'Lilo & Stitch' scares kid with idea of raising brother alone — mom's reply is a masterclass in parenting

Misty Coy Snyder — a mother who goes by @mistycoysnyder on Instagram — thought it was just another movie night with Clay, her elder son. But little did she know what impact the movie would have on the young man. Later, when Clay confronted his mom about his biggest fear — raising Jed, his younger brother with Down syndrome, after his parents died — it was Snyder's response that showed what gentle parenting truly looks like. Snyder shared the story through a heartfelt reel that has garnered 100k views since its release on June 29, 2025.

Snyder and Clay were watching "Lilo and Stitch," the 2002 release, when Clay asked, "If you and Dad die, will I have to take care of Jed all by myself?" For a moment, Snyder was speechless and couldn't think of an answer. She wanted to come up with an age-appropriate, sensible answer and not just dismiss her son by saying something like, "Dad and I aren’t going to die!" Besides, Snyder knew that Clay was an "intuitive" and curious child, and his question came from a place of great concern about the future. "I took a deep breath and said, 'Honey, if Dad and I passed away now, there are many people who love you and would care for you BOTH because you are both little boys. You would not be responsible for taking care of yourself, let alone your little brother,'" she said. The question probably arose when Clay saw Lilo, an orphaned child, being raised by her older sister, Nani.

Further, Snyder explained that one day, Clay might have to take care of Jed, but Mommy and Daddy would try to figure out everything before they leave. "But here’s what I KNOW for sure: you and Jed love each other like Lilo and her sister," she added, saying how she's always amazed seeing Clay and Jed's bond. Hearing his mommy express how proud she was of her babies, Clay turned a bit emotional as he confessed, "I am Jed’s big brother, and I will always look after him." Now, it's important to understand that kids might not understand death like adults. Children like Clay, specifically those who are in the age group of 6-11, begin to understand that death is permanent, and it's completely natural for them to bombard people around them with questions related to it. Adults, especially their parents, also need to prepare themselves to respond to such queries calmly.

Although difficult, Psychologist Dr. Lisa Damour says it's important to be transparent about death to kids. “It’s more useful for adults to warmly and tenderly say, 'I have some very sad news to share. Your grandparent has died. That means his body stopped working, and we won’t get to see him again.' It can be hard for parents to use such direct language, but it’s important to be honest and transparent," she shared with UNICEF. When Snyder shared the beautiful moment online, it received an overwhelming response on the internet, leaving people in awe. Reacting to the clip, @loridenise62 commented, "Wow! I just watched that movie with our grade 8 special needs class! I forgot how serious it was for a children's film. Powerful. Your son has obviously had amazing parenting!"

Meanwhile, @plot_twist_family shared, "I love his heart and your honest, age-appropriate answer. My oldest son (17 years old) says that Evie (his sister) will live with him someday. We often joke that she will bounce between her 4 brothers' houses. What a blessing it is to have a loving sibling." @krinkle96 exclaimed, "You have the best sons! Be grateful that you are raising them right! What a sweet thing to say as an older brother!"

You can follow Misty Coy Snyder (@mistycoysnyder) on Instagram for more parenting content.