Jessica Biel Shares Viral Hack for Stopping a Child’s Tantrum with Her Name
Jessica Biel Shares Viral Hack for Stopping a Child’s Tantrum with Her Name
Angelique BrenesFri, April 10, 2026 at 2:45 AM UTC
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Jessica BielCredit: Michael Loccisano/WireImage -
Jessica Biel shared a viral parenting trend that uses distraction to help stop toddlers’ tantrums
The trend involves calling out “Jessica” mid-tantrum to redirect a child’s attention and break their emotional loop
A pediatrician explained the technique can be effective when used playfully without dismissing a child’s emotions
Jessica Biel is highlighting a viral parenting trend that has social media buzzing.
The actress and mom of two recently took to her Instagram Stories to share a series of videos highlighting a trend some parents are using to help soothe their toddlers’ tantrums. The approach is simple: when a child begins to cry or escalate, parents suddenly call out the name “Jessica,” as if they’re trying to get someone’s attention.
In many of the clips Biel shared, the unexpected interruption appears to distract the child, stopping the tantrum before it fully takes over.
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Biel, 44, reshared multiple compilations of the trend in action, adding a playful caption to one: “You rang? 🤣”
The trend, which appears to have emerged recently online, shows parents looking away mid-tantrum and calling out “Jessica” as though someone else is in the room — a moment that often shifts the child’s focus.
In addition to two videos featuring children, Biel also shared a third clip showing the technique used on a dog. In the video, a golden retriever runs around with a toy before suddenly stopping, dropping it and looking toward the camera after hearing “Jessica?” called out.
Jessica Biel and Justin Timberlake attend Justin Timberlake's 'EVERYTHING I THOUGHT IT WAS' Album Release PartyCredit: Jerritt Clark/Getty Images
One of the videos Biel reposted also featured a pediatrician, Dr. Mona, who reacted to the trend and explained why it may be effective.
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“Not every tantrum needs us to white-knuckle our way through the whole storm while waiting patiently for our child to calm down,” she wrote.
She added that while the strategy may not work in every situation, it can be a helpful form of distraction when used appropriately.
“Young kids can get stuck in a loop. Their brains are flooded, their attention gets glued to the upset and they often cannot shift gears on their own,” Dr. Mona explained. “A playful or neutral interruption can help break that loop just enough for their nervous system to soften.”
She also addressed concerns some parents may have about dismissing emotions.
“What makes something feel dismissive is not simply that it shifts attention,” she wrote. “It is when a child learns, ‘My feelings are inconvenient, so grown-ups make them go away.’ That is very different from, ‘My parent helped me out of a spiral, stayed calm and then came back to me with connection.’ ”
Biel shares two sons with husband Justin Timberlake. The couple, who have been married since 2012, welcomed their older son, Silas, in 2015, followed by their second son, Phineas, in 2020.
While the origins of the trend remain unclear, it continues to gain traction online, with parents experimenting with playful ways to redirect their children in moments of distress.
on People
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
