I didn't love playing with my toddler - then I got the best advice

"This just took so much pressure off of me," one mum commented on the now-viral clip. 

In a viral TikTok video, mum Emily Cooper shared the advice her therapist gave her after she told them she didn't love playing with her toddler. 

The candid confession is something that many parents often feel but don't admit, in fear of it being taboo.

But Emily's admission has struck a chord with the parenting community and many have now vowed to embrace the therapist-approved tip.  

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If you're having fun, they're having fun. Image: TikTok

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'If you're having fun, they're having fun'

In the short video, which has amassed nearly three million views, Emily shares a clip of her and her toddler saying 'cheers' with their coffee cups at a cafe.

The text over the clip reads: "I once told my therapist it can be hard for me to enjoy playing with my toddler. She told me 'If you're having fun, they're having fun.' So now we have a coffee date once a week."

Emily then had the realisation that her own happiness plays a vital role in creating positive and fun experiences for her toddler, who just enjoys the simple pleasure of being in her company and doing everyday 'adult' activities.

She captioned the clip, which has over 408k likes and 660+ comments: "Honestly the best parenting advice."

Emily and her toddler now have coffee dates every week. Image: TikTok

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'That is so brave of you to share'

The clip resonated with parents and made many feel seen about their similar issue of not loving playtime. 

"Trying this, I also struggle with playing, thank you so much for sharing!" one remarked. 

"WAIT this is so good," someone else chimed in.

Another wrote: "That is so brave for you to share with your therapist. I’m proud of you."

Then this mum admitted, "This just took so much pressure off of me."

"I so feel you," read a different comment. "I hate pretend play but I love just spending time with my baby. We go to Target together and get cake."

And others shared how their parents did this when they were kids and they value it so much still to this day. 

"Honestly, these little dates are what I treasure as memories with my parents. Never had to be extravagant," one woman shared.

Another wrote: "I wanted to do anything with my dad. Going to the petrol station? I'll come. You need more Pepsi? I'll come. Just to be included was the best."

And a third said, "My grandma would give me a list of things to find for her at the supermarket when we went together and it was like a scavenger hunt."

"My parents took me on long drives to random restaurants because that’s what they liked to do... at 26 it’s still my favourite thing," a fourth concluded. 

Originally published as I didn't love playing with my toddler - then I got the best advice