Have you ever woken up from a nap craving something delicious? We have all probably felt that way at one time or another, and if the feeling is intense enough, we might drop everything and head out the door to get it. Like, for real: Don't even get between a pregnant woman and a hot fudge sundae, right?
Marissa Phiffer, 23, got the scare of her life when she woke up from a nap and found out just how intense those cravings can be. But it wasn't for herself. Nope. Her 3-year-old son, Aiden, needed some fries and chicken nuggets in the worst way. So what did he do? He threw on some kicks and marched right over to the golden arches on his own. His momma was not lovin' it.
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Everyone was taking a quick snooze that day.
Phiffer shared her story on TikTok in a video that racked up 3 million views. She and her twins, Aiden and sister Aleiya, were snuggled up, taking a nap, per the usual. "I was sleeping on the floor right next to their cribs," she told Today.
Sometime while Phiffer was sleeping, Aiden decided he was hungry and needed something to eat. Phiffer said in her TikTok that he put on his shoes and walked across the street to McDonald's.
At first, she had no idea where he was.
Phiffer explained in the video that when she awoke and realized Aiden was gone, she asked Aleiya where he was, and she told her mom he went outside. Naturally, she panicked and searched the house and the outside, but he was nowhere to be seen.
"I really started to get nervous when he wasn't in our neighbor's yard. I thought that's where I'd find him. They have a bunch of rocks and he likes to line them up and play with them," Phiffer told Today.
The panicked mom called 911.
Phiffer was terrified and called the police for help. She told Today they arrived in "two seconds" with a photograph. She positively identified her son, who had made it to the McDonald's about .4 miles from their home by himself.
Phiffer said a woman saw Aiden all alone at the restaurant and called the police for help. While police waited for his mom to arrive, Aiden played with other kids.
She and Aleiya rushed to the restaurant to grab him. He cheerfully said, "Hi, Mom!" she recalled to the news show.
Phiffer was just happy to have him back.
Aiden told his mom that he walked to McDonald's because he was hungry. She admitted to Today she thought about getting him a Happy Meal but was too embarrassed to do it and just wanted to get out of there.
Clearly, that little guy is a big fan. "Fries, nuggets and apple slices — he'd eat that every day," she told Today.
She said in her TikTok that she has never been so scared in her entire life. She did chuckle, however, and said that even though it's not funny, it is.
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Aiden isn't the only toddler to take a solo trip.
Lots of TikTokers shared their horror stories in the comments to try to make Phiffer realize she's not alone.
One mom wrote, "My son walked to Kmart across a busy street when he was 2yrs old! found him standing at the check out line with candy!"
"When my son was 3 he got money from my purse, got in his battery car, and took off down the road on shoulder headed to donut shop. Scariest thing ever," another mom agreed.
Some people remembered their own adventures as kids, such as this commenter: "When I was small I walked from my grandmother's house down the road to my aunt's house. She walked in on me getting an apple out her fridge. "
And this one made us chuckle. "Easter. Age 3 or 4. Went through backyards, down a hill, across major street, and WENT INTO A BAR! They had a giant Sprite sign and I was thirsty," one commenter recalled.
"My son did this he didn't walk to Mac Donald's but went across the street, me and my husband was sleeping the cop walked in our house," another mom shared.
The stories helped, and Phiffer thanked people for commiserating with her.
"y'all are making me feel so much better about this. i'm like a hawk on them i never thought it would happen."
She shared a follow-up video of Aiden opening the door and showed the new safety locks she had just ordered on Amazon. She also said she linked her twins’ birthday wish list for anyone interested but not to spend too much time browsing Aiden's list.
“Don’t get Aiden nothing. He’s not getting a single gift. Don’t order that man nothing. He’s on punishment,” she joked.
