(my son, Justin, and our puppy, Teddy Bear)
For years, people, especially Christian parents, judge my son. I know because either other parents, kids or Justin tells me. They think Justin is a negative influence on their kids because he is goofy. They think he’s immature, so they want to protect their kids from my son. That in itself is comical because Justin is clean and sober and living a good life. He’s a man of quiet faith. He’s 19 and he’s had only one girlfriend for almost four years now. Precious high school sweethearts.
I find it so interesting that parents think my son is a threat of any sort.
Justin is a tender heart who befriends kids who are different. He sees something valuable in them that others often overlook. In 6th grade, Justin was the guy who spent his lunch hours with the boy who was different because he had a stroke as a baby. Justin was his only friend and his mom teared up and thanked me.
Justin speaks out on issues that bug him, like bullying. He hates that, and he hates animal abuse.
Justin posts random funnies and words of encouragement on Twitter. Sometimes he quotes scripture.
Justin loves babies and kids of all ages. He’s a kid magnet. Kids jump on his back and pull on him for hours and Justin takes it. It’s amazing how many kids love him. On vacation recently, I noticed how babies and toddlers kept looking at him. Justin engaged with them by making funny faces. Of course he did..
Justin is not the negative influence some may think he is. He’s a teddy bear. But trying to convince religious parents of that is a different story. Some people are more concerned about keeping up a public image for their kids than getting to know the character of their kids’ friends, like my son.
Isn’t it funny we can judge someone without even knowing them?
Just because my son and friends are a modern-day goofballs, like The Three Stooges, they are considered unappropriate and not Christ-like.
I beg to differ.
One thing Justin will never do is engage with someone who is badgering him. He will not cut down someone who is cutting him down. I’ve found myself ready to fight for him when his friends mock him for what he does for a living. I think, why won’t Justin speak up and defend himself? He doesn’t. I don’t know why. But then I remember Jesus who chose to be silent under false accusations.
Silence can be a weapon.
I’m not saying Justin is perfect. He’s not. Not at all. No one is. Justin has his issues just like the rest of us. I’m not going to list his personal struggles here. That’s not my place. If he wants to talk about that, he can, but I won’t. Not here anyway.
I just wish people would give Justin a chance and not put him in some religious box.
Justin is Justin.
Justin is different.
And I believe Justin is who GOD made him to be.
My husband and I have raised Justin to embrace his creative spirit. He’s been a silly guy since the day he was born. I would not snuff out the greatest gift I see in my son just so he can fit in. Derek and I have taught him how important what he does is. Making people laugh is huge!! Laughter is healing and so needed in our days. Some of the emails Justin has received are life-changing. Kids tell him how depressed they were and then they found his YouTube channel . They say how laughing for hours helped them…and then they thank him.
Who’s to say that the gift of laughter is immature?
Some of us need to lighten up and laugh.
God created laughter, didn’t He? And laughter is for our benefit and our joy.
Yes, my son lives differently than other kids. Justin is goofy. Witty. Light-hearted. Creative.
Justin is now 19, a college student, and he makes his living as a YouTube prankster. One of his JStuStudios videos went viral last December. What fun to see over a million hits, pushing two million now. Justin and the crew make clean, family-friendly videos. No cussing. No sexual gestures. Just silly, off the wall stuff.
Justin and his friends go out to public places and pranks unexpected people. Sometimes they fall, make weird sounds or do the worm. Remember the show Candid Camera? Well, they do stupid things in order to capture faces and expressions and comments. It’s funny. It’s slapstick. And yes, it’s different than most young adults who get their first job making tacos at Taco Bell.
Justin lives life through a lens of creativity and laughter.
And as his mom, I’m perfectly okay with that.
I love him.
He’s my son.
*************
(PS I’m writing this in light of a car wreck that my son and his friends were in yesterday. They escaped when only minor scrapes, but they could have been crushed or killed. Life is short and I will always encourage my son to live as BIG and LOUD as he can until the Good Lord takes him home. If others don’t like him, that’s okay. I love him just as he is. He’s my prankster son.)
Justin on Facebook – click HERE
Justin on YouTube – click HERE
Justin on Twitter – click HERE
To watch Justin’s random videos on Keek – click HERE
(And lastly, YES, Justin cleans up his public messes. He knows if he wants to continue comedy, he must do it with integrity and responsibility.)
Here’s another video of Justin being interviewed by our local news. I pop in for a few words. 🙂
Just tell him to hold onto the scripture 1 Timothy 4:12. Let no man despise him because of his youth. :-D:-D
Good verse, thank you.
My daughter’s high school boyfriend used to do that. One afternoon, he did it near an older woman who subsequently was so distraught at thinking he was hurt fell and broke her hip. Your son has a very wonderful sense of humor. Perhaps, though, he could use his humor in more controlled circumstances.
Sorry to hear about the woman breaking her hip. That’s sad. I agree with what you are saying about the possibly of an injury. Actually that’s another mom talk I’ve had with my son. More than once. As an adult, I can no longer monitor everything Justin does. He knows the risk. I pray he continues to use his creative humor in the safest and cleanest way possible.
I love it!
Thanks for your support as a fellow mom, Melanie.
Beautiful post Tiffany!!! You made me cry. It breaks my heart to see so many kids that are not allowed to be who they are by those that are supposed to love them the most. As a parent I know the pressure and made so many mistakes raising my children, especially with my oldest. Having learned that lesson, I also know the backlash that comes from allowing your children to be who they are. You inspire me how you wholeheartedly support both of your children and while you feel the pain that comes from those that don’t understand that, you don’t back down. We are so blessed to have your family in our lives and I am so grateful to God for the influence you have in my son’s life. Thank you.
Kelly, thank you for your friendship. Thank you for sharing your son with our family. We love him.. And you teach me more than you know. Thank you for leading the way. I respect you as a fellow mom and friend.
Tiffany, I am so proud of you AND Justin! I am sorry that this has happened to you all. I’m proud that you wrote this. I totally agree. It can be difficult at times especially with Christian parents. They can be so judgemental. I am blessed that Brittany has found such a respectful and thoughtful boyfriend for her. He has been very sweet to her. We are very grateful!! Luv ya! Julie
Julie, your support is a gift. Thank you for being my friend. I love your girl, Brittany. And I look forward to all that God has planned for our creative young adults. Let’s stay connected. Thanks for taking time to read my heart and comment. hugs and love ya.
I don’t know Justin, but I know he is the funniest person ever! Because of him, I prank and laugh with my friends more than ever.
this is 100% exactly true for us too!!!!
I am glad you are laughing. Laughter is truly good medicine.
How does he hide his camera, esp for the loud eating in library pranks?
you are an amazing mother. my sisters and i idolize your son and his friends because they are so funny and easy going. my mom is also strict and looks over our shoulders as we watch them and laugh out butts off and tells us we shouldnt be watching them. we run around quoting them and all my friends and i talk about their videos all the time. well im 18 and everything you just said about why is laughing immature, you are so true. i read this entire article to my mom and said “she is so true. this is exactly what we’re always trying to tall you! like why do people always get so stressed about goofing around? it should be the furthest thing from it”. i think she now gets it. i said to her, i dont understand; if you goof around but you do your schoolwork, goof around but work hard at a paying job, why is it so wrong to have some fun and be silly? why are so many people against it?! whats the problemmm?!!! haha anyways, i just wanted to say thank you for saying everything that ive been trying to explain for so li=ong. god bless you and let your son know he is amazing and to never stop what they do, my sisters and i have been looking for genuine and easily exicuted comedy like this forever. thanks jstustudios and thanks jstumom!!!!
