A U.K. dad shared the unexpectedly brutal moment he asked his children to name five of his friends—and was hit with a reality check about his social life.
Pete Otway (@peteotway) walked Instagram users through the innocent question that quickly spiraled. “I asked my kids to name five of my friends the other day and I would not recommend doing it,” the 37-year-old said in his reel. What followed was a painfully funny audit of his adult friendships.
Pete told Newsweek that the whole thing began as a way to pass time. The family was sitting in the car while his wife popped into the store, and Pete—who often invents little word games for his kids—suggested naming five of something, such as animals or types of weather, as they often do.
“We ended up [naming my friends],” Pete said. “I started telling my (limited) mates about it and realized how funny it was.”
The challenge didn’t start out badly. His children—7, 5 and 2—confidently named his best friend from school who still buys him birthday presents every year.
Next came Pete’s brother. “It’s a curveball, but we’ll take it,” he said. Then the list began to wobble. Number three was Pete’s wife—their mum. Fourth was Pete’s own mom. By the time the kids finally settled on a fifth name, the moment had fully backfired: his mother‑in‑law.
“If you want to feel a little bit lonely and reflect on where your life’s ended up in your thirties, ask your kids to name your friends,” Pete said in the clip. “It will not end well.”
While the reel pokes fun at adult loneliness, Pete said that the reality behind it is more practical than sad.
He works as a comedian, a job that keeps him busy evenings and weekends, and many of his comedian friends now live miles away.
The couple moved back to their hometown in the north of England to raise children, while old school friends work traditional hours that don’t always line up.
Still, Pete wouldn’t change it. “It’s a great job to have when your kids are young,” he said. “I can school pickups whenever I need and have split the daytime child care with my wife when they’ve been babies.”
And while he has made new friends through parenting and sports teams, they haven’t yet become fixtures in family life—at least not recognizable enough to make his kids’ top five.
Pete’s reel is going viral on Instagram with more than 352,000 views and counting. Many parents could relate, while others joked that it must mean Pete treats the women in his life exceptionally well.
“Sounds accurate,” one user said. “My kid said both dog names, himself, my husband and my one high school friend.”
“Try asking them what you like doing for fun/what are your hobbies,” another posted. “After a lot of thinking they decided I like wearing glasses and eating.”
“Not even sure that I could name five friends these days!” a third commented. “Maybe if I threw in some work colleagues.”
Pete said his own reaction was pure amusement. “It definitely played on what [already knew]…but, honestly, it just made me laugh.”
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