Since Adam does most of the cooking and Carter showed an interest in trying new foods and what his father was busy doing in the kitchen, the couple agreed this was a great opportunity for Adam to teach Carter some of the ropes.
But Carter's journey quickly went far beyond getting the pots out for his dad, stirring a dish, or learning how to use a toaster. Rather, Carter has impressive fork and knife skills, especially for his young age, as well as an increasing mastery of cutting, chopping, blending, cracking eggs, flipping pancakes and creating more complicated dishes.
Here's one adorable video of Carter making a "massive bowl of fruit salad."
The family's journey with social media started when Carter's extended family expressed an interest in what he was learning—so when Carter made a cheese pizza of his own, with homemade dough, the family encouraged the parents to make more videos.
Chay reflected:
"Carter loves making people smile."
"This was never about Carter becoming famous or us making money. We haven't made a single penny (being in the UK). It was always about him discovering new hobbies with Adam and doing fun things together and expressing himself."
"He'll say in a video, 'Do it perfectly like me and you're all set,' and if he feels like he's teaching someone, he's happy."
Here's one of Carter's most famous videos, making pancakes, where he's particularly encouraging of people trying to make the pancakes for themselves.
Adam agreed with Chay and added:
"When I told him, 'So many people love seeing your cooking videos, and they make people happy.' He told me, 'Oh, we can make one every day to make people happy!'"
"I'll tell him a few things to say and teach him how to cut something, and then I'll step outside the frame, just out of view, and he just chats away. He loves it."
Here's the video that started it all: the pizza tutorial.
Fans of Carter agreed that the three-year-old chef most certainly brightens their days and makes their lives better.
@cookingwithcarter/TikTok
@cookingwithcarter/TikTok
@cookingwithcarter/TikTok
@cookingwithcarter/TikTok
@cookingwithcarter/TikTok
Others confided that Carter has better skills than they and other adults do!
@cookingwithcarter/TikTok
@cookingwithcarter/TikTok
@cookingwithcarter/TikTok
@cookingwithcarter/TikTok
@cookingwithcarter/TikTok
Chay and Adam both said that Carter has enjoyed being "the center of attention" and bringing smiles to so many people's faces. The trio also hope that Carter's videos will encourage more parents to let their children have more independence in the kitchen.
Alejandra began:
"If you’re wondering what the job market looks like right now, look no further than my swollen eyelids."
"A Gen X hiring manager told me that I wasn't hired because I'm Gen Z."
“That’s been making me cry for the better part of the last five hours."
She then explained that the position she applied for was for her present company in a department where she previously worked— and worked well—and got along with the entire team.
“I was a shoo-in. I had done the job before and fit in really well with the team.”
She believed she would thrive in this position and also thought her interview went well. Afterward, the hiring team said someone would be reaching out soon.
But that never happened despite the TikToker's several attempts to contact them.
Then one day, Alejandra just so happened to catch an elevator occupied by none other than the hiring manager who broke the news that they had instead hired someone who was “better fitting for the team and had a little bit more history.”
The TikToker then asked for feedback on what she could have done better during her interview.
The hiring manager first told Alejandra that although the team liked her and worked well with her in the past, she “shared things they wouldn’t have,” specifically her disability and her passion for social media.
But according the creator, the big issue was that she didn't have a "five-year plan," and the hiring manager told her:
"Yeah, I have this issue with my son as well, and to be quite frank with you, I think it's a Gen Z problem."
"You have to understand, it's all about perception and optics."
“Gen Z needs to understand that you don’t have to share everything about yourself."
She continued that not having a five-year plan shows "you're not good for commitment" and even suggested "making something up on the spot."
The TikToker was floored, especially considering the team knew about her multiple sclerosis diagnosis, and her bringing it up was in response to her "five-year plan" of becoming a doctor no longer being an option for her.
Alejandra then encouraged Gen X and Boomers to "start investing in us, start taking a chance on us."
“I just graduated a year ago and no I don’t know what I want my future to look like."
“But I’m a good worker and my résumé shows for it."
You can watch below.
Viewers of the TikTok chimed in.
Many agreed that it's unfortunate a company would rather hire someone who would lie about their future with a company than an honest and transparent candidate.
