Toddler gives viral crumpet order—and mom’s calm response wins the internet

If you’re a parent of a toddler, you already know: mealtime is never just about food. It’s a complex dance of requests, emotions, and changing whims. And no one captured that better this week than Australian mom and fitness influencer Steph Claire Smith, whose now-viral TikTok perfectly sums up the anxiety of trying to get a toddler’s breakfast just right.

Spoiler alert: it involved crumpets, Vegemite, jam, and a very particular set of rules from her 3-year-old, Harvey.

A masterclass in toddler negotiations

The video opens with Smith, who’s currently expecting her second baby, standing in her kitchen trying to decode Harvey’s oddly specific crumpet order.

“So you want me to cut your crumpet in half and have jam on one side and Vegemite on the…” she begins—only to be quickly corrected by Harvey. There’s a moment of adorable (and slightly panicked) clarification as she tries to get it right.

Eventually, Smith learns that the crumpet must remain whole—not cut—and feature jam on one half, Vegemite on the other.

Let that sink in: one whole crumpet, two spreads, divided—but not separated. The stakes? A toddler tantrum or morning peace.

@steph_claire_smith IYKYK 😅 #toddlersoftiktok #toddlermom #toddlerlife #mumsoftiktok ♬ original sound – Steph Claire Smith

When your toddler is your toughest critic

With crumpet prepared to spec, Steph presents it for inspection. For a few tense seconds, Harvey silently evaluates the plate. Then—relief! He approves the meal and even asks for a glass of milk to complete his breakfast.

The internet, watching with bated breath, exhaled together.

“I was absolutely terrified for you,” wrote @.Griffiths.. @Laura Kathryn added, “I held my breath when you asked if that was right 😅”

With 4.3 million views and over 5K comments, the video hit home for thousands of parents who know the high-wire act of toddler food preferences all too well.

Related: Toddler eats: 5 ways to overcome a picky eating phase

What Steph did right (and how you can, too)

Behind the laughs, there’s a deeper parenting lesson in Steph’s approach. She:

• Used a calm, validating tone
  
• Asked clarifying questions without getting frustrated
  
• Gave her toddler a sense of control while still keeping boundaries
  
• Modeled flexibility, emotional regulation, and grace under pressure
  

How to navigate toddler mealtime requests (without losing it)

✅ Let them lead (within reason): Ask “Would you like it whole or cut?” to offer control
✅ Narrate your moves: “I’m spreading the jam on this side…”—this helps toddlers feel secure
✅ Stay calm when they flip the script: Changing their minds is developmentally normal
✅ Avoid the power struggle: It’s not about the food—it’s about being heard

Related: Feeding therapist shares ‘simplest switch’ to help engage picky eaters at mealtime

Because sometimes breakfast is more than breakfast

Whether it’s crumpets or cereal, mealtime with toddlers often becomes a stage for learning autonomy, communication, and trust. And for parents, it’s a reminder to lead with patience and humor—even when the jam placement feels like a high-stakes puzzle.

As one @Ox perfectly put it:

“Having a toddler is like being the assistant of a high-profile executive who doesn’t pay you and makes inconsistent, erratic, and illogical demands all the time.”

We see you, parents. And we’re cheering every perfectly prepared, toddler-approved crumpet you serve.