By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2025-03-14 14:01:34 | Updated at 2025-03-14 17:38:06
4 hours ago
A mom has sparked a heated debate online after claiming parents should pay more attention to their toddlers than their infants.
Mom influencer Deb, who posts under the username @the_goddard_fam on social media, shared a video showing her two-year-old and newborn daughters playing on the floor.
In the clip, the mom wrote: 'There will be times when your toddler and baby need you at the same time.'
'Choose your toddler first,' the mom suggested.
She reasoned: 'Your baby will not know you waited an extra few minutes, but your toddler will know you chose the baby over them.'
The mom then acknowledged it can be hard as a parents to hear your baby crying, but knowing that your toddler feels heard is also so important.
'For sure it always depends on the specific situation,' she added.
Deb explained that she and husband George would include their toddler in helping the baby if both her daughter's needed her at the same time.
Mom influencer Deb, who posts under the username @the_goddard_fam on social media, shared a video showing her two-year-old and newborn daughters playing on the floor
'Those early days are so much learning of how to navigate multiple kids and it's not always going to be easy,' she pointed out.
Users were divided over the comments, some slamming the mom for blatant favoritism.
'Oh, the baby will know too. Don't give advice about things you don't know enough about,' one woman warned.
'And that is how you raise entitled children always being sorted first,' slammed another. 'You assess the situation and go to which child is in need most at the time. You teach the older one they will be first sometimes but not always cos that's a life skill you teach them it's ok to have to wait and you praise them and let them know you are proud they could wait.'
't think little baby needs you more cause is 100 percent dependent and can't wait/understand. Toddler can be more understanding. Feeding can't wait. You can tell toddler "baby needs to eat" and after I will be for you,' suggested someone else. 'Or feed the little one and hug toddler together. I think there is the way.'
Other people agreed with Deb.
'I have experience in being both a baby and a toddler. As a former baby, I do not remember anything. As a former toddler, I remember feeling pushed aside and neglected for my baby brother. Hope this helps,' one user wrote.
'I enjoy this advice; toddlers are so vulnerable and need to know they belong more than anything when a new sibling arrives also, never use the baby as a reason you can't do anything for your toddler. It creates resentment,' chimed in another.
In the clip, the mom wrote: 'There will be times when your toddler and baby need you at the same time... Choose your toddler first' (stock image)
Users were divided over the comments, some slamming the mom for blatant favoritism
Parenting Expert Hannah Keeley told the DailyMail.com that parents don't need to pick between their children - and doing so can lead to future problems.
'With seven grown children, I can tell you firsthand that you do not have to choose,' the expert explained.
'Family is about working together and supporting one another,' she continued.
'Your toddler gets to learn this principle as they engage with the parent in helping the baby, not pulling the parent away,' the mom-of-seven said., pointing out: 'this is how the roots of sibling rivalry are formed.'
