It’s the little moments of connection between siblings that often stick with us. That’s exactly what TikTok creator @juliewise4 captured in a now-viral video that has parents everywhere tearing up. In the clip, 5-year-old Jay greets his 19-month-old sister, Rose, with empathy and kindness after she excitedly shows him her “boo-boo.”
The video is pure sibling magic. Jay, thoughtful beyond his years, carefully checks on Rose’s injury and asks, “Did it hurt?” before dropping to his knees to inspect her hand. It’s a tender, real-life example of how siblings can become each other’s greatest emotional support—even at a young age.
Here’s why this heartfelt interaction resonates so deeply and what parents can learn from it about fostering sibling empathy.
Sibling bonds build lifelong connection
Moments like these don’t just warm our hearts; they lay the foundation for lifelong relationships. Experts agree that sibling empathy plays a critical role in developing trust, mutual respect, and emotional resilience.
“The way he immediately engaged with her and showed concern—that’s a terrific big brother!” one commenter (@rebajones875) noted, while another pointed out how Jay “dropped to his knees to validate her feelings and check her boo-boo” (@Cadibabybaby🎀). These simple acts demonstrate emotional intelligence in action.
As Dr. Eileen Kennedy-Moore, a clinical psychologist and parenting expert, explains, “Empathy between siblings doesn’t just happen—it’s cultivated through modeling, positive reinforcement, and creating an environment where kids feel safe expressing their emotions.”
Parenting’s role in fostering empathy
This viral moment didn’t happen in a vacuum—it reflects parenting choices that encourage kindness and emotional awareness. Many TikTok commenters praised Jay’s mom, Julie, for creating a nurturing environment where such sibling bonds could flourish.
“I hope you take pride in knowing you raised two amazing children. Clearly a huge reflection on you as a mom,” wrote @Smurfyz🤸🏼♀️. Another user, @danielle, echoed this sentiment: “This kind of empathy doesn’t happen by accident. Amazing job, mom!”
Experts agree that parents play a pivotal role in helping siblings form deep connections. “When parents celebrate moments of kindness between siblings, it reinforces those behaviors and helps them grow into habits,” says Kristen Howerton, therapist and author of Rage Against the Minivan.
Related: This simple parenting tip is a genius way to prevent sibling rivalry and jealousy
The viral response: A community of love and laughs
TikTok users flocked to the comments to share their own sibling memories, both sweet and funny. Some reflected on the power of sibling empathy:
- “Jay is the kindest person. Keep raising him to be the gem he already is.” —@Johnson.156
- “He asked if she was behind the door before opening it. Such a thoughtful big brother!” —@bRoOKeLIN
Others couldn’t resist a bit of humor:
- “My brother would’ve asked if I’m behind the door just to make sure he gets his target.” —@Userrr123444
- “The way my big brother would’ve asked if it hurt and then smacked it. Jay is the sweetest!” —@A
How parents can nurture sibling empathy
Inspired by this sweet sibling moment? Here are actionable tips to encourage empathy and kindness in your own family:
- Model empathy in daily interactions. Children learn by watching their parents. Show them how to be considerate by practicing kindness and compassion in your own relationships.
- Praise small acts of kindness. Highlight moments when your children help or comfort each other, just like Julie likely did with Jay and Rose. Positive reinforcement strengthens these behaviors.
- Create opportunities for connection. Simple activities, like reading together or playing cooperative games, build trust and collaboration between siblings.
- Role-play scenarios. Help kids practice empathy by role-playing situations where they might need to offer comfort or assistance to their sibling.
- Teach them to express emotions. Encourage kids to articulate their feelings, which helps them understand and respond to their sibling’s emotions better.
The bottom line
Jay and Rose’s tender interaction is a reminder of the powerful bonds that siblings can share when given the space to grow together. It’s moments like these—unprompted and deeply felt—that show us the beauty of family connections.
For more tips on fostering empathy and building sibling bonds, explore resources from trusted parenting experts at Child Mind Institute and Kidpower International.
What are your favorite sibling moments? Share your stories in the comments below!
