In the heartwarming fantasy version of sibling introductions, your firstborn cradles the new baby with gentle wonder, plants a sweet kiss on their forehead, and instantly forms an unbreakable bond that will last a lifetime.
And then there’s reality—where your toddler might look at this tiny new human like they’re reviewing an unsatisfactory quarterly report.
One-year-old Theodore Diglio has gone viral on TikTok for his hilariously unimpressed reaction to meeting his newborn sister Esmé, and parents everywhere are dying over his business-executive energy.
Not exactly the hallmark moment
When 33-year-old mom Victoria from Mineola, New York, introduced her toddler son to his baby sister, she captured a moment that’s resonated with over 3.3 million viewers. The video shows little Theodore—dressed in what can only be described as “middle management casual” with his neatly combed hair, knitted sweater over a collared shirt, and jeans—staring at his new sibling with an expression of pure, undiluted skepticism.
“We expected him to welcome her with open arms or dismissive!” Victoria told Newsweek. “He is still so young so we knew he wouldn’t process what a ‘sister’ was, but his reaction definitely took us by surprise.”
Related: The ups and downs of helping a toddler prepare for the arrival of a new sibling
The internet, naturally, had a field day with Theodore’s executive demeanor.
“He took work off for this,” commented MargotP.
“He is probably thinking ‘this could have been an email,’” added honeysparklebottom, perfectly capturing the vibe.
User KeedenNah 🇸🇸 observed, “He ran the numbers and it ain’t gone work 🤣,” while MandyKlieg imagined Theodore’s next move: “My lawyer will be in touch.”
Another commenter named ✨ wondered if they’d “interrupted his golf game to tell him this?!” and 83%’er astutely noted that “he isn’t mad. Just disappointed.”
Perhaps Janet Withrow summed it up best: “Nobody even bothered to email him about the restructuring.” And Gabe hit the financial implications on the head: “Lil Bro realized he has to share the inheritance now😭😭.”
Related: Toddler meets baby brother for the first time—and instantly loses it
From boardroom to brotherhood
Fortunately, Theodore’s initial corporate restructuring concerns have softened. In a follow-up video posted five days later, the little executive has apparently approved the merger, sweetly letting Esmé rest on his lap and giving her a gentle kiss on the forehead.
“He loves to give her kisses, feed her a bottle and give her a pacifier,” Victoria told Newsweek, proving that even the toughest negotiators have a soft spot.
Related: ‘Did it hurt?’: A sibling’s sweet reaction to his little sister’s boo-boo melts hearts
When the corner office becomes the nursery corner
If you’re about to introduce your toddler to a new sibling, experts say there are ways to ease the transition (though we can’t guarantee they won’t still look like they’re reviewing your business proposal).
The Child Mind Institute recommends:
- Keep it real: Let your toddler know that babies cry and need constant attention—no sugarcoating the job description.
- Schedule one-on-one time: Just because there’s a new team member doesn’t mean the original star employee gets demoted. Keep your special bond with regular quality time.
- Get them involved: Let them choose baby toys or help decorate the nursery. Everyone likes to feel like their opinion matters in major company decisions.
- Prepare them for your hospital stay: Explain that you’ll be going away briefly but will return with the baby. Consider it a very special business trip.
- Make them feel important: Include them in baby care routines like fetching diapers or helping at bath time. Promotion to “Big Helper” comes with serious prestige.
Whether your toddler welcomes their new sibling with open arms or with a look that says “I’ll need to review these changes with HR,” remember that sibling relationships evolve. Today’s skeptical stare might be tomorrow’s protective hug.
And if all else fails, just remember: at least you got a viral video out of it. That’s social media currency you can’t buy—not even with Theodore’s waning inheritance.