@fungalmicrobe/TikTok
@fungalmicrobe/TikTok
@fungalmicrobe/TikTok
Others feel that a five-year plan is pretty much a joke, anyway.
@fungalmicrobe/TikTok
@fungalmicrobe/TikTok
@fungalmicrobe/TikTok
@fungalmicrobe/TikTok
@fungalmicrobe/TikTok
Several also believe the goal of many employers is to seek out those who agree to an unfair work-life balance.
@fungalmicrobe/TikTok
@fungalmicrobe/TikTok
We hate that Alejandra had to endure this experience, but we love that it launched a discussion about the unrealistic expectations of potential employers.
As a small child, learning to tie your shoes is a struggle. As an independent adult, making money to pay bills is the predominant struggle.
Reddit user rickyjones75 asked:
"What's your age, and what's the biggest challenge you're currently facing right now?"
Julien Photo on Unsplash
"I'm 32. My mom just passed away unexpectedly. She was my best friend and I’m having a hard time adjusting to life without her."
~ chonkycats24
iridial on Unsplash
"72, caretaker for my wife who has Alzheimers. Sucks the life out of you."
~ MyDogGoldi
NIPYATA! on Unsplash
"I recently turned 60. It was by far my most difficult birthday. For the first time in my life, I am seriously considering my mortality, and I’m having some difficulty accepting that I will be dead sooner rather than later."
"I find myself fantasizing a LOT about going back in time to when I was, say, 10 years old and doing it all over again. What would I do differently?"
"Certainly I would choose a different career path. Would I go to the same college? Would I pursue and eventually win over again my wife?"
"So many forks in the road of life and paths not taken. It’s almost overwhelming."
"I’ve had a fantastic life and few regrets. I try to keep myself in shape. I want to see my grandkids get married."
"I’m not religious and really don’t think there’s anything waiting on the 'other side'."
~ 60sStratLover
Daniel Lorentzen on Unsplash
"54. Too old to start over. Too young to retire. Too fat to strip."
~ EnigmaCA
Waldemar on Unsplash
"25, currently fighting cancer."
~ TrashLifeLowLife
Vicky McLain on Unsplash
"I am 66 and my biggest challenge is accepting that I am 66."
~ scoeyy
Adrian Curiel on Unsplash
"I am 44 and my chronological age and what age I feel just keeps getting more disparate."
"I am successful, have a family, all the things one thinks a 44-year-old 'should' do. But I just can’t believe I am 44."
"It’s like someone made a mistake. I feel 33-ish."
"And then I worry, as I get older, do I still feel 33 and just keep aging in the mirror and not on the inside? It’s terrifying to me."
~ InitiativeFormal7571
Nick Möllenbeck on Unsplash
"I'm 23. I was fighting a cancer last year."
"I won! Now I struggle with going back to normal life, getting back to school full time."
~ EmieTree
Thom Milkovic on Unsplash
"31, making friends. I need to put myself out there more and stop being insecure."
~ CoCo_DC30
Illiya Vjestica on Unsplash
"33, just finished college and had a REAL hard time finding a decent job due to lack of experience for my age."
~ TheRiskSeekerd
Frugal Flyer on Unsplash
"64 years, spent a total of 35 years in jails and prisons. All of it, on me."
"No education, no savings, yet I'm making ends meet after getting out on a 21 1/2 year sentence for bank robbery."
"So here's the catch—I freaking' cry all the time!"
"Secretly, privately."
"I haven't been on the streets—free— for 3 years in a row since age 13."
~ equiscon
Nik on Unsplash
"50, I never actually feel well."
"Between the chronic fatigue syndrome and chronic pain, it's been a long, long time since I had a day where I really felt good/healthy."
~ rosesforthemonsters
Flora Mipsum on Unsplash
"33. Purpose in life."
"Single, no kids, no career, no home of my own."
"I feel I’m doomed to work, rent, try to amuse myself and die alone."
~ SirTheadore
Johannes W on Unsplash
"30. Trying to acknowledge and live in the moment."
"A younger me would be content, yet here I am thinking I should be doing more."
~ Canuda
Shannon Potter on Unsplash
"28, learning that just because you give your everything to other people, that doesnt mean they will do the same."
~ Babyy-Yyodda
How old are you and what struggle are you facing?
