Mom’s Phone Prank Takes Kids on Emotional Roller-Coaster in Video; SA Reacts: "So Beautiful"
- A mother played a playful, emotional prank on her children, creating a memorable moment that sparked joy and gratitude
- The kids were initially disappointed when they thought they received only phone cases, but their faces lit up with joy when they discovered the real surprise - brand-new phones
- The TikTok video has gone viral, with many viewers praising the mother for her creativity and love, and sharing their own thoughts and reactions to the heartwarming moment
- Briefly News spoke to certified relationship expert Paula Quinsee on the psychological benefits playful moments can have on family dynamics, and how playful surprises and emotional roller-coasters like these help strengthen the bond between parents and children
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A mother has left social media both amused and touched after pulling off a playful prank on her two children, taking them through a wave of emotions before ending with a heartwarming surprise.
Source: TikTok
In the trending video, the mom can be seen standing in her room with two neatly packaged phone boxes in her hand. She then called her son and daughter into the room, immediately presenting them with the gifts. The children’s reactions were priceless. The young boy rushed forward to hug his mother tightly, while his sister jumped up and down in sheer excitement.
Eagerly, the siblings opened the boxes, only to discover that inside were phone cases, not the smartphones they had hoped for. Their excitement quickly turned to disappointment, with both children looking visibly sad. The mom then teased them, casually remarking, "Ahh, phone cases," which only deepened their sadness.
Moments later, however, she revealed the real surprise. With a big smile, she pulled out the brand-new phones she had hidden away behind a pillow. Instantly, the children’s faces lit up with joy, their disappointment replaced with laughter and gratitude. Overcome with happiness, they rushed to thank their mom, telling her how much they loved her.
The video that was shared by TikTok user @hustlerdee.wa.tpca on 17 September 2025 has since gone viral, with viewers praising the mother for creating a memorable moment filled with both humour and love. Many commented on how the prank perfectly captured the ups and downs of parenting and family life, while others admitted they would have fallen for the trick themselves.
The emotional roller-coaster may have started with disappointment, but it ended in joy, leaving both her children and online audiences smiling.
Briefly News spoke to certified relationship expert Paula Quinsee in light of the viral video where a mother pranks her children with a gift that turns out to be a phone case, followed by a heartwarming surprise.
The relationship expert shared the psychological benefits that such playful moments have on family dynamics and how playful surprises and emotional roller-coasters like this help strengthen the bond between parents and children by saying:
"Playful surprises can foster emotional connection, promote resilience, enhance communication, stimulate creativity, reduce stress and anxiety, and model emotional regulation. Parents should be mindful of boundaries, tailor the surprise to the child's personality, interests, and sensitivities, create a safe space for emotional expression, and make it a regular occurrence to maintain a sense of wonder and connection."
She added:
"Parents can create a positive atmosphere, teach children to manage their emotions effectively, and foster a sense of connection."
Mzansi is loving the sweet surprise moment
South Africans were in awe as they flooded the comments section, raving over the mom and her children's heartwarming surprise moment.
Thami said:
"She actually pranked us, too."
Puseletso wrote:
"Parents like this should live forever. Be blessed, mama."
Catee expressed:
"Am not crying, bathong."
Zanele shared:
"Wow, so beautiful kekopa plug ka phone."
Patiey_M
"Mothers deserve to live forever."
Lorraine Lebeya-Buthelezi commented:
"You see how their mood didn’t change even when she said it’s a prank, lovely kids."
Watch the video below:
Source: TikTok
More heartwarming mother and daughter moments
- Briefly News reported that one young woman's special day in South Africa became even more memorable thanks to a heartfelt and surprising graduation gift from her mom.
- A young woman got a brand new car for her 18th birthday, and her over-the-top reaction is making waves online, all thanks to her mother, who went all out for her.
- A loving mother spoiled her daughter with her first car. The mom pulled out all the stops and bought her a Mercedes-Benz AMG A45S.
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Source: Briefly News
Johana Mukandila (Human Interest Editor) Johana Tshidibi Mukandila has been a Human Interest Reporter at Briefly News since 2023. She has over four years of experience as a multimedia journalist. Johana holds a national diploma in journalism from the Cape Peninsula University Of Technology (2023). She has worked at the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, PAICTA, BONA Magazine and Albella Music Production. She is currently furthering her education in journalism at the CPUT. She has passed a set of trainings from Google News Initiative. Reach her at johana.mukandila@briefly.co.za
Paula Quinsee (Certified Relationship Therapy Educator and founder of Engaged Humans) Paula Quinsee is the founder of Engaged Humans, facilitating connection between individuals and organisations to create a more human-connected world. She is a certified Imago Relationship Therapy educator and facilitator, NLP practitioner, PDA analyst, coach and trainer. Paula is also the author of two self-help guides - Embracing Conflict and Embracing No - as well as an international speaker, advocate for mental health and activist for gender-based violence.
