In China, delivery workers have become one of the representatives of the underprivileged in society. Some scenes of their struggles have been circulating on the internet, with the most heart-wrenching ones showing them carrying their young children while making deliveries. Several delivery riders who are parents recently opened up to journalists from Da Ji Yuan about their hardships.
A mother named Tian Jing (pseudonym) from Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, who delivers food with her child, told the reporter that she started doing deliveries last year because no one could take care of her two-year-old child. Sometimes the child would cry, making it tough for her.
“I deliver food just to earn some grocery money. Of course, it’s exhausting to have the child with me while working, but as long as I focus on doing my job well, and ignore what others may say, it’s manageable,” Tian Jing said.
She mentioned that it’s challenging to find a regular job these days because every industry is struggling. Nobody wants to hire someone who needs to bring their child to work.
Another mother, Xiao Fang (pseudonym) from Jiangmen, Guangdong, expressed that delivering food with her child is tiring, but she finds joy in earning money with her own hands. “I gave birth, I raise, I take care of the child all by myself, without any help from my in-laws,” she explained.
Xiao Fang shared that the orders have decreased recently, and the prices are lower. Sometimes she doesn’t get any orders even after being out for an hour. Despite the challenges, she says she will persist because she needs to support her child financially.
Reflecting on her situation, she commented, “A woman’s life is indeed hard. Sometimes the child behaves badly, and there’s nothing I can do about it.”
When asked if her husband agreed with her delivering food, she responded, “We have no money. Even if I don’t want to do it, I have to. My husband may not agree, but he has no choice. The economy has been worsening in recent years, and we struggle to make ends meet.”
Yang Hua (pseudonym) from Langfang, Hebei, is another mother who delivers food with her child. She is 39 years old and has been doing deliveries since losing her job in 2024.
Her child suffers from a genetic disease and epilepsy, which are incurable. Yang Hua lamented, “His condition has drained all our money, and there’s been no improvement. He’s almost four years old now. I have to carry him or leave him lying at home.”
She mentioned the challenges of delivering food with a child, such as avoiding riding too fast or taking too many orders to prevent penalties. Despite the difficulties, she is determined to continue as she believes it’s the best job for her.
In conclusion, Yang Hua expressed, “In the three years since my divorce, I’ve felt capable of handling anything and taking good care of my child. Sometimes I think maybe a miracle (recovery) could happen to my child.”
There are also instances of men delivering food with their children.
In Guangzhou, a delivery guy named Su He (pseudonym) from Zhaoqing, Guangdong, has been raising his child alone while making deliveries since his partner left three years ago. Due to his elderly grandmother and the absence of parental support, he has to take his child with him.
Su He shared with Da Ji Yuan that earning money has become increasingly difficult. He often works tirelessly, sometimes delivering food overnight, even while carrying his child, who sleeps in the car.
He tries not to let the child out of his sight when entering a restaurant to pick up orders. Su He mentioned the penalties he incurs for delayed deliveries, which sometimes makes his child fearful when he is overwhelmed with work.
Now that the child is five years old, Su He often leaves the child at home alone, as the child is sensible and not attending daycare for the time being. He plans to register the child for school in September, a process that requires a significant amount of money, including settling their living expenses in a rented house.
Su He emphasized the challenges of the current situation, feeling discriminated against at times. However, he put his child’s well-being before anything else and disregarded any negative perceptions from others.
Numerous videos circulating online show men also carrying their children while making deliveries.
On April 3rd, a netizen in Guangxi captured a touching moment of a delivery guy with two young children—one seated in front of the bike and the other carried on his back. The selfless act garnered praise from online viewers, with comments like “a true hero” and “he is winning at life”.
On January 17th, in Guangxi, another delivery guy was seen braving the cold winter to make deliveries with his child. Comments flooded the online platform, praising his dedication in adverse conditions.
On November 30th, in Kunming, Yunnan Province, a delivery worker was spotted taking a break to eat in a restaurant with his child on his back. The contrast between the reality of their struggles and the idealized image of a “happy delivery worker” in official promos sparked a heated discussion online.
In November 2025, a promotional video by CCTV in cooperation with Meituan attempted to portray food delivery as a job to appreciate the scenery along the way. However, the video faced public criticism for romanticizing the hardships faced by delivery workers and was promptly taken down.
The challenges faced by these delivery workers, especially those with children, highlight the harsh realities of their daily lives. Despite the hardships and lack of support, they continue to persevere in the hope of providing a better future for their families.