects. The household functioned as a collective, with siblings rotating between roles such as childcare, cooking, cleaning, and tending to the farm’s animals and garden. This system, while demanding, fostered a sense of unity and resilience.
Privacy was often a luxury. Zitting shared a room with seven sisters during her childhood, and at times, up to 16 children occupied a single bedroom. To find moments of solitude, she would retreat into a blankets closet for naps. “There was no time for individual space, but it didn’t feel like a burden. It was part of our daily rhythm,” she says.
Her family’s approach to traditions was equally unconventional. Christmas and birthdays were not celebrated as they are in many households. “They didn’t do Christmas, and birthdays were minimal,” Zitting explains. “I think it was partly about avoiding worldly influences, but looking back, I believe finances played a bigger role.”
Even as an adult, her siblings maintain a similar approach. “We only throw big parties for milestone birthdays, like 30 or 40,” she notes. “It’s a way to honor the years that matter, but it’s a far cry from the usual celebrations people expect.”
Reflections on a Unique Life
Zitting’s current life as a mother and social media influencer has given her a new perspective on her past. “Now that I have my own child, I see the challenges and joys differently,” she says. “I hope to have one or two more, but I don’t plan on having a million. I’ve already raised some of my younger siblings and nannied a lot, so I feel like I’ve had a taste of parenting.”
Her journey from a child raised in a polygamous household to a self-identified spiritual but non-religious adult highlights her personal growth. “I don’t see myself as part of the same system anymore,” she states. “It’s not that I reject faith entirely, but I value freedom and choice in ways I didn’t before.”
Though her family’s practices once felt like a way of life, Zitting now embraces the opportunity to share her story. “It’s amazing how something so normal to me can cause such a reaction,” she says. “People are stunned to learn about my life, but I think it’s because they’ve never seen anything like it before.”
Their home, a small farm, provided both sustenance and a sense of stability. Livestock and a vegetable garden helped reduce the cost of groceries, yet the occasional Costco trip could still rack up a significant expense. “One holiday grocery bill alone was around $1,500,” she recalls. “It’s a small fortune for a family of that size, but we made it work.”
As she looks back, Zitting appreciates the complexity of her childhood. “There were cliques, but now we’re all hanging out together as adults,” she says. “The bonds we formed are still strong, even as our lives have evolved.”
Her story is not just about polygamy or the size of her family—it’s about the intersection of tradition, identity, and the power of sharing one’s experiences. By turning her personal journey into a public narrative, Zitting has created a space where others can reflect on their own lives and the values that shape them. In doing so, she has turned a unique upbringing into a source of connection and understanding for a broader audience.
