When a baby is born, their parents often have dreams that the child will someday follow their passions. We can’t lie, but we looked at our babies and hoped they would eventually be just a tad bit like mom. It’s what parents do. Lots of those parents share those special moments on social media. And when they do that, they open themselves to everyone’s opinions on their parenting skills.
Surfer Rob Kelly naturally wants his sons to be one with the ocean like their dad. So when his son Koda was born in October, he stopped at the beach on the way home from the hospital to dip the newborn’s toes in the water. His TikTok of the event got 2.8 million views, and the comment section went nuts.
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The water is a huge part of Kelly’s life.
He’s been surfing forever and moved to Ocean City, New Jersey, in high school to help further his career. Text on his TikTok reads, “Continuing the tradition, I started with my firstborn to take the babies straight to the beach from the hospital to feel the ocean before going home.”
The video shows Kelly gently putting Koda’s feet in the water as proud big brother Kash supervises. It is a sweet moment topped off with the “Circle of Life” playing in the background.
The baby wasn’t hurt.
Sure, he jumped a bit when his toes hit the water, but he didn’t scream. It’s not like his dad dunked him in some sort of symbolic baptism to ensure he would be a surf god later in life.
The weather on the beach looked beautiful, and Kelly quickly pulled his baby back to his bare chest to comfort him. It is a pretty wholesome moment for the young family.
Contrary to what you might think, not everyone goes straight home after having a baby.
Plenty of parents have stopped somewhere on the way home from the hospital.
“I took mine to target so I could get us both diapers,” one commenter wrote.
Lots of people were hungry after delivery. One mom wanted a celebration. “I took mine to Dairy Queen because I brought her home on my bday and I wanted a cake,” she wrote.
“Took mine to get chips and salsa at a mexican restaurant,” another person added.
Then there were the drive-thru people.
“Took mine to a Starbucks drive thru,” someone commented.
“Took mine to Taco Bell," another person confessed.
Of course, there were judgy people.
There will always be the people who have to make a snarky remark.
“If you don’t take that baby home ,” someone warned.
“My anxiety could never. I silently cried the whole 6 minute drive home from the hospital with my twins ,” another person commented.
Someone else asked, “Is that allowed?”
One TikToker tagged a medical professional asking about safety and bacteria in the ocean, but the professional didn’t reply.
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Most of the parents, however, had jokes, and the comments did not disappoint.
Like the dad who commented, “Mine drove us home born w a mullet and a drivers license.”
And these funny parents.
“Took mine straight to my moms house cause I already needed a break,” someone joked.
“Took mine straight to college. Hopefully he can graduate with an accelerated degree. He is 6 now. Probably a Dr by now," one comment reads.
We love this one: “took mine to the Alamo! so she won't forget.”
And one parent joked about not knowing where the baby is, writing, “i dropped mine off at the airport so that he could go live with his grandma come to think of it, i’m not sure he ever arrived.”
We think this is a great tradition. Dipping the Kelly baby's toes in the water is symbolic for them and it is clear that Kash and Koda are loved and superbly taken care of by their parents. We hope they have many years of beautiful beach days ahead.
