Parents use 'Jessica' to briefly stop toddler tantrums.

TikTok videos show parents saying the name "Jessica" to interrupt toddler tantrums, and a family physician says the unexpected call can briefly redirect a toddler's attention.

Parents on TikTok are using the name Jessica as a quick way to interrupt toddler tantrums. Clips shared by creators show caregivers calling out the name and children pausing or stopping crying. In a widely viewed video by Tiffani Ortega, a father pretended to call for "Jessica" and the toddler stopped crying within seconds. Another video from a parent named Evanthia showed a similar reaction when family members pretended to look for Jessica. Family physician Dr. Deborah Gilboa told Today.com the tactic likely works because it creates an unexpected break that briefly redirects a toddler's attention, noting toddlers have greater perseverance and object permanence than babies. Key details: - Multiple TikTok videos document parents calling out "Jessica" and toddlers ceasing to cry or calming down. - Tiffani Ortega's clip, in which a father calls for "Jessica," has been viewed millions of times and drew wide comment. - A separate video from a user named Evanthia showed the same name call stopping a young child’s crying when family members acted as if searching for Jessica. - Dr. Deborah Gilboa explained the effect as an unexpected interruption that momentarily shifts a toddler’s focus and cited toddlers' object permanence. - The name Jessica has also been discussed elsewhere online as a cultural reference among younger users. Summary: The videos and expert comment highlight that an unexpected name call can pause a toddler's crying by briefly redirecting attention. How consistently the method works across different children and situations is undetermined at this time.