Toddler shows two different personalities while shopping with his mom and dad: 'He wants to...'

At first glance, it looks like just another day at the supermarket, a toddler, his mom, and dad taking turns pushing the cart. But as the video unfolds, something more fascinating starts to stand out. This little boy isn’t just shopping; he’s switching personalities depending on who he’s with. In a clip posted by Makenzie Waters (@makwaters) on TikTok, viewers are treated to a video montage of their toddler son shopping with mom versus shopping with dad, and the contrast is both hilarious and heartwarming.

With mom, he’s carefree and goofy, dancing through the aisles, chatting away, and completely at ease. He’s playful, silly, and open, the kind of comfort that only comes from knowing you’re safe no matter how ridiculous you act. But when he’s with dad, everything shifts. He suddenly becomes focused, mimicking every little movement his father makes, from how he picks things off the shelves to the way he sits carefully choosing things. He’s watching closely, absorbing it all, like he’s trying to become a miniature version of the man beside him. Even they give their high-fives, and the mom captions her video and writes, "Oh, and they have their own handshake?!?"

What makes the video so compelling is how naturally this switch happens, as if the toddler instinctively knows how to meet each parent where they are, showing us a glimpse of how kids experience relationships in their own unique way. In the comments, people couldn’t stop talking about how much this clip revealed about parenting dynamics and the different emotional roles moms and dads often play.@lexie_scott_author wrote: “He trusts you to make the right choice. Dad needs a second opinion.” @Latipha added,  “With you, he is just a baby… with dad, he is with the bros.”

@Auroara dug deeper into the emotional layer, saying, “He feels comfortable to just be his silly self with you, but wants to be cool like dad.”Some saw it as a moment of admiration in action. @Semih commented: “He wants to be like his dad. He wants to impress you. That’s why he acts like his dad.”@Marijo, looking at the bigger perspective, said, “And that is why dads are important in kids’ lives, it’s a whole different dynamic.” And @Allanmight’ve said it best, “He’s taking care of mom by acting like Spider-Man, but mirroring dad because he wants to be Superman.”

Research shows that children often form different attachments with each parent, and those bonds can shape how they behave in various situations. According to psychologist Mary Ainsworth’s attachment theory, kids tend to mirror the emotional tone and interaction style of the caregiver they’re with, meaning they may act more relaxed with one parent and more observant or structured with the other. The study elaborates on how toddlers adjust their behavior based on their caregiver’s emotional tone. In the case of the shopping toddler, this adaptability points to secure attachments, with each parent providing a distinct emotional “tune” that the child naturally mirrors. 

For more videos like this, you can follow @makwaters on TikTok!