Toddler says she’s ‘sad’ at bedtime—nothing prepares mom for reason why

A Virginia mom thought her daughter was winding down for a normal bedtime when the 4-year-old whispered that she felt “sad.” What came next was not the kind of sadness most parents expect from a preschooler—it wasn’t about sharing toys, leaving daycare, or even a scary dream.

“She was sad about Pompeii,” mom of four Laney Morello told Newsweek “She’s been sad about it ever since she learned about what happened, and references it about twice a week.”

Laney, who shares family life on Instagram @hellomorellos, had taken her kids to Busch Gardens, where they rode Escape from Pompeii. For most kids, it’s just a ride. For Frankie, it sparked big feelings about history—and humanity.

“I felt proud of her empathy!” Laney said. “Of course, I want to protect her innocence and I wish I could keep her from ever knowing anything sad, but I also know that she’s finding her place in the world and that starts even as young as she is at 4.”

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A post shared by laney morello (@hellomorellos)

Why this moment matters for parents

Bedtime check-ins are a long-standing ritual in the Morello household. Laney and her husband have been doing them since their kids were babies, at first narrating the day, and now listening as the kids unpack their own feelings. 

Laney’s philosophy is simple: honesty and presence. “Her dad and I are big believers in parenting with honesty, and try to give age-appropriate answers to anything our kids ask us,” she explained.

Her post struck a nerve online, with parents and history buffs chiming in:

• @alainebfield: “Ohh, she’s a history girly 💖” (23.8K likes)
  
• @pink.zaddyyy: “Her first ‘Roman Empire’ omggg” (7.2K likes)
  
• @bookofsquatch: “Just wait until she learns about the library of Alexandria.” (439 likes)
  

And in true mom fashion, Laney captioned her video with humor: “any tips for helping toddlers cope with mass tragedies that happened in 79AD?🥺 my sweet little empath.”

Related: What to say to model empathy for your toddler with toys

The bigger takeaway

While Pompeii may not be the typical subject of preschool angst, Laney sees it as proof of her daughter’s growing empathy. “Be present with your kids,” she told Newsweek “Give them a safe space to be open and communicative about their feelings.”

For moms, it’s a reminder that even the most unexpected late-night confessions are chances to connect, to listen, and to guide kids through the confusing landscape of big feelings—even if those feelings are about an ancient volcanic eruption.

Related: 6 strategies to help your small child process their big feelings