If you're like me, YouTube consumes some of your free time. You become connected to the channels you watch and feel like a part of their family. I have been watching these channels for as long as two years and as short as a few months. They all deserve more recognition for the amazing things they're doing. These are my top ten channels from 2017.
1. KKandbabyJ
KKandbabyJ is a family of four that live in Orlando, Florida. It consists of Keren, Khoa, Jackson and Landon. They have been vlogging and posting videos since 2012. They are so real and don't sugarcoat a thing about their life. They are currently partnered with RetailMeNot for a $200 giveaway to give back to their subscribers for the holidays. They also bought toys for a children's toy drive.
2. Okbaby
Okbaby is a family of four that live in Salt Lake City, Utah. It consists of Oscar, Kyra, Levi and Alaya. They are also best friends with KKandbabyJ. They have been vlogging since 2015, documenting their journey as teen parents to be at 19 years old. They switched from weekly vlogs to daily vlogs. They have not sugarcoated their life together and have been real about being young parents. They have truly grown so much in the last two years and watching it has been amazing.
3. Rachelle and Justin
Rachelle and Justin are a married couple that live in California. They began vlogging in 2011, documenting their infertility and IVF journey. Their strength is what keeps me watching. In May, they gave birth to their daughter Brynn, sleeping. They manage to stay positive through the hurt and I admire them for that. Rachelle was just implanted with twin embryos and they stuck! They are expected to give birth soon.
4. Ellie and Jared
Ellie and Jared are a family of four (soon to be 5!) that live in Logan, Utah. They began vlogging in 2011 and have filmed every day for 1,210 days before taking a week long break. They've documented their struggle to get pregnant due to Ellie having PCOS (Polycistic Ovarian Syndrome). During their time on YouTube they have accumulated over a million subscribers. This family has been so raw with their content, sharing their story of love and loss.
5. McHusbands
McHusbands is ran by Erik and Adam McEwen. They have been filming videos since 2016, uploading weekly. They have documented their journey to fatherhood as first time fathers. These two are just beautiful souls. They welcomed twin daughters, Everest and Addison, on November 24 via surrogate and egg donor. I've only been subscribed for a little over a month and I just adore this new family.
6. Carissa Nunez
Carissa Nunez is a family vlogger with her husband Nick and daughter Emerson from Indianapolis, Indiana. They began vlogging in 2016 to document the Carissa's pregnancy journey and their family firsts. This little family is so real, and documents the good and bad things in life.
7. Taylor Rochelle
Taylor Rochelle is a vlogger from Orlando, Florida. She began filming videos this year after it was suggested by Keren from KKandbabyJ. She posts a variety of videos and is currently participating in Vlogmas, where YouTubers post every day for 30 days. She documented her moving in with her boyfriend and the renovations to their new home.
8. SincerelyGracie
SincerelyGracie is a variety channel ran by Grace. She began filming videos in 2011 and filmed a variety of different types of videos. Things changed for her channel four months ago when she found out she was pregnant. Now she posts more mommy videos as she awaits the arrival of baby B (a girl).
9. Brittani Louise Taylor
Brittani Louise Taylor is a channel ran by Brittani that documents her weeks as a new single mom and actress. Brittani began filming videos in 2009 and has entertained 1.2 million subscribers. She has been through some tough times lately, but nothing stops her from being a supermom for her son. Her videos are always entertaining and she never fails to put a smile on everyone's faces.
10. McKayla Adkins
Mckayla Adkins is a teen vlogger who documents her life as a teen mom. Mckayla began filming less than a year ago and documented the ups and downs of her pregnancy, as well as the adjustment to being a new mom. She also stars on the TLC show Unexpected, which also shows a different angle to her adjustment to motherhood. Mckayla has had some struggles lately, but never fails to do what is needed for her son. She is an amazing mother, despite only being 17 years-old.
These 10 YouTubers are influential, and their channels will continue to grow as 2018 comes and goes. I have no cruel words for these channels and I can't wait to continue to follow their journeys and see all the babies 2018 is bringing.