Justin and I read your comment and we are happy to know you and your sisters taking time to laugh! 🙂 Life is short and we must have fun. It’s a priority, right? Plus it’s healthy to laugh. And it’s free. I know not everyone understands humor but that shouldn’t stop those of us who do understand it. Thank you so much for stopping by and sharing your thoughts. And thanks for supporting my son, Justin (JStuStudios) and his friends with their clean and goofy comedy! Hoyehh!
I stayed up until one a clock in the morning watching all of their videos, Justin is the funniest person I have ever seen. I would do anything to be friends with a great Christian kid like that. U dont see kids like him these days. I don’t know about u, but I think that god has a sense of humor so keep up the good work
Thank you for speaking so kindly about my son. I really appreciate it. And I do believe God loves laughter. And I am glad to know you enjoy his videos.
Thank you, Dallas.
I liked your article. I loved to play silly pranks on people when I was his age. (And still do)
Your son and friends make me laugh so much!
I am now a Christian and a Mom to a son who loves to make people laugh as much as I do. Please don’t let anyone get you down. Your son gives a great gift to the world by making others laugh and reminding others not to take things so seriously
I don’t watch too many comedy shows on TV etc because I think most of them are rude, crude, or mean-spirited. I will continue to watch your sons videos as long as he makes them
Tell him to keep laughing and keep up the great work
God bless!
There was an unusual picture shown of 3 boys-two wearing scary masks that I found that my child had gotten a hold of- jstustudios in the middle. Odd picture. With two of them wearing masks–it shows they are either trying to hide their identity-or thought the masks were funny? They were pretty weird looking-scary masks. Nothing Christian about that. I’m making sure I have a talk with my child about this and have it known that I think anything jstustudtios does my child needs to be wary of and stay out of.
I’m sorry you feel this way. I know my son’s heart and his intention with humor and creativity is good. I encouraged creativity and play when he was young and in our home. I don’t encourage fear or evil or darkness, and neither does Justin. He fights against bullying and has a tender heart. He’s a goofy personality, yes, but he also loves Jesus. Only God sees what is really in our hearts. I’m sorry you are offended by something you saw. God bless
DO you know if when after Justin and Andy prank, they have to get the people who were used in the video’s permission to post it. If so do they sign a warranty or what. Also if you could ask them what mic they use. I am planning to start my own clean prank account, and was inspired by them to. I like your blog, and I really like you son. He is very independent in his thinking, and comes up with TONS of creative material. He makes me laugh so hard. I am only a 14-year old boy, but i love his material and he inspires me very much!! 🙂
I recently discovered Justin and his troupe on the Roku Pranks channel, and I’m hooked! I truly wish him and his friends lots of success as comedians and I can imagine seeing them in a movie someday. I must also add that I’m a 37 year old male, married, with three small children, and our whole family enjoys laughing with the JStuStudios gang. I am also a Mormon, and I greatly appreciate Justin’s Christian demeanor in his comedy. Before running into your blog post, I could already tell from watching Justin’s videos that he is a Christian because of his clean family humor that can be hard to come by oftentimes. Don’t let anyone tell you his humor is un-Christian. It is very Christian. And I believe God certainly has a sense of humor!
I don’t know why anyone would have a problem with his stuff. I’m a nanny and a Christian and I’m extremely strict with what I allow the kids to watch, way more than even their parents, they are 6 and 2, and I would allow them to watch his stuff, I’m cofident that it will always be clean Humor. I watch him personally and I love his stuff. I’ve shown them pranks like his and they are so historical in laughter. Comedy like his is good for all ages. You should be proud.
It’s amazing how Justin has changed! I’m 11 years old and I love to make people laugh by being awkwardly silly, and sometimes clumsy. Laughter is one of my favorite thing in life.
My 6 year old son has recently found your son’s youtube channel and he loves it. As always, I began to research jstu and found out you are a Christian family. After watching a few episodes with my son I decided it is appropriate for him to watch.
There aren’t enough true kid-friendly channels on youtube and I thank your son for being one of the few people I can trust my son watching. He and his friend are funny, goofy, creative and a joy to watch. Thank you for raising him right.
❤