Parenting is a constant juggling act: letting kids express their independence while silently hoping strangers aren’t judging you for their choices (or lack of a coat).
A viral TikTok video with over 700,000 views hilariously captures this universal struggle. The clip, created by @sachalouisetrigg, shows a mom walking behind her daughter, holding a coat with the caption: “Holding your daughter’s coat out so that everyone knows she does have a coat she’s just refusing to wear it but you don’t have time for this argument.”
The relatable humor struck a chord with parents, as the comment section filled with gems like, “Seasoned parents know the truth!” and “I can so relate to this,” while others confessed to serving as a “walking coat hanger” for their children. Beneath the laughter, though, lies a deeper look at the everyday battles parents face—and how we learn to pick which ones are worth fighting.
@sachalouisetrigg I promise she does have a coat haha #fyp #winter #coat ♬ Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! – Dean Martin
The silent judgment of parenting: “I promise she has a coat”
If you’re a parent, you’ve likely experienced that moment of panic when a stranger’s gaze lingers too long, silently questioning your decisions. The mom in this video even added the caption, “I promise she has a coat haha,” acknowledging the silent (and often imagined) judgment of passersby.
Moments like these remind us that parenting is a marathon, not a sprint. You can’t win every battle, and that’s okay.
The pressure to prove you’re a “good” parent, even in the smallest of moments, can feel overwhelming. Are you negligent for not forcing your child to wear a coat in the cold? Will others assume you don’t care about their well-being? These questions run through every parent’s mind, often leading to over-explaining our choices. But seasoned parents know the truth: sometimes, you just have to let go of the judgment and trust that you’re doing your best.
Related: You don’t know me, so please don’t judge my parenting skills
Parenting logistics: Becoming a walking coat hanger
Whether it’s coats, toys, water bottles, or half-eaten snacks, parents know the struggle of becoming an unofficial pack mule. One commenter perfectly captured this reality, saying, “I have 3 so I just become a walking coat hanger.”
We may not have capes, but parents walking through winter with arms full of abandoned gear might as well be superheroes in disguise.
This phase of parenting isn’t just about logistics; it’s a constant reminder of how much we carry—literally and figuratively—for our children. We hold their belongings, their emotions, and their struggles, often sacrificing our own comfort and convenience to make their lives easier. It’s an act of love that goes unnoticed until you’re the one fumbling with jackets, gloves, and scarves.
Picking your battles: The great coat debate
The coat standoff is a classic example of learning to pick your parenting battles. Forcing a child to wear their coat might seem like a hill worth dying on, but is it really? In many cases, the emotional energy spent on convincing, bribing, or cajoling isn’t worth the fight.
Parenting isn’t about getting it perfect—it’s about finding moments to step back and let our kids grow, even if that means they’re learning the hard way that coats are non-negotiable in January. Instead, parents find themselves prioritizing: is my child warm enough, even without the coat? Are they happy? Will this teach them a natural consequence, like feeling cold and realizing the coat has value? Often, the best lessons come when we step back and let them figure it out for themselves.
Related: How my strong-willed child is changing me—for the better
The solidarity of shared parenting struggles
The overwhelming response to this TikTok shows just how universal these moments are. Whether it’s carrying the coat your child refuses to wear, repeating “put on your shoes” 15 times, or navigating another toddler meltdown in public, the everyday struggles of parenting connect us all.
For every moment of silent judgment, there’s a parent somewhere nodding along, saying, “I’ve been there too.” And that’s the beauty of content like this—it reminds us we’re not alone in the chaos of parenting.
As one commenter wisely said, “Seasoned parents know the truth!” Each coat refusal, meltdown, and small battle let go is a step toward raising resilient, independent kids—and you’re doing an amazing job.
So, the next time you find yourself holding a coat no one wants to wear, remember: you’re not just a parent; you’re part of a global club of coat-holding warriors, learning to embrace the small battles and celebrate the bigger victories.
