Toddler's 'Spot-on' Impression of Mom Leaves Parents in Stitches

The moment a toddler impersonates his mom has racked up almost 15 million views on TikTok.

In a hilarious video shared earlier this month to the social media platform by Brennan Doherty, 34, (@boo5977), he can be seen holding his son Huxley before asking: "What does mama sound like?"

The adorable 15-month-old then looks at the camera before breathing in and letting out a sigh.

Huxley's mom Nicole, 30, told Newsweek: "The impression is hysterical and spot-on."

Children learn various skills through imitation, such as using objects, gestures like waving, and acquiring language. According to a study featured in ScienceDaily in September 2023, infants as young as 6 months old learn to imitate their caregivers. Led by professor Markus Paulus, chair of developmental psychology and educational psychology at Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Germany, the research examined the interaction between mothers and children from over several months.

The babies came into the lab for the first time at 6 months and their final visit was when they were 18-months-old.

The findings indicate that children not only imitate their parents but also observe and mimic parental interactions. When parents imitate their children, it is a sign of communication and strengthens their bond. This reciprocal imitation enables children to connect what they see with their actions, forming associations between their visual experiences and motor skills, as explained by Paulus.

In this case, little Huxley's impression of his mom was the perfect way to take the edge off an otherwise stressful day.

Dad and son
The moment 15-month-old Huxley impersonates his mom Nicole has racked up almost 15 million views on TikTok. Brennan Doherty/TikTok/@boo5977

"We had our first big scare with him earlier that day that culminated in an ambulance stopping by the house to make sure everyone was safe. Nicole was trying to keep as calm as possible, but it turns out the lights and sirens were all that was needed to put the crying to an instant stop. We both love making mom laugh, and this seemed to do the trick!" Huxley's dad, a company director, told Newsweek.

Doherty added that Nicole, a private nurse, was behind the camera egging on her son. It seems the popular clip shared on April, 10 is relatable for many.

TikTok Users React

One comment from a TikTok user, with 185,100 likes, reads: "Cause you two be stressing her out."

"lol poor mama - she needs a vacation," another user wrote.

A third commenter responded: "Accurate representation of motherhood."

A fourth TikTok user wrote: "Mama is tired !!!!"

It's not just parents who can resonate with the clip, with one user adding: "I sound like this and I don't even have kids."

If you have a family dilemma, let us know via life@newsweek.com. We can ask experts for advice, and your story could be featured on Newsweek.

Uncommon Knowledge

Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.

Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.

About the writer


Lucy Notarantonio is Newsweek's Senior Lifestyle and Trends Reporter, based in Birmingham, UK. Her focus is trending stories and human ... Read more

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