1-year-old says first word to mom's coworker when she leaves the room, she wonders if she should tell her: 'It might be nothing'

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Ally Perry • Writer and Editor
Dec 4, 2025 1:00 PM EST

A baby's milestones are the obsession of pretty much every new parent.

It makes perfect sense: you have put all this effort into bringing a tiny human into the world, and now you want to see them learn to do all of those things that most humans can do. The sleepless nights and spit up can all seem worth it when a kid finally learns how to use their legs, or their babble starts to turn into actual words. It can be one of the most euphoric parts of parenting.

The flipside to this is the anxiety that is felt when a baby doesn't seem to be learning things on the expected timeline. It can leave people feeling like they have already failed in their job as parents, even if it isn't their fault. At least it makes every bit of progress extra special, although that might not happen in the way that they first envisioned. 

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  • a baby sits on the lap of a woman wearing glasses as they both look at a laptop screen
    via Getty Images (Unsplash+)

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • Something that can be particularly crushing for parents who have been eagerly awaiting their baby's key milestones is if they miss out on the first time that they do them. This can happen even when they stay at home with them all the time, but the odds are higher if they have other responsibilities, such as work.

    One woman felt immense guilt when she was the sole witness to the first word of her colleague's 1-year-old, whom she brought into the office every day. The mom had been stressed out that her son had not been hitting his milestones on time, but he repeated the word “mommy” to her coworker while she was not in the room.

    The non-mom was left pondering if it was best not to tell her. She didn't want to ruin a special moment.

     

  • My Co-worker’s baby finally said his first word and it was to me…WIBTAH if I didn’t tell her?

    My co worker has one of the most adorable babies in the world. He comes to the office with her everyday. He just turned one three weeks ago.
    via Ki2525_
  • Co worker has been having anxiety that he's not walking or talking yet. Bur it's like since he turned 1, he discovered his legs actually work. He's been crawling less and actually standing on his own and walking.
    via Ki2525_
  • a woman walks through a hallway in an office carrying a laptop
    via Daria Pimkina

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • He's also been trying to say things but nothing fully formed yet. Today during lunch break, I was at the kitchen with him, waiting for his mum. He starts crying and I'm like
    via Ki2525_
  • "Mummy's coming soon don't cry" And he finally said mummy.
    via Ki2525_
  • Would I be the asshole if i don't tell her about it so she doesn't feel robbed of the chance of hearing his first word? It might be nothing and I might be overthinking it but I would like to hear opinions from other people.
    via Ki2525_
  • an empty table surrounded by modular seating by a window
    via Alex Oviedo
  • SheWhoWalksInTheSun Take that to your grave
    via SheWhoWalksInTheSun
  • OP Ki2525_ Sure as hell will! I feel it has to be so special for her
    via Ki2525_
  • Fun-Yellow-6576 Don't tell her. When I was baby sitting my grandchildren I witnessed several firsts (words, steps, sleeping through the night) I never shared that info with anyone, not even my hubby. I was the full time baby sitter until they started school, so of course many of those milestones were with me.
    via Fun-Yellow-6576
  • OP Ki2525 Thats so sweet of you. Parents deserve that feeling of witnessing their child's milestones. Even if it's not actually the first, they deserve to believe it is
    via Ki2525_
  • OneCrew2044 Lol, I have an easy first name, my name is always the first name babies in my family or close friends say, not all the parents were happy about it.
    via OneCrew2044
  • _Allyka_ Don't tell her. While it is lovely that he said mummy as his first word, she will be so depressed that she a) missed it, and b) it was not recorded. Neither of which you have any control over, no way for you to think he was going to say mummy there and record it, but it will mean so much more to her if she hears it. If she does not tell you tomorrow that he started to say mummy, start prompting him a bit. If he is being left with you, as she is about to leave, or if your about to walk a
    via _Allyka_
  • OP Ki2525_ Thank you so much! This is great advice. I'll definitely do that. She's been worried about his speech not coming in fast enough, Thats part of why I felt so guilty when he said it before she came in. I really hope he says it again infront of her. Can't wait to see how excited she'll be
    via Ki2525_
  • Patient-Couple 7509 Don't say a thing. My aunt runs a daycare where first words and first steps happen everyday. Every single staff member knows to shut up about it, don't rob the parents of that moment!
    via Patient-Couple7509
  • OP Ki2525_ I would never. Not a parent yet but I can only imagine how special that moment must be. I know she'll be elated when he finally says mummy or any other word to her.
    via Ki2525_
  • IDontWanttoWakeUp9 Never tell her. Ever. I have family that work in a daycare, sometimes they see a baby take their first steps at the daycare center. They lie through their teeth when the parent asks, because they don't want to break that parent ideal of seeing all the firsts.
    via IDontWanttoWakeUp9
  • OP Ki2525 Firsts must be so special. I'm not a parent yet but I remember when he started walking like actually stomping and using his feet, she came into the office so excited telling everyone he's finally walking. Literally looked like she won the lottery lol. And since she's so worried about his speech coming in a little slow, I just know she'd be over the moon when he says a word to her
    via Ki2525_
  • Head Razzmatazz7174 Agreed. Any baby firsts you witness without the parents - no you didn't.
    via Head_Razzmatazz7174
  • Snurgisdr My first word was the dog's name. The dog never told anybody.
    via Snurgisdir
  • HuhWelliNever Take that shit to your grave, do not confess that on pain of torture, or disfigurement. She'll be crushed.
    via HuhWelliNever

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baby coworkers parenting workplace mom speaking reddit thread Reddit milestone wibta
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