Dad Tells Little Girl off—She Turns to the Right Family Member for Help

A classic case of “good cop, bad cop” has captured hearts on TikTok, featuring a dad gently scolding his toddler—only for her to be instantly comforted by his brother.

The sweet moment, caught on camera, shows just how quickly little ones like Ellie Perkins can turn to their favorite person for reassurance. It shows the 2-year-old sitting on a train opposite her dad Tim, 31, and next to her uncle Zachary, 31, who instantly comforts her after being told off by her dad by calling her a “good girl.”

The heartwarming scene has racked up 4 million views and over 405,000 likes.

“It was such a real-life parenting moment,” her mom Jordan, 33, from New Orleans, Louisiana, told Newsweek, adding that many people were able to resonate with the clip.

The stay-at-home mom, who goes by @jordangarrido online, explained that they were on an hour-long train ride back to Zachary’s house, who lives in New York.

She said: “Ellie is such a social butterfly, so it was tough keeping her still and quiet—she started peeking over the seat and trying to talk to the girl behind us. We gently told her to stop, but she kept doing it regardless.”

The text layered over the video explains: “When dad fusses at you but your uncle [is] a softie.”

The stay-at-home mom told Newsweek: “If you know a toddler, you know they are in that testing-their-limits phase. I just so happened to be recording one of her funny moments when she did it again and that’s when Tim told her to stop.

“The video is only about 10 seconds long, so it doesn’t show that just moments later she was back to giggling and being her happy little self.”

Jordan added that Ellie and Zachary have a “sweet bond,” and it’s clear that in his eyes, she can do no wrong.

“She absolutely adores her uncle!” said Jordan, adding: “She literally lights up whenever he’s around.”

Benefits of Aunts and Uncles

Newsweek reached out to child psychologist Ana Aznar, founder of REC Parenting, an online platform supporting parents and caregivers.

She said: “Children really benefit from having loving adults in their life with whom they have a close relationship. These adults can be aunts, uncles, grandparents, teachers, coaches, or godparents.

“Aunts and uncles can teach important values and life lessons to their nieces and nephews. Sometimes they are the adult friend that children choose to confide in. Uncles and aunts are part of the village that every parent needs to raise a child.”

TikTok Reacts

So far, the March 7 video has almost 1,000 comments.

“Kids have GOD TIER manipulation skills. They know who the weak link is,” said one user, and another wrote: “She said, ‘See how your brother talks to me?'”

“The nieces and nephews are NEVER guilty! We know our siblings are just tripping. We grew up with them,” backed a third user.

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