My ‘bonus’ daughter is just 8 years younger than me, people are baffled but it makes perfect sense

A WOMAN has revealed how she became a stepmum at the young age of 18. Jess, from the US, explained that her stepdaughter was just eight years her junior, and first met when she was 18 and her stepdaughter was 10. Taking to social media, the young mum, now aged 35, filmed a video with her stepdaughter, now 25.

The young woman told her step mum, who married her dad, Mike, that she thought she was a b**ch when they first met. Now, the daughter says her opinion hasn't changed but she's glad Jess is 'her b**ch'. "Oh s**t, bonus daughter has officially entered the chat," Jess captioned the post.

In another video, Jess responded to a comment that claimed her relationship was weird for the 16-year age gap she and her husband have. "The fact that you were 18, it's definitely weird," wrote the viewer in regards to Jess's relationship. While some have found it odd her now husband was 34 and dating an 18-year-old, Jess explained why it's not as bad as some might think.

She said: "My family dynamic probably plays a really big role in why our relationship has just worked and it's because when I was born, my oldest sister was 17 years old, Mike (her husband) was 16 years old, my brother was 15 years old. "So I literally grew up and was raised in the generation of my older siblings that Mike lands right in the middle of.".

Jess also added that her parents were both older when they conceived her, so she always got on better with older people. She also said she would never support an 18-year-old pursuing a man with such a large age gap, but that they were an 'exception'. Jess continued: "We are the exception to the rule.

"I wouldn’t encourage any 18-year-old girl to go out and pursue a 34-year-old single father by any means. "I wasn't necessarily even looking for a long-term relationship when I pursued him but he and I just worked and I think the fact that we've been together for almost 16 years is a testament to that.".

People were quick to comment on Jess's TikTok videos on her account @thats_just_jess. While many thought her age gap was odd, some said her explanation helped them understand how the couple fell in love. One person wrote: "That most definitely sheds more light on how it wasn't as weird to you or your families but would be to us just looking in. Thanks for the explanation.".

Another commented: “This makes so much sense honestly!! I always hung out with my grandpa and older cousins., older sister and parents.....there were no kids my age, just a couple younger BUT I always acted more mature.". "Definitely makes sense. My brother's 10 years older than me my partner is 8 years older. Just more comfortable," penned a third.

Meanwhile a fourth said: "I love how you explained that. Honestly, some of us just need an older man! lol.". "Why do you have to explain your relationship to these people. If you find love and they make you happy age doesn’t matter. You both are adults. Love you both as a couple,” claimed a fifth